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Lighthouse Library Mystery #13
Whose Body in the Library
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.
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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
March 29, 2026
Whose Body in the Library is the 13th installment the Lighthouse Library Mysteries written by Eva Gates AKA Vicki Delany? I'm a fan of all her work and grab the latest release whenever possible, this time thanks to NetGalley. This book marks a notable change in the way the author tells the story, as we see a focus on a newcomer to the library, who just like our usual protagonist, Lucy, finds a body on the steps her first day. Lucy just gave birth to twins, so she has a lot more on her plate than usual, including taking over for the retiring Library Director. I enjoyed the change of pace and the new character who learns a lot about her mysterious, disappearing father, as well as the rest of her family. Good plot, interesting connections to the North Carolina town setting, and it sets the stage for a duo of amateur detectives, perhaps, in future installments to come.
July 17, 2026
I absolutely loved getting caught up with Lucy again in this prolific series. Whose Body in the Library? is the thirteenth installment, and it is every bit as captivating as the books that came before it.
I was delighted to meet Nichelle, the library’s new librarian. Unfortunately, her very first day takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a corpse on the front steps of the library! From there, the mystery unfolds as Lucy and the familiar cast of characters work together to solve the case, making for another entertaining and engaging cozy mystery.
This series continues to deliver charming characters, an intriguing mystery, and plenty of small-town warmth. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see how everything would come together.
I was blessed to receive an ARC through NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
I was delighted to meet Nichelle, the library’s new librarian. Unfortunately, her very first day takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a corpse on the front steps of the library! From there, the mystery unfolds as Lucy and the familiar cast of characters work together to solve the case, making for another entertaining and engaging cozy mystery.
This series continues to deliver charming characters, an intriguing mystery, and plenty of small-town warmth. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see how everything would come together.
I was blessed to receive an ARC through NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
June 21, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
With Bertie’s retirement, Lucy McNeil returns from maternity leave after the birth of her twin boys as the new library director. That leaves an opening in her former position, bringing Nichelle Gilchrest from New York to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Lucy meets her at the library so she can move into the Aerie apartment and be ready to start the next day. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. The next day, when Nichelle goes to unlock the front door of the library, she finds a dead body on the steps. The man looks familiar, but that cannot be possible. Her father went missing 38 years ago on a fishing trip to the Outer Banks with his buddies and was presumed dead.
The man is identified as Brian Saunders, and his fingerprints confirm that he is Nichelle’s father, living under a different name. He has been preying on elderly women who have no close companions and taking their money.
With Detective Sam Watson retired, the case is now in Detective Rhonda Thomas’s hands, and the suspect list keeps growing. It includes Nichelle’s brother, Brad, who has secretly been making trips to Nags Head and was there just before the murder. With some prompting from Lucy, Nichelle decides she needs not only to clear her brother of the crime but also to find out why her father was at the library at all. Was he there to see her, or was it just an odd coincidence?
I mentioned in my review of Shot Through the Book that changes were coming to the library and to Nags Head, but I was still surprised that this story centers on Nichelle Gilchrest rather than Lucy, even though Lucy’s perspective is still woven in through the alternating chapters. That choice gives the novel a slightly different energy and allows the series to open itself up in an interesting way. Nichelle comes into the story with enough life experience to feel fully formed from the start. After years of working as a bookkeeper and hating it, she is recently divorced, her 20-year-old twin daughters are out on their own, and she has finally chosen to pursue the dream she set aside by returning to school to become a librarian. When she is hired at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, she is not just changing jobs; she is building an entirely new life. That makes her an easy character to invest in. She settles in quickly, and her connection with the library, the town, and even Charles the cat makes her feel like a natural fit rather than an outsider being forced into the series. Denise, Roland, and Louise Jane welcome her warmly, and once the murder happens, the library once again becomes the center of the community, which reinforces how important that setting is to the charm of these books.
Lucy and Connor have also entered a new phase of life with their identical twin boys, Isaac and Lucas, now three months old. The novel handles that transition well because it acknowledges both the joy and the strain that come with it. Even with a trusted caregiver in Sophia, going back to work is never simple, and that tension adds a layer of realism to Lucy’s role in the story. She is adjusting not only to motherhood but also to taking over Bertie’s position, which could have easily made her feel sidelined or overwhelmed. Instead, the book shows that Lucy is growing into this next chapter of her life in a believable way. I also liked that Nichelle’s arrival does not diminish Lucy’s importance. Instead, the two characters complement each other, with Nichelle bringing fresh energy and Lucy offering perspective and steadiness. That balance keeps the transition from feeling abrupt and helps the series evolve without losing what made it appealing in the first place.
Another notable shift is Detective Sam Watson’s retirement. He is still present enough to offer guidance, but Detective Rhonda Thomas is now leading the murder investigation, and she makes it very clear that Lucy and Nichelle need to stay out of her case. That tension works well because, by now, readers know the library is never just a workplace in this series; it is the town’s unofficial hub, the place where people gather, talk, and reveal more than they probably intend to. That makes Nichelle especially effective as the newest amateur sleuth. She listens well, asks smart questions, and does not come across as reckless just for the sake of moving the plot along. I appreciated that she tried to pass along what she learned to Detective Thomas, particularly after ending up in a dangerous situation.
I hate change, so I went into Whose Body in the Library a little cautiously, but Ms. Gates handled it better than I expected. Introducing a new protagonist this deep into a series is not easy, especially when readers already have strong attachments to the existing cast, yet Nichelle never feels like a replacement. Instead, she feels like an expansion of the world. She is mature, intelligent, and grounded, which gives her a presence that works immediately. What I especially admired is that the novel manages to broaden its focus without sacrificing the familiar characters and setting that make this series such a comfort read for me. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library still feels like the heart of the story, and the people around it still provide the warmth and personality I look forward to in every installment. To me, that is what makes this book successful. It embraces change without abandoning the series’ identity, and that leaves me genuinely curious to see where the author takes these 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.
With Bertie’s retirement, Lucy McNeil returns from maternity leave after the birth of her twin boys as the new library director. That leaves an opening in her former position, bringing Nichelle Gilchrest from New York to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Lucy meets her at the library so she can move into the Aerie apartment and be ready to start the next day. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. The next day, when Nichelle goes to unlock the front door of the library, she finds a dead body on the steps. The man looks familiar, but that cannot be possible. Her father went missing 38 years ago on a fishing trip to the Outer Banks with his buddies and was presumed dead.
The man is identified as Brian Saunders, and his fingerprints confirm that he is Nichelle’s father, living under a different name. He has been preying on elderly women who have no close companions and taking their money.
With Detective Sam Watson retired, the case is now in Detective Rhonda Thomas’s hands, and the suspect list keeps growing. It includes Nichelle’s brother, Brad, who has secretly been making trips to Nags Head and was there just before the murder. With some prompting from Lucy, Nichelle decides she needs not only to clear her brother of the crime but also to find out why her father was at the library at all. Was he there to see her, or was it just an odd coincidence?
I mentioned in my review of Shot Through the Book that changes were coming to the library and to Nags Head, but I was still surprised that this story centers on Nichelle Gilchrest rather than Lucy, even though Lucy’s perspective is still woven in through the alternating chapters. That choice gives the novel a slightly different energy and allows the series to open itself up in an interesting way. Nichelle comes into the story with enough life experience to feel fully formed from the start. After years of working as a bookkeeper and hating it, she is recently divorced, her 20-year-old twin daughters are out on their own, and she has finally chosen to pursue the dream she set aside by returning to school to become a librarian. When she is hired at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, she is not just changing jobs; she is building an entirely new life. That makes her an easy character to invest in. She settles in quickly, and her connection with the library, the town, and even Charles the cat makes her feel like a natural fit rather than an outsider being forced into the series. Denise, Roland, and Louise Jane welcome her warmly, and once the murder happens, the library once again becomes the center of the community, which reinforces how important that setting is to the charm of these books.
