The Lighthouse Murder: A Sherlock Paws Cozy Mystery

Sherlock Paws Cozy Mystery #2

by Kit Sterling

Owning a bookstore in a small town is a dream...until murder makes it a nightmare.

The victim, the new lighthouse owner, left behind more enemies than friends. The suspect list is endless, and I'm on it.

I team up with my best friend, Sam, and my rescue dog, Sherlock Paws, to uncover the truth.

Clues are popping up all over, and just when I think we're getting somewhere, another body turns up.

With Sherlock Paws' sharp instincts for sniffing out hidden clues and her talent for squeezing into tight spaces, we're making headway—but the clock is ticking.

Each new discovery pushes us closer to the truth, but the danger is closing in fast.

If we don’t solve this case soon…

the killer’s next move might just be my last.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a good many suspense, mystery and cozy books in my life, plus hours and hours of real life and made for TV crime shows, but the answer to this one caught me by surprise. It was not who I suspected. Well, there were a lot of suspects, but some kept dying, others could prove their innocence, but one does sneak in. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the author’s next one.

[Safina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Lighthouse Murder by Kit Sterling.
The story is set in a small American coastal town. The main protagonist, Molly, comes across a murder scene while out for a walk. The murder victim is a local real estate developer who had been involved in a very public spat with the local historian and museum curator.
Molly decides to adopt the victim's dog Sherlock, as she can't bear the thought of her being kept in a pound. Together Molly and Sherlock investigate the real estate developer's murder as the risks and the body count grow.
I loved the descriptions of small town life, and the small independent businesses like coffee shops, general stores and diners that serve as gossip hubs and make up the heart of small communities.
The only caveat I have about this story is that you probably shouldn't read it if you are on a diet - the author does wax lyrical about cinnamon buns, chocolate fancies and cookies. Cosy murder mystery, the seaside, a cute doggy and baked goods - all the ingredients of a feel good read.
Now... where can I get hold of a cinnamon roll at this time of evening?

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lighthouse Murder by Kit Sterling is a cute cozy mystery. I liked the characters especially Sherlock Paws. Sherlock is adorable, active, and astute. Molly’s bookstore had a unique theme. I would enjoy visiting and browsing. Shepherd Falls is a cozy town. The mystery was uncomplicated. I would have liked a more complicated whodunit where I could not identify the killer before the murder took place. Molly and Sherlock went around asking questions as well as searching for clues. Molly had help from the local librarian Finn Murray. She also discussed what she learned with her best friend, Sam. This, though, did lead to repetitiveness. Someone was not happy with Molly’s snooping and warned her off (Molly is not the type to step aside when threatened). The story had an uplifting ending. The Lighthouse Murder is the second A Sherlock Paws Cozy Mystery. The Lighthouse Murder is a lighthearted whodunit with a lighthouse restoration ruckus, a dead developer, a helpful librarian, an astute Sherlock, a forever friend, and a bevy of books.

[Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sherlock. He's always there helping Molly solve the mysteries. The characters are fun and mostly relatable. Did I find a glitch? Wondering how the hardware store owner could morph into the town Baker then back again. I I can't help but get aggravated when the heroine puts herself in so much danger without calling the police or even taking someone else with her when she rushes into danger. There will come a time Miss Molly when no one will be there to save you!. I am hoping the helpful librarian will play a bigger part in the next books in the series. All in all this was a charming cozy mystery! I received a copy of this book as part of an advanced reader team, and my review and opinions are solely my own.

[Michele Chovanec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Sterling has a wonderfully descriptive writing style which I very much enjoy. Every time I thought I knew the culprit, I was taken down another path. I was delighted that Molly and Sherlock were able to become partners in the search for whomever murdered Arthur Schmidt. However, I was shocked when Arthur was not the only one murdered. Now with two murders to investigate, Molly and Sherlock were kept busy trying to track down leads. Every lead seemed to reach a dead end. There were a lot of twists and turns in the story and a surprise or two as well. Love the town characters and busy bodies. Looking forward to see what the future holds for Molly and Sherlock.

[Genesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is the owner of a bookstore in the small town Shepherd Falls. A quiet ordinary life until a murder happen. She started asking questions and with time reveal more secrets than she realized was hiding in the town. With the help of Sherlock, her dog and trusting companion, she come closer to unraveling the mystery of the murder. Danger was lurking, but she know that Sherlock will keep her safe. Another cozy mystery worth reading. Full of intrigue and secrets, it's a page-turner that you'll find difficult to put down until the last page. I recommend it to all fans of cozy mysteries.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly got involved in another even more dangerous case this time, but she had her trusty sidekick pup Sherlock who went with her everywhere. I noticed quite a bit of repetition since this was a longer book than the first, but it wasn’t terrible. I actually solved the murder before Molly did and was kinda yelling at her in my mind who it was, lol! She eventually got there with little Sherlock’s help and a new character, a cute guy librarian Sam loved teasing her about. Who knows? Maybe those two can do more sleuthing with little Sherlock when this series continues.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written story with an interesting murder mystery. Many twists and turns before the murderer is revealed. There is one murder, then another. I liked Molly but thought it was annoying that it kept getting more and more dangerous yet she would go to various places alone, not even letting the police know what was going on. The new character is interesting and seems interested in Molly; I would be interested in reading more about him. I received an ARC copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly and her dog Sherlock are out for a morning walk near the lighthouse when they stumble across a body. The lighthouse needs renovated, but there is a huge rift between the developer who wants to turn it into a restaurant and bar and the townspeople who want it saved for its historical significance. Molly investigates and finds clues leading to a surprising ending.
This cozy mystery is a fun read and I love Sherlock!

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and more murders at the lighthouse!

Molly own a bookstore in Shepherd Falls, a small town with all the small town attributes. She winds up discovering that the town also has some deep, dark secrets! After a death, she adopts a dog, Sherlock Paws, that went to the pound when her owner died. Together they investigate what turns out to be a convoluted history of a local family line. This story captures your interest right from the start and never lets up! Enjoy!

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Town secrets!

A very enjoyable murder mystery with the town's historical lighthouse taking center stage as Molly and her sweet dog, Sherlock investigate. I enjoyed this story as Molly unravels town secrets and solves the murder.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Molly finds a body near the lighthouse and then adopts the victim's dog she just has to dig deeper.
A really great book to read. It flows well with its mixture between sleuthing, some humor and mystery that gets more complicated. The storyline keeps you going to the end with a few surprises.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly and Sam are best friends, add a cute dog named Sherlock Paws, and you have a murder mystery trio.
Molly finds the body at the lighthouse during a walk and so instinctively wants to help solve the case. Unfortunately, during her investigation she finds herself in trouble, and possibly the next victim.

[L.a.l · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with a murder at the beginning of the book and keeping things moving with another murder makes this book fun to read. And having a very smart dog assisting puts even more fun into reading from cover to cover. With so many twists and turns involving who is related, it gets really twisted and hard to know. Glad that this series will continue.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery, love Molly and Sherlock is a sweet doggy companion. Molly investigates the murder of the new owner of the local lighthouse and gets involved in not only finding the culprit but in rooting out many town secrets. Very entertaining.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about Molly and her dog Sherlock chasing down clues on who killed two people connected to the town and why and figuring out who did it. There was suspense and drama and wondering who done it. Thank you for this excellent story.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. I really love Sherlock. What a cute puppers. The mystery was well written. I enjoyed watching the steps taken and getting to know the community at the same time. I am definitely hoping to see more of Finn.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse Murder

Sherlock, the dog, was quite amusing. I was perplexed about the murderer until very close to the ending! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in just a day! Enjoy.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lighthouse, a family and lots of pastries makes this book a treat Sherlock leads the way of sniffing out clues.Molly and her BFF Sam gather the clues as time is running out and another murder may happen before she solves this adventure.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly and her canine companion Sherlock find a body by the lighthouse and end up doing the investigation and find out a lot of the towns secrets. Good story!

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and Sherlock is just the cutest.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries and this one fits the bill. Add it to your TBR list Fast pace and good plot

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery

She feels the need to solve the murder of a man who had plans to turn the town lighthouse into an upscale restaurant. She uncovers secrets from the past to do it.