A Murder for the Books, by Victoria Gilbert, is the first book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. It follows Amy Webber as she uses her library research skills to solve a collection of murder mysteries. However, the deeper into the mysteries she digs, the more likely it is that she won’t return alive. 

When the handsome Richard Muir moves next door, he enlists Amy’s help to dig into a decades old murder. Though the original suspect was acquitted of her husband’s murder, the town still believes she was guilty. Richard aims to find substantial proof to finally prove them wrong. But what they find instead implicates the ancestors of several key members of the community, including Amy’s grandmother. 

However, murder doesn’t stay in the past. Dead bodies start popping up around town. When Amy’s best friend goes missing, Amy puts her safety on the line as she determines to find her. In the meantime, perhaps she can also find the answers to the other murders. But once she uncovers the true story, she may not live long enough to tell anyone else the truth.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Murder for the Books. I liked that Amy investigated, but not so stubbornly that she put herself in unnecessary danger (though she found herself in plenty of trouble). And I loved how the relationship between Amy and her neighbor blossomed. A Murder for the Books is an excellent book and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I borrowed this book from the library. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”