Lucy and Connor have also entered a new phase of life with their identical twin boys, Isaac and Lucas, now three months old. The novel handles that transition well because it acknowledges both the joy and the strain that come with it. Even with a trusted caregiver in Sophia, going back to work is never simple, and that tension adds a layer of realism to Lucy’s role in the story. She is adjusting not only to motherhood but also to taking over Bertie’s position, which could have easily made her feel sidelined or overwhelmed. Instead, the book shows that Lucy is growing into this next chapter of her life in a believable way. I also liked that Nichelle’s arrival does not diminish Lucy’s importance. Instead, the two characters complement each other, with Nichelle bringing fresh energy and Lucy offering perspective and steadiness. That balance keeps the transition from feeling abrupt and helps the series evolve without losing what made it appealing in the first place.
Another notable shift is Detective Sam Watson’s retirement. He is still present enough to offer guidance, but Detective Rhonda Thomas is now leading the murder investigation, and she makes it very clear that Lucy and Nichelle need to stay out of her case. That tension works well because, by now, readers know the library is never just a workplace in this series; it is the town’s unofficial hub, the place where people gather, talk, and reveal more than they probably intend to. That makes Nichelle especially effective as the newest amateur sleuth. She listens well, asks smart questions, and does not come across as reckless just for the sake of moving the plot along. I appreciated that she tried to pass along what she learned to Detective Thomas, particularly after ending up in a dangerous situation.
I hate change, so I went into Whose Body in the Library a little cautiously, but Ms. Gates handled it better than I expected. Introducing a new protagonist this deep into a series is not easy, especially when readers already have strong attachments to the existing cast, yet Nichelle never feels like a replacement. Instead, she feels like an expansion of the world. She is mature, intelligent, and grounded, which gives her a presence that works immediately. What I especially admired is that the novel manages to broaden its focus without sacrificing the familiar characters and setting that make this series such a comfort read for me. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library still feels like the heart of the story, and the people around it still provide the warmth and personality I look forward to in every installment. To me, that is what makes this book successful. It embraces change without abandoning the series’ identity, and that leaves me genuinely curious to see where the author takes these 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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this installment of the Lighthouse Library mystery series, we're introduced to the new assistant director of the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, Nichelle Gilchrest. The story is told primarily through Nichelle's perspective, which I found to be a fun change of pace as Lucy is busy as a new mom to twin boys. Divorced, with grown children and a newly minted college degree, relocating to the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina is just the fresh start Nichelle has been hoping for. Unfortunately, on the first morning of her new job, she discovers a dead body on the steps of the library that bears a startling resemblance to her father who disappeared thirty-eight years earlier. With series regulars helping Nichelle get aquainted with this charming seaside town, and a deftly plotted mystery, this was a fun read from beginning to end. Looking forward to what comes next for this likeable new protagonist!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an eARC. All thoughts are my own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an eARC. All thoughts are my own.
April 14, 2026
"Whose Body in the Library (A Lighthouse Library Mystery #13)" by Eva Gates is a great example of how to transition a series that was starting to feel played out. I have renewed interest in this series. For purposes of the transition from the original POV/main character, this book is split POV/main character.
Lucy McNeil is back to work after her maternity leave with her identical twin boys. She's now the boss and looking forward to what the library's new assistant director will offer. Lucy still has a couple chapters of her point of view sprinkled throughout the book. However, she has a smaller role for the first time in the series.
Introducing, Nichelle Gilchrest! Yes, Nichelle, like the Star Trek actress. She is a divorced mother to adult, identical twin girls and she recently went back to college for her library sciences degree. She's wanting to start her life fresh by moving into the Lighthouse Library apartment and be it's newest assistant head librarian. Lucky for her, the library cat approves and moves back into the apartment with her.
Nichelle's first day starts out about the same as Lucy's did. A body at the front steps of the lighthouse. Could it be a long thought dead relative? This pulls Nichelle in as the primary point of view but with many of the characters we've become familiar with. By the end of the book I had almost forgotten it transitioned to a new main character.
Lucy McNeil is back to work after her maternity leave with her identical twin boys. She's now the boss and looking forward to what the library's new assistant director will offer. Lucy still has a couple chapters of her point of view sprinkled throughout the book. However, she has a smaller role for the first time in the series.
Introducing, Nichelle Gilchrest! Yes, Nichelle, like the Star Trek actress. She is a divorced mother to adult, identical twin girls and she recently went back to college for her library sciences degree. She's wanting to start her life fresh by moving into the Lighthouse Library apartment and be it's newest assistant head librarian. Lucky for her, the library cat approves and moves back into the apartment with her.
Nichelle's first day starts out about the same as Lucy's did. A body at the front steps of the lighthouse. Could it be a long thought dead relative? This pulls Nichelle in as the primary point of view but with many of the characters we've become familiar with. By the end of the book I had almost forgotten it transitioned to a new main character.
June 12, 2026
Eh, what was this. I'm not entirely certain I like Lucy as a narrator (I like her in one book and loathe her in the next and so on), so giving me a fresh narrator and adding Lucy chapters where she's doing nothing but gazing adoringly at her sons and maybe thinking of the murder a little didn't cut it for me. If there was to be a change in narrators, Louise Jane was right there and sufficiently different from Lucy. Nichelle's only "different" thing was her name, and apparently there aren't enough Trekkies in Nag's Head so it gets repeated 17 different times.
The mystery is obvious. I was super annoyed by Charles' treatment. I had liked that Charles had followed Lucy to her home because even though he started out as a library cat, he was Lucy's by the time she moved out. And now casually he transfers his affection to Nichelle and his residence back to the lighthouse and I doubt he gets petted by Lucy once. There's zero attachment on either side. I was riled by this. I think I'm done with this series - the OBX setting isn't cutting it anymore.
The mystery is obvious. I was super annoyed by Charles' treatment. I had liked that Charles had followed Lucy to her home because even though he started out as a library cat, he was Lucy's by the time she moved out. And now casually he transfers his affection to Nichelle and his residence back to the lighthouse and I doubt he gets petted by Lucy once. There's zero attachment on either side. I was riled by this. I think I'm done with this series - the OBX setting isn't cutting it anymore.
July 24, 2026
Full review at Sam's Beach Reads.
This is where I break up with the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I cam here for the lighthouse, the library, Charles the cat, the mystery, and the beach setting, with a healthy dose of mystery and fun cast of characters into the mix. This installation gave me very little of any of the elements that made this series great. We don't spend basically any time in the library despite Nichelle being brand new as an employee, Charles mysteriously returns because he "doesn't like the twins," and our favorite characters are basically ignored for Nichelle and her brother Charles. The mystery was weak and I can barely call it a mystery since the murderer was basically the only viable suspect. Nichelle is also a weak character - she is judgmental in a way normally seen in boomer women, not women in their 50s, her motivations are not clear at all, and she does not seem to settle into the town or the role at all. Lucy has been basically sidelined as just a mom and wife despite her promotion.
I tried to give this book the benefit of the doubt and I was worried that my critiques were from my lack of willingness to change and adapt. But honestly, this book was just not as well written as the prior installations. A huge disappointment.
This is where I break up with the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I cam here for the lighthouse, the library, Charles the cat, the mystery, and the beach setting, with a healthy dose of mystery and fun cast of characters into the mix. This installation gave me very little of any of the elements that made this series great. We don't spend basically any time in the library despite Nichelle being brand new as an employee, Charles mysteriously returns because he "doesn't like the twins," and our favorite characters are basically ignored for Nichelle and her brother Charles. The mystery was weak and I can barely call it a mystery since the murderer was basically the only viable suspect. Nichelle is also a weak character - she is judgmental in a way normally seen in boomer women, not women in their 50s, her motivations are not clear at all, and she does not seem to settle into the town or the role at all. Lucy has been basically sidelined as just a mom and wife despite her promotion.
