What do you think?
Rate this book
Oak Island #2
No Egrets
A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery
Welcome to No Egrets—Oak Island’s favorite watering hole, where the drinks are cold, the regulars are eccentric, and the mysteries have more twists and turns than a small intestine.
No Egrets is the highly anticipated second book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
At No Egrets, a quaint bar on Oak Island, North Carolina, bar staple Bobby Portis completely vanishes from his designated barstool. Then, things go from weird to worse when two other pub regulars suddenly fall ill with a bizarre, fast-acting blood disease. Is it a terrible coincidence, or is something sinister brewing on the North Carolina coast?
No Egrets is owned by Glenn—a surgeon lured away from the medical field by a swordfish and island life—and his wife Glenda. They quickly find it takes a village to unravel a mystery. To find Bobby and solve the medical puzzle, the couple must corral their chaotic band of bar misfits to investigate.
The quirky characters include Matilda, an ancient barfly who travels the island on a dilapidated Vespa and has a different drink for each day of the week…a psychotic, card-carrying Communist goon named Otto…Richard Crabgrass, a never-say-die bit actor who auditions for every movie and television part in Wilmington…the pungent fish cleaner from the Southport docks, Pinhead Paul…Joshua “Ism” McCarthy, surfer dude rumored to turn into his ancestor, Senator Joe McCarthy if a communist sets foot on Oak Island…and Daniel O’Dwyer, pharmacist hero from Ripped Tide.
Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey and Christopher Moore. A dash of mystery, a little romance, a splash of cozy, and a whole lot of zany.
Praise for the Oak Island series:
"Carney's books remind me of Jimmy Buffett songs. They're filled with quirky characters, inane circumstances, and lots of good hearts." —Lisa Shiroff, author of Show Up Dead.
"Lance Carney has a great, deliciously warped sense of humor! There is a lot of Hiaasen in him." —Don Rich, author of the Coastal Adventure series.
Welcome to No Egrets—Oak Island’s favorite watering hole, where the drinks are cold, the regulars are eccentric, and the mysteries have more twists and turns than a small intestine.
No Egrets is the highly anticipated second book in the humorous Oak Island series, which began with Ripped Tide, the winner of the McGrath House Indie Award for Humor.
At No Egrets, a quaint bar on Oak Island, North Carolina, bar staple Bobby Portis completely vanishes from his designated barstool. Then, things go from weird to worse when two other pub regulars suddenly fall ill with a bizarre, fast-acting blood disease. Is it a terrible coincidence, or is something sinister brewing on the North Carolina coast?
No Egrets is owned by Glenn—a surgeon lured away from the medical field by a swordfish and island life—and his wife Glenda. They quickly find it takes a village to unravel a mystery. To find Bobby and solve the medical puzzle, the couple must corral their chaotic band of bar misfits to investigate.
The quirky characters include Matilda, an ancient barfly who travels the island on a dilapidated Vespa and has a different drink for each day of the week…a psychotic, card-carrying Communist goon named Otto…Richard Crabgrass, a never-say-die bit actor who auditions for every movie and television part in Wilmington…the pungent fish cleaner from the Southport docks, Pinhead Paul…Joshua “Ism” McCarthy, surfer dude rumored to turn into his ancestor, Senator Joe McCarthy if a communist sets foot on Oak Island…and Daniel O’Dwyer, pharmacist hero from Ripped Tide.
Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey and Christopher Moore. A dash of mystery, a little romance, a splash of cozy, and a whole lot of zany.
Praise for the Oak Island series:
"Carney's books remind me of Jimmy Buffett songs. They're filled with quirky characters, inane circumstances, and lots of good hearts." —Lisa Shiroff, author of Show Up Dead.
"Lance Carney has a great, deliciously warped sense of humor! There is a lot of Hiaasen in him." —Don Rich, author of the Coastal Adventure series.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2016
About the author
Lance Carney
16 books177 followersLance Carney is an award winning 30+ year hospital pharmacist (5 year award, 10 year award, 15 …). He has been writing medical/pharmacy based fiction since the 1980s. His first novel, Ripped Tide: A Daniel O’Dwyer Oak Island Adventure, follows a hospital pharmacist who reluctantly goes undercover to fight prescription drug diversion in a hospital near his new home. Ripped Tide is a 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award Winner in the Humor Category. His second novel, No Egrets: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery, teams Daniel with husband and wife bar owners to solve a medical mystery. Mantis Preying: A Daniel O'Dwyer Oak Island Adventure (Book 2) picks up post-Ripped Tide. Of Vamps and Vampiros: A Finnian O'Dwyer Universal City Crime Cape(r) will be released on October 7, 2019 and follows Daniel's grandfather Finnian on the set of "Dracula" in 1930.
