INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA GILBERT'S RICHARD JAMES MUIR

ABOUT THE BOOK

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies.

October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.

The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.

That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder.

Book Details:


Title: Shelved Under Murder


Author: Victoria Gilbert


Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery, book 2


Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (July 10, 2018)

Print length: 300 pages


On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours

ABOUT RICHARD JAMES MUIR 


Richard Muir is a thirty-five-year-old contemporary dancer who’s also a choreographer and a dance instructor at a university located not far from Taylorsford. He inherited his 1920s farmhouse from his late great-uncle, Paul Dassin and has renovated it to include a small dance studio where he can work-out and rehearse at home. He lives next door to the series protagonist, Amy Webber, and her aunt, Lydia Talbot, and is close to Lydia, as well as being in love with Amy. Richard is intelligent, good looking and charming, and also a truly nice guy. He cares deeply for those he loves and is willing to risk his own safety and well-being to help others when needed. He has a good sense of humor and likes to tease – sometimes a little bit too much, in Amy’s opinion.

INTERVIEW WITH VICTORIA GILBERT’S RICHARD JAMES MUIR

Richard, how did you first meet Victoria?
I first met Victoria Gilbert when she wrote me into book one in the series – A Murder For The Books. We actually met in the very first chapter, when she introduced me to her protagonist, library director Amy Webber. Of course, then Victoria had us stumble over a dead body at the end of that first chapter, so I’d say both meetings were fairly dramatic.

Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?
I’m not entirely sure. I think it was just my good luck to move into a house next door to Amy and her Aunt Lydia. Amy and I became friends, and then more, so I guess my author decided she’d better keep me around – or Amy might decide to “disappear” on her!



Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
I can’t, because that would be a spoiler. Of course, it involves Amy – as do all my favorite scenes!

What do you like to do when someone’s not reading about you?
Well, I’m a dancer, so I am usually rehearsing, performing, or doing Pilates or other exercises. I’m also often busy creating new pieces of choreography. I’m currently choreographing a suite of dances based on fairy tales that the dancers in my university studio will be performing for area schools on an upcoming tour.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?
I wish my author had made me a little taller. She says I’m “average height,” and I am, but I’ve always wanted to be taller.

Do have any secret aspirations that Victoria doesn’t know about?
I would love to be a filmmaker. I’ve done some work with dance and film, but only as a performer or choreographer. I’d like to experiment with working behind the camera.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities, what would you do?
I used to say, “dance, of course.” But now, while I still love dancing for its own sake, I like spending my free time with Amy. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, as long as we’re doing it together. 



What's the worst thing that's happened in your life? 

The worst thing? I guess when my best friend and dance partner, Karla, disappeared from my life right after we graduated from college. I would give anything to see her again, but I haven’t been able to find her.

What I learned from that experience is to always treasure the good relationships that you have. I never take those I love for granted because I know how quickly they can disappear from my life.



What are you most afraid of?
A career-ending injury. I love to dance – not just publicly but also in my own private studio. To me, dancing is like breathing. I’d be devastated If I were injured and could no longer dance. 



How do you feel about your life right now?
I’m pretty happy with my life right now. I have a full-time job teaching dance at Clarion University, which is an easy commute from Taylorsford. I get to live in my late great-uncle’s 1920s farmhouse, which I inherited and renovated to suit my lifestyle – and which happens to be next door to the house owned by Lydia Talbot. Since I’m in love with Lydia’s niece, Amy, I enjoy that proximity!

I guess if I could change anything it would be my relationship with my parents. My father has never approved of my dance career and my mother tends to support all of his prejudices. But I feel I have found a new family with Amy, Lydia and some other friends in Taylorsford, so I’m happy about that.

If your story were a movie, who would play you?
Not sure, but they would need to be able to dance! Or, at least, look and move like a dancer. As long as they can do that, and act, I’m fine with whoever the casting director picks to portray me.

What makes you stand out from any other characters in your genre?
I’m not a policeman, detective, sheriff, private eye, or deputy – the professions of most of what you’d call the “love interests” in cozy mysteries. I think the fact that I’m a dancer and choreographer brings a different element to the story, and I hope it also lets the readers know that one’s profession doesn’t determine personality, sexual preference, or any of that stuff.

Will you encourage Victoria to write a sequel?
I already have, and she has complied. It’s book three in the series and is called Past Due For Murder. It will be published in February 2019. I really love this one because it allows me to do something I’ve been wanting to do since the first book and . . .  Well, you’ll have to wait and see what that is! 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised in a historic small town in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian and library director for public, museum, and academic libraries.

An avid reader who appreciates good writing in all genres, Victoria has been known to read seven books in as many days. When not writing or reading, she likes to watch films, listen to music, garden, or travel. Victoria is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. Victoria is represented by Frances Black of Literary Counsel, New York, New York.

Connect with Victoria:

Website and blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Buy the book:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |   IndieBound

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