Review - The Unkindness of Ravens

I discovered this debut of a new mystery series on Netgalley and it intrigued me.

Tagline: "Librarian Greer Hogan matches wits with a deviously clever killer in M.E. Hilliard's chilling series debut, ideal for fans of Louise Penny and Dorothy L. Sayers."

Last week I reviewed Bait and Witch for a Halloween touch.  It featured a librarian sleuth, and this week I have another librarian sleuth and this is good for the upcoming holiday as well.  At points I would get the two books mixed in my mind.  But this is different in significant ways.

Author: M.E. Hilliard

Copyright: April 2021 (Crooked Lane Books) 331 pgs

Series: 1st in Greer Hogan Mystery series

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, traditional mystery

Main Characters: Greer Hogan, librarian who is recently widowed 

Setting: Contemporary, Raven Hill, NY

Obtained Through: Netgalley

Book blurb: "Greer Hogan is a librarian and an avid reader of murder mysteries. She also has a habit of stumbling upon murdered bodies. The first was her husband's, and the tragic loss led Greer to leave New York behind for a new start in the Village of Raven Hill. But her new home becomes less idyllic when she discovers her best friend sprawled dead on the floor of the library.

Was her friend's demise related to two other deaths that the police deemed accidental? Do the residents of this insular village hold dark secrets about another murder, decades ago? Does a serial killer haunt Raven Hill?

As the body count rises, Greer's anxious musings take a darker turn when she uncovers unexpected and distressing information about her own husband's death...and the man who went to prison for his murder. She is racked with guilt at the possibility that her testimony may have helped to convict an innocent man.

Though Greer admires the masters of deduction she reads about in books, she never expected to have to solve a mystery herself. Fortunately, she possesses a quick wit and a librarian's natural resourcefulness. But will that be enough to protect her from a brilliant, diabolical murderer?

And even if Greer manages to catch the Raven Hill killer, will living with her conscience prove a fate worse than death?"

Greer has been the librarian for six months and remains hopeful of seeing a ghost in the supposedly haunted mansion made into the library. She is still a little traumatized from discovering her husband and discovering her friend's body brings it all back again.  There are a few employees at the library, but none take more of a central role.  She rents the top of a house owned by Henri and his dog Pierre who are the breakout characters and I adore them. Henri has sort of unofficially adopted Greer.  Officer Jennie Webber ends up being a substantial character in the investigation and I like this character and would love to see more of her.

Raven Hill and the gothic library with a brooding exterior are each used to great effect.  The creek, called Ravens Kill, was the sight of an old drowning and adds creepy touches as well. "I have it on good authority that the currents have always been strange in the Ravens Kill."

The plot centers around a killer who struck a woman down during library hours. Greer tries to figure out the culprit while fully aware the murderer could be lurking and watching.  The pacing is steady and this book builds till the very tense climax. 

The killer reveal, or showdown, is excellent and left me breathless.  Greer is daring and smart against the killer. Excellent. While I had begun to suspect the killer, the full motive revealed just how cold blooded the murderer was.  The wrap-up answers the final questions and firmly sets up the next book where she will face some nagging discrepancies in her husband's murder since she has had to relive that trauma throughout the story.

My thoughts: This book tries for literary, but some literary allusions didn't make sense or seemed forced to appear "literary".  The writing style adds to the atmospheric feel throughout the book. This is a little darker in feel and style than a cozy mystery and there isn't any romantic interest or light moments.  Overall the book is well done with a solid mystery and compelling characters, and the gripping climax is superb.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list