Read and Buried

Lighthouse Library Mystery #6

by Eva Gates

Librarian Lucy Richardson unearths a mysterious map dating back to the Civil War. But if she can't crack its code, she may end up read and buried.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library Classic Novel Book Club is reading Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne while workers dig into the earth to repair the Lighthouse Library's foundations. The digging halts when Lucy pulls a battered tin box containing a Civil War-era diary from the pit. Tucked inside is a hand-drawn map of the Outer Banks accompanied by a page written in an indecipherable code.

The library is overrun by people clamoring to see the artifact. Later that night, Lucy and Connor McNeil find the body of historical society member Jeremy Hughes inside the library. Clearly Jeremy was not the only one who broke into the library--the map and the coded page are missing.

Lucy's nemesis, Louise Jane McKaughnan, confesses to entering the library after closing to sneak a peek but denies seeing Jeremy--or his killer. When Lucy discovers that fellow-librarian Charlene had a past with Jeremy, she's forced to do what she vowed not to do--get involved in the case. Meanwhile, the entire library staff and community become obsessed with trying to decode the page. But when the library has a second break in, it becomes clear that someone is determined to solve that code.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Books About Books, Contemporary

309 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Eva Gates is a pseudonym of Vicki Delany.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just did something I very rarely do and entered a series at book 6 instead of starting at the beginning. I was tempted when I came across this eye catching cover and a blurb which promised me a library in a lighthouse!

Read and Buried turned out to be a charming and fun cosy mystery. There was indeed a library in a lighthouse and Lucy, an assistant librarian, who lived in an apartment on the fourth floor. There was also a cat called Charles. Cats seem to be very common in cosy mysteries, especially the ones involving libraries.

The story was entertaining, the characters were interesting and the dialogue was fine. I enjoyed the way Lucy interacted with the local police which was more realistic than is often the case in this genre. Overall I was glad I had read it and will look out for those first five books to find out more about Lucy and the cat.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and Buried is the 6th Lighthouse Library Mystery written by Eva Gates. Construction has begun on the lighthouse, and during the excavation, a metal box is discovered. In the box is a strange diary and a map, but it quickly becomes the hot topic around the small Outer Banks town. It appears to be 150 years old, perhaps connected to a land deal that went awry. Lucy is determined to stay out of it when one of the men fighting to steal the map is found dead in the library. Who wanted to stop him from getting that map? And what would type of treasure would it reveal? Another great escapade in the series, and the supporting cast is becoming quite fun. When the killer(s) were caught, it brought together several open-ended storylines, and I'm curious what will happen next. As usual, the writing is solid, the murder plot is complex yet solvable, and the settings are described beautifully. A good series to read from the beginning...

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery, and this book is the 6st book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I have read all the books that is in this series so far, and I have review most of them. This series has became one of my favorite series. I listen to the audiobook of this book, and I think the narrator was good. This is not my favorite book of the series, but it was really good. The characters and the setting in this book is what make this series so great. I liked the mystery in this book, but it was not as good as some of the other books in this series. The book was very well-written.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and Buried
Author: Eva Gates

I enjoy this series and read each book as soon as it comes out. I'm a North Carolinian...and it's set in one of my favorite spots on the NC coast -- Nag's Head! I've been to the tippy top of Bodie Lighthouse and gone out on the walkway. All 214 winding metal stairs. I'm afraid of heights, but still enjoyed the view! Each time I read this series, I do have to remind myself that author's often take license with real places. Bodie Lighthouse is not large enough on the inside to house a library, or an apartment. It's barely bigger than the staircase to the top. But, because I love the idea of a library inside a NC lighthouse....I'm willing to forget that I've been to the real place. :)

This time around, foundation and repair work is ongoing at the lighthouse. A crack had formed at the base of the lighthouse and it was in danger of collapse. So lots of construction workers and heavy equipment are at work around the library to fix the problem. When a construction crew finds a mysterious metal box buried under the lighthouse, Lucy finds herself in the midst of mystery. The box contains a civil war era diary and a map of the Outer Banks written in code. Problems immediately start. All sorts of people want to see the artifacts....and then a library board member is found dead inside the library. Break-ins at the library continue as the whole town gets in on the attempts to decipher the code. Is an old secret worth killing for?? What does the code mean and why murder for it?

I enjoyed the plot of this newest book! The mystery was engaging and hooked my attention right away! There were plenty of suspects and some interesting investigation as Lucy worked to solve the case.