Lance’s short stories have been published in magazines, anthologies and trade paperbacks. He often collaborates with David Moss, a buddy since junior high school. David is mostly grown up now, working for state government and having every holiday off, including Peter Rabbit's birthday. “Truth is Stranger than Fishin'" with David was chosen for publication in The Year's Best Fantastic Fiction. One of Lance's own, "Snare of the Fowler", was published in the trade paperback "Monsters from Memphis" and recognized by a nomination from the Darrell Awards Jury for Best Midsouth Short Story.
Lance lives in West Virginia with his wife and too many cats. His daughter graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 in film studies and is currently in Los Angeles. His son graduates from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 (hallelujah!) Somehow, at times, they still manage to throw the empty nest into turmoil. He escapes to Oak Island, North Carolina, whenever The Man isn’t keeping him down.
Lance’s short stories have been published in magazines, anthologies and trade paperbacks. He often collaborates with David Moss, a buddy since junior high school. David is mostly grown up now, working for state government and having every holiday off, including Peter Rabbit's birthday. “Truth is Stranger than Fishin'" with David was chosen for publication in The Year's Best Fantastic Fiction. One of Lance's own, "Snare of the Fowler", was published in the trade paperback "Monsters from Memphis" and recognized by a nomination from the Darrell Awards Jury for Best Midsouth Short Story.
Lance lives in West Virginia with his wife and too many cats. His daughter graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2017 in film studies and is currently in Los Angeles. His son graduates from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 (hallelujah!) Somehow, at times, they still manage to throw the empty nest into turmoil. He escapes to Oak Island, North Carolina, whenever The Man isn’t keeping him down.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 14, 2016
Lance Carney is an American writer who is carving himself a niche for medical mysteries.
It could easily be a dark subject but Carney lightens it with humour, a cast of both loving and eccentric characters, and a storyline that has you barracking for the good guys to take down the bad guys.
It's easy to find yourself immersed in Carney's scenes and imagine nursing a drink while sitting in the bar where mostly good things happen, or sitting in the oncologist's waiting room amid all the despair.
Carney works in the medical industry, so we can be confident he knows what he's writing about.
This is his second novel set on Oak Island. It's not a sequel though. Some characters do overlap, but the story is a new one -- told in third-person point-of-view too, rather than the first person POV he used before.
Surely one of this author's trademark techniques is his use of nostalgia. He drops in numerous references to music and screen from the 1970s, and each one opens a memory for those of us who were around back then.
It's very much a modern-day story though, and the world of Facebook and Youtube provide an interesting contrast.
My final comment about this novel is that it is beautifully copy-edited, which is refreshing to see at this level of the Indie publishing world.
It could easily be a dark subject but Carney lightens it with humour, a cast of both loving and eccentric characters, and a storyline that has you barracking for the good guys to take down the bad guys.
It's easy to find yourself immersed in Carney's scenes and imagine nursing a drink while sitting in the bar where mostly good things happen, or sitting in the oncologist's waiting room amid all the despair.
Carney works in the medical industry, so we can be confident he knows what he's writing about.
This is his second novel set on Oak Island. It's not a sequel though. Some characters do overlap, but the story is a new one -- told in third-person point-of-view too, rather than the first person POV he used before.
Surely one of this author's trademark techniques is his use of nostalgia. He drops in numerous references to music and screen from the 1970s, and each one opens a memory for those of us who were around back then.
It's very much a modern-day story though, and the world of Facebook and Youtube provide an interesting contrast.
My final comment about this novel is that it is beautifully copy-edited, which is refreshing to see at this level of the Indie publishing world.
September 30, 2016
When I see the name "Lance Carney" on a book's by-line, I've come to learn that I'm in for an enjoyable read, and "No Egrets" is no exception. So if you're seeking some light-hearted escapism, look no further.
