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Lighthouse Library Mystery #12
Shot Through the Book
In the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries, Lucy McNeil is back on the case, but this time she’s on the case alone.
The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone.
Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.
Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.
The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone.
Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.
Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2025
86 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
May 4, 2025
Book 12 in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series begins with a very unexpected death when a visitor to Lucy's home is shot in another room while Lucy is making tea. Poor Lucy finds herself a suspect and as such does not have her usual links with the police. Then the victim's wife arrives and proves herself a very unpleasant person to deal with. A great beginning to an interesting mystery!
I was happy to be visiting Bodie Island again. Lucy's husband Connor is very supportive and they have a great relationship. The library characters are all present and fun to read about, especially Charles the library cat! An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was happy to be visiting Bodie Island again. Lucy's husband Connor is very supportive and they have a great relationship. The library characters are all present and fun to read about, especially Charles the library cat! An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 5, 2025
Eva Gates is a go-to author when I want that special, fun cozy mystery series. In Shor Through the Book, a Lighthouse Library Mystery, Lucy is again the victim of finding the corpse. But this time, she lets the victim into her house and while she's preparing something to drink in one room, he's killed in another. How could that happen? Gates invents a great plot, and we once again are entertained by many of the core series characters. Some changes in the local police department and main character side stories breathe a little bit of fresh into the future of the town. We learn about a few interesting authors and writers in the town's history, and the humor of all the relationships, Louise Jane in particular, rise to the surface. A fun few hours to escape reality.
May 6, 2025
In this twelfth episode of the delightful Lighthouse Library Mystery series, the Bodie Island library is organising a YA book festival with three local authors when unfortunately, their headline author, Todd Harrison, is killed. At the time he was visiting librarian Lucy McNeil at her home to talk about something bothering him and was sitting on her deck when she discovered him dead.
Fans of this series will know that Lucy has been close to other murders in the past and has helped the local detective solve cases with information she has been able to find out from the local community. However, in this case, she is regarded as a possible suspect and warned to stay away from the case and the police, which is hard for her to do. Especially with Todd’s fan club viewing her house as a shrine to Todd and his politically ambitious wife making life difficult for her.
It's always fun to visit the library and the library cat, Charles and this was another enjoyable episode. Some changes are in the air for Lucy and Bodie Island, so it will be interesting to see how she adapts to what is in stall for her.
with thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for a copy to read
Fans of this series will know that Lucy has been close to other murders in the past and has helped the local detective solve cases with information she has been able to find out from the local community. However, in this case, she is regarded as a possible suspect and warned to stay away from the case and the police, which is hard for her to do. Especially with Todd’s fan club viewing her house as a shrine to Todd and his politically ambitious wife making life difficult for her.
It's always fun to visit the library and the library cat, Charles and this was another enjoyable episode. Some changes are in the air for Lucy and Bodie Island, so it will be interesting to see how she adapts to what is in stall for her.
with thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for a copy to read
June 1, 2025
I enjoy this series and this book as no exception. While I did think the ending was a bit rushed overall I found this to be a fun cozy mystery. Lucy and her colleagues at the library are planning a young adult book festival. Their headliner author Todd surprises Lucy asking if he can talk to her one evening before the festival. Unfortunately he is shot and killed with a bow and arrow. His widow breezes into town in an abrasive way and Todd’s biggest fans keep coming back to Lucy’s home to honor the deceased author as the characters in his books would have. Lucy tries not to investigate this one but she can’t help but pulled in no matter how hard she tries to stay away. I’m not sure how I feel about the two big shocks at the very end of the book, but I’m still looking forward to reading more of this series when it next comes out.
May 5, 2025
Shot Through the Book is a trip back to Nags Head and the Outer Banks of North Carolina where librarian Lucy McNeil gets involved in another murder mystery. This time a YA author participating in the library's book festival shows up announced at her home and gets killed on her deck. Crazy situation! Why was he there? She had only met him that afternoon. This mystery has some wacky characters, including the victim's wife, and a pool of suspects. Lucy wants answers and does her usual sleuthing. This is a nice addition to the series with a surprise killer and ending. We see interesting recurring characters and a fun beach setting.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
December 26, 2024
Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is the setting for a YA book conference that has everyone excited to meet the featured author, Todd Harrison. Unfortunately, Lucy McNeil, librarian meets Todd in an unusual way - he shows up at her Outer Banks home needing to talk to her. Before Lucy can bring out refreshments, Tom has been murdered by an arrow in his chest! It's up to Lucy to solve a mystery that goes back years before she is the next victim!
I enjoy reading this series because the author has created a likable, kind and interesting character. The descriptions of the Outer Banks\ Bodie Island beach and community are breathtaking. The supporting characters are fun and loyal to Lucy. It's a perfect book to read on a cold winter's day or any day!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. The opinions, in this review, are my own.
