The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

 

Librarian Greer Hogan has moved to the town of Raven Hill to make a fresh start after the violent death of her husband.  Unfortunately, there's another corpse in her future: that of the president of the Friends of the Library who is found bludgeoned in the library.  As a mystery aficionado, Greer knows how to search for clues-- and, she hopes, keep out of a killer's sights.

Although this is a first in series book, Hilliard makes seamless introductions while keeping the story moving.  The plot is interesting, and there is a backstory involving Greer’s murdered husband.  Although a man was convicted, she is beginning to have her doubts as to whether or not the man was guilty.  The author doesn’t let this detract from the book, but uses Greer’s experience and regrets to help fuel the action in this book. The characters are well drawn. The Raven Hill Public Library is housed in a former mansion, with all sorts of rooms for the comfort of a family, not designed to meet the demands of a public library, but that does give it a certain charm.  Fans of the old Bristol library on Anderson Street would heartily agree, I think.

Although the description makes it sound a bit like a run of the mill cozy, this book has several things going for it as far as I’m concerned.

First, Greer is a librarian who does real library work.  Also, she knows what sources are available and how to use them—for example, that not all newspapers from all time are available online and searchable.  There are a lot of stories in which the librarian sort of works but spends more time sleuthing than my library would allow.  I'm expected to show up for work no matter if I have a suspect in my sights or not! Er. . . not that I do, you understand.

There are good references to books for readers of all ages.  The book opens with a discussion of the differences between fictional amateur sleuths Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.  Other bookish mentions follow, and all are appropriate and well done-- I never had the feeling that the author was showing off. It was more like a little nod to authors.  For example, when someone asks what the many rooms of Raven Hill Manor are used for, Greer replies, “The archives, public rooms, supply closets, staff areas, wardrobes that lead to Narnia, who knows?”  Other literary bits and pieces abound, but with no sense that the author is name-dropping to show off, just a natural flow of conversation, of the sort that would take place with readers who know their authors and books.  

Maybe the most important factor for me is that this book reads more like a classic mystery than a cozy. There's more focus on the crime and motive and less on eating/recipes, craft tips, etc. I'm not saying these are bad things, but I tend to read cozies despite these features rather than because of them. 

I’m excited about this series and looking forward to the next one.  I’m also going to give this book as a gift to librarian friends.