Series: Booklovers B&B Mysteries #2
Published by Crooked Lane Publishers on June 8th, 2021
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
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Meeting your favorite author in the flesh can be the chance of a lifetime. But for one unlucky fan, her plum place in line at a book signing will lead to her untimely demise.
Beaufort, North Carolina, is home to Chapters Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by former schoolteacher Charlotte Reed. This historic 18th-century inn draws in voracious readers from far and wide with its lovingly curated special events celebrating a host of genres and authors.
On this sunny July weekend, a visit by one of the biggest names in romantic fantasy attracts throngs of admirers to the quaint coastal village. That's not ideal, as the author retreated to Chapters to get away from it all for a while. No matter--she'll appease her fans with a "Tea and Talk" meet-and-greet at the B&B celebrating her bestselling series (starring a devilishly dashing, time-traveling pirate), follow that up with a quick book signing at Bookwaves, the hip indie bookstore across town, and spend the remainder of the weekend in delightful repose.
But when the president of the reclusive writer's fan club is found dead in the harbor by the Beaufort docks--done in by a blunt-force blow to the head--it's up to Charlotte Reed, her neighbor Ellen, and Ellen's trusty Yorkshire terrier to sniff out the killer. Because if they can't, a spectacularly successful book series--and its author--may come to a sudden, lethal conclusion.
We did finally got into the story and ended up enjoying it quite a lot. That’s after it took as days to figure out where all the characters fit in (there are a lot of characters to keep track with), how Charlotte ended up in Beaufort New Carolina, and the two story-lines that have nothing to do with each other, really baffled my Mommy’s little human brain.
We’ve read a few other reviews from people who enjoyed this book tremendously and we came to the conclusion that it’s definitely us, not them. And the reason we didn’t feel a spark here, was because we didn’t read the first book in the series. *Note to Mommy: Do not request books out of series. You won’t see a flicker of light.
- You need a victim
- You need a killer
- You need a murder weapon
- You need a location
About the Author
Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountain, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian.
When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.
Victoria is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and is represented by Frances Black of Literary Counsel, NY, NY.
Lovely review, Amber will certainly want to give it go! Sorry we're a little late visiting, just wanted to say thank mew for stopping by BBHQ and leaving a few comments, we just signed up to follow your by email and look forward to stopping by often.
Hi there dear Basil and team! We are so glad you came to visit and we hope that you will enjoy hanging around here with us!
Oh, I love Clue! I loved the movie they made on it too, it was hilarious. And so was this: "Do not request books out of series. You won't see a flicker of light." Haha, you always manage to find just the right pics!
My own DNF-ing rule is to reach Chapter 3, whatever the page mark — at the end of Chapter 3, it's going straight to DNF Land.
~Lex
Hi Lex! Oh we are such kindred spirits! Clue is my favorite board game and yes, the movie is excellent! We've actually watched it a couple of times.
Chapter three might also work yes. I should actually start moving my 40 up. The idea is to read as many pages as your age. So it should actually now be page 42. And that is actually quite appropriate! If I don't get the meaning of the book by page 42, I'll never get it!
We liked to play it, Elza, it's exciting??Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend???
Hi there Blinky! I'm sure you love to play it the same way I do – by throwing everything off the table!
I hope you had a lovely weekend too!
This sounds good! I'm glad you still enjoyed it even if it wasn't a wonderful read for you.
Hi there Tracy! I think if I've read the first one, there would have been less confusion and more enjoyment. I'll definitely try to get my hands on the first one.
Ooh, the fact that this includes the why sounds interesting! I had never thought about Clue not having that. ?
I think the "why" will make the game too complicated and that's why it's not one fo the clue cards. The "why" was good in this book!
I've been to Beaufort, and it was adorable!
Thank you for the book review.
Glad to hear it's a real place! It rather sounds idyllic. Will Google it a bit.
Just the setting makes me want to give this one a try. 🙂
It ended up being a decent read, I will recommend reading the first in the series before reading the second one.
"discover a new continent" haha. right? Glad this worked out though. And I love Clue!!!
To be honest, I was blabbering until I figured out what to say in my review. LOL!! My own version of fake it till you make it, I guess.