Lucy is a librarian at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, the Library decides to mimic the event using copies (or fakes) of some of the paintings. This allows the library to inform their patrons about the artists and their work.
One of Lucy's co-workers has a famous artist in her ancestry and she has a copy of one of his more famous pieces. After the library's event, Lucy notices that Louise Jane's paining is gone. Who would want the fake? It's not very good and is not worth anything. Then one of the organizers for the show with the actual pieces turns up dead. Who would want him dead, his wife, the other organizers? Lucy can't help but be curious as she asks questions and tries to figure out the puzzle.

The story is fun and entertaining. I love reading about places that are so different from where I live. The library sounds interesting and the characters are definitly quirky. This book is easy-to-read and is just a nice escape.

The Stranger in the Library is the 11th installment in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, which is sure to delight readers. Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, librarian and amateur sleuth Lucy is delighted to organize an art history event at the library to complement an art show in town. But when one of the art show organizers is discovered dead at opening night of the show and a reproduction is stolen from the library, Lucy and her friends vow to get to the bottom of it and figure out if both things are connected.

This series is always a fun read and this book is no different.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy.

"A Stranger in the Library” the 11th instalment in the "Lighthouse Library" Mystery series by Eva Gates. I love this series and couldn’t wait to visit Nag’s Head and the Bodie Island Lighthouse library in the Outer Banks of N.C. Again. Outer Banks librarian Lucy is working on an art show at the library when paintings–and people–start to go missing

This time the story is more centred around an impressionist art show and Louise Jane’s family heirloom painting. Louise Jane takes a fancy to someone that attends the library art exhibition and chaos soon follows.

As always I like how Eva incorporates things in the story that makes me want to learn more on the subject or read the book the book club is reading Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.

I can't wait for the next instalment! I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Literary Cozy Mystery that finds a North Carolina librarian and her friends as they turn sleuths when paintings start going missing and people start dying during a traveling impressionist art show.

5/5 stars: This is the eleventh entry in Gates' Lighthouse Library Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in North Carolina and features an assistant director and librarian who's library's located in an Outer Banks lighthouse. With plenty of twists and turns, Gates has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Gates' writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. I always get a kick out of catching up with Lucy, Conner, her mayor husband, her family and friends and the staff and patrons of the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Plus it's always fun to read about Louise Jane's hi-jinks... the woman just doesn't give up. And of course there's no better cat than Charles, who deigns to live with Lucy and Conner when not “working” at the library. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, By Book or by Crook.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

The Stranger in the Library is the eleventh title in this North Carolina set series. Readers old and new will be happy to spend time with librarian Lucy and those around her.

I enjoyed the storyline that had to do with art and paintings. Of course, readers also get to experience some nefarious doings, including the murder. They can have fun with this, knowing that all will be revealed.

Those who enjoy traditional mysteries will want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Stranger in the Library is the 11th book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. It was great, I really enjoyed it. The main characters are still interesting and the characters brought in for this book became so real, so quickly. The author is great at making the temporary characters (those not reoccurring) feel like you've known them for a long time. Plus, they are always fascinating. I think that's why this series continues to be great after so many books. The mystery was a good one, as always. I always look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful ARC. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts.

A traveling exhibit of American Impressionist Artworks is coming to Outer Banks To gather excitement, Lucy McNeill hangs copies of the paintings in the library. At the celebration party welcoming the collection, the O’Callaghan original from the collection goes missing and a prickly local artist, Farrago, is found dead in a koi pond. Not long after, the missing canvas is found at the library, with its backing cut open. As Lucy starts investigating with her friend Detective Sam Watson to try and solve the case. Can Lucy solve the case?

The plot starts slow, but is engaging and quickly picks up. The characters are realistic, engaging, and help draw the reader into the story. Dynamics between Detective Sam Watson and Lucy are endearing and at times, infuriating, but keep the reader wanting to read more. Fans of the other books in the series, mysteries, library fiction, and small town novels will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. No other compensation was received.

A traveling exhibition of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, and Lucy decides to organize an art history display in support at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. The morning after the local library exhibit opens Lucy discovers that one of the reproductions is missing from the library. The next night, the major exhibition opens, and one of the organizers is found dead in a pond outside the building.

First, a reproduction of little value is stolen. Then, one of the major exhibition’s organizers is murdered. Lucy begins investigating and becomes really confused when the stolen reproduction is returned. And a mysterious art dealer seems interested in Louise Jane, who works with Lucy in the library. There are many threads to pull together in this 11th Lighthouse Mystery, and Eva Gates manages to captivate readers to the end.

If you love cozy mysteries, this is the book for you!
Eva Gates’ 11th book in her Lighthouse Library Mysteries set in North Carolina takes us on an adventure regarding missing artwork, possible family heirlooms, & artists who have connections/seem to know one another.
Lucy is determined to find out what happened to the missing painting, as well as adjusting to being a newlywed to the towns mayor! Talk about a lot going on here. Later on in the evening, Lucy discovers a dead body in the fish pond & notify police immediately.
There is a lot to unpack here, but I love how Gates prepares the readers without spoiling the outcome every time in her books. I couldn’t even guess who it was honestly! I can’t wait to read about Lucy’s next adventure.

