ARC Review: Smoke and Mirrors by M. E. Hilliard

Smoke and Mirrors
Author: M. E. Hilliard
Series: A Greer Hogan Mystery (Book 4)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (June 4, 2024)

Description: Librarian turned sleuth Greer Hogan is back on the case and headed to the big city in this fourth installment of M. E. Hilliard’s smart, suspenseful mystery series, perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths and Louise Penny.

Having spent months quietly investigating in the village of Raven Hill, Greer Hogan returns to New York City determined to find her husband’s murderer. She secures a temporary gig at a private library inventorying the personal collection of a deceased magician. In her free time, Greer sleuths, leaving no stone unturned–even the ones which could be hiding deadly secrets.

Four years earlier, Greer had discovered her husband Dan dead in their apartment. He’d tried to tell her about something strange going on at his office, but she hadn’t had time to listen until it was too late. Worse still, she has always suspected that the wrong man was convicted of the crime. Now, Greer has solved other murders and has a few tricks up her sleeve. She combs through belongings she packed away soon after Dan’s death and interviews his former colleagues and people who were near the scene when he died. Soon, Greer is followed and attacked, so she knows she’s struck a nerve—but whose?

When two more people are killed and Greer realizes she can’t escape the smoke and mirrors surrounding her suspects, she confides in one of her new colleagues, a magician named Grim with whom she’s bonded over similar traumas. Though she knows he’s got secrets of his own, the tricky Grim may be exactly the assistant Greer needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat and shine a spotlight on a killer before the curtains come down on her for good.

My Thoughts: Greer Hogan has been building her investigative skills and circle of friends with unique gifts in the four years since she discovered her husband Dan murdered in their apartment. The time has come for her to return to New York City and finally discover his murderer. 

Greer gets a job in a private library inventorying the personal collection of a magician who disappeared. There she meets Joseph Grimaldi, known as Grim, who has a somewhat mysterious past. He was friends with the magician and is searching the house for something the magician told him was there. 

Meanwhile, Greer is investigating New Leaf, the company Dan was working for as an accountant when he was killed. She's certain that there is a connection there. She discovers some things as she finally goes through the belongings packed up after Dan's death and stored with her parents. She also questions former co-workers and people she knew at the time of Dan's death. 

Somehow, she touches a nerve because she finds herself both followed and attacked. Luckily, the self-defense courses she's taken prove helpful. But two other people connected with the case are murdered which makes Greer more determined than ever to find Dan's murderer.

This was an engaging story with lots of information about the legalized marijuana business and all the governmental hoops around it. Greer feels that something shady in the business could have been the cause of Dan's death - and maybe her own if she gets too close.

I enjoyed this story with its mystery-loving librarian main character. The references to other books and fictional detectives were fun additions. 

Favorite Quote:

Haynes frowned. Most police officers I know disliked coincidences as much as they liked fresh baked goods. 

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