I tried to give this book the benefit of the doubt and I was worried that my critiques were from my lack of willingness to change and adapt. But honestly, this book was just not as well written as the prior installations. A huge disappointment.
June 1, 2026
I wasn’t quite sure what to think when I realized this story would focus on a new character instead of Lucy, but Nichelle quickly won me over. She is a wonderful addition to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library family, and her complicated family history made for a fascinating mystery.
There was so much drama, emotion, and suspense woven throughout the story that I was completely captivated. I found myself eager to keep reading to see how everything would unfold. I loved getting to know Nichelle and am excited to see what comes next for her and the library crew.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.
There was so much drama, emotion, and suspense woven throughout the story that I was completely captivated. I found myself eager to keep reading to see how everything would unfold. I loved getting to know Nichelle and am excited to see what comes next for her and the library crew.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2026
I love this series and I am glad Eva Gates has found a way to have it continue with the same setting and lovable characters but a new main character; it gives the series a fresh perspective. While there were one or two places where it was a little muddled, the new POV is fun, with Nichelle being an older main character who is new to the area. I loved following along as she worked with a new detective, and both got to know the residents as they investigated. Looking forward to learning more about Nichelle in future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
May 5, 2026
Whose Body in the Library is the 13th (!) novel in the Lighthouse Library series, a favourite cozy mystery series of mine. This book marks a departure in our protagonist, as Lucy now has family commitments and a new position at the library. Eva Gates introduces us to Nichelle Gilchrist, a middle-aged recently graduated librarian starting a new life for herself. She procures the job of assistant director, moves to Nags Head and the lighthouse aerie apartment, and promptly finds herself solving a murder.
I was a little nervous about the change of protagonist, but it works! I enjoyed getting to know Nichelle while Lucy and our library regulars were in the background. This is a well-written mystery, typical of the series, and as always, I appreciated the book club read tie-in with the novel.
Another fantastic novel with a positive protagonist shift.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for honest review.
I was a little nervous about the change of protagonist, but it works! I enjoyed getting to know Nichelle while Lucy and our library regulars were in the background. This is a well-written mystery, typical of the series, and as always, I appreciated the book club read tie-in with the novel.
Another fantastic novel with a positive protagonist shift.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for honest review.
June 15, 2026
A long time reader of this series and I can safely say that this novel was not what I expected. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. The biggest issue I had with the novel was the point of view. Normally a first person style from Lucy, Eva Gates decided to switch it up with a two people point of view. The first person perspective was told by the new librarian Nichelle, whereas Lucy has become the third person perspective. This unbalances the reader because first person Lucy is what is expected, and when not obvious, can seriously confuse the reader. For example, the beginning of the novel is first person Nichelle, but it is not immediately evident that this is a different person. In fact, this reader actually stopped to check that it was a new book and not an accidental resubmission of the first book in the series. Then add in that there are the inserted chapters from third person Lucy that don’t really seem to add much to the mystery and aren’t labeled, that it feels like the author kept her in as a “look, Lucy’s still here.” This abrupt change of character felt like the reader was forced to sit outside and watch their family through the kitchen window.
Normally I would say that having a new narrator could be good for a series. It can be refreshing, especially with mysteries. But Nichelle’s personal reasons combined with her lack of knowledge of the area, people, and sleuthing made it difficult to value her as a reliable detective. There is also the new detective who, at the end of the previous book, already had my hackles raised. I did not like police detectives who treat “amateur detectives” like they are problems instead of resources. I especially don’t like new detectives who treat long standing and established characters this way. Potentially having a new first person amateur detective (Nichelle) as well as a brand new police detective (Rhonda Thomas) feel like the series needs to be made into a different series. One completely separate from Lucy and the Lighthouse Bodie Library.
Overall, I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
Normally I would say that having a new narrator could be good for a series. It can be refreshing, especially with mysteries. But Nichelle’s personal reasons combined with her lack of knowledge of the area, people, and sleuthing made it difficult to value her as a reliable detective. There is also the new detective who, at the end of the previous book, already had my hackles raised. I did not like police detectives who treat “amateur detectives” like they are problems instead of resources. I especially don’t like new detectives who treat long standing and established characters this way. Potentially having a new first person amateur detective (Nichelle) as well as a brand new police detective (Rhonda Thomas) feel like the series needs to be made into a different series. One completely separate from Lucy and the Lighthouse Bodie Library.
Overall, I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
June 22, 2026
Wow! I have never read a book where they transitioned another character into the main character slot and had it work for me, but this one is freaking fantastic! Never fear, Lucy is still here, but she stepped back into a supporting character role while Nichelle, the new assistant library director steps seamlessly into the main role! Sam Watson, the police detective that Lucy always worked with has retired, but is still on the scene to support as well while a new detective has stepped in and appears to be a wonderful character waiting to bloom as well. The mystery is fabulous with a cold case becoming hot once again when a long thought dead person crosses paths with a current body at the lighthouse library! I am so excited to see where the author takes us next with these characters as the transition was fabulous, but left me wanting more, more and more! I am thrilled to see the author weave the original characters in with the new ones so that you can see a wonderful future for all! This book has simply blown my mind in all the best ways! I think I have to put this series on my favorite series list now as the author just keeps adding depth and twists that you just don't see coming. I'm here for it!!
July 7, 2026
So happy this series is continuing and I don’t even mind the new “main” character. Nichelle is moving to the library to start over after divorce and her twins going of to college, only to find a dead body on the library steps the next day. What ensues is a discovery of family secrets, a missing father, etc. I really liked that Lucy wasn’t written out, but her being in the background also worked. Many of the same characters are still there, including Charles the cat. I think this approach has breathed new life into the series, so well done
June 21, 2026
3.5 stars. The new Assistant Director Nichelle as main protagonist threw me for a loop at first. Since a new character I understand getting to meet her but I miss the rest of the secondary characters that usually play more of a role as in previous installments. I will definitely continue the series as it is a favorite but this one fell a bit flat for me
June 17, 2026
This one was told with the dual POV of Lucy and Nichelle. Mostly Nichelle. Currently wondering if Nichelle will fully take over for book 14. I like her so I'm cool with that and its not like Lucy is gone. She's head of the library now. I do like that we got eased into Nichelle.
March 26, 2026
*2.5 stars ✨
December 27, 2025
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's all change at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library in the Outer Banks, Lucy and Connor McNeil have welcomed their new twins and she has taken over as the library director now Bertie has retired. The recently recruited assistant director, Nichelle Gilchrest, is looking forward to starting work and already feels right at home in the tiny fourth floor apartment with library cat Charles and is delighted when her first day at work dawns, or at least she is until she finds a body she recognises on her doorstep! With the police on the case Nichelle is sure that's her involvement over with. But this is the Bodie and before she knows it Nichelle, along with Lucy, and Louise Jane are investigating as well! Gradually, as the clues come together, she's sure she knows the killer’s identity but confronting them could make her first week at the library her last!
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 own. Although this is a book full of changes it is still set around the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and is, as always, a pleasure to read. Nichelle has an interesting backstory which gave her immediate depth and she fitted in well with everyone, even going out investigating with Louise Jane! I'm looking forward to seeing what else happens to her in future outings.
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 own. Although this is a book full of changes it is still set around the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and is, as always, a pleasure to read. Nichelle has an interesting backstory which gave her immediate depth and she fitted in well with everyone, even going out investigating with Louise Jane! I'm looking forward to seeing what else happens to her in future outings.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nichelle Gilchrest shows up on her first day at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library expecting Dewey Decimals and polite coastal small talk. What she gets is a full human corpse on the front steps. Not a metaphorical corpse. Not vibes. An actual dead man. And not just any dead man, this one looks exactly like her dad, who supposedly peaced out on a fishing trip thirty eight years ago and never came back. I gasped. I clutched my chest. I immediately whispered, “Ma’am, absolutely not.”
