Whose Body in the Library

Lighthouse Library Mystery #13

by Eva Gates

A new librarian’s first day goes terribly wrong when she finds a dead body on the front steps of the library.

While Lucy McNeil is enjoying her new job as the mother of twin boys and library director, new librarian Nichelle Gilchrest has just arrived at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, reporting for duty. But life throws a wrench on Nichelle’s first day when she finds a body on the steps–a body that bears a startling resemblance to her father who disappeared on a fishing trip to the Outer Banks thirty-eight years ago.

Fingerprints confirm the dead body is indeed Nichelle’s father, now living in Nags Head under the name Brian Saunders. Brian had been befriending older lonely women in exchange for money, but was he working alone?

Detective Rhonda Thomas is on the case and the suspect list is only getting longer. Sorting through the wronged women and their relatives, Detective Thomas discovers Nichelle’s own brother Brad had been in Nags Head a few days before the murder happened and has been lying about his whereabouts.

Hoping to clear her brother’s name, Nichelle decides to investigate what happened. With seasoned sleuth Lucy’s gentle encouragement for the amateur, Nichelle is in for an exciting and dangerous first week at the library.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

Eva Gates is a pseudonym of Vicki Delany.

Reviews

[Kortney Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for this eARC copy.

I'm a huge fan of Eva Gates and her Lighthouse Library Mystery series, and this was no different. In this book, we meet Nichelle, a newcomer to town, coming into the series to be the Assistant Director to Lucy. At first, I thought I missed something because the story jumped right into Nichelle's point of view, but after a quick Google search, I realized I was right on target. I love the way we transitioned the point of view in this book, as with many cozy mystery series, if we have the same people doing the same things, the whole book and concept gets kind of stale.
Nichelle is a great character, and I love her backstory of a woman in her 50s reclaiming her passion in work and starting her life over now that her kids are grown.
With this being a cozy mystery, I don't want to spoil anything, but know that yes, someone dies, there are a lot of suspects, and there's a mystery within a mystery in this book. By the end, Nichelle is now intrical part of our little family and series.
Four stars for this amazing edition to the series.

[khc · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who usually reads thriller, intense fast-paced mysteries, this cozy mystery was a refreshing change of pace.

I loved the set up: Nichelle’s first day as a librarian was hectic as she found a dead body— who was later revealed to be her long lost father which made the situation more personal and crazier. The charming setting, at a small town near the beach and library, is perfect.

Though I did wish the reveal was less predictable, but I understand this is as an aspect that differed from what I usually read rather than a flaw in the writing. Other than this, I’d say the book was executed wonderfully and hits all the right notes for its genre.

For readers who want to read a cozy, chill, easy-going mystery, this is perfect for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read every title in this series, it was exciting to have a new narrator. Eva Gates was so smart to have new Assistant Librarian NIchelle Gilcrest be immediately thrown into a mystery with ties, unknown to her, to the community while allowing Lucy McNeill to focus on her twin baby boys and new role as Head Librarian. Lucy serves more as a guide and that allows the other new major series character, Detective Rhonda Thomas, to take on the investigation without the baggage built between Lucy and Sam in previous novels. A quick and delightful narrative, I highly recommend it to all who have enjoyed the series thus far and also as a place to jump into the series as it moves possibly to a different protagonist.

My sincere thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest opinion.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nichelle Gilcrest took the librarian job at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library she never expected to stumble onto a dead body. She most definitely didn't expect that dead body to be her father, who was presumed dead 38 years ago. As she and her brother deal with learning about what their father had been up to all these years, Nichelle also tries to find out who killed the man.
Wow! I did not want to put this one down. All the markers of a great cozy mystery: library, small town, gossipy ladies, and a cat. While the outcome wasn't a surprise this was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

[Christine Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting right off in the story with a new librarian, Nichelle, I was confused for a bit trying to figure out if I missed something. However, Lucy has been promoted, Nichelle is taking over the lighthouse aerie, and a new take on the story has started. As a fan of the series, I feel that Nichelle adds to the storyline & look forward to reading more. A murder, a now deceased long lost father, family dynamics, and familiar characters round out the plot.
Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Gates, and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand why this long-running series needs a new protagonist, as Lucy is now too busy with twin babies to solve mysteries, but I didn't love the new sleuth. Maybe she'll grow on me!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.