KILLER CLUE

In Gilbert's dependable second cozy featuring North Carolina book collector Cam Clewe and his librarian friend, Jane Hunter (after A Cryptic Clue), the pair juggle two intertwined murder investigations. Knowing that Cam and Jane moonlight as gumshoes, Chapel Hill bookseller Eloise Anderson comes to Cam with a request. Eloise's mother, Abigail, has recently died in prison while serving time for her husband's murder--but Eloise maintains her mother's innocence and wants to clear her name. Cam and Jane agree to help out, but their inquiry grows complicated when Eloise is arrested for the murder of former police detective Bruce Parker, who spearheaded the investigation that put Abigail behind bars. Now, Cam and Jane are either caught in the web of a murderous mother-daughter duo or facing down a killer with a vengeance against the Anderson women. To find out which, they take a closer look at the police on the case and Eloise's peers in Chapel Hill. Along the way, their knowledge of vintage books--including a rare copy of Alice in Wonderland--helps them crack the case. Gilbert stacks the proceedings with solid suspects, convincing red herrings, and a treasure trove of trivia about mid--20th century mystery authors. Golden Age whodunit fans will have fun. Agent: Fran Black, Literary Counsel. (Sept.)

Jane Hunter is responsible for cataloging Cameron Clewe's extensive collection of rare crime novels, and she's protective of her boss. Cameron suffers from anxiety, doesn't like to leave the house, and struggles with social skills. But he's always intrigued by a mystery, and he and Jane have solved several cases. When bookstore owner Eloise Anderson insists on delivering Cam's latest purchase, she also brings an unusual request. Her mother has just died in prison, where she spent 15 years. Eloise wants Cam and Jane to prove that her mother did not murder her father. When Eloise was 18, her father was found stabbed to death in the bookshop, and her mother was the only person around. It looks like history is repeating itself when Jane finds Eloise alone in the bookstore with the body of the retired police detective who investigated the earlier murder. Jane and Camerson soon discover links to lost rare books and secrets about the bookshop. VERDICT The sequel to A Cryptic Clue, with its red herrings, missing books, and charming detecting duo, is a traditional cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.--Lesa Holstine