This is book thirteen of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, which means it has big “we’re shaking things up” energy. If, like me, you read book ten and then casually vaulted to thirteen with confidence and vibes, just know there has been a time jump. Lucy is now a mom of twins, a library director, and very much in her soft mentor era. She’s still around, still lovely, still the emotional spine of this place, but she is not sprinting into danger anymore. She is gently encouraging someone else to do that while holding a coffee and thinking about childcare.
Enter Nichelle. And listen, I like her. She’s fifty, newly divorced, freshly minted with a library degree, and trying to reinvent her life in Nags Head. That alone would be enough for a midlife-crisis Pinterest board. Instead, she gets slapped in the face with the revelation that her long lost father has been alive this entire time, living under a different name, and conning lonely women for money. On her first day of work. I would simply lie down on the lighthouse steps next to him.
Emotionally, this book is doing something interesting. The dad stuff is sad and messy and complicated in a way that feels very grounded for a cozy. There’s grief layered on top of betrayal layered on top of the deeply unhinged realization that your father reinvented himself and absolutely did not tell his children. That part worked for me. Nichelle’s reactions felt human, not overly plucky, not weirdly chill about it. She’s shaken, defensive, and determined to protect her brother, who is now acting shady enough to light up a neon sign.
But structurally, this book has “new season, new cast, previously on” energy. There are a lot of changes happening at once. New main character. New detective. Reintroduction of long standing side characters for people who have, in fact, been here for twelve books already. It starts to feel like the book is nervously checking in like, “Are you following this? Do you remember this person? Please clap.” I did adjust, but it took a minute.
The mystery itself is solid. Plenty of suspects. Plenty of motives rooted in resentment and long simmering anger, which I always prefer to “he was mean at bingo.” I did clock the solution a bit early, but that didn’t ruin the ride. What did slightly deflate me was the ending. It wraps up fast, emotionally and plot wise, and there were a couple of moments where I wanted the story to sit in the fallout just a little longer. Let me feel it. Let it hurt. Let someone cry in a lighthouse stairwell.
Still, the setting remains elite. A library in a lighthouse is still a concept I will defend with my life. Charles the cat continues to be the real authority figure. And Nichelle brings a new flavor to the series that I think has real potential. She’s not Lucy Lite. She’s older, sharper in some ways, rawer in others, and clearly carrying a lot of unresolved stuff. I’m curious to see her settle in once the series finds its footing again.
Overall, Whose Body in the Library feels like a transitional book. A little wobbly, a little overloaded, but emotionally sincere and genuinely engaging. I’m not mad. I’m just adjusting. 3.5 stars.
Whodunity Award: For Giving Me Emotional Whiplash Before I’d Even Finished My First Cup of Coffee
Huge thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I was absolutely not emotionally prepared to find a dead dad on page one, but honestly, I respect the chaos.
This is book thirteen of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, which means it has big “we’re shaking things up” energy. If, like me, you read book ten and then casually vaulted to thirteen with confidence and vibes, just know there has been a time jump. Lucy is now a mom of twins, a library director, and very much in her soft mentor era. She’s still around, still lovely, still the emotional spine of this place, but she is not sprinting into danger anymore. She is gently encouraging someone else to do that while holding a coffee and thinking about childcare.
Enter Nichelle. And listen, I like her. She’s fifty, newly divorced, freshly minted with a library degree, and trying to reinvent her life in Nags Head. That alone would be enough for a midlife-crisis Pinterest board. Instead, she gets slapped in the face with the revelation that her long lost father has been alive this entire time, living under a different name, and conning lonely women for money. On her first day of work. I would simply lie down on the lighthouse steps next to him.
Emotionally, this book is doing something interesting. The dad stuff is sad and messy and complicated in a way that feels very grounded for a cozy. There’s grief layered on top of betrayal layered on top of the deeply unhinged realization that your father reinvented himself and absolutely did not tell his children. That part worked for me. Nichelle’s reactions felt human, not overly plucky, not weirdly chill about it. She’s shaken, defensive, and determined to protect her brother, who is now acting shady enough to light up a neon sign.
But structurally, this book has “new season, new cast, previously on” energy. There are a lot of changes happening at once. New main character. New detective. Reintroduction of long standing side characters for people who have, in fact, been here for twelve books already. It starts to feel like the book is nervously checking in like, “Are you following this? Do you remember this person? Please clap.” I did adjust, but it took a minute.
The mystery itself is solid. Plenty of suspects. Plenty of motives rooted in resentment and long simmering anger, which I always prefer to “he was mean at bingo.” I did clock the solution a bit early, but that didn’t ruin the ride. What did slightly deflate me was the ending. It wraps up fast, emotionally and plot wise, and there were a couple of moments where I wanted the story to sit in the fallout just a little longer. Let me feel it. Let it hurt. Let someone cry in a lighthouse stairwell.
Still, the setting remains elite. A library in a lighthouse is still a concept I will defend with my life. Charles the cat continues to be the real authority figure. And Nichelle brings a new flavor to the series that I think has real potential. She’s not Lucy Lite. She’s older, sharper in some ways, rawer in others, and clearly carrying a lot of unresolved stuff. I’m curious to see her settle in once the series finds its footing again.
Overall, Whose Body in the Library feels like a transitional book. A little wobbly, a little overloaded, but emotionally sincere and genuinely engaging. I’m not mad. I’m just adjusting. 3.5 stars.
Whodunity Award: For Giving Me Emotional Whiplash Before I’d Even Finished My First Cup of Coffee
Huge thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I was absolutely not emotionally prepared to find a dead dad on page one, but honestly, I respect the chaos.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lucy McNeil is beginning her new job as library director and new hire, Nichelle Gilchrest has arrived to fill her usual spot. Nichelle is excited, having upended her old life to move here but her first day doesn't go as planned. As she opens the doors of the lighthouse library to welcome her first day library users, she finds a dead body on the steps. Lucy arrives at about the same time and knows the routine, so it isn't as disruptive as it might be, but there's another issue. Nichelle sees a startling resemblance in the dead man to her father who disappeared many years ago and has been thought dead. There's also a new detective in town, Detective Rhonda Thomas, who is very by the book and regularly tells Nichelle not to get involved. I bet you can guess how much good that did her, huh?
Long time series fans, don't despair. Lucy is still there, just playing a diminished, backup role. Let's face it. She's now the mother of very young twins and sleuthing isn't exactly on her priority list. She's there for Nichelle (yes, her name has a Star Trek connection) but really isn't involved in the investigation. Nichelle's initial interest is really as much on what brought the man she suspects might be her father to her new doorstep only to be murdered as on who did it. Oh, of course, that changes when she learns who the chief suspect is. Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book. I'm not going to give away any more of the plot but it's a solid one that does offer an occasional chapter from Lucy's viewpoint. The usual cast of characters isn't showcased as much as long time fans might wisht, well, except for, sigh, the one character that has always grated on me while I must still admit she adds a certain touch of quirkiness to the plots. Even Lucy still hasn't quite sorted out how best to deal with her, which I'm sure will add a few laughs as the series continues with Nichelle as the focus. Oh, and least I forget, Charles the library cat is definitely on hand.
Bottom line, Eva Gates had me wondering when I read the initial news about Lucy stepping back but this one works nicely. I liked Nichelle, even when she was making some very rookie sleuth mistakes. Hey, they all have to start somewhere. As always, the lighthouse itself is practically a character and Gates descriptions of its history and the surrounding area are excellent. While we didn't get to meet all of Nichelle's family this go-round, we've been at least introduced and I'm sure it's no accident that she, like Lucy, has twins, albeit grown daughters. It was also subtle but I think we may come to like the new detective, too, although I'm sure Rhonda and Nichelle will butt heads more than a few times in the process although the likable, but retired Sam Watson is still around. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me initially to Lucy and allowing me this early peek at the arrival of Nichelle to take over some of the work load, probably both work and sleuthing. I do hope Lucy will find time for not just get some sleep but to pop in-and-out as the series continues. We do want to get to know Isaac and Lucas, too, hint, hint. Grin.
