ARC Review: A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert

A Cryptic Clue
Author: Victoria Gilbert
Series: A Hunter and Clewe Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (July 11, 2023)

Description: 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?

My Thoughts: Jane Hunter has recently been downsized from her job as a university librarian and, at sixty, is looking for a job until she reaches retirement age. A chance to work for reclusive Cameron Clewe cataloging his large collection of rare books and artifacts seems like just the thing. She'll begin by cataloging his collection of golden age mysteries.

She isn't anticipating what actually occurs and she finds herself really investigating a mystery of her own when Cam's ex is found dead in the library killed with a candlestick during a fundraising gala. Ashley Allen was the victim. It doesn't take much investigating to learn that any number of people could have wanted her dead. 

Besides her ex Cam with whom she was seen having an arguement, the cook at Cam's estate could have held a grudge since Ashley had promised to finance his new restaurant and then backed out leaving him with all kinds of debts. Then there is the artist who was planning an art gallery and artists' cooperative with Ashley's help until she backed out of that deal too. Then there was her most recent ex who was a musician working in a studio Ashley had leased for him. 

I enjoyed this mystery and getting to know Jane and Cam. Jane was a curious and adventurous woman who had a difficult past. She raised her daughter, now an actress, herself after leaving a verbally abusive marriage when her daughter was a baby. Cam, about thirty, is the only child a rich man who suffers from anxiety, OCD, occasional depression and generally lacks social awareness. Although he could clearly benefit, he has never sought therapy since his father didn't believe in it. 

I enjoyed the cast of characters in this story. They provided a plentiful number of suspects in this cozy mystery. 

Favorite Quote:

"You want us to play Watson to your Sherlock?" Lauren asked.

I pursed my lips. "More like Archie to his Nero Wolfe."

Cam widened his eyes, but a slight twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement at my remark. "Without the fixation on gourmet meals."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.