I enjoy reading this series because the author has created a likable, kind and interesting character. The descriptions of the Outer Banks\ Bodie Island beach and community are breathtaking. The supporting characters are fun and loyal to Lucy. It's a perfect book to read on a cold winter's day or any day!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. The opinions, in this review, are my own.
November 18, 2024
Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates follows librarian extraordinaire Lucy as she gets embroiled in another murder investigation after a famous local author is killed on her deck. This time Lucy also has to deal with a widow who has made it her mission to call out Lucy in her pursuit of high office. The case gets more complicated as a group of grieving fans have made Lucy's backyard their grieving grounds. And on top of that, Lucy needs to find a replacement author for her upcoming book festival.
I feel a sense of nostalgia when it comes to this book, I mean we are 12 books in after all. I did like this one a lot though. My favorite part was the resolution of the case, I thought it was so funny how they apprehended the killer. My least favorite part was that Lucy acted like a doormat when the widow came calling to her house and then at the library. In both occasions Lucy did not act like the take charge librarian we know she can be. I had to deduct a star for that. I'm also glad to see Connor's relationship with Lucy growing, I thought that was sweet. I'm also looking forward to seeing this new detective need help in upcoming books.
Overall I recommend this book but I think it would be even sweeter if you read the whole series before you got to this book, however it is not necessary to read this one in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Eva Gates for giving me the opportunity of reviewing this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I feel a sense of nostalgia when it comes to this book, I mean we are 12 books in after all. I did like this one a lot though. My favorite part was the resolution of the case, I thought it was so funny how they apprehended the killer. My least favorite part was that Lucy acted like a doormat when the widow came calling to her house and then at the library. In both occasions Lucy did not act like the take charge librarian we know she can be. I had to deduct a star for that. I'm also glad to see Connor's relationship with Lucy growing, I thought that was sweet. I'm also looking forward to seeing this new detective need help in upcoming books.
Overall I recommend this book but I think it would be even sweeter if you read the whole series before you got to this book, however it is not necessary to read this one in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Eva Gates for giving me the opportunity of reviewing this ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2025
Another interesting story with Lucy, Connor, Charles, and the Library Lighthouse crew. The library crew is busy arranging a YA event for the summer vacation with three local authors attending, including a recent transplant who actually has bestsellers to his name. When the bestselling author shows up at Lucy and Connor's house and ends up dead on the deck before Lucy can even set up refreshments, you know she will have a hard time being removed. What I enjoy about this series is that information gathering is always in an intelligent and intellectual way. Lucy and her band of happy helpers don't go running off looking for trouble. They just ask interesting questions. While asking her questions, Lucy runs into trouble with the victim's wife, deals with the potential retirement of a friend, and finds that her own life may require some changes. Definitely an fascinating addition to the series. My thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read! #ShotThroughtheBook, #LibraryLighthouseseries, #EvaGates #bookreview, #bookideas #retiredreader
May 3, 2025
"Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12)" by Eva Gates has yet another death happening basically right in front of Lucy and even at her home. When a popular YA fantasy author dies on her deck, Lucy is almost forced to do something to find his killer. His teen fans are invading her home and his wife is trying to railroad her and the local police.
I did bounce around a little bit about who the culprit might be. However, I kept coming back to one particular character. In the end I was right.
I did bounce around a little bit about who the culprit might be. However, I kept coming back to one particular character. In the end I was right.
May 31, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back at the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is planning a young adult book festival that will host two local authors and bestselling author Todd Harrison, who has recently moved to the area. Children’s librarian Ronald Burkowski is in charge of booking the authors, with Louise Jane and Lucy in charge of logistics, promotion, and other details. All the people involved attended a meeting where everything was on track and ready for the event. This is why Lucy is confused when Todd Harrison knocks on the door of her newly remodeled Outer Banks beach house.
After Lucy invites the author in, directs him to the deck, and gets him a beverage, she returns to the deck to find him dead in his chair. How could a murder happen that fast with no one to be seen? Lucy needs to know. But then Heather Harrison, the victim’s widow, starts to cause chaos, even pointing to Lucy as the killer and needing to draw attention to herself, while accusing the police department as incompetent and showing favoritism. This forces the chief to order Detective Sam Watson to keep Lucy out of this case. It seems the widow plans to run for State Senate and intends to use cleaning up corruption and influence in local law enforcement as her campaign agenda, and he doesn’t want to give her any type of ammunition against his department.