Glenn and Glenda are like the folks next door--good people who have your back, so when mysterious ills begin to befall some of the regular patrons of their bar, they readily jump into action. There is a bit of a mystery here to be found within a broad cast of quirky characters who set out to take down the evil villain and his big burly henchman. But this is more a story about the people involved, particularly Glenn, a surgeon-turned-bar owner, chasing a dream of a happy-go-lucky life in Oak Island along with his supportive wife. and their interactions with the denizens of their new bar, No Egrets.
Will Glenn and Glenda team up with Daniel O'Dwyer for more Oak Island adventures? I will keep my fingers crossed.
Glenn and Glenda are like the folks next door--good people who have your back, so when mysterious ills begin to befall some of the regular patrons of their bar, they readily jump into action. There is a bit of a mystery here to be found within a broad cast of quirky characters who set out to take down the evil villain and his big burly henchman. But this is more a story about the people involved, particularly Glenn, a surgeon-turned-bar owner, chasing a dream of a happy-go-lucky life in Oak Island along with his supportive wife. and their interactions with the denizens of their new bar, No Egrets.
Will Glenn and Glenda team up with Daniel O'Dwyer for more Oak Island adventures? I will keep my fingers crossed.
July 11, 2018
Funny, quirky, a good and easy read. Who needs a Margaritaville when you have No Egrets bar for your personal escape? Lance Carney is a good writer with a great, deliciously warped sense of humor! There is a lot of Hiaasen in him, and in his characters. And that's a very fun thing!
March 6, 2018
Fun and easy
Great mystery with light hearted banter thrown into the mix of some very odd characters that are.... well family. I loved spending the afternoon with them.
Great mystery with light hearted banter thrown into the mix of some very odd characters that are.... well family. I loved spending the afternoon with them.
June 4, 2019
This book is a bona fide thriller made scarier by the fact that it deals with a very plausible and unfortunately all-too-frequent betrayal of trust by someone responsible for the well being of others. However, Mr. Carney’s astute observations, welcome smatterings of pop-culture, and sharp wit make this a thoroughly intriguing and entertaining read, and lots of puns!
October 10, 2020
I loved this book - it hit very close to home for me which made the bad guy even ickier. Is that a word, ickier?
Anyway - YAY Lance!!
Anyway - YAY Lance!!
October 21, 2018
No Egrets/No Regrets
Really enjoyed NO EGRETS!
Great storyline!
A good lesson, too-no regrets!
As before, I enjoyed the weaving in of Oak Island locals and locales!
Now, on to MANTIS PREYING!
KEEP WRITING!
Really enjoyed NO EGRETS!
Great storyline!
A good lesson, too-no regrets!
As before, I enjoyed the weaving in of Oak Island locals and locales!
Now, on to MANTIS PREYING!
KEEP WRITING!
June 3, 2020
Yes !
The book was good. In fact parts were great. I’m looking forward to reading more, I love the characters they are well drawn out. Keep up the good work.
The book was good. In fact parts were great. I’m looking forward to reading more, I love the characters they are well drawn out. Keep up the good work.
July 10, 2018
Entertaining Characters
I enjoyed this book alot, it was fun read, I would recommend to a mixed crowd. Because the story has a mystery, of sorts, to solve you'd think mystery lovers, but I think it would draw from a larger mixed crowd, it has a story that appeals to more than mystery fans, with fun and funny characters, the story is entertaining the way the crowd of friends feels things are not right and used whatever they could to get to the bottom of the cancer epidemic in their small town, another case of "takes a village" to get to the bottom of a towns problem.
I enjoyed this book alot, it was fun read, I would recommend to a mixed crowd. Because the story has a mystery, of sorts, to solve you'd think mystery lovers, but I think it would draw from a larger mixed crowd, it has a story that appeals to more than mystery fans, with fun and funny characters, the story is entertaining the way the crowd of friends feels things are not right and used whatever they could to get to the bottom of the cancer epidemic in their small town, another case of "takes a village" to get to the bottom of a towns problem.
July 11, 2018
No Egrets in this rollicking tale
I can't wait to read the next one. I wasn't disappointed by the ending. The characters are a delight. They made me wonder if I might run into someone recognizable from this book as some point in time. Fictional or not, they were totally believable. And likeable. The story line was the tiniest bit predictable but fun nonetheless.