Read and Buried is the 6th book in the Lighthouse Library series. Eva Gates is a pen-name of Vicky Delany.

Great book! I will definitely be awaiting the next book in this series!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Repairs are underway at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and a surprising discovery is made. A notebook, with a loose page of mysterious code and a map that had been buried underground for years. To find its value the code needs to be cracked and it isn’t easy. Many try and many fail. Correlations are drawn between the notebook and the book the library’s Classics Book Club is now reading, Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

Everyone seems to want to take a gander and the find, but Jeremy Hughes, the newest historical society member, breaks in to accomplish the deed. Sadly, someone else either accompanied him or had the same idea and absconded with the page of code and the map and left behind a very dead Jeremy Hughes. Librarian Lucy Richardson finds out her nemesis Louise Jane McKaughnan and her co-worker Charlene could both be involved. After a second break-in, Lucy knows it is imperative to solve the code. She also knows all the suspects will be at an event on the library grounds. Can she find the key and catch the killer before she is the next thing buried by the lighthouse?

I love this series! Readers need to stretch their imaginations to fit all the wonderful goodness in under the Bodie Lighthouse roof but it is soooooo worth it. From Bertie’s office to Lucy’s Aerie apartment on the 4th floor and everything in between the Lighthouse Library is a fantastic place. The author describes everything so well you will feel like a butterfly on Lucy’s shoulder taking in each and every step she takes.

This time Lucy tries to stay out of the investigation but an indecipherable code and a request from Detective Sam Watson pulls her right in. Twists, turns, a spur of the moment seance and a fair bit of mayhem take place all on the road to crack a code and catch a killer. The author takes her characters on one heck of a journey. The ending was unexpected and exciting. She throws in the perfect amount of humor and romance along with daily life details to check all the cozy boxes. Ms. Gates is a marvelous storyteller.

I really liked the whole code theme. I wished I had had a copy so I could take a crack at it myself. It added an interesting element that brought several characters together in their efforts to crack that code.

I love this series for many reasons. The characters are unique, diverse and realistic. The setting is one of my favorites of all the cozy mysteries I have read. And most of all, Eva Gates always gives her readers a top-notch mystery, that we ache to solve before Lucy but rarely do. Read and Buried is an excellent addition to this series. I enjoyed every single page! I highly recommend for all cozy mystery lovers.

Note: This book can be read on its own but for maximum enjoyment, you should read them all in order.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoy this series on so many points-setting, books, library cat, and above average cozy mystery plots and characters. Lucy and her co-workers and friends make for a fun read in spite of her "not going to investigate this time" promise! The buried "treasure map" was also an interesting twist of historical and mythical OBX lore.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series with a fun concept of a library in a lighthouse and a great setting in Nag's Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. What a great place it would be, to be able to live and work in a lighthouse as our resident librarian Lucy has the pleasure of working in the library and living on the fourth floor.
It is summer and construction workers are digging around the foundation of the lighthouse repairing a crack when they stumble upon a metal box. Everyone held their breath to see what treasure might be in the box but it only contained a personal diary of a lady in the 1870's talking about the weather. It did contain a roughly drawn map of the area and note that appeared to be written in code. Maybe it is a map of a buried treasure... There are plenty of quirky characters, including those in the local historical society, history buffs, local professors and others interested in the contents of the box. Whatever it is, certainly it couldn't be worth killing over but while the library is closed and no one there, someone broke in and one of the historical society members is found dead with the map and code missing.
Even though, Lucy has promised her boyfriend Mayor Connor McNeil not to get involved, she is pulled in to help Detective Sam Watson find out what she can. This is an entertaining read as she weeds through suspects, another break in during a seance, and danger. The answer to the puzzle is an interesting find that applies to the family history of one of the library patrons and a positive outcome. Great addition to the series!
I received a complimentary ARC of the book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Gail C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sixth book in Eva Gates Lighthouse Library Mystery series is again set on North Carolina's Outer Banks. This novel opens with work being done to shore up the historic library and a coordinating children’s construction zone where the young library guests can practice their digging skills and pretend to be part of the construction project. Lucy, the protagonist of this series is in the library when the construction foreman comes in to announce all the library staff needs to follow him outside. As it turns out, all the digging has uncovered a small tin box which contains a diary another sheet of nonsensical writing, and a map. Speculation abounds as to whether or not it is a treasure map or something else relating back to the “War Between the States”.