While Lucy tries to deal with Todd Harrison’s fans turning her home and deck into a shrine, the victim’s widow taunting her at her home and the library, and two local authors ready to step in to take Todd’s place and arguing about it, she decides she needs to do her thing and investigate this murder. She just hopes Sam Watson will be receptive to her information so they can throw the book at the killer ASAP!
I am delighted to be back at my happy place – the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. It is such a special place. I know I could easily spend every day there, so I didn’t miss a thing.
Ms. Gates has created true-to-life characters who have felt like friends from the start, and that feeling gets stronger with each new story. The library staff, Bertie, Denise, Ronald, and Louise Jane, all pitch in to make the YA book festival a success while Charles, the library cat, looks on or settles into his favorite chair for a nap. Now that Louise Jane has a man in her life, although it’s a long-distance relationship, she isn’t quite as annoying. She still likes to tell her stories. She even gets a small part in the festival. Connor and Lucy’s relationship is so sweet. They have settled into a comfortable routine as he handles his mayoral duties and a few dental appointments on the side, and she works her library hours with some amateur sleuthing to keep her busy. I love the way they enjoy the quiet times, together or separately. Those quiet times were few and far between this time as they dealt with some heavy things in this book.
The author introduced Heather Harrison, a woman on a mission, brash as could be, with a small entourage. We also have a character who has usually floated through scenes over the years but has now grown up to have a pivotal place in Shot Through the Book.
The murder in this story had a very unique weapon. The police even needed to bring in experts to help them with the case. Lucy really did try to stay out of the investigation at first, but with it happening at her house and her reputation for solving murders, it was too hard. We all knew she would be involved. Especially, with the victim’s crazy wife traveling around town with her cameraman and assistant, causing trouble. Bertie had a great moment when they came to the library. I always enjoy tagging around with Lucy as she follows clues and pieces the puzzle together. I was focused on the killer a bit before Lucy, but let me tell you the reveal and takedown were exciting and oh! so! satisfying. I loved it!
Marvelous characters wrapped up in a terrifically plotted mystery made Shot Through the Book a wonderfully entertaining read! There are some changes ahead. One will make fans very happy, and another sad, but I am so enthusiastic to return to the Outer Banks and my happy place to see what Ms. Gates has planned for her characters next!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
We are back at the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is planning a young adult book festival that will host two local authors and bestselling author Todd Harrison, who has recently moved to the area. Children’s librarian Ronald Burkowski is in charge of booking the authors, with Louise Jane and Lucy in charge of logistics, promotion, and other details. All the people involved attended a meeting where everything was on track and ready for the event. This is why Lucy is confused when Todd Harrison knocks on the door of her newly remodeled Outer Banks beach house.
After Lucy invites the author in, directs him to the deck, and gets him a beverage, she returns to the deck to find him dead in his chair. How could a murder happen that fast with no one to be seen? Lucy needs to know. But then Heather Harrison, the victim’s widow, starts to cause chaos, even pointing to Lucy as the killer and needing to draw attention to herself, while accusing the police department as incompetent and showing favoritism. This forces the chief to order Detective Sam Watson to keep Lucy out of this case. It seems the widow plans to run for State Senate and intends to use cleaning up corruption and influence in local law enforcement as her campaign agenda, and he doesn’t want to give her any type of ammunition against his department.
While Lucy tries to deal with Todd Harrison’s fans turning her home and deck into a shrine, the victim’s widow taunting her at her home and the library, and two local authors ready to step in to take Todd’s place and arguing about it, she decides she needs to do her thing and investigate this murder. She just hopes Sam Watson will be receptive to her information so they can throw the book at the killer ASAP!
I am delighted to be back at my happy place – the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. It is such a special place. I know I could easily spend every day there, so I didn’t miss a thing.
Ms. Gates has created true-to-life characters who have felt like friends from the start, and that feeling gets stronger with each new story. The library staff, Bertie, Denise, Ronald, and Louise Jane, all pitch in to make the YA book festival a success while Charles, the library cat, looks on or settles into his favorite chair for a nap. Now that Louise Jane has a man in her life, although it’s a long-distance relationship, she isn’t quite as annoying. She still likes to tell her stories. She even gets a small part in the festival. Connor and Lucy’s relationship is so sweet. They have settled into a comfortable routine as he handles his mayoral duties and a few dental appointments on the side, and she works her library hours with some amateur sleuthing to keep her busy. I love the way they enjoy the quiet times, together or separately. Those quiet times were few and far between this time as they dealt with some heavy things in this book.
The author introduced Heather Harrison, a woman on a mission, brash as could be, with a small entourage. We also have a character who has usually floated through scenes over the years but has now grown up to have a pivotal place in Shot Through the Book.