I like most of the characters if one is missing from the next book, I wish them all the best. The mystery kept me guessing and the setting is great.

Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Lucy & Connor have returned from their European honeymoon just in time for Lucy to create an art history display at the Lighthouse Library for an upcoming show on impressionist art. But the library staff are surprised to find that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing the net morning. The painting belonged to Louise Jane's ancestor but it was no real value.

Then at the glitzy opening night, Lucy, her baker cousin & Louise Jane find the body of show organizer drowned in a fish pond. Was this a tragic accident or murder? Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer has captured Louise Jane's heart but may have more nefarious intensions in mind.

This was another solid entry in the long-running Lighthouse Library mystery series.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.

I mistakenly thought the series ended when Lucy and Connor got married and I’m so glad I was wrong! This series is so much fun with a library in the lighthouse and interesting characters who come together for a book club.

A traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, and Lucy and her coworkers create a display about art history. Louise Jane talks her grandmother into loaning a family painting that is a reproduction of a valuable painting that is guarded at the exhibit. The question they face is why would someone steal a painting that has no value? Even more curious is that it is returned.

On the evening of the gala, a man who was instrumental in getting the traveling art to Nags Head is murdered. Lucy and Louise Jane find the body and end up working together to help solve the mystery. While I find Louise Jane annoying, she does add something to these stories with the delivery of her lines. I liked that she had a love interest in this story, and he is a hottie! Go Louise Jane!

The ending is quite exciting and I was surprised by the killer because it seemed like there were several suspects. As always, reading Ms. Gates’ Lighthouse Library Mystery series is an enjoyable read with the charming setting of Nags Head, the lighthouse library, and characters who feel like your friends. I hope there are many more stories to come in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As with every book in this series by Eva Gates(The Brody Lighthouse Library Series) they are a VERY GOOD READ and very good Cozy Myster.y.
Lucy , who works at the library is the amateur sleuth and a very good one. She is always landing in bad situations. This one is about an art show that Lucy has planned. She discovers the next morning that one painting has been stolen and then it is suddenly returned with a rip in the paper. Then at the actual art center gallery strange things go on. Of course, Lucy has to check everything out. Mar,k, the person who was to speak was found by Lucy and her two friends as they were out for a breather. Thus the sleuthing begins. This another one where couldn't figure out who did it until the end.

Another great addition to the series! I love catching up with all the characters I've come to love and solving the murder along with them.

3.5 stars

This pleasant and undemanding cozy series is set in a fictional library in a lighthouse on the Outer Banks. Newlywed librarian Lucy and husband Connor and their friends and co-workers make a fun ensemble cast.

A major Impressionist art exhibit locally has spurred the library into an eclectic accompanying (without the valuable paintings) event. One of the paintings is by a family member of an important artist of that period. It has not much value so nobody is clear why it gets stolen one night -- and then returned several days later.

In the meantime the important exhibit is a hotbed of intrigue. The principals involved in arranging and funding the program have history and a lot of artistic temperament is on display. The night of the debut, a body is found in the garden outside the building.

Lucy says she is not getting involved, but when the short-handed police department asks for help, she can't refuse. She never means to put herself in harm's way, but sometimes things just happen. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book surprised me in a good way. I think this was the best constructed mystery and I did not guess the culprit at all.

I love how Eva Gates always find new interesting ideas for her books. The art aspect of this story was great. The artist that was created for this story felt real. It was well researched.

In conclusion, this might be one of the best books in this series.

NetGalley surprised me again with a pleasant cozy mystery. I really appreciate being able to choose from fresh looks from time to time. I like those light crime stories when, in addition to the investigation, the lives of the characters are emphasized. This time, art and digital investigation meet, and Lucy throws herself into the investigation of a painting and a murderer. I think the characters are likable, the setting and atmosphere are pleasant. And the mystery gets a little twist at the end, which made the conclusion interesting. Overall, I loved investigating with Lucy and the small town residents.

I adore this series. As a long time traveler to Hatteras Island, I appreciate the setting ANF the author’s creative liberties with said setting!
Cute cozy mysteries.

I gave a neutral rating because I did not finish it so I can't be a fair judge of the overall book. I tried quite a few times to get into this book but I couldn't and every time I tried I was left feeling frustrated. From the very beginning it was just information overload and rapid fire names. There were so many characters and they were being cycled through so quickly that I couldn't keep straight who anyone was or actually get to know any of the characters. I only made it to about 10% and was left feeling very overwhelmed. I couldn't get any of the names or information to stick in my brain so it was all meaningless to me.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library has created a huge display of historical art. The launch of the display was a huge success. The next day Lucy realizes that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing. The real painting is under lock and key in a nearby exhibit in Nags Head. Worried about why the print was taken, the employees report the theft. Lucy gets an invitation to the real exhibit, so when the key speaker is a no-show Lucy wonders if the theft is somehow linked to the man's disappearance. When the man's body is found Lucy and friends can't help but get involved in the investigation.

The characters in the book have great chemistry in their relationships. Lucy is a smart, strong female protagonist who is relatable and realistic. The mystery is well-plotted with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The storyline moves at a quick steady pace to keep the reader engaged in the story.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.