A Cryptic Clue - Book Tour and Giveaway

A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case
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A Cryptic Clue
A Hunter & Clewe Mystery Book 1
by Victoria Gilbert
Genre: Mystery 

A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.

Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.

Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.

Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?


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​Thinking this offered a good opening to further prove my worth as an employee, I slid to the front edge of my chair. “I know the cataloging comes first, but I’d be happy to help any of your guests with research, since that’s another one of my skills.”
Cam drummed his fingers again, this time against the other sleeve of his ivory sweater. “Thanks. I’m not sure that will be necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind. Anyway, I’m sure you won’t get any requests for research assistance this weekend. Everyone’s focused on the fundraising gala happening on Sunday evening.” Perhaps sensing my surprise, Cam added, “Two friends of mine are actually hosting it. I’m just supplying the space, because their homes aren’t big enough. It will be rather a large crowd.” Cam grimaced, as if the thought pained him. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll have Lauren give you a tour of the house and property.”
In other words, I was being dismissed. I rose to my feet and crossed to him, extending my hand. “I really am delighted to be here, Cam. It’s a librarian’s dream to get to work with such fascinating materials.”
Cam examined my outstretched fingers for a moment before placing his own hands behind his back. “I’m just glad you’re so enthusiastic about the job. I hope that attitude won’t change when you have to dig through stacks of dusty boxes.”
“You really think I haven’t done that before?” I dropped my hand and offered him a rueful smile. “As I mentioned in my cover letter, we took in a lot of gifts at the library, and one of my duties was to examine and inventory those materials. Trust me, I’ve dealt with dust. Mold too,” I added, wrinkling my nose. “I doubt your collection is in as bad shape as many of those donations.”
Cam stared down at his expensive leather loafers. “That’s right. It’s one reason I put your résumé on top of my consideration pile. Along with your knowledge of cataloging and research, of course.”
I tugged down my slightly rumpled jacket. “I hope I can live up to your expectations.”
As he raised his head to meet my gaze, the ghost of a smile flickered over Cam’s handsome face. “Honestly, that would be a first,” he said.

Raised in a historic small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria Gilbert turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. Now retired, she’s worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and university library director.

Victoria writes the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Booklover’s B&B Mystery series, and the Hunter and Clewe traditional mystery series for Crooked Lane Books. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching TV and films, gardening, or traveling. A member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers, Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and two very spoiled cats.

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Librarians Today – No Buns or Pearls
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Although I’m now retired, I worked as a librarian for over thirty years. For all of those years, and even now, I’ve seen the librarian stereotype perpetuated in ads, TV shows, films, and even other books. And for all of those years, that stereotype has bothered me.
Not that stereotypes can’t sometimes be used for humorous effect, but this particular one is so wrong that I feel it’s my duty to try to contradict it whenever I can.
In many instances, librarians are still portrayed as elderly ladies with their hair in a bun and glasses on chain, wearing sweater sets or frumpy dresses and a string of pearls. They are almost always portrayed as middle-aged or elderly, white, and female. They like to shush patrons and are generally bitter and cranky. They sit behind big wooden desks, still use a card catalog, and seem to spend most of their time stamping due dates in books.
This is so very far from the truth. Firstly, librarians are not all female. Nor are they all older, white, individuals who possess shy, retiring, personalities. In my many years as a librarian and library director, I have worked with all of the following: male librarians, young librarians, LGBTQIA+ librarians, tattooed and pierced librarians, very gregarious and social librarians, and librarians from every racial, ethnic, and cultural background.
Given that librarians constantly interact with a wide variety of patrons, they must possess great people skills. Being extremely reserved or introverted is NOT a good qualification for this career. In fact, if someone goes into librarianship with the aim of avoiding people, they’re probably going to be out of luck. Honestly, being able to successfully interact with a diverse population of patrons is an essential requirement for most library positions.
Today, libraries are not secluded ivory towers where decorum and silence reign. They are often noisy, exciting places where people of all ages and backgrounds congregate to learn, discover, and share information. Truthfully, in all my years of librarianship, I never once shushed a patron. With many schools and universities requiring a significant amount of group work, libraries must also provide areas where students can interact and collaborate. In addition, libraries provide life-long learning opportunities through literacy training, workshops, and other educational programs. Most of this involves group discussion and conversation, so the days of silent libraries are long gone. (Although most libraries do try to provide some designated “quiet spaces” for those who need them).
Also gone, despite the media portrayals, are card catalogs. They have been replaced by online systems in almost all libraries, even the small libraries in K-12 schools. Librarians generally do not just sit behind desks checking out books, either. Circulation activities happen at self-serve kiosks as well as at desks staffed by library assistants or, at schools and colleges, by student workers. Reference desks are being replaced with “roving librarians,” who go where patrons need assistance instead of making the patrons come to them. Rather than just providing tables and chairs, most libraries now offer “maker spaces” that include the latest technology, as well as computer labs, loans of laptops and other devices, group study spaces, lecture halls, and community meeting rooms.
As libraries have changed dramatically over the last decades, so have librarians. Now they must be tech savvy, embracing cutting edge technology and continually updating their knowledge of new trends in education, business, computing, and other fields.
So the next time you see an old-fashioned portrayal of a librarian, please remember that this is just a stereotype. Librarians can be, and are, as diverse as any other profession. Their only similarity lies in the desire to help others discover, understand, and use information and knowledge, and the joy they take in promoting the love of books and reading.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
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July 9
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