Booked for Murder

Lighthouse Inn Mystery #5

by Tim Myers

The Agatha Award-nominated series continues--featuring Alex Winston and his inland lighthouse getaway. When a cursed gem disappears--and dead bodies appear--Alex must stop a killer and save his beloved inn before the next life claimed is his.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Suspense, Detective, American

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 7, 2004

About the author

Also writes under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, and Jessica Beck.

Tim Myers is the author of dozens of short stories published in mystery magazines and anthologies. He lives with his family near the Blue Ridge Mountains he loves and writes about. He is the award-winning author of the Agatha nominated Lighthouse Inn mystery series as well as over seventy short stories. Tim has been a stay-at-home dad for the last twelve years, finding time for murder and mayhem whenever he can.

Series:
* A Lighthouse Inn Mystery
* A Candlemaking Mystery
* A Soapmaking Mystery

Reviews

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed myself reading this book which exceeded my wildest expectations. This is the type of book that is worth savouring. The cozy mystery that comes closest to this in terms of household bliss are the books by Laura Childs.

What was instructive about the whole shebang was how the characters moved, separated, and came together in a believable fashion.

The happy ending was very serendipitous, perhaps too much, but keeping the latter in mind, I don't know how things will pan out in book 6. I'm very happy for now and will read books like this. For that to happen, I need to choose well.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't care much for the writing style of these books. It's too simple but that's not the problem, it's the stuff that's irritating that turns me off. Characters will overreact or respond to things that didn't happen. There's very little depth--which is okay if that's how you want to write--but then the reactions to things are so overblown that the book loses me. Then there are things like the general store owner says to Alex (main character) there's a really cool chair that just came in and she shows him the chair, but we don't get to see the chair. The chair has nothing whatever to do with the story so why mention it just to not show us? I'd be fine with seeing the chair that has nothing to do with the story because that's kind of like life, but to mention it and then show the main character but not us is just irritating.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are just fun little mysteries. I enjoy the Hatteras West setting with the lighthouse and all the fun characters. This mystery was entertaining and I liked the ending even if it seemed a bit rushed. #readforkimberly

[Sue Merrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a neat little paperback that fit well in my beach bag and served that purpose over the summer for little relaxing read now and then in the sun. That may be why I perceived the story as moving slowly. There is certainly lots of action: a guard gets killed, a guest at the inn gets shot, the owner and his gal friend get shot at... and yet there really doesn't appear to be adequate concern and precaution for these events. It speeds up nicely at the end with a resolution that won't surprise mystery fans. The guilty party sticks out like a sore thumb. But it served its purpose.

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first two books in this series several years ago. I don't remember much about them, other than that I liked them. Even skipping books three and four I had no problem following the story. This was a quick, fun read and I hope to find the other books in the series so I can fill in the gaps.

This is the same author who writes the Donut series under the name Jessica Beck. Anyone who enjoys that series will also enjoy this one.

[Paschalis]

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[Randee Baty · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read this far in the series, and they should be read in order, Alex and Elise feel like old friends. Old friends that you want to grab by the shirt collars and yell, "Get on with it already."

The Hatteras West Inn is having a exhibition of a Carolina Rhapsody Emerald. The owner isn't particularly pleasant and they have to have a full-time security guard so Alex is happy to see the exhibition coming to an end. It can't be that simple though. The emerald is stolen, dead bodies turn up, it's business as usual at Hatteras West. And as usual, the story is entertaining, light and fun. A few red herrings but nothing to tax your brain.

I love these characters. I like visiting with them and find out what adventures they've been up to. But these are two single adult people who have been obviously attracted to each other from the first book. Which is worse, a love triangle that goes on too long or a slow burn that burns way too slowly?

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series though it did drag a little at the beginning of this book. An emerald goes missing and a guard is found dead. Alex swears he isn't going to investigate but of course he and Elsie just have to look into it especially when one of their guests is shot at and then they themselves are shot at.

I really like Alex and Elsie and their various friends. I have to laugh at Emma and Mor and their constant fun bickering. The story line had a few twists and turns and a few red herrings. I loved the ending of the story.

A good easy read in a really good series.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex runs a novelty inn. An exact duplicate of the Hattera Lighthouse, but in the mountains of NC. A local eccentric wants to display his giant emerald so people can enjoy it and a room at the inn is chosen is where. The guard is killed, the emerald stolen and replaced with a fake.

The guests are suspects as are townspeople. Alex investigates.

This is the third in the Lighthouse Inn series and I enjoyed it. The setting and characters are enjoyable.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting entry in Tim Myers' saga of the West Hatteras Inn in Elkton Falls. This one had a few more red herrings in the mystery part than some of the other books, but I think I figured it out about the same time as the protagonist did for once. The demure relationship between Alex and Elise takes a turn for the better in this tale, but don't worry; at this rate it will be at least twenty more books before this series has a chance of becoming 50 Shades.

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author certainly deserved the Agatha Award as his books are easy to read. The plots and characters are very easy to get into and not want to put down. They are very short jewels of mystery and I would recommend to any mystery buff to just read them for the pure enjoyment they bring! Reading his candlemaking series now and loving it as well.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Set in the foothills of North Carolina, but not a very interesting story. I wanted to like it more than I did. It was just too obvious.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is a bit cheesey, but I LOVE lighthouses and the thought of running an inn inside of lighthouse thrills me. The plots are easy to detect, but interesting aspects do occur.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yayy! I've finished a series!

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this gentle cozy series. The interactions between Mor and Emma and Alex and Elise are great fun.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well written. characters are still fantastic. can't wait to read the next books in the series.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

But what about the muffins?