Long time series fans, don't despair. Lucy is still there, just playing a diminished, backup role. Let's face it. She's now the mother of very young twins and sleuthing isn't exactly on her priority list. She's there for Nichelle (yes, her name has a Star Trek connection) but really isn't involved in the investigation. Nichelle's initial interest is really as much on what brought the man she suspects might be her father to her new doorstep only to be murdered as on who did it. Oh, of course, that changes when she learns who the chief suspect is. Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book. I'm not going to give away any more of the plot but it's a solid one that does offer an occasional chapter from Lucy's viewpoint. The usual cast of characters isn't showcased as much as long time fans might wisht, well, except for, sigh, the one character that has always grated on me while I must still admit she adds a certain touch of quirkiness to the plots. Even Lucy still hasn't quite sorted out how best to deal with her, which I'm sure will add a few laughs as the series continues with Nichelle as the focus. Oh, and least I forget, Charles the library cat is definitely on hand.
Bottom line, Eva Gates had me wondering when I read the initial news about Lucy stepping back but this one works nicely. I liked Nichelle, even when she was making some very rookie sleuth mistakes. Hey, they all have to start somewhere. As always, the lighthouse itself is practically a character and Gates descriptions of its history and the surrounding area are excellent. While we didn't get to meet all of Nichelle's family this go-round, we've been at least introduced and I'm sure it's no accident that she, like Lucy, has twins, albeit grown daughters. It was also subtle but I think we may come to like the new detective, too, although I'm sure Rhonda and Nichelle will butt heads more than a few times in the process although the likable, but retired Sam Watson is still around. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me initially to Lucy and allowing me this early peek at the arrival of Nichelle to take over some of the work load, probably both work and sleuthing. I do hope Lucy will find time for not just get some sleep but to pop in-and-out as the series continues. We do want to get to know Isaac and Lucas, too, hint, hint. Grin.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle | 📃 304 pages
⏱ Approx. 4 hours reading time
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Release Date: June 9, 2026
📘 ARC provided by NetGalley
🔍 Genre: Cozy Mystery
Eva Gates shakes things up in Whose Body in the Library, and longtime fans like me definitely feel it. Swapping out Lucy’s familiar first-person narration for a dual POV approach, mostly following newcomer Nichelle, makes this entry feel like walking through your own house but finding the furniture rearranged. Everything’s recognizable, yet slightly off-kilter. Lucy’s still around, juggling motherhood and library management, but the emotional center shifts to Nichelle’s family drama and her rocky first week surrounded by suspicious small-town secrets.
For longtime readers, that shift is jarring. We know the town, the people, and their secrets, but Nichelle doesn’t, and those gaps aren’t filled in. Familiar characters feel oddly distant, and the emotional shorthand that usually makes this series so cozy just isn’t there. Nichelle’s arc is intriguing. A woman confronting a past she thought was buried thirty-eight years ago, but the pacing and investigative beats don’t quite land with the same cozy confidence as previous installments. The addition of Detective Rhonda Thomas, who is rigid and rule-bound in contrast to the easygoing Sam Watson, further unsettles the balance. Her treatment of Lucy, in particular, left me uneasy and not especially excited to see her stick around.
The mystery itself, centered on Nichelle’s long-estranged father and the unsettling legacy he left behind, has solid bones, but the execution felt rough. Nichelle’s lack of sleuthing experience is understandable, yet the investigation and resolution never fully clicked. It’s like driving a familiar road and suddenly realizing the seat’s been adjusted just enough to throw everything off. I wanted to love this one more than I did, but it didn’t quite settle into place. Still, Eva Gates’ atmospheric details and character warmth shine through. Even when the mystery falters, the Outer Banks charm and community affection keep you turning pages. And one slightly off installment in a long-running series as consistent as this? Hardly a dealbreaker.
Would I recommend it?
A solid, if uneven, addition to the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. As a standalone or a transitional book, it works, but as a longtime fan of this series, it felt off in ways I couldn’t ignore. That said, one uneven entry won’t shake my loyalty to Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany). I’ll absolutely be back for the next installment, hopeful that Lucy returns to center stage and the series finds its familiar rhythm again. If you’re curious to see life at the library through fresh eyes, add this to your TBR. Longtime fans may feel conflicted, but I’m not giving up on this lighthouse just yet.
⏱ Approx. 4 hours reading time
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Release Date: June 9, 2026
📘 ARC provided by NetGalley
🔍 Genre: Cozy Mystery
Eva Gates shakes things up in Whose Body in the Library, and longtime fans like me definitely feel it. Swapping out Lucy’s familiar first-person narration for a dual POV approach, mostly following newcomer Nichelle, makes this entry feel like walking through your own house but finding the furniture rearranged. Everything’s recognizable, yet slightly off-kilter. Lucy’s still around, juggling motherhood and library management, but the emotional center shifts to Nichelle’s family drama and her rocky first week surrounded by suspicious small-town secrets.
For longtime readers, that shift is jarring. We know the town, the people, and their secrets, but Nichelle doesn’t, and those gaps aren’t filled in. Familiar characters feel oddly distant, and the emotional shorthand that usually makes this series so cozy just isn’t there. Nichelle’s arc is intriguing. A woman confronting a past she thought was buried thirty-eight years ago, but the pacing and investigative beats don’t quite land with the same cozy confidence as previous installments. The addition of Detective Rhonda Thomas, who is rigid and rule-bound in contrast to the easygoing Sam Watson, further unsettles the balance. Her treatment of Lucy, in particular, left me uneasy and not especially excited to see her stick around.
The mystery itself, centered on Nichelle’s long-estranged father and the unsettling legacy he left behind, has solid bones, but the execution felt rough. Nichelle’s lack of sleuthing experience is understandable, yet the investigation and resolution never fully clicked. It’s like driving a familiar road and suddenly realizing the seat’s been adjusted just enough to throw everything off. I wanted to love this one more than I did, but it didn’t quite settle into place. Still, Eva Gates’ atmospheric details and character warmth shine through. Even when the mystery falters, the Outer Banks charm and community affection keep you turning pages. And one slightly off installment in a long-running series as consistent as this? Hardly a dealbreaker.
Would I recommend it?
A solid, if uneven, addition to the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. As a standalone or a transitional book, it works, but as a longtime fan of this series, it felt off in ways I couldn’t ignore. That said, one uneven entry won’t shake my loyalty to Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany). I’ll absolutely be back for the next installment, hopeful that Lucy returns to center stage and the series finds its familiar rhythm again. If you’re curious to see life at the library through fresh eyes, add this to your TBR. Longtime fans may feel conflicted, but I’m not giving up on this lighthouse just yet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once again we venture back to Nags Head, North Carolina and the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. This time out, Lucy McNeil has a new job as director of the library, and there is a new librarian, Nichelle Gilchrest.
Nichelle is in her 50's and starting over with a degree in her pocket and her nerves on edge as to whether she'll fit in or not. That feeling doesn't change when she opens the library doors the next morning and finds a body on the doorstep. Moreover, that body could be her long-long father, who deserted the family thirty-eight years ago and presumed drowned at sea during a fishing trip.
Now the new detective, Rhonda Thomas, is warning Nichelle to stay out of it, and Lucy is trying not to get involved, with her new job and new twins taking over her life. But when Nichelle's brother becomes a sudden suspect, she's determined to find the truth, but doesn't know how to go about it.
With the help of Louise Jane, whose never-ending 'knowledge' of people and things in the Outer Banks, Nichelle is learning who might be responsible. But can she keep herself safe or will she walk into the arms of a killer?...
