Bound for Murder
A Blue Ridge Library Mystery #4
Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books, January 2020
ISBN 978-1-64385-243-0
Hardcover
Subtitled “A Blue Ridge Library Mystery,” Bound for Murder is the fourth in this series. The amateur sleuth, Amy, is a librarian, and the director of the Taylorsford Public Library. Her best friend and employee, Sunny, is running for mayor of their town. When a skeleton is found on property owned by Sunny’s grandparents, Carol and P.J., it becomes the talk of the small town. Bolstered by the fact that Carol and P.J. used their land for a hippie commune back in the 1960s, and a couple of hippies left the commune and were not seen again, the incumbent mayor insinuates that Sunny’s family had something to do with the death which, as it turns out, was a murder. And, when the skeleton is identified as someone who lived in the commune, suspicion of Carol and P.J. intensifies.
Amy, who does not believe that Carol and P.J. could have been involved in a murder, becomes determined to investigate, despite her fiancé’s concern for her safety. In this she has the backing of the local Chief Deputy – at least partially – who asked her to do some research into the commune and its time. However, he did not ask her to do any live investigating! But, when Carol and P.J. ask Amy to deliver a message to former members of the commune, it seems like a perfect opportunity to ask questions without further raising suspicions. Would that it was so! Shortly after completing her round of questioning, Amy starts getting threats and the message that she should back off. Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t do so.
Bound for Murder is an engaging cozy mystery, perfect for a weekend read and, as such, I recommend it.
Reviewed by Melinda Drew, February 2020.
Buried Under Books 