The murder in this story had a very unique weapon. The police even needed to bring in experts to help them with the case. Lucy really did try to stay out of the investigation at first, but with it happening at her house and her reputation for solving murders, it was too hard. We all knew she would be involved. Especially, with the victim’s crazy wife traveling around town with her cameraman and assistant, causing trouble. Bertie had a great moment when they came to the library. I always enjoy tagging around with Lucy as she follows clues and pieces the puzzle together. I was focused on the killer a bit before Lucy, but let me tell you the reveal and takedown were exciting and oh! so! satisfying. I loved it!
Marvelous characters wrapped up in a terrifically plotted mystery made Shot Through the Book a wonderfully entertaining read! There are some changes ahead. One will make fans very happy, and another sad, but I am so enthusiastic to return to the Outer Banks and my happy place to see what Ms. Gates has planned for her characters next!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
June 7, 2025
Another awesome visit to the Lighthouse Library and surrounding area. I love this series of books because of the unique cast of characters throughout the library, the town and more. The author has created a core cast that you are absolutely intrigued and entertained by. I anxiously await the next book each time as I can't wait to see what is happening in the characters' lives, especially the main character, Lucy. However, I am also in love with the series because the library is set inside an old lighthouse which would be the epitome of cool for me. I absolutely love lighthouses and libraries are my favorite places to visit as they give you a true sense of a community. It is amazing to me how the author has captured that sense of community in her fictional world revolving around the lighthouse library. The author also weaves a compelling mystery in each book and this book was no exception. It was intriguing to see the method of murder used in this book and how she laid out the crime, the investigation and of course, the reveal of the culprit. Once again captivating me with a fantastic murder mystery, great character interactions and exciting life events coming for our favorite characters. I can't wait until the next book is ready to be devoured!!!
May 20, 2025
3.5 stars
Cozy in the true sense. The library, the characters, the relationships, and, of course, Charles, all deliver. The mystery is engaging and contemporary. Gates got me with a red herring, and I was genuinely surprised by the reveal, even if I shouldn’t have been. It was all in fair play.
I received an advance review copy of this title from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cozy in the true sense. The library, the characters, the relationships, and, of course, Charles, all deliver. The mystery is engaging and contemporary. Gates got me with a red herring, and I was genuinely surprised by the reveal, even if I shouldn’t have been. It was all in fair play.
I received an advance review copy of this title from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2025
3.5 stars
Still a strong book in the series but if felt as if the mystery resolved itself through chance more than hard work. A bit of a shame, but the journey to the end is still lots of fun and it's great to spend more time with the characters of the Outer Banks setting. Small town mysteries have huge appeal for me, and I'm always ready to read a cosy.
I enjoyed the sudden setup of the mystery, which I think has been the most shocking in this series so far and hooked me immediately into the story. There was a sense of danger behind it, but I wished that level of danger stayed in the story. It dropped off rather suddenly. This felt like one of those cases where the danger could have been darker and more visceral. Cosies can include that level of danger. It's a shame this didn't.
The author included some discussion on the publishing industry in this mystery, concerning mainly the concept of luck being a factory for how an author's career can take off. I think that's true. In any creative industry, luck plays a part, and it's refreshing to see an author discuss that, even if it's in a fictional sense. Fortunately, Eva Gates also also talent to back up the success of this series, and after twelve books she's still managing to add fresh ideas and keep this reader engaged. A few of those twists occur towards the end, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in future books.
This remains a favourite cosy mystery series for me and I'm already looking forward to reading book thirteen!
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Still a strong book in the series but if felt as if the mystery resolved itself through chance more than hard work. A bit of a shame, but the journey to the end is still lots of fun and it's great to spend more time with the characters of the Outer Banks setting. Small town mysteries have huge appeal for me, and I'm always ready to read a cosy.
I enjoyed the sudden setup of the mystery, which I think has been the most shocking in this series so far and hooked me immediately into the story. There was a sense of danger behind it, but I wished that level of danger stayed in the story. It dropped off rather suddenly. This felt like one of those cases where the danger could have been darker and more visceral. Cosies can include that level of danger. It's a shame this didn't.
The author included some discussion on the publishing industry in this mystery, concerning mainly the concept of luck being a factory for how an author's career can take off. I think that's true. In any creative industry, luck plays a part, and it's refreshing to see an author discuss that, even if it's in a fictional sense. Fortunately, Eva Gates also also talent to back up the success of this series, and after twelve books she's still managing to add fresh ideas and keep this reader engaged. A few of those twists occur towards the end, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in future books.
This remains a favourite cosy mystery series for me and I'm already looking forward to reading book thirteen!
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2025
The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from around the world. When author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief, but political ambition. Can Lucy catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.