This is the latest book in the series, and I have enjoyed them. I love every time I get to visit the Outer Banks, and with Lucy and her friends. But this time out is different. Lucy is a side character, and the mystery seems to focus on Nichelle (as it should, since she is the new character) and Louise Jane (whom I have never been fond of). But I have to say that I cannot warm up to Detective Thomas. She's not likable, and doesn't seem to want to make friends of the residents, which I think she should do since it's a small community. You can be professional and still have friends that you deal with. Sam Watson proved that.
There is very little of the other characters that we've grown to love as well, so we're in new territory all around here. The way we keep Lucy in the story is the difference in which it is written. First person for Nichelle, third person for Lucy.
The mystery is written well, as always; and I enjoy Ms. Gates so much that I read her books straight through. This one is no different. The plot keeps you guessing, although I did figure out the murderer before Nichelle; but when she figures it out herself, there's more work to be done before the murderer can be apprehended.
There are clues throughout, and descriptions of the area aplenty which always add to the story. When the ending comes it is put together well, and I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Nichelle is in her 50's and starting over with a degree in her pocket and her nerves on edge as to whether she'll fit in or not. That feeling doesn't change when she opens the library doors the next morning and finds a body on the doorstep. Moreover, that body could be her long-long father, who deserted the family thirty-eight years ago and presumed drowned at sea during a fishing trip.
Now the new detective, Rhonda Thomas, is warning Nichelle to stay out of it, and Lucy is trying not to get involved, with her new job and new twins taking over her life. But when Nichelle's brother becomes a sudden suspect, she's determined to find the truth, but doesn't know how to go about it.
With the help of Louise Jane, whose never-ending 'knowledge' of people and things in the Outer Banks, Nichelle is learning who might be responsible. But can she keep herself safe or will she walk into the arms of a killer?...
This is the latest book in the series, and I have enjoyed them. I love every time I get to visit the Outer Banks, and with Lucy and her friends. But this time out is different. Lucy is a side character, and the mystery seems to focus on Nichelle (as it should, since she is the new character) and Louise Jane (whom I have never been fond of). But I have to say that I cannot warm up to Detective Thomas. She's not likable, and doesn't seem to want to make friends of the residents, which I think she should do since it's a small community. You can be professional and still have friends that you deal with. Sam Watson proved that.
There is very little of the other characters that we've grown to love as well, so we're in new territory all around here. The way we keep Lucy in the story is the difference in which it is written. First person for Nichelle, third person for Lucy.
The mystery is written well, as always; and I enjoy Ms. Gates so much that I read her books straight through. This one is no different. The plot keeps you guessing, although I did figure out the murderer before Nichelle; but when she figures it out herself, there's more work to be done before the murderer can be apprehended.
There are clues throughout, and descriptions of the area aplenty which always add to the story. When the ending comes it is put together well, and I will read the next in the series. Recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Whose Body in the Library (Lighthouse Library Mystery #13) by Eva Gates from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.
As a longtime fan of the Lighthouse Library series, I couldn’t wait to read Whose Body in the Library, the thirteenth entry of the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. This one shake things up in a way that seems to work well making this feel like a new direction for the author and I have to say I’m all for it.
Lucy is still very much the heart of Nags Head, but life has changed for her; she’s a new mom of twins and is stepping into the director’s shoes. With crime fighting a bit too much for this new mom, Gates hands the sleuthing baton to Nichelle Gilchrist, a freshly graduated, newly divorced fifty‑something who arrives expecting a peaceful new chapter in her life and coastal small talk and instead finds a corpse on the lighthouse steps that looks eerily like the father who vanished decades ago.
Nichelle is a welcome, distinct new voice and is a brilliant new angle for the series. She’s not Lucy‑lite; she’s older, rawer, and carrying complicated family baggage that feels real for a cozy. The reveal about her father, the grief, the betrayal, the messy fallout, lands with surprising weight, and Nichelle’s fierce protectiveness toward her brother gives the mystery personal stakes beyond the usual suspects. Gates balances the small‑town North Carolina atmosphere and library charm with a sharper emotional core, and yes, Charles the cat remains the true authority figure.
Structurally this reads like a transitional season premiere: new lead, time jump, and a lot of re‑establishing to do. That “new season, new cast” energy means the book checks in with long‑running characters often as it finds its footing, and although I figured out the whodunnit aspect it was still a satisfying mystery.
If you love the series, this change of pace will likely charm you; if you’re new, it still stands alone as a well‑crafted cozy with family drama and solid small‑town connections. Nichelle brings a fresh, promising voice to Nags Head, and I’m very curious to see whether she and Lucy will become a proper detective duo in future installments.
As a longtime fan of the Lighthouse Library series, I couldn’t wait to read Whose Body in the Library, the thirteenth entry of the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. This one shake things up in a way that seems to work well making this feel like a new direction for the author and I have to say I’m all for it.
Lucy is still very much the heart of Nags Head, but life has changed for her; she’s a new mom of twins and is stepping into the director’s shoes. With crime fighting a bit too much for this new mom, Gates hands the sleuthing baton to Nichelle Gilchrist, a freshly graduated, newly divorced fifty‑something who arrives expecting a peaceful new chapter in her life and coastal small talk and instead finds a corpse on the lighthouse steps that looks eerily like the father who vanished decades ago.
Nichelle is a welcome, distinct new voice and is a brilliant new angle for the series. She’s not Lucy‑lite; she’s older, rawer, and carrying complicated family baggage that feels real for a cozy. The reveal about her father, the grief, the betrayal, the messy fallout, lands with surprising weight, and Nichelle’s fierce protectiveness toward her brother gives the mystery personal stakes beyond the usual suspects. Gates balances the small‑town North Carolina atmosphere and library charm with a sharper emotional core, and yes, Charles the cat remains the true authority figure.
Structurally this reads like a transitional season premiere: new lead, time jump, and a lot of re‑establishing to do. That “new season, new cast” energy means the book checks in with long‑running characters often as it finds its footing, and although I figured out the whodunnit aspect it was still a satisfying mystery.
If you love the series, this change of pace will likely charm you; if you’re new, it still stands alone as a well‑crafted cozy with family drama and solid small‑town connections. Nichelle brings a fresh, promising voice to Nags Head, and I’m very curious to see whether she and Lucy will become a proper detective duo in future installments.
June 10, 2026
Whose Body in the Library is the thirteenth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates and not only does Gates provide a captivating story, but she introduces some new positive changes as well as a different aspect to her writing.
In Whose Body in the Library readers are introduced to two new characters, Detective Rhonda Thomas and new librarian Nichelle Gilchrest. Detective Thomas is taking over the Detective role as Sam Watson has retired and Nichelle is taking over main character Lucy's job as Lucy is taking over as library director since Bertie also retired.
One of the perks for Nichelle is that she will be living in the small apartment at the top of the lighthouse where the library is. Unfortunately, when she opens the library's door for her first day on the job, she finds a man slumped over outside the door. Fortunately, Lucy is also on her way in so she is there to help Nichelle deal with the unexpected dead body.
Once over the shock Nichelle thinks that she recognizes the man as being her father but that can't be because he died over thirty years ago during a fishing trip in her new hometown. Detective Thomas is on the ball and after obtaining records from Rochester, she confirms that the deceased male is indeed Nichelle's father.
Learning that her father has been alive all of these years living in North Carolina, the place that he supposedly disappeared from, has her questioning so many things. Her brother comes to town to help but it looks like he may make things worse for her.
If you are a fan of this series I hope that you love the changes as much as I do. The last change that Gates makes with this book is that she devotes a chapter to Nichelle with her viewpoint and then we get to see what is going on with Lucy in the next chapter and throughout the book we see things with both characters. I love when author do this because I feel you really get to know the characters deeper.
