Publication Date November 14, 2023

Summary

Christmas time is approaching in Taylorsford, Virginia and between her job at the library, her twins, the impending visit of her mother-in-law, and Christmas preparations, Amy’s schedule is packed. However, she makes time to go to the local Winterfest in the bitter cold to drop off some hot drinks to her Aunt Lydia in the garden booth. While there, she notes a group of protestors, including her best friend Sunny and her brother-in-law, Ethan. They are opposed to a new property development being built close to Ethan’s home. Blackstone Property has a history, or so it is rumored, of unethical and environmentally destructive business practices. When Wendy Blackstone, the owner of the property development company, is murdered, Amy knows that suspicion could fall on people that she loves. She knows Sunny couldn’t have done it, and doesn’t believe Ethan could either, but as she starts to dig, she realizes more and more clues are pointing to Ethan. Her goal is to find the real killer before Christmas. 

My Thoughts

This was a really well constructed mystery. There were great clues, plenty of motives, and some clever red herrings. At one point, I thought I had it figured out, and then an interesting twist made me re-evaluate. I appreciated that there was a nicely sized group of potential suspects. 

Amy is a wonderful leading character and amateur sleuth. Being a librarian, she knows how to research and put clues together. She doesn’t take silly risks and knows how to stay calm and be proactive in an emergency. I also love that she is fiercely loyal to friends and family, and she seems willing to give people second chances. 

I loved this little town and its residents and can’t believe I hadn’t read any of this series before! I certainly will read more in the future. For others who haven’t read previous books in the series, this one is fine as a standalone. 

What Else I Liked

• I love the diversity of the characters of Taylorsfield.

• This book is set at Christmas time and has a fabulous holiday atmosphere. The story opens with Amy and Sunny decorating the library’s Christmas tree and the holiday fun continues from there. Between the Nutcracker, present wrapping parties, and the gifting of baked goods, it was packed full of things to get the reader in the mood for the Christmas season. 

• From the library which was built in 1919 to Aunt Lydia’s grand old Victorian and the theater where the Nutcracker was performed, I felt like I could see every detail of the town.

• I love that Amy and Richard were reading the Hobbit to the twins.

• I love that Sunny, at age 42,  is living with her grandparents to help them out with the farm. I love that they are still flower children, and that they are called “the grands” and that Carol always feeds visitors. They are just a fun family unit. (My grandparents were all well into their 70s when I was born, so I’m rather envious of the time she gets to spend with them.) 

Rating 4/5

I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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About the Author

Victoria Gilbert is an author and writer who lives in North Carolina. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

To learn more about her and her work, be sure to check out her website.