The library staff and uninvited members of historical society have crowded into the director’s office, all intent on examining the contents of the box. As soon as the director sees the document and the lack of any buried treasure, she announces the book will be locked until their rare documents specialist can examine it, as she is the only one who is trained in handling old documents without destroying them.

Later that night, Lucy discovers someone has broken into the lighthouse and one of the people who were in the office earlier in the day is dead, clearly murdered. Lucy vows this time she is not going to get involved in the search for the killer and is going to focus her efforts on trying to break the code that will reveal the message from the author of the boxes contents. As expected, circumstances and her natural inclination toward solving puzzles keeps pulling Lucy back into the investigation.

There are some regular secondary characters including Louise Jane, a local storyteller and sometimes Lucy rival for the library position, Conner, the mayor and Lucy’s boyfriend, Sam Watson, the chief investigator for the police department as well as the library director, the rare documents specialist, and some town residents who appear briefly, but help round out the reader’s knowledge of the community.

Throughout the book there are two mysteries, first is who is the murderer and second is what is the significance of the coded message found in the box. The two investigations intertwine nicely and help to pull the reader through the book at a steady pace. Both investigations reach a satisfying conclusion. There were both reasonable clues and some good red herrings that help keep the reader on their toes. After the mysteries are solved, there is a nice, short wrap-up that helps tie off any loose threads.

The book works well as a stand-alone, however if the reader plans on reading the series, there are some secondary storylines that build as the books develop and it might be more enjoyable to read the series from the beginning. This series is a good cozy series, with some interesting glimpses of life on the wild coast of the Outer Banks which also adds to the book itself. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and who might enjoy a virtual trip to the coast. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me an Advanced Digital Read copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ stars
There really is nothing more exciting that secret codes and buried treasure. Will Lucy solve another case probably but the real hero is Charles the library cat.

Charles jumped onto the nearest bookshelf and settled down to wash his whiskers with an air of satisfaction. Once again, Charles had saved the day.

Charles always has an active dislike for the shadier visitors to the library. Curtis and Diane, library board members who really have no interest in the library and have been a thorn in Lucys’ and Berties’ side since book one in the series will probably be replaced in the next book, since Curtis killed Jeremy and Diane helped cover it up.


Cozies Reading Challenge

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great premise! A civil war-era diary, map and coded message are found at the construction site of the lighthouse library. It's not long before the map and the coded message are stolen, with a dead body left in the wake of the theft. What is the map? Who made it? Why a coded message? These are the answers many people are seeking in this installment of A Lighthouse Library Mystery series. Lucy feels the urge to answer these questions before the dangerous murderer does and more mayhem is unleashed. She uncovers secrets, lies and surprises along the way. This is an entertaining read with interesting characters and a cleverly devised plot.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Outstanding narrator.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and Buried by Eva Gates is another outstanding addition to this series. I was so excited to see this book was going to be available in October since I really love visting the Outer Banks and the Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Ms. Gates has again written a complex mystery with a quickly paced plot, several suspects and plenty of twists. Lucy swears she's not going to be involved this time but she can't resist when another library co-worker has old ties to the victim. All of the characters have been developed so well over the last five books and yet Ms. Gates has allowed us to see a little more into Charlene's past in this one. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and managed to finish it in an afternoon.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Murder in the library always makes for a busy day.”

This author’s cozy mysteries are always fun reads, whether she’s writing as Vicki Delany or Eva Gates, and Read and Buried may be my favorite yet. I laughed several times throughout at the delightful mental images the author created, and though I thought I had the culprit figured out I was completely off base.

I’ve only read one other book in this series (because I need to figure out a way to pause time so I can catch up on my TBR list) and it was #4, which I also enjoyed. How I missed #5 I have no idea, but be that as it may I was able to read this sixth book (and the fourth one too, for that matter) without feeling lost.

More than once in Read and Buried, Lucy is surrounded by what can only be described as madcap mayhem, thanks to the hilariously quirky cast of supporting characters, including Charlie the resident library cat. Specifically, the scene when they’ve finally cracked the code, and nearly the entire town is racing to the library, thanks to classic small town word-of-mouth. “Conner’s coming down the town hall steps. He’s running for his car.” (observed out the back window of the lead car in the procession haha!) Or when they figure out what the code leads to… It’s like a scene from one of those old Disney live-action movies from the 80s. Hilarious.

