Anyone who read the girl detectives, Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden, will appreciate the opening of M.E. Hilliard’s debut mystery, The Unkindness of Ravens. Hilliard, who went back to school to become a librarian, introduces Greer Hogan, who went back to get a degree in library science for her second career. But, Greer, who tells how much she loved Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, blames them. Now, “I was a girl detective with a laptop instead of a roadster.”
Greer has only been at the Raven Hill Public Library for six months when she heads to the rooftop terrace on the first sunny day, planning to enjoy lunch. Instead, she pushes open the door, and finds the body of her best friend, Joanna Goodhue.
Like everyone in a small village, Greer Hogan has secrets. But, hers involves the night her husband was murdered. She’s afraid that murder will put her on the top of the suspect list. However, Greer knows Joanna was working on a project. She had implied she needed Greer’s help with something, but never let the librarian know what she needed. Now, Greer’s going to spend time asking questions and playing girl detective as she does her job, research.
Hilliard’s debut is not a fast-paced mystery. It’s well-developed, and carefully plotted. It’s an atmospheric mystery, centered around an old, sometimes dark and creaky library building. Some readers may expect a cozy such as the library-centered ones by Jenn McKinlay or Victoria Gilbert. However, it’s darker, with ravens and foxes, and uneasiness. The Unkindness of Ravens is an intriguing debut with a clue as to where Greer Hogan is going next. I’ll be following.
M.E. Hilliard’s website is https://mehilliard.wordpress.com/
The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard. Crooked Lane Books, 2021. ISBN 9781643856940 (hardcover), 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .PDF to review for a journal.
Ruth Rendell wrote a mystery called AN UNKINDNESS OF RAVENS in 1985.
I know several authors used that title or The Unkindness… That title just works.
Although not commonly used, unkindness as one of the collective nouns for a group of ravens, as is murder of crows. Word play that makes or some catchy mystery titles.
Yes, I looked it up when I read the book, MM. Much better than some titles that make me groan!
My cousin gave me her Nancy Drew books after she read them.
What a great gift, Carolee!
The title of the book caught my attention, and now your review has me adding The Unkindness of Ravens to my TBR list. Thanks, Lesa!
Anytime, Kathy! Anytime!
I so enjoyed this mystery! I was pulled in from the first page — I’m a decades-long Trixie Belden fan and I agree with Greer’s assessment. Hilliard absolutely nailed the library details — so nice to have those right, for once. The references to multi-media mysteries — Poirot and Marple both in print and film, a dash of Kinsey Milhone (and Greer’s landlord is Henri).
Wasn’t that great to have the library details right, Nann? Greer is a librarian, so she understands. I liked the references to multi-media mysteries as well. Darn. I didn’t catch Greer’s landlord’s name. Very good!
Having read mysteries since a child (Nancy Drew, Sherlock, Poirot, Marple, Kinsey Milhone) this book was a delight. Esp. enjoyed the manor library setting, the tittle tattle of a small town, the colorful characters, & librarian protagonist, being a retired librarian myself. Esp. enjoyed her smart, funny, witty writing & observations. Esp. enjoyed all the references to other mystery books & tv series. However, the ending left me a bit unsatisfied, as the actions played out were implausible. Seemed very rushed & not well thought out. Nevertheless, I can hardly wait for her next novel.
Mari, I agree with everything you just said. I’m with you in that I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.