In the latest installment of the Lighthouse Library mystery series, it's summertime in North Carolina's Outer Banks when librarian Lucy Richardson finds her former director dead in the library. Lucy will have to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer ends her tale first.
Gates has created a good set of suspects, and a strong premise for an interesting cozy mystery. She includes a good romance between Lucy and the mayor of Nags Head, Connor MacNeil, and yet does not let that romance take the story off in another direction. Everything fits in well. It should also be noted that Gates’ police officer is portrayed as an intelligent detective who recognizes the value of Lucy’s input—a nice switch from other cozies. The writing is strong with good description, heavy tension, and a good sense of location. Gates does a particularly good job of setting clues and red herrings for the reader to deal with and ties up all the loose ends. It’s a fast read; save a weekend for this one. It won’t be disappointing.
This follow-up to Read and Buried features a huge cast of librarians, and sometimes it’s difficult to keep everybody straight. Series fans will be excited to catch up with Lucy, her romantic partner, the mayor, and Lucy’s friends.
Solving Helena’s murder isn’t quite a closed-house mystery, but the remote location of the lighthouse limits the pool of suspects to the party guests. As Lucy talks with them, she learns of connections among the group that have been long hidden. A fine addition to the growing shelf of library-themed mysteries.
