Hello, I’m Lydia Litton Talbot. I live in Taylorsford, a historic Virginia town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I’m the aunt of Amy Webber, who is the director of the public library. Amy currently lives with me, but that is about to change, for a very happy reason.
I’ve lived in Taylorsford for all of my sixty-seven years, and in my current home for most of that time. You see, I inherited my large, Queen Anne Revival-style house from my grandmother, Rose Baker Litton. She actually raised me and my younger sister, Debbie, after our parents were tragically killed in an accident when I was fourteen. Some people in town still call my home the “Baker house,” because it was built in 1900 by my grandfather, William Baker, one of the wealthiest men in the area. Sadly, except for a small investment fund that gives me just enough to live on, most of that wealth evaporated over the years.
Still, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to live comfortably without having to work outside my home. So my days are mostly taken up with activities I enjoy, like cooking, volunteering, and gardening, as well as a few I don’t, like cleaning. I suppose a typical day would include me making breakfast for Amy and myself, then heading outside to do a little work in my extensive garden, before going out to lunch with my two best friends, Walt Adams and Zelda Shoemaker.
Walt and Zelda and I have known each other for sixty years, ever since we started elementary school together, and while they both married other people, I always knew they’d eventually end up together. After losing their respective spouses – and getting over their foolish concern that people in town wouldn’t accept their relationship because Walt is African-American and Zelda is your typical WASP – they finally have. Now all I have to do is convince them that getting married again in their late sixties isn’t a bad idea. I think I’m making some progress, but we shall see.
Anyway, getting back to my typical day – after lunch I usually take a break to read a little, then prepare dinner. Now, sometimes I do change things up by including some volunteer work, including helping with the library’s participation in Taylorsford’s annual Heritage Festival, but that doesn’t happen every day. After dinner I usually watch a little TV – PBS productions and home and garden shows are my favorites – and chat with Amy before going to bed.
Excuse me, but Amy is looking over my shoulder. I must confess that while I dearly love my niece, she is a bit nosy. I suppose that’s why she’s always getting involved in the local murder investigations that have happened far too frequently lately. Anyway, Amy has reminded me that my life has changed significantly over the past few years. That is true. Ever since I volunteered to house an art expert during one of those pesky murder investigations, I’ve added something new to my life, something I never expected. You see, I’ve been a widow for over forty years, ever since my beloved husband, the artist Andrew Talbot, died in a tragic accident only a few years into our marriage. I always thought that was the end of any romance in my life. But Hugh Chen has changed my mind and, I must admit, my life. He still lives in the D.C. area, but that’s close enough for us to spend a good deal of time together. Which has definitely made many of my days not quite so typical anymore.
Honestly, romance seems to be in the air around Taylorsford now, what with Walt and Zelda finally admitting their true feelings, and my niece Amy getting engaged to our wonderful next-door neighbor, Richard Muir. Now, if we could just avoid another murder in town, everything would be perfect. But sadly, that doesn’t seem likely. Some human bones have just been discovered on the organic farm owned by the grandparents of Amy’s best friend, Sunny Fields, and Amy told me she’s been recruited to do some research to help our deputy sheriff, Brad Tucker, with this case. So unfortunately, here we go again. . .
Giveaway: Victoria is giving away one (1) signed, hardback copy of Bound For Murder, limited to U.S. residents. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends January 12, 2020. Good luck everyone!
Bound for Murder is the fourth book in the “Blue Ridge Library” cozy mystery series, released January 7, 2020.
Blue Ridge library director Amy Webber learns it wasn’t all peace and love among the “flower children” when a corpse is unearthed on the grounds of a 1960s commune.
Taylorsford Public Library director Amy Webber’s friend “Sunny” Fields is running for mayor. But nothing puts a damper on a campaign like an actual skeleton in a candidate’s closet. Sunny’s grandparents ran a commune back in the 1960s on their organic farm. But these former hippies face criminal charges when human remains are found in their fields–and a forensic examination reveals that the death was neither natural nor accidental.
With Sunny’s mayoral hopes fading, Amy sets her wedding plans aside, says “not yet” to the dress, and uses her research skills to clear her best friend’s family. Any of the now-elderly commune members could have been the culprit. As former hippies perish one by one, Amy and her friends Richard, Aunt Lydia, and Hugh Chen pursue every lead. But if Amy can’t find whoever killed these “flower children,” someone may soon be placing flowers on her grave.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Victoria’s Blue Ridge Library Mystery series is published by Crooked Lane Books. Three books – A Murder For The Books, Shelved Under Murder, and Past Due For Murder – are out now. Book four, Bound For Murder, will release on Jan. 7, 2020, and book five, A Deadly Edition in Dec. 2020. The first two books in the series are currently under option with Sony Pictures Television.
Victoria is also writing a new cozy series, the Booklovers B&B series, for Crooked Lane. Set in historic Beaufort, NC, the first book in the series, Booked For Death, will be published on June 9, 2020.
You can find out more about Victoria and her books, as well as all her social media links, on her website at victoriagilbertmysteries.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Congratulations on all the upcoming publications!
I’m so excited for the new book. I must confess that I began reading and, for a moment, didn’t realize that a character was speaking! Made me laugh at myself. Great writing from a great author!
Love cozy mysteries!!
Cozy mysteries are the best! Thank you for the chance I liked reading her thoughts it was fun. Aunt Lydia I meant. Can’t wait to read it
Thank you for a great giveaway!!!
Happy Weekend!!
I’m an avid fan of mysteries and love to read cozy mysteries. This book has captured my interest, especially after reading more about it. I would love to read and write a review. Congratulations and how exciting on all the new publications!
Absolutely love 💕 the cute cover of your new book! It sounds really exciting! Looking forward to reading it! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and dear Victoria for the awesome chance to win! 😻💜
I have enjoyed this series and am looking forward to this newest story.
The storyline looks very interesting. Would love to read it.
I don’t know how I haven’t read this series yet. I’ll have to change that. This book sounds intriguing.
Thanks so much for featuring my character and my book on your site today, Dru!
Thank you for the chance to win! I’ve really enjoyed this series and look forward to reading Bound for Murder!
What a cute cover! Looking forward to visiting with Lydia and Amy again! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love to read this book.
This is such a fun series! I can’t wait to read Bound for Murder.
I love cozies set in libraries. Thanks for the review and contest.
Thanks for this lovely cozy with a great setting.
Sounds like a great read.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book, love the cover.
wfnren at aol dot com
Looking forward to reading your new books.
This sounds like a good read.
Great series! Looking forward to reading “Bound For Murder”.
What an interesting group of people!
I’d be delighted to win a signed copy of Bound for Murder!
Your characters feel like friends..that you!
I cannot wait to read it! Fun giveaway, thank you!
Love this series and would love a signed copy! Thanks for a chance to win!
I’ve never been to the Blue Ridge Mountains. This series will be a perfect way to visit.
I enjoy this series and would love to have the new book. Thank you.
Love library cozies.
New author and series for me, sounds good!
I love this series, and glad to see all that romance in the air.
Victoria Gilbert’s books are outstanding. It would be fantastic to be able to claim this one as mine.
Sounds like a juicy read.
This is an awesome giveaway for a cozy reader like me! Thanks so much for the chance!!
**** WINNER ****
Bound for Murder is Wendy Newcomb
Congratulations!