It's no secret that I love this series and would totally move in the lighthouse apartment and live with Charles the library cat. I would love working in the library in the lighthouse as well as walking the beach daily and enjoy the town. I hope you do as well.
In Whose Body in the Library readers are introduced to two new characters, Detective Rhonda Thomas and new librarian Nichelle Gilchrest. Detective Thomas is taking over the Detective role as Sam Watson has retired and Nichelle is taking over main character Lucy's job as Lucy is taking over as library director since Bertie also retired.
One of the perks for Nichelle is that she will be living in the small apartment at the top of the lighthouse where the library is. Unfortunately, when she opens the library's door for her first day on the job, she finds a man slumped over outside the door. Fortunately, Lucy is also on her way in so she is there to help Nichelle deal with the unexpected dead body.
Once over the shock Nichelle thinks that she recognizes the man as being her father but that can't be because he died over thirty years ago during a fishing trip in her new hometown. Detective Thomas is on the ball and after obtaining records from Rochester, she confirms that the deceased male is indeed Nichelle's father.
Learning that her father has been alive all of these years living in North Carolina, the place that he supposedly disappeared from, has her questioning so many things. Her brother comes to town to help but it looks like he may make things worse for her.
If you are a fan of this series I hope that you love the changes as much as I do. The last change that Gates makes with this book is that she devotes a chapter to Nichelle with her viewpoint and then we get to see what is going on with Lucy in the next chapter and throughout the book we see things with both characters. I love when author do this because I feel you really get to know the characters deeper.
It's no secret that I love this series and would totally move in the lighthouse apartment and live with Charles the library cat. I would love working in the library in the lighthouse as well as walking the beach daily and enjoy the town. I hope you do as well.
June 11, 2026
OH MY! The series has been given a partial reboot that has breathed much needed new life into it! So many changes, and yet I still loved it. Bertie has taken an early retirement, so Lucy has been promoted upstairs and is no longer the main narrator of the story. Sam has also retired, and there's a new tough as nails detective. The author is experimenting with my most hated new literary trend—dual points of view. I'm not sure how this trend started, but I wish it would come to an end. At least everything stayed in the same time line. The new first person narrator is Nichelle, who takes over Lucy's former job as well as the lighthouse aerie apartment and custody of Charles the cat. There is another third person narrator who tells things through Lucy's point of view, so she's not totally out of the picture.
Though I miss the Lucy of the early books, once she got married and left the lighthouse aerie apartment, I started losing interest in her story. I was dreading all the dirty diaper moments of rearing twin infants, so it is a relief to have her step aside for somebody new. Best of all Louise Jane is no longer living in the library. Unfortunately, she's still very much present in the story!
The transitions between first person and third person narrators are not as clear as they could be, so there were several times when it wasn't clear at first that the point of view has changed, but they weren't confusing enough to distract from the mystery, which was also very interesting.
Normally, I'm not a fan of big changes. In this case, all the changes make sense and improve the story. My favorite side characters are still there. Charlie is still there, and the main character still is is and always has been the Lighthouse Library itself. I like the new character and new direction. Congrats to Ms. Gates for being brave enough to make these changes. I hope the series long continues with both new and old characters helping solve the mysteries that surround the Bodie Island Lighthouse. I can't wait to find out what's next in Nichelle's life.
Though I miss the Lucy of the early books, once she got married and left the lighthouse aerie apartment, I started losing interest in her story. I was dreading all the dirty diaper moments of rearing twin infants, so it is a relief to have her step aside for somebody new. Best of all Louise Jane is no longer living in the library. Unfortunately, she's still very much present in the story!
The transitions between first person and third person narrators are not as clear as they could be, so there were several times when it wasn't clear at first that the point of view has changed, but they weren't confusing enough to distract from the mystery, which was also very interesting.
Normally, I'm not a fan of big changes. In this case, all the changes make sense and improve the story. My favorite side characters are still there. Charlie is still there, and the main character still is is and always has been the Lighthouse Library itself. I like the new character and new direction. Congrats to Ms. Gates for being brave enough to make these changes. I hope the series long continues with both new and old characters helping solve the mysteries that surround the Bodie Island Lighthouse. I can't wait to find out what's next in Nichelle's life.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Whose Body in the Library
Review without spoilers
3⭐
I got the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Eva Gates, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This story follows Nichelle (yes, Star Trek!!) as she starts a new job as a librarian. However, on the first day of the job, she finds her (lost-long) dad dead in the doorway of the library. Her brother, Brad (named after the father), is one of the suspects of this murder! With Nichelle, we try to understand who and for what reason killed Brian Saunders.
To be honest, I pretty much love anything with a library or a bookstore setting. It’s an instant +1. I felt the coziness of being surrounded by books in this book despite the lack of descriptions of the time spent or just the library itself.
The book is quite interesting. However, for the majority of the book we don’t find out anything at all. No mid-plot twists to keep the readers on their toes. Therefore, the pace of the book was really slow. And the thing is, the ending wasn’t surprising. It was pretty guessable and cliché. I wish there was an unexpected, jaw-dropping twist that made all the slow-paced reading worth the time.
The writing was okay, nothing special. Depending on your level of course, I think the English was pretty easy to understand. If the writing was bad, I would have definitely DNF'd the book.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, no-brainer mystery and def someone who doesn’t mind the slow pacing.
P.s. could’ve named the title ‘Whose Bodie in the Library’ and the best character was def the cat!! ♡
Thank you again for the ARC!
Review without spoilers
3⭐
I got the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Eva Gates, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This story follows Nichelle (yes, Star Trek!!) as she starts a new job as a librarian. However, on the first day of the job, she finds her (lost-long) dad dead in the doorway of the library. Her brother, Brad (named after the father), is one of the suspects of this murder! With Nichelle, we try to understand who and for what reason killed Brian Saunders.
To be honest, I pretty much love anything with a library or a bookstore setting. It’s an instant +1. I felt the coziness of being surrounded by books in this book despite the lack of descriptions of the time spent or just the library itself.
The book is quite interesting. However, for the majority of the book we don’t find out anything at all. No mid-plot twists to keep the readers on their toes. Therefore, the pace of the book was really slow. And the thing is, the ending wasn’t surprising. It was pretty guessable and cliché. I wish there was an unexpected, jaw-dropping twist that made all the slow-paced reading worth the time.
The writing was okay, nothing special. Depending on your level of course, I think the English was pretty easy to understand. If the writing was bad, I would have definitely DNF'd the book.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, no-brainer mystery and def someone who doesn’t mind the slow pacing.
P.s. could’ve named the title ‘Whose Bodie in the Library’ and the best character was def the cat!! ♡
Thank you again for the ARC!
June 30, 2026
I always love getting into Ms. Eva Gates' newest Lighthouse Library mystery when it becomes available, and I am always sad that these thrilling stories have to come to an end...
I had read that this book would contain something different, but I didn't know what to expect...There is a new assistant librarian who arrives at the Body Island Lighthouse with a new mystery and a murder...
At the start of the book the narration is from Nichelle McNeil's point of view, so it took me a minute or three to figure out that our usual protagonist Lucy was not talking...
It took me a while to get used to the idea that now Nichelle was our main character, and Lucy made cameo appearances only, but I enjoyed the story just as much, and understand that Lucy now has twin babies to attend to. Sleuthing would be a bit difficult for her, and hearing about babies crying and having to change their diapers would not be as much fun, though this is mentioned one time, and it was funny!
Nichelle has many of Lucy's characteristics...she is a strong, inquisitive lady, and she does a fine job of detecting, causing annoying detective Rhonda Thomas to reprimand her repeatedly. She is not a pleasant person at all, and I love to "boo" her when she gets nasty with Nichelle.
Luise Jane, who has entertained me as the annoying character in the last 12 books also takes a secondary role in this book, but when she makes an appearance she still manages to irritate me in a good way.
