by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Past Due for Murder, and a link to purchase it from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

During May’s library-sponsored evening bonfire for Girl Scouts, the ghost stories being told by the folklorist Professor Mona Raymond and her students aren’t as scary as the sight library director Amy Webber sees lurking in the shadows. It’s been two years since Amy spoke to ex-boyfriend Charles Bartos, and she’s done her best to avoid just seeing him ever since he and his girlfriend moved to her town of Taylorsford, Virginia. Charles is in mourning for the recent hit-and-run death of the woman who broke up his and Amy’s relationship, but Amy’s still not ready to let down her guard with the famous musician. There are definitely higher priorities for her and the rest of the town anyway, as one of Mona’s students has gone missing, and it quickly becomes apparent that her disappearance may not have been voluntary.

Lacey Jacob’s phone is recovered near the property of Charles and his cranky neighbor, but rumors at Clarion University also implicate Lacey’s dance instructor Richard Muir. In this age of #MeToo and new zero tolerance policies at the school it shouldn’t be surprising that Lacey may have been involved with an older man, but Amy can’t believe that she would once again have been so wrong about a man she has been dating. Amy can’t deny that Richard has been acting out of character and not being entirely truthful, and she’s determined to find out whether he has been hiding secrets that will break her heart. Amy is feeling pulled at by all sides, especially with Mona pressuring her for dirt on Charles, whom she accuses of stealing her work and using to build his reputation and career. It’s also not the best time for Richard and Amy to have a meeting of all their respective parents, but with everyone coming to Taylorsford that’s going to be unavoidable.

What is so enjoyable about this series since its start has been watching Amy grow more confident in both her professional and her personal life. Even though it often means fighting with the cheapskate mayor for funding, Amy absolutely loves her job as the library director, assisting researchers and her enthusiastic patrons. Meeting Charles again does have Amy questioning the strength of her relationship with Richard, an extraordinarily talented dancer who sees the beauty and intelligence within her. Amy’s parents are a delight to meet, especially when contrasted with Richard’s business-focused father and status-conscious mother. The setting is further explored with the oral tales about local Mountain Lights – don’t call them fairies – that have been blamed for the disappearance of young girls in 1879. The skillfully written novel ties together storylines with timely plots that reveal tragedies that often continue through present day. An eminently satisfying and warm-hearted conclusion will leave readers anticipating the future of Amy and her friends, and making this library-loving mystery series completely irresistible.

To enter to win a copy of Past Due Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “due,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 16, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on iTunes and Google Play. A new one went up this week.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Past Due for Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.