"Police officers, library patrons, librarians, the mayor of Nags Head, construction workers, assorted interested persons, and one big cat trotted after Zack."

Lucy is a lovable protagonist/amateur sleuth, and her first-person narrative voice adds a lot to the mood and cadence of the story. So does the setting – a library in an old historic lighthouse, complete with an apartment for Lucy at the top. Readers get a little inside peek at the inner workings of a library, while also enjoying the Outer Banks scenery and the colonial and Civil War era history. I’m most interested in learning more about the Freedman’s Colony mentioned in the book, and to that note I loved this particular subplot in Read and Buried.

Bottom Line: A real-life historic lighthouse is the fictional home of the Lighthouse Library and the perfect setting to the Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates. Lucy makes for an engaging and lovable heroine, and readers will enjoy tagging along as she tries to solve the case in Read and Buried. Along the way, a ragtag and hilarious cast of secondary characters entertains and keeps readers chuckling. The well-plotted mystery and nicely paced flow of the story hold your attention from beginning to end and deliver a highly enjoyable read that’s perfect for cozy night or weekend.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the crew working to stabilize the lighthouse discovers a metal box with a diary enclosed, they call the library's director down to the construction hole. Unwilling to go herself, she sends assistant director Lucy Richardson down. When they examine it with gloves and tweezers, they find a couple of pieces of paper tucked inside. One is a map. The other appears to be a coded message. Several persons were present when the discovery was made. When Lucy returns to the lighthouse library after an evening out with Connor, they discover the door has been smashed and find a historical society member no one likes murdered. The diary itself remains in Bertie's desk, but the two pieces of paper disappeared. The deceased man provided funding for the historical society including the upcoming Settlers' Day festivities. Lucy, of course, becomes involved even though she tries to stay out of the investigation. Suspects and motives abound. With a fun setting, fascinating historical angle, and better-than-average writing, this series continues to impress me. I hope the publisher's proofreaders and editors catch the missing words, double periods, and other proof-reading errors before its release. The review is based on an electronic advance copy obtained through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al centro di questo libro ci sono una vecchia mappa e una lettera in codice: proprio quando sono alle prese con la decifrazione di missive quattrocentesche! Mi sono quasi sentita a casa...
C'erano vari colpevoli possibili e alla fine è risultato essere quello giusto uno di quelli che era più in basso nella mia lista. In generale una bella storia.

[beachbum bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

for my thoughts on this book and other cozy mysteries subscribe to my YouTube channel @:https://t.co/Jx58B4KNW5?amp=1 ...more ...more

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read And Buried is the sixth book in the A Lighthouse Library Mystery series.

Repairs are progressing on the repairs to the lighthouse and even the children have their construction site so they can learn that anyone can work in construction. Repairs come to halt when an old tin box is found by the construction workers who turn it over to Lucy and Bertie. There is a meeting with the local historical society regarding the upcoming Settler’s Day program. When the box is opened all it contains is a diary that someone has recorded weather daily weather reports, an unidentified may and a paper that has most likely been written in some kind of code. Everyone wants to examine the find but puts them off until the next morning. Later that evening Lucy finds that someone has broken into the library and the map and the note have been stolen and the body of Jeremiah a member of the historical society and provided most of the funds for Settlers Day. Fortunately, Lucy had taken pictures of the map and note. Before long the rumors begin that the map is a treasure map.

Lucy with the help of the library staff set out to try and break the code of the note, hoping that it will also help identify the map and who might have written them. Lucy soon finds that there many suspects who might have wanted Jeremiah dead.

I always enjoy visiting the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and this book was no exception. The story is well-written and moves at a steady pace. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end. The book also has a cast of interesting and believable characters.