The plot is most engaging, and I almost listened to the book in one session because I was so engrossed in the complex story. The culprit ended up being who I wanted it to be, so I am most happy with the ending.
Narrator Elise Arsenault does a customary excellent job of performing each character.
I hope this series will continue much beyond this book. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series!
I had read that this book would contain something different, but I didn't know what to expect...There is a new assistant librarian who arrives at the Body Island Lighthouse with a new mystery and a murder...
At the start of the book the narration is from Nichelle McNeil's point of view, so it took me a minute or three to figure out that our usual protagonist Lucy was not talking...
It took me a while to get used to the idea that now Nichelle was our main character, and Lucy made cameo appearances only, but I enjoyed the story just as much, and understand that Lucy now has twin babies to attend to. Sleuthing would be a bit difficult for her, and hearing about babies crying and having to change their diapers would not be as much fun, though this is mentioned one time, and it was funny!
Nichelle has many of Lucy's characteristics...she is a strong, inquisitive lady, and she does a fine job of detecting, causing annoying detective Rhonda Thomas to reprimand her repeatedly. She is not a pleasant person at all, and I love to "boo" her when she gets nasty with Nichelle.
Luise Jane, who has entertained me as the annoying character in the last 12 books also takes a secondary role in this book, but when she makes an appearance she still manages to irritate me in a good way.
The plot is most engaging, and I almost listened to the book in one session because I was so engrossed in the complex story. The culprit ended up being who I wanted it to be, so I am most happy with the ending.
Narrator Elise Arsenault does a customary excellent job of performing each character.
I hope this series will continue much beyond this book. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This may come across as shallow, but there was a cat on a beach reading a book on the cover — that was it. I had to read it. His name is Charles!
Nichelle, a newcomer starting over in life, got a good bit more than she bargained for when she accepted a position at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Luckily, she has plenty of help to straighten things out.
The setting is the quiet star of Whose Body in the Library — Jake’s Seafood Bar, Josie’s Cozy Bakery, and, of course, the library in the lighthouse. The story skirts the edge of the Cozy genre, but is a touch too realistic to settle there. Still, it has that warmth, strong vacay vibes, and a lovely aesthetic. This is an ideal beach read! The characters, too, while eccentric and distinct, feel like real people. I don’t know if Louise Jane would drive me up the wall or amuse me in real life, but I enjoy her on the page. I love characters that are allowed to breathe; this cast isn’t made up of angels or villains, but folks that fall in between.
The plot is solid, although I do find Nichelle’s conviction a little premature. That said, I also felt that the events that followed were inevitable. Thematically, the ending fit, but I would have liked just a little something more — maybe the second meeting of the book club, full of gossip and Harris tweed jackets, or a big scene for Charles, who absolutely deserves one.
Whose Body in the Library is suitable for mystery lovers who don’t want their whodunits too grisly, while maintaining depth and style.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read Whose Body in the Library. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and wrote this review voluntarily.
Nichelle, a newcomer starting over in life, got a good bit more than she bargained for when she accepted a position at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Luckily, she has plenty of help to straighten things out.
The setting is the quiet star of Whose Body in the Library — Jake’s Seafood Bar, Josie’s Cozy Bakery, and, of course, the library in the lighthouse. The story skirts the edge of the Cozy genre, but is a touch too realistic to settle there. Still, it has that warmth, strong vacay vibes, and a lovely aesthetic. This is an ideal beach read! The characters, too, while eccentric and distinct, feel like real people. I don’t know if Louise Jane would drive me up the wall or amuse me in real life, but I enjoy her on the page. I love characters that are allowed to breathe; this cast isn’t made up of angels or villains, but folks that fall in between.
The plot is solid, although I do find Nichelle’s conviction a little premature. That said, I also felt that the events that followed were inevitable. Thematically, the ending fit, but I would have liked just a little something more — maybe the second meeting of the book club, full of gossip and Harris tweed jackets, or a big scene for Charles, who absolutely deserves one.
Whose Body in the Library is suitable for mystery lovers who don’t want their whodunits too grisly, while maintaining depth and style.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read Whose Body in the Library. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and wrote this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a disappointing book in what has been a very enjoyable series.
One of the biggest changes in this book is the shift in narrative structure. Instead of Lucy as the main perspective, the story is told primarily through a new character, Nichelle. Lucy’s sections feel almost backstory. This change did not work for me. It created a distance that made Lucy feel less like the central character. And Nichelle is not an established character, so being placed so prominently in the narrative feels jarring rather than refreshing, especially for a long running series that uses character familiarity and interactions as a strength.
I understand why the author may have made this change. Lucy is now a new mother and has a new job as library director. This limits her time for day-to-day sleuthing. However, this could have been handled in a different way. Maybe moving the timeline forward slightly instead of changing the narrative voice of the series.
As a result, the tone of the book felt different. The characters do not feel the same, the usual interactions are changed, and even the atmosphere of the town seems different. Much of what makes this series so enjoyable, such as the familiar perspective, the strong sense of community, and the established dynamics are all missing or diminished.
The mystery itself is fairly ordinary and did not fully engage me. Combined with the narrative changes, it never quite managed to pull me in.
Overall, this feels like a risky experiment that did not pay off. I will continue to read the series because it's been a favourite of mine since reading book 1, but I hope future books return to the original narrative style.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the biggest changes in this book is the shift in narrative structure. Instead of Lucy as the main perspective, the story is told primarily through a new character, Nichelle. Lucy’s sections feel almost backstory. This change did not work for me. It created a distance that made Lucy feel less like the central character. And Nichelle is not an established character, so being placed so prominently in the narrative feels jarring rather than refreshing, especially for a long running series that uses character familiarity and interactions as a strength.
I understand why the author may have made this change. Lucy is now a new mother and has a new job as library director. This limits her time for day-to-day sleuthing. However, this could have been handled in a different way. Maybe moving the timeline forward slightly instead of changing the narrative voice of the series.
As a result, the tone of the book felt different. The characters do not feel the same, the usual interactions are changed, and even the atmosphere of the town seems different. Much of what makes this series so enjoyable, such as the familiar perspective, the strong sense of community, and the established dynamics are all missing or diminished.
The mystery itself is fairly ordinary and did not fully engage me. Combined with the narrative changes, it never quite managed to pull me in.
Overall, this feels like a risky experiment that did not pay off. I will continue to read the series because it's been a favourite of mine since reading book 1, but I hope future books return to the original narrative style.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lots of changes in this latest entry to a long-running series, all good! The main protagonist for the first 12 books in the series, Lucy McNeil finds herself in a couple of new roles, mother to identical twin boys and director of the Lighthouse Library. She has hired her replacement as Assistant Director. Nichelle Gilcrest is a newly minted librarian from upstate New York. She has a background as an bookkeeper and is also the mother of identical twins, twenty-something daughters. On her first day at her new job, Nichelle unlocks the door to the library only to find the body of an older man lying dead on the steps to the library. As she gets over her initial shock, she realizes he looks a bit familiar. As Lucy arrives, she contacts the police and our next change in the series, Detective Sam Watson has retired and his replacement, Detective Rhonda Thomas will be leading the investigation. She has been abundantly clear with Lucy about staying out of her investigations and is equally clear with Nichelle. Lucy finds herself in the position of supporting as opposed to investigating. Nichelle simply wants answers for reasons that go beyond finding the body. After all, this man might be her long-missing father.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these changes in the series. It is refreshing to find a main character in a series realize that motherhood requires changes in previous risky behaviors and acts on those needs. The addition of two new key characters gives the series the possibility of some great story lines, new backstories to discover, new relationships to explore. I am excited to see where the author takes them.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these changes in the series. It is refreshing to find a main character in a series realize that motherhood requires changes in previous risky behaviors and acts on those needs. The addition of two new key characters gives the series the possibility of some great story lines, new backstories to discover, new relationships to explore. I am excited to see where the author takes them.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read an early copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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