I can't wait to read the next one. I wasn't disappointed by the ending. The characters are a delight. They made me wonder if I might run into someone recognizable from this book as some point in time. Fictional or not, they were totally believable. And likeable. The story line was the tiniest bit predictable but fun nonetheless.
November 13, 2017
No Egrets: A Glenn and Glenda Oak Island Mystery
Award-winning independent author Lance Carney has again spun a yarn that tickles the senses with his quick wit yet probes with insider knowledge a reoccurring problem in the health care industry. “No Egrets” is the Oak Island bar owned by retired surgeon Glenn and his wife Glenda. The couple, and their colorful cast of whacky regulars, including Ripped Tide hero Daniel O’Dwyer – sounds like a Jimmy Buffett song already – are mystified by the sudden disappearance of one of their own, Bobby, whose massive structure would make a refrigerator seem small. Hard to lose, right? The plot thickens when the group raises a suspicious eye to the practice methods of an area doctor quick to administer chemo treatments, and who calls on his own extra-large henchman to “take care” of issues. Bobby’s girl Karen had become a patient, thus a collision course was inevitable.
A hospital pharmacist by day, Carney’s Ripped Tide recently won the 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award for humor. The same light-hearted style, the revisiting of some classic rock and country songs as well as a “Monty Python” sketch back when that fourth TV channel was a teenaged-bonanza, is used throughout. You will not regret your time with No Egrets.
Award-winning independent author Lance Carney has again spun a yarn that tickles the senses with his quick wit yet probes with insider knowledge a reoccurring problem in the health care industry. “No Egrets” is the Oak Island bar owned by retired surgeon Glenn and his wife Glenda. The couple, and their colorful cast of whacky regulars, including Ripped Tide hero Daniel O’Dwyer – sounds like a Jimmy Buffett song already – are mystified by the sudden disappearance of one of their own, Bobby, whose massive structure would make a refrigerator seem small. Hard to lose, right? The plot thickens when the group raises a suspicious eye to the practice methods of an area doctor quick to administer chemo treatments, and who calls on his own extra-large henchman to “take care” of issues. Bobby’s girl Karen had become a patient, thus a collision course was inevitable.
A hospital pharmacist by day, Carney’s Ripped Tide recently won the 2017 McGrath House Indie Book Award for humor. The same light-hearted style, the revisiting of some classic rock and country songs as well as a “Monty Python” sketch back when that fourth TV channel was a teenaged-bonanza, is used throughout. You will not regret your time with No Egrets.
September 26, 2025
No Egrets (Oak Island #2) by Lance Carney is a delightful read that captures the charm of a small coastal town while delivering an engaging mystery with plenty of twists and turns The setting is wonderfully atmospheric with the peaceful but quirky vibe of Oak Island bringing the story to life The plot is skillfully woven with a mix of suspense humor and a touch of heart that makes it hard to put down
The characters are well-developed with Glenn and Glenda being particularly enjoyable to follow Their dynamic is full of wit and warmth which gives the story a perfect balance of tension and lightheartedness The supporting cast of locals adds richness to the narrative making the town feel like a real place you could visit The medical mystery thread is intriguing and adds depth without overshadowing the main plot While a few storylines could have been tied up a bit more neatly this book is still a fantastic read with just the right amount of intrigue and charm to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment
The characters are well-developed with Glenn and Glenda being particularly enjoyable to follow Their dynamic is full of wit and warmth which gives the story a perfect balance of tension and lightheartedness The supporting cast of locals adds richness to the narrative making the town feel like a real place you could visit The medical mystery thread is intriguing and adds depth without overshadowing the main plot While a few storylines could have been tied up a bit more neatly this book is still a fantastic read with just the right amount of intrigue and charm to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment
December 26, 2019
Lance Carney continues to write novels that are cleverly humorous with characters that are interesting and entertaining. No Egrets brings to the fore more of the curious inhabitants of Oak Island, North Carolina, first introduced in the hilarious novel, Ripped Tide. No Egrets concerns the owners and patrons of the No Egrets bar as they work to determine who may have murdered on the regulars. Involved are former surgeon Glenn, lured away from the medical profession by fishing; his wife Wanda; aging barfly Matilda; Otto, a communist goon; a fish cleaner; and a host of other unique characters. The tale has numerous humorous twists and turns and Lance Carney doesn't let the story get stale.