I will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bodie Lighthouse Library Classic Novel Book Club’s selection or his period is Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth ( one of my faves). At the same time repairs are being done to the foundation of the library. All of a sudden all digging stops because a Civil War-era diary is discovered by the construction crew. Lucy picks the diary out of thr dirt and is fascinated by it. Along with the diary is a map, but what do these items state. No one one knows as it is in code, and the code key is missing. The local history society wants to view these items, but the head librarian locks the items away as they are old and delicate and should be seen by specialists-not handled by just anyone. The following morning a dead history society member is found in the head librarian’s office. The library’s door has been smashed apart, and the head librarian’s office has been entered illegally. Why? Lucy who does not want to get involved in another murder investigation has taken pictures of these Civil War artifacts, and she attempts to solve the code. No luck and she doesn’t want to be involved anyway. Just what do these items have to do with The Outer Banks area? The answer is quite intriguing, but one must read the book to discover the topics as I shall not produce any information that may solve this mystery. I do wish to state that I found the information extremely enlightening.
A well-written cozy mystery on, I feel, a little known, but fascinating subject. 5 stars.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and Buried by Eva Gates is the 6th book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, and another great addition. Lucy Richardson is a librarian on the outer banks of North Caroline. The library is in a lighthouse, and Lucy lives above the library. The library is undergoing repairs to fix the foundation. When a metal box is found buried under the foundation, everyone wants to get a hold of the papers inside. When the body of a man in the historical society, is found in the library after he broke in, and someone else stole the papers, Lucy is determined to find the killer. I found this book to be awesome, the clever mystery and the romance with Lucy and Conner. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Ms. Gates never lets me down. I have never been to North Caroline, but the descriptions of the area and light house makes me want to travel there. I strongly recommend this book/series for any cozy mystery lovers.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librarian Lucy Richardson finds out just how fast news and rumors spread when an old metal box is found buried at the foot of the lighthouse library. Inside the box is a weather diary, a map and possibly some sort of code. The next thing you know multiple people are trying to get their hands on the map and one of those people ends up dead.

This easy to read cozy has an interesting cast of characters and a great setting. I have not read the other books in this series but had no trouble following along.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment in this series. I really enjoy the characters and the mysteries always keep me guessing.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and Buried is the sixth story in A Lighthouse Library Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone for those readers who are new to the series. I just love the description of this beautiful library inside the old lighthouse. The author states at the beginning of the book that she took creative license with the size of the building because the actual lighthouse is barely big enough for the staircase to the top (think of it as a stationary TARDIS). There is a cast of characters that include the librarians, the mayor, construction workers and island residents. Lucy Richardson is our protagonist. She is a librarian who lives in an apartment inside the lighthouse (lucky librarian). She is dating Connor McNeil who is the town’s mayor and a dentist. Bertie James, the director of the library, has her hands full as residents clamor to see the found diary and the coded missive. Louise Jane McKaughnan is a pain in the patootie (as always). She does, though, provide humor with her antics. The mystery was delightful. A diary dating back to 1858 with a hand drawn map and what they believe is a coded page (I love ciphers). I like how the author tied Journey of the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne and the whodunit together. There are multiple persons of interest along with subtle clues to help readers solve the crime. The reveal and takedown were marvelous. All questions regarding the mystery were answered which I appreciated. Charles, the library cat, is a good judge of character and helpful to have around when intruders break in. If only Lucy could get Charles to deter Louise Jane. I believe Lucy was happy her evaluation kept getting postponed because she does not like the section on improvement needed (I believe we can all relate). Read and Buried is an entertaining cozy mystery with a discovered diary, a ferocious feline, a surfeit of suspects, construction chaos, a mysterious map and a coded conundrum.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer, a library in a lighthouse, likable and fun characters, history, an adorable but opinionated cat all add up to the perfect cozy mystery!

When a civil war era map, diary and a mysterious code are found buried by the lighthouse library, the town goes "treasure" crazy. Academics, city hall, historians, townspeople all want to be the first to crack the code and discover the secrets inside the documents. Unfortunately, for one eager hunter, the map and diary lead to murder. Lucy and the library staff have to decipher the code and solve a murder.

I've always loved this series and this may be the very best. Lucy is inquisitive, smart and mindful of cooperating with the local law enforcement officer, Detective Watson. The supporting cast is quirky, kind and the exact combination of personalities that make the book flow. I especially enjoyed the historical backstory and how it tied into the mystery. A wonderfully written ending brought the story full circle.

I'm ready for the next mystery!