I loved this cozy mystery. I love Lucy and all the characters at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. She always tries to work with the police to help them with their investigations, not go behind their back and make them look silly. The setting is so well described I can always envision the Lighthouse library on the shoreline and smell the salty air. The plot was ingenious, and the culprit was a surprise to me. I can't wait to read the next installment to this wonderful mystery series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
I loved this cozy mystery. I love Lucy and all the characters at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. She always tries to work with the police to help them with their investigations, not go behind their back and make them look silly. The setting is so well described I can always envision the Lighthouse library on the shoreline and smell the salty air. The plot was ingenious, and the culprit was a surprise to me. I can't wait to read the next installment to this wonderful mystery series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
May 7, 2025
Shot Through the Book is the twelfth book in the lighthouse library mystery series & focuses on librarian Lucy McNeil who finds herself in the center of yet another murder. Todd Harrison is the local YA author set to be the headliner for an upcoming festival when he ends up dead on Lucy’s deck. Todd’s death sets off a chain of crazy events that threaten Lucy’s day to day life & even her friendship with the local detective, Sam Watson. This series is my absolute favorite cozy mystery. I never get tired of the eccentric cast of characters & seeing how their lives play out. Some of the events in this book had my jaw on the floor. There is no way I’d be as kind as Lucy in some of these situations. It’s a fun read though & I really hope this series continues for a long time because I absolutely love all of it.
Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy.
Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy.
June 8, 2025
saw the ending coming but I need the next book like yesterday. some things will be changing in the next book. for more than just Lucy. we met a new character who I'm sure will shake things up. also hubby time in office has to be coming close to the end.
only guessed the murderer right before Lucy. like right before she got to the location she meets the murderer before figuring it out.
but with this i am caught up
only guessed the murderer right before Lucy. like right before she got to the location she meets the murderer before figuring it out.
but with this i am caught up
June 1, 2025
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. I love that Louise Jane has no problem stepping up and getting things done. She has really branched out from when we were first introduced to her character. The storyline with the YA book festival and the way the victim was killed was interesting. It opened up for more possible suspects. I had no idea who it was but once the killer was caught, it all made sense.
November 13, 2024
Librarian Lucy McNeil has a lot on her plate helping to organise the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library’s YA book festival but hadn't expected it to spill over into her private life. When she discovers the body of one of the headline authors on the deck of her home just minutes after their surprise arrival Lucy is plunged into a world of accusation, political ambition, and coordinated grief way beyond anything she has experienced before. With her unsettling personal connection to the death, Lucy tries to stay away from the investigation, but the author's accusatory widow and his army of devastated fans have no intention of letting that happen.
The Lighthouse Library mystery series just keeps geting better and better and with Lucy and Connor, the library staff, and local police force feeling like old friends it is always a pleasure to return and read the next book in this series. I loved the political and publishing storyline in book twelve, which appears to be quite a pivotal installment, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my. I loved this and recommend it highly. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
The Lighthouse Library mystery series just keeps geting better and better and with Lucy and Connor, the library staff, and local police force feeling like old friends it is always a pleasure to return and read the next book in this series. I loved the political and publishing storyline in book twelve, which appears to be quite a pivotal installment, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my. I loved this and recommend it highly. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
May 5, 2025
Once again, Lucy discovers a dead body, but this time, he was killed right under her nose. Now, Lucy’s got to plan a festival, while also navigating the deceased’s rabid fanbase, a grieving widow with an agenda, and maybe find a murderer before they strike again. That was so much fun. And I am both pleased and shocked to report that I did not have the correct villain or motive identified before the end of this book. I thought it was fun that even when Lucy was trying to stay out of it, she kept getting dragged back into the middle of the investigation. I enjoyed the time spent with our favorite members of the supporting cast, and it sounds like there are a bunch of changes coming in the near future that I can’t wait to read more about.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
April 27, 2025
Shot Through the Book is book 12 in The Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates but is easily read as a standalone novel. This was my first book in the series, and while it's true that I was not familiar with the backstories of some of the characters, the background provided in the book was sufficient for me to not feel like I was missing out on a lot.
The story is told from the first person point-of-view of Lucy McNeil, an assistant director at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. When one of the authors who is attending an upcoming festival shows up at her house unexpectedly, and is then killed, she is immediately drawn into the mystery of his murder.
Shot Through the Book is set in the small coastal town of Nags Head, North Carolina, and as one might expect from a cozy mystery, there are lots of interesting characters in the town, and everyone knows everyone. This is even more the case because Lucy is married to the town's current mayor.
In addition to the town's regular characters, a few characters from outside the town show up as viable suspects in the mystery, and Lucy has her work cut out for her. Especially when the author's widow starts causing trouble in town.
