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A review by aeoliandeductress
Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
4.0
Audiobook version.
I think it's important to note that I'm rating this within the context of the "cozy mystery" genre. This is not a riveting read/listen. This is not a book you will just universally recommend or want to talk to a bunch of people about. But it's a solid cozy and exactly what I want when working on a puzzle or coloring or playing Stardew Valley- easy to follow entertainment, with just enough plot to keep me engaged and interested.
I will say Victoria Gilbert almost always starts off almost painfully slow but once the story gets going, I do have a hard time putting the book down (or the phone in this case). This one was interesting because of the number of characters. I didn't particularly care for the choice of murderer... but I'll give her that it made sense.
What I most appreciate about Gilbert's stories is her consistent effort to diversify. Most cozies read like Hallmark movies- meaning very few people of color and forget about LGBT+ representation. (To be fair- I know Hallmark is improving... but they've got a LONG way to go.) While it CAN feel forced at times, I appreciate that Gilbert regularly addresses having characters of color (and having interracial relationships), as well as the historical difficulties that the area would have had, and having one side gay character (yet to make an actual appearance) as well as one bisexual character (though she seemed to have forgotten that or at least her male lead did in referring to him as gay).
I appreciated her having Walt make frank statements about the fact that a young black man going missing decades prior hadn't been taken seriously by the authorities and I also appreciate the way the book deals with concepts of addiction.
And look, this stuff does feel forced sometimes but it is hard to tell how much of that is because we're conditioned to expect it to be swept under the rug or to be erased from the narrative. She draws attention to these aspects, yes, but partially because we're inclined to dismiss the less obvious hints and statements. Frankly, I'd rather have an author make a clumsy effort at representing a more accurate town tapestry and history than just whitewash it all for ease.
Also, I love the little asides about the library and books and such in general. Are they absolutely necessary? No. But it's why I will check out basically any cozy related to a library or a bookshop.
I think it's important to note that I'm rating this within the context of the "cozy mystery" genre. This is not a riveting read/listen. This is not a book you will just universally recommend or want to talk to a bunch of people about. But it's a solid cozy and exactly what I want when working on a puzzle or coloring or playing Stardew Valley- easy to follow entertainment, with just enough plot to keep me engaged and interested.
I will say Victoria Gilbert almost always starts off almost painfully slow but once the story gets going, I do have a hard time putting the book down (or the phone in this case). This one was interesting because of the number of characters. I didn't particularly care for the choice of murderer... but I'll give her that it made sense.
What I most appreciate about Gilbert's stories is her consistent effort to diversify. Most cozies read like Hallmark movies- meaning very few people of color and forget about LGBT+ representation. (To be fair- I know Hallmark is improving... but they've got a LONG way to go.) While it CAN feel forced at times, I appreciate that Gilbert regularly addresses having characters of color (and having interracial relationships), as well as the historical difficulties that the area would have had, and having one side gay character (yet to make an actual appearance) as well as one bisexual character (though she seemed to have forgotten that or at least her male lead did in referring to him as gay).
I appreciated her having Walt make frank statements about the fact that a young black man going missing decades prior hadn't been taken seriously by the authorities and I also appreciate the way the book deals with concepts of addiction.
And look, this stuff does feel forced sometimes but it is hard to tell how much of that is because we're conditioned to expect it to be swept under the rug or to be erased from the narrative. She draws attention to these aspects, yes, but partially because we're inclined to dismiss the less obvious hints and statements. Frankly, I'd rather have an author make a clumsy effort at representing a more accurate town tapestry and history than just whitewash it all for ease.
Also, I love the little asides about the library and books and such in general. Are they absolutely necessary? No. But it's why I will check out basically any cozy related to a library or a bookshop.