I received, an ARC, from NetGalley, for a fair and honest review of this book.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving this series! I listened to the book and the narrator does a good job. I like Lucy and Connor's relationship and hope they get married in a future book! This story added the mystery of a map found in the ground that may or may not have historic value. I'm not sure there was much shock at the end, but it was still good.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book of the series so far! The mystery was intriguing and entertaining with a well thought out plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. The characters were well developed with interesting personalities with auxiliary characters becoming even more fleshed out. The relationships between the main character and the auxiliary characters also went a step deeper in this book keeping the reader engaged and interested to see what happens next in the lives of the characters. If you haven't read the series, you don't have to in order to enjoy this book. However, your enjoyment will be enhanced if you do take the time to enjoy the entire series. I look forward to reading what happens next in these characters lives, especially with Lucy (the main character) and her beau, Connor.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This series is pretty well established and I have enjoyed getting to know the characters. I really enjoyed how the author not only brought some of the lesser characters to the forefront, but added history about the area. This was an enjoyable read and I solid series.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of cozy mysteries, I knew I would be onto a winner with this sixth book in ‘A Lighthouse Library Mystery’ series! Read and Buried ticked all the right boxes before I had even started reading.

The setting – a library in a lighthouse, no less – and an eye-catching front cover – all the makings of a great read for me. The concept of a library in a lighthouse is incredibly alluring and the thought of living and working there even more so. This location is particularly enticing for me as I live on the coast near a lighthouse!

I have only read one of the earlier books in the series – ‘Something Read, Something Dead’ but I didn’t feel as though I had missed out as it wasn’t particularly difficult to catch up with the characters and their roles.

Best-selling author, Eva Gates has drawn a lot of fun characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. Likeable Lucy is a librarian who recently moved to the Outer banks and she had a lot going on in this book. Protagonist Lucy had the necessary attributes of any great sleuth – intelligence, curiosity and keenness.

There was an incredible number of characters in Read and Buried but I think I just about managed to keep track of all of them without being overwhelmed! Apart from Lucy herself, I wasn’t especially fond of any of the others and the victim, Jeremy Hughes, was pretty despicable, too, but it only made a fabulous story even greater. Charlie the library cat was, of course, an ever-present favourite.

There aren’t many settings as perfect as a library located within a lighthouse and Eva Gates made great use of this. Outer Banks, North Carolina is a fine coastal town with a real sense of community and a general feeling of nostalgia. I could really feel its wild beauty and this, as well as a town full of secrets, made it a brilliant backdrop for a murder investigation.

Another of my favourite aspects of this novel was the fluidity of the writing. The details of the plot were very well executed and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on.

The author did a brilliant job of balancing a few different story-lines and different events jumbled matters up somewhat, making figuring out the identity of the perpetrator more challenging. There was a sense of increasing danger as the story progressed, which definitely helped to keep my interest.

Reading Read and Buried has cemented my discovery of another favourite author to add to my ever-growing list.

I very much look forward to returning to the Outer Banks, North Carolina with Lucy on a future occasion and reading the earlier books in the series, too! So entertaining and engaging, Read and Buried is definitely well worth the time invested.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley and Great Escapes Book Tours at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and Buried is the 6th book in the Lighthouse Library series by Eva Gates which is a pen-name for Vicky Delany. This book was my favourite so far in the series. I liked how many characters were involved in the disappearance of the map and code, which also meant they were suspects in the murder. I love puzzles and the plot involving the code was very interesting to me. This story hooked me right from the start. The mysterious box that was discovered several feet underground near the bottom of the foundation of the lighthouse was a great way to begin this mystery. Even though Lucy keeps saying that she is not going to investigate, she can’t help herself, especially as the crime was committed in the lighthouse, her place of employment and her home. As the mystery of the code and the map becomes more known to everyone in town, Lucy becomes more involved in the murder investigation.

I love the setting of this series. A library in a lighthouse in Nags Head North Carolina lends itself to history as well as mystery. The story of the The Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony has definitely piqued my interest in finding out more about the piece of history. The story about the land given to a Freedman, but his family never receiving it is another mystery embedded in the story. There was so much to like about this book. The cast of characters in this series are so much fun. Some are quirky, some are serious, some are staid and some are crooks, but all add to the story. This is a well-written and researched book that was very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy cozy mysteries, as well as those who want to learn a bit about history in an interesting, yet fictional setting. I will definitely continue reading the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book of the series so far! The mystery was intriguing and entertaining with a well thought out plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. The characters were well developed with interesting personalities with auxiliary characters becoming even more fleshed out. The relationships between the main character and the auxiliary characters also went a step deeper in this book keeping the reader engaged and interested to see what happens next in the lives of the characters. If you haven't read the series, you don't have to in order to enjoy this book. However, your enjoyment will be enhanced if you do take the time to enjoy the entire series. I look forward to reading what happens next in these characters lives, especially with Lucy (the main character) and her beau, Connor.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read!