I found Shot Through the Book to be an engaging mystery that kept my attention from wandering, something that has been a problem for me this year, even when reading some of my favourite genres. And although I did spot the suspect rather early on, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After all, you can never really know if you're right, unless you take a peek at the end of the book.
I would recommend Shot Through the Book to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery. It's the perfect book for an evening (or two) at home with a good cup of tea.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is told from the first person point-of-view of Lucy McNeil, an assistant director at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. When one of the authors who is attending an upcoming festival shows up at her house unexpectedly, and is then killed, she is immediately drawn into the mystery of his murder.
Shot Through the Book is set in the small coastal town of Nags Head, North Carolina, and as one might expect from a cozy mystery, there are lots of interesting characters in the town, and everyone knows everyone. This is even more the case because Lucy is married to the town's current mayor.
In addition to the town's regular characters, a few characters from outside the town show up as viable suspects in the mystery, and Lucy has her work cut out for her. Especially when the author's widow starts causing trouble in town.
I found Shot Through the Book to be an engaging mystery that kept my attention from wandering, something that has been a problem for me this year, even when reading some of my favourite genres. And although I did spot the suspect rather early on, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After all, you can never really know if you're right, unless you take a peek at the end of the book.
I would recommend Shot Through the Book to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery. It's the perfect book for an evening (or two) at home with a good cup of tea.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 18, 2025
Shot Through the Book is a very enjoyable addition to the Lighthouse Library series. I really loved seeing all the library employees rally behind Lucy to support her and the her own growth in the story. I was also very happy that Connor was featured much more prominently in this mystery compared to the last installment. As with most cozies some things were quite predictable but there were also some great twists in the story that I did not see coming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
I love reading about the shenanigans that take place around the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Such different personalities that lead to interesting adventures. I liked the surprises included in this book. Anxious for the next book in the series.
April 8, 2025
I feel very fortunate that there continues to be new books in my favourite cozy mystery series The Lighthouse Library. This time, Lucy and the gang are planning a YA book conference in Nags Head when the featured author is murdered at Lucy's house.
I loved the characters, and the setting never gets old. I was fully engaged while reading this story and couldn't put it down. This series is so consistently good! I can't wait for the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for review.
I loved the characters, and the setting never gets old. I was fully engaged while reading this story and couldn't put it down. This series is so consistently good! I can't wait for the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for review.
October 24, 2025
This murder is in her house this time and the authors fans stalk her house. It’s a mess. There’s a lot of threats and emotional teens. It’s a great story.
It’s clear she’s preggo the entire book but I guess that’s a “nice” way to end it. Is this the end?!
It’s clear she’s preggo the entire book but I guess that’s a “nice” way to end it. Is this the end?!
May 19, 2025
Had not realized on ordering this that it is Lighthouse Library Mystery #12. Cute cover, but a solid deviation from the lighthouse covers. Maybe because the author has really tanked the MC? Trying to sneak one over on the readers?
This should be fun, but it starts out reminding the reader how incompetent at the basics of life the MC is. Dare the reader hope this character finally gets the real-world treatment she begs for in every book?
Probably not, but it is a terribly lame opening, and the mystery is why the author didn't conceive anything better.
Really, who wrote this pap?Trying to force through this, and its only the third page.
SO much off with this opening scene. On top of the above, and walking this stranger THROUGH the empty house, he hasn't brought ANYTHING? He shows up, late, uninvited, to a STRANGER's house, and didn't bring ANY small item? Chocolates, pastries, sandwiches, ANY sort of beverage, so as not to put the forced hostess to inconvenience ... NOTHING? What hole did this moron come from? There's NO place on the planet where that is done! AND he's come to ask a favor - EMPTY handed? Heavens, the character is an author, bring a signed bopy of a book, at least. This is routine, basic courtesy.
And - even though this is the 12th book, and so AT LEAST the 12th murder MC has been involved with in ... 3? years, MC "didn't know what to do."
No idea where this is going, but trying so hard to get through.
The details are still crap - the cat is a seal-point himalayan, tan and brown, but somehow its ears are black, not brown, and when it gets to the library, its a ball of tan and white fur. This isn't hard, its a physical thing, pictures of them abound, they don't change color 'in transit'.
Maybe its time to find a different series? A different author? Yes, it is. After 11 murders MC STill doesn't know that ALL of the following are automatically considered potential suspects? a) the person who finds the body, b) any person with the victim at the time of the murder, c) any person most recently/last with the victim, d) the person that reports the murder, e) the person who owns/rents the location where the victim is murdered, f) any person who 'inserts' themself into the scene/investigation, g) any person involved with other murders or suspicious deaths, h) personal/business antagonists, (as well as i) the romantic interest, live-in contact, debt holder, j) person matching evidence connected to the case, k) anyone who stands to gain from the death, l) anyone (the killer hated) who stands to lose from the death...) Well, that's 7 points for sure against MC, before the reader knows anything, and she's SURPRISED? Hmm, Boston-Nags Head import IDIOT? Well, apparently... Even if MC is a librarian....
Did that list forget anyone who cozies up to the police, marries the power in town .... this MC is worse than Jessica Fletcher! Oh wait, she had almost two years of off-page interlude ... did she go on vacation and stumble into murders there? Maybe the other murders in town weren't as interesting? Maybe Nags Head has become the vacation-murder capitol of the country, and somehow the other 50 that happened in the last two years in that tiny vacation town didn't involve MC?
No point in reading to find any connection to the title - its not tied to the contents, as usual. Disappointing. The author has nice writing skills and style, just terrible plotting and an excess of weak, whiny characters.
Who would want to go NEAR this murder magnet? Why would anyone risk it? Doesn't MC emanate "people get killed around me" vibes? Why the heck is the supposed supernatural sensitive Louise Jane still anywhere near her? At what point is Louise Jane going to come out with "please don't talk to me or stand near me, I'd like to survive today."
The author is writing for at best a YA audience. Again, why does the author think the reader will embrace a brain-dead MC ?
It seems to this reader that the author took a method, a location, a situation, and a motive and wasted each by smashing them together with no reasonable possibility they would co-occur, even in the book.
This should be fun, but it starts out reminding the reader how incompetent at the basics of life the MC is. Dare the reader hope this character finally gets the real-world treatment she begs for in every book?
Probably not, but it is a terribly lame opening, and the mystery is why the author didn't conceive anything better.
Really, who wrote this pap?Trying to force through this, and its only the third page.
SO much off with this opening scene. On top of the above, and walking this stranger THROUGH the empty house, he hasn't brought ANYTHING? He shows up, late, uninvited, to a STRANGER's house, and didn't bring ANY small item? Chocolates, pastries, sandwiches, ANY sort of beverage, so as not to put the forced hostess to inconvenience ... NOTHING? What hole did this moron come from? There's NO place on the planet where that is done! AND he's come to ask a favor - EMPTY handed? Heavens, the character is an author, bring a signed bopy of a book, at least. This is routine, basic courtesy.
And - even though this is the 12th book, and so AT LEAST the 12th murder MC has been involved with in ... 3? years, MC "didn't know what to do."
No idea where this is going, but trying so hard to get through.
The details are still crap - the cat is a seal-point himalayan, tan and brown, but somehow its ears are black, not brown, and when it gets to the library, its a ball of tan and white fur. This isn't hard, its a physical thing, pictures of them abound, they don't change color 'in transit'.
Maybe its time to find a different series? A different author? Yes, it is. After 11 murders MC STill doesn't know that ALL of the following are automatically considered potential suspects? a) the person who finds the body, b) any person with the victim at the time of the murder, c) any person most recently/last with the victim, d) the person that reports the murder, e) the person who owns/rents the location where the victim is murdered, f) any person who 'inserts' themself into the scene/investigation, g) any person involved with other murders or suspicious deaths, h) personal/business antagonists, (as well as i) the romantic interest, live-in contact, debt holder, j) person matching evidence connected to the case, k) anyone who stands to gain from the death, l) anyone (the killer hated) who stands to lose from the death...) Well, that's 7 points for sure against MC, before the reader knows anything, and she's SURPRISED? Hmm, Boston-Nags Head import IDIOT? Well, apparently... Even if MC is a librarian....
Did that list forget anyone who cozies up to the police, marries the power in town .... this MC is worse than Jessica Fletcher! Oh wait, she had almost two years of off-page interlude ... did she go on vacation and stumble into murders there? Maybe the other murders in town weren't as interesting? Maybe Nags Head has become the vacation-murder capitol of the country, and somehow the other 50 that happened in the last two years in that tiny vacation town didn't involve MC?
No point in reading to find any connection to the title - its not tied to the contents, as usual. Disappointing. The author has nice writing skills and style, just terrible plotting and an excess of weak, whiny characters.
Who would want to go NEAR this murder magnet? Why would anyone risk it? Doesn't MC emanate "people get killed around me" vibes? Why the heck is the supposed supernatural sensitive Louise Jane still anywhere near her? At what point is Louise Jane going to come out with "please don't talk to me or stand near me, I'd like to survive today."
The author is writing for at best a YA audience. Again, why does the author think the reader will embrace a brain-dead MC ?
It seems to this reader that the author took a method, a location, a situation, and a motive and wasted each by smashing them together with no reasonable possibility they would co-occur, even in the book.
November 18, 2025
First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Shot Through the Book (A Lighthouse Library Mystery, #12) by Eva Gates. I received this cozy mystery for free in exchange for my honest review, and I’m delighted to have been selected to read it ahead of its release, even though I’m admittedly behind on my reading and reviewing.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is gearing up to host a YA Book Festival, bringing in authors from far and wide. But when the festival’s most renowned guest author is found murdered in the home of one of the librarians, Lucy McNeil suddenly finds herself under suspicion. Determined to clear her name before the festival begins, she sets out to uncover the truth.
This was my first time reading a book from the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the premise. Since I haven’t read the earlier installments, I did feel a bit out of the loop at first when it came to the characters. However, the author provided enough context and detail for me to quickly get a sense of the recurring characters.
Even though Shot Through the Book felt a little young in some moments and a bit over the top in others, I’d definitely pick up more books from the series. That said, there were points where the story dragged, and I found myself growing impatient, wishing the pacing would pick up or that something more engaging would happen.
The author really delivered with the conclusion, tying up the mystery in a fun and fulfilling way. I had a great time with this book overall, and I’m excited to give it a solid four out of five stars.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is gearing up to host a YA Book Festival, bringing in authors from far and wide. But when the festival’s most renowned guest author is found murdered in the home of one of the librarians, Lucy McNeil suddenly finds herself under suspicion. Determined to clear her name before the festival begins, she sets out to uncover the truth.
This was my first time reading a book from the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the premise. Since I haven’t read the earlier installments, I did feel a bit out of the loop at first when it came to the characters. However, the author provided enough context and detail for me to quickly get a sense of the recurring characters.
Even though Shot Through the Book felt a little young in some moments and a bit over the top in others, I’d definitely pick up more books from the series. That said, there were points where the story dragged, and I found myself growing impatient, wishing the pacing would pick up or that something more engaging would happen.
The author really delivered with the conclusion, tying up the mystery in a fun and fulfilling way. I had a great time with this book overall, and I’m excited to give it a solid four out of five stars.
March 15, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Back with my favorite cozy series crew for their latest mystery, this was so fun to read! I really breeze through these books, they have the perfect balance of funny moments, romantic moments, suspenseful moments, and of course cozy moments. An easy 5 star read!
I liked the element of the book festival and the addition of the YA fans/teens. A lot of the other books in the series revolve more around classic literature so that was a different touch. The whodunnit really kept me guessing too, it felt different than the others in the series. And that ENDING! Gah! I’ll be scanning Netgalley like a hawk for the book! 👀
Thanks so much to @vicki.delany, @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC! This one is out in May!
Back with my favorite cozy series crew for their latest mystery, this was so fun to read! I really breeze through these books, they have the perfect balance of funny moments, romantic moments, suspenseful moments, and of course cozy moments. An easy 5 star read!
I liked the element of the book festival and the addition of the YA fans/teens. A lot of the other books in the series revolve more around classic literature so that was a different touch. The whodunnit really kept me guessing too, it felt different than the others in the series. And that ENDING! Gah! I’ll be scanning Netgalley like a hawk for the book! 👀
Thanks so much to @vicki.delany, @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC! This one is out in May!
June 12, 2025
Eva Gates/Vicky Delany is the queen of Cozies..... Another wonderful installment in the Lighthouse Library mystery and a wonderful ending.
I did not see the murderer coming....
I did not see the murderer coming....
May 8, 2025
I never thought I’d see the day when Louise Jane’s character actually didn’t get on my nerves. In some ways, she’s pretty helpful and fiercely loyal to Lucy and the library. I guess all it took was Lucy getting married so Louise Jane could live in the lighthouse apartment and work there.
One of the characters who’s always been on the sidelines with a few mentions actually got a bigger part in this book during the showdown that Lucy never saw coming. Someone else did a good job controlling the perp and was gonna have one crazy story to tell friends after it was over. There’d been a little side thing going on all along which I totally guessed. A few things happened toward the end of the book that really makes me eager to read the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
One of the characters who’s always been on the sidelines with a few mentions actually got a bigger part in this book during the showdown that Lucy never saw coming. Someone else did a good job controlling the perp and was gonna have one crazy story to tell friends after it was over. There’d been a little side thing going on all along which I totally guessed. A few things happened toward the end of the book that really makes me eager to read the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
October 12, 2024
#ShotThroughtheBook #NetGalley is another unique addition to this series.
Each book always has a part that suddenly grabs me, dragging me into a world usually filled by colorful, quirky characters.
Lucy does not disappoint with her investigative skills, and I always love following her along, hoping I can put the clues together with her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Each book always has a part that suddenly grabs me, dragging me into a world usually filled by colorful, quirky characters.
Lucy does not disappoint with her investigative skills, and I always love following her along, hoping I can put the clues together with her.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
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