December 10, 2020
The Oak Island mysteries take place in a North Carolina seaside vacation town, featuring various denizens and, so far, medical-related crimes. No Egrets stars a pair of bar owners, with occasional cameos by the characters in the first book, Ripped Tide. Unfortunately, this one did not work as well as Ripped Tide. The “quirky friends” roles in No Egrets are played by the various bar patrons, and while they are slightly entertaining, they get a lot of time, overshadowing the main characters, who are not nearly as much fun as in Ripped Tide. The writing is a little clumsy in places, and the plot bogs down towards the end. Story 1, craft 2, humor 2.
May 26, 2023
Re-read
Title says it all, I liked it so much I went back and re-read it! No Egrets, the bar, is definitely the Cheers of Oak Island - where everybody knows your name. You won’t get mixed up on who’s who because every individual is bigger than life and twice as funny. There’s a mystery (?) in here or crime story maybe, that shows clever thinking and you’ll end up doing the “they figured it out!” Rah-rah. Absolutely, if you’ve read any of Lance’s books, you already know this is a good one. I offered a double your money back guarantee on the last of his books and never got a taker. I repeat my offer on this one!
Title says it all, I liked it so much I went back and re-read it! No Egrets, the bar, is definitely the Cheers of Oak Island - where everybody knows your name. You won’t get mixed up on who’s who because every individual is bigger than life and twice as funny. There’s a mystery (?) in here or crime story maybe, that shows clever thinking and you’ll end up doing the “they figured it out!” Rah-rah. Absolutely, if you’ve read any of Lance’s books, you already know this is a good one. I offered a double your money back guarantee on the last of his books and never got a taker. I repeat my offer on this one!
May 25, 2018
Return to Oak Island
My husband and I spent many summer vacations on Oak Island. It has been a few years since we've been there and when I saw a story that took place on the island I just had to read it. So glad I did. Wonderful characters . Please revisit them again. We also owned a neighbor bar in New haven for many years so this novel brought back memories on several levels. Keep them coming.
My husband and I spent many summer vacations on Oak Island. It has been a few years since we've been there and when I saw a story that took place on the island I just had to read it. So glad I did. Wonderful characters . Please revisit them again. We also owned a neighbor bar in New haven for many years so this novel brought back memories on several levels. Keep them coming.
May 30, 2018
Another story from Oak Island told from the local bar keepers with appearances from Daniel O’Dwyer from time to time. The book is fun and interesting (if a bit predictable) and offers another glimpse into life on the island. The characters are great and the writing is good. If you need little time on the island this is a nice addition to the series.
October 24, 2018
I chose this book because I've visited Oak Island and Southport several times and fell in love with the area. The characters are folks I'd like to hang out with at the No Egrets. Storyline kept me turning the pages. Please more Glenn and Glenda!!
December 1, 2025
I loved this book. With characters as quirky and lovable as the show Northern exposure. Medical thriller is a bit of an aside that brings this lovely community together even more. Very satisfying ending. If you need a fun read this is it.
January 10, 2018
Good story.
A little hard to start with, to many character buildups maybe. Got better and glad that I finished it up. Will try another.
A little hard to start with, to many character buildups maybe. Got better and glad that I finished it up. Will try another.
April 8, 2018
Employable
Fun read, likeable characters, dialogue got a little confusing sometimes when he switched characters but stuck to characterization pretty well
Fun read, likeable characters, dialogue got a little confusing sometimes when he switched characters but stuck to characterization pretty well
May 28, 2019
Fast and fun read!
Pull up a barstool and enjoy meeting the colorful characters of the bar. Interesting plot. Funny stories. All around fun read. Great summertime read.
Pull up a barstool and enjoy meeting the colorful characters of the bar. Interesting plot. Funny stories. All around fun read. Great summertime read.
January 1, 2026
Nice read keeps your attention, fun characters which add humor to the story. Loved the music references, A fun quick read with a good mystery.
January 13, 2026
No Egrets
I received a complementary copy via Goodreads Giveaways.
An entertaining second book in this series. Not necessary to read any of the others, but why not.
I received a complementary copy via Goodreads Giveaways.
An entertaining second book in this series. Not necessary to read any of the others, but why not.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews