OUT NOW!
A Killer Clue, book two in the Hunter and Clewe Mystery series was published by Crooked Lane Books on Sept. 24, 2024.
Perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Jenn McKinlay, acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert is back with more devious clues and deadly secrets as Hunter and Clewe take on a new case in the second Hunter and Clewe Mystery
When Eloise Anderson, the owner of an antiquarian bookshop, arrives at the grand Aircroft estate to ask retired librarian Jane Hunter and eccentric collector Cameron Clewe for help, Jane and Cam expect a bookish inquiry. But the bookseller has a different sort of assistance in mind—clearing her mother’s name of a murder Eloise is convinced she didn’t commit.
Eloise’s mother has just died after spending many years in prison for allegedly killing Eloise’s father. Armed with new information found in her mother’s effects, the bookseller is determined to uncover the true killer so her mother can rest in peace, even though the case is now colder than ice. When Jane tracks down the original detective from the investigation and discovers him stabbed to death in Eloise’s bookshop, Jane and Cam are sure this murder is connected to the cold case. They think it’s the same killer, but the police unfortunately have their own prime suspect, and this time around it’s Eloise.
Cam and Jane’s cold case sleuthing turns urgent—find who committed the murders or watch another innocent woman rot in jail as a cold-blooded killer walks free.
“A wealthy North Carolina man and his personal librarian make an odd but effective detective team… The finely drawn characters are the stars in this complex batch of mysteries.”
— Kirkus
“Red herrings, missing books, and a charming detecting duo . . . For fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.”
—Library Journal
“Gilbert stacks the proceedings with solid suspects, convincing red herrings, and a treasure trove of trivia about mid–20th century mystery authors. Golden Age whodunit fans will have fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A Killer Clue finds two main characters who have a very different and very refreshing chemistry. It’s Senior teaming up with Junior – “old school” meshed with “new school,” and a middle class retired librarian working for an awkward, super brainy and super rich boss”!
And you may ask: What about the mystery? It’s not just “a” mystery. There’s THREE intertwining mysteries in A Killer Clue that are sure to keep armchair detectives on their toes. Victoria Gilbert aimed her arrow at creating a unique series and she has certainly hit the bullseye.” — Wonder Women Sixty
COMING SOON
Releasing in Jan. 2025
SCHOOLED IN MURDER, book one in the Campus Sleuth Mystery series, will be published by Crooked Lane Books on Jan. 7, 2025
A mystery writer must solve a real murder case before an innocent girl is condemned-in this series debut from acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert, perfect for fans of Ellery Adams and Lorna Barrett. Jennifer ‘Jenn’ Dalton is an author and educator at Clarion University in Virginia. She loves her job, but some of her petty coworkers look down on her for writing genre fiction. As members of the English department, they wish to encourage students to pursue higher literary aspirations. When a humiliating confrontation between an uppity professor and one of Jen’s students, Mia, escalates, no one thinks much of it. Until his dead body is found along with evidence incriminating Mia. Jen knows Mia couldn’t have killed him, but Mia’s suspicious disappearance might as well be a proclamation of guilt. With the sleuthing skills Jen has acquired writing murder mysteries, she’s determined to solve the case and clear Mia’s name. Along with the help of her fellow sleuthers, Christine Kubiak, a cafeteria manager, Zachary Flynn, the charming but annoying campus psychologist, and Brianna Rowley, a librarian, Jen must catch the real killer before there’s another murder on the books.
“An appealing sleuth with an engaging love interest lights up this series debut.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A satisfying cozy that will appeal to bibliophiles who like a hint of romance.”
—Booklist
“Schooled in Murder is a first-rate debut for a wonderful new series! Talented author Victoria Gilbert has crafted an intelligent and skillfully told mystery with plenty of twists to keep readers turning the pages. A cast of well-drawn characters and a touch of romance lend additional charm to the story. Highly recommend!” —Marjorie McCown, author of the Hollywood Mystery series