Read and Buried is an enjoyable read with multiple mysteries - the mysterious find in the journal (is it really just daily weather updates or is it a code?), trying to break the code, Jeremy's murder in Bertie's office, stolen documents and large number of suspects, and the break-in where Charles the wonder cat stops the intruder.

For Jeremy's murder, the suspect list is complicated by the fact that he was not faithful to his wife and a has a list of former girlfriends. Is his murder related to the historical find or to his personal life? His wife only stayed married to him so they could inherit a lot of money from his mother. Several other women really seemed to love him, but how reciprocated that was is unclear.

The code breaking attempts are really fascinating, it's fun learning about the different types of keys and trying to figure out what was used here. What is the historical significance of the the two papers that were stolen? The pace of the mysteries was very well done, they unravel fairly evening throughout the book with a nice number of surprises to keep readers on their toes.

Lucy and Connor's relationship continues to develop and there's more balance of daily life versus the investigations in this book. Louise Jane remains a tremendous pain in the rear; trying to break into the library, showing up late at night to host a séance in Lucy's apartment (without telling Lucy in advance or the other guests she invites along what it's about); and a variety of other things. Her behaviour keeps getting written off because she's a local with family history but if she weren't, the police would've been dealing with her actions.

One thing I was baffled by (not being American, so I don't know how common this is) was Settler's Day as a local celebration. They included Native Americans as settlers (without acknowledging that European settlers did to them) and didn't recognize enslaved people though there are discussions of descendants of enslaved people in the area. Then a man in a Confederate uniform wins the costume contest and there's no controversy over it despite what that represents.

Lighthouse Library Mystery #6

When we last left Lucy and The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, Lucy and Bertie were thinking of ways to raise money to repair the foundation. Now the work is not far from completion. The Book Club is reading Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.  Quite apt with the huge equipment digging all around the library and way down.

Things are humming along when the foreman comes running in demanding Bertie and Lucy follow him to the dig site. They have found something and no one is touching it until they see it. Buried treasure? Civil War relics? They find a box. Inside, a small diary with nothing inside but the tides and the weather for each day. Oh! And 2 pages that have fallen out. One is a marked map with numbers on it and one sheet looks like something written in code. 

Everyone from Louise Jane to Diane and Curtis is fighting to see the papers and Bertie is even fending off the other historians who are planning a Settler's Day soon on the grounds. One in particular. One who wants what he wants now. And when he is found dead in Bertie's office and the map and coded paper are missing, everyone is intent on cracking the code and finding treasure.

 There was a really nice subplot concerning The Freedman's Colony and the new development the city is fighting. I really enjoyed the history lesson.

Lucy tried so hard not to stick her pert little nose in things but we all know her better than that.  But this time she may end up on the wrong side of history! Unless her arch nemesis can save the day!

I love this series. A lighthouse and a library? And Charles the library cat? Cuteness overload.

Well Done!

NetGalley/ October 8th, 2019 by Crooked Lane Books

I used to read cozy mysteries as my favorite genre, but the last year I have read mostly my favorite series' newest books. The Lighthouse Mysteries is a favorite of mine and I was excited to see a new one added to the series. I think it may be the best one yet with Lucy and her coworkers trying to solve a code that was found during construction. The code brings out the selfishness in people in the community as they argue who gets access to it for solving. This brings the murder of a new Historical Society member and Lucy once again has a mystery to solve. Cozy mystery readers will love this newest installment to the series.

Another excellent book in this series. The author is one of my favorites. I absolutely love the writing style. I'm constantly highlighting sentences, especially in this book. The story was interesting as well. I like how the reader gets to know a different character in the series a little more in-depth in the different books. The main character is great - she doesn't do foolish things to get involved (like the pattern in other cozy mysteries). I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I hope this series goes for a very long time.

Lucy is back with another mystery at the lighthouse Library. This one involves the lighthouse itself, as repairs are being made to keep the building standing for another century. As Lucy and Connor are finding their footing as a couple, this new incident could put their relationship on hold. Good pacing, well developed and familiar characters, and plenty of fun make this a great read and addition to the series.

I am a smoosh when it comes to these books. My librarian heart loves the authenticity of how the library/library staff/patrons/library issues are represented. And they're SUCH fun!

Lucy is a lady after my own heart. Her insatiable curiosity gets her in all sorts of trouble, but that's who she is, and she's not interested in changing who she is for anyone. And I love that.

The supporting characters are as colorful as always, and Louise Jane absolutely gets my knickers in a twist. I like Lucy's "support" staff - Conor, Josie, Stef, and of course Bertie, Ronald, and Charlene. They all lend something wonderful to the story. And my *favorite* Detective Watson is, as always, on point.

The mystery in this book was fun (who doesn't love a secret code and potential pirate treasure?), and satisfyingly twisty.

Another strong entry into this delightful series.

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.

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.



Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great book

First, thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher and the author, Eva Gates, for this ARC of a really interesting and fun cozy mystery! Turns out this is #6 of this "Lighthouse Library" series and it won't be released until October 2019. I had to figure out way too many characters and their relationships to librarian Lucy Richardson, the main character. Still, I really liked it. Not the author's fault that I started this series so late in the game. Lucy is a terrific heroine, smart and brave and, even better, lives in a lighthouse that also contains a library. Only one dead body but the mystery was well plotted and I have to admit that I didn't guess whodunit until very near the end. Thanks to this author's research, I'm now quite interested in the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island, North Carolina. The Outer Banks venue of this story grabbed my attention and greatly increased my enjoyment of the story.

What a fabulous lighthouse to have so much space. And all that construction too. The kid area was a fun addition. Finding a buried box began the mystery, no only what the the pages mean but how far someone will go to have the pages within their hands. Throw in a romance here and there to add another layer to the story. A good read with a few mysteries too. I liked it.

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.

Book clubs, artifacts and murder make for the perfect read! A page turner from beginning to end, once you start reading, you won't be able to finish until you are at the very end.

When an old diary and a map is found during construction at the lighthouse library site a local librarian Lucy sets out to figure out the code it is written in. It doesn't seem to be of any importance until a member of the local historical society Jeremy Hughes is found dead in the library after breaking in to steal the artifacts.
Can Lucy figure out the code and read the diary before she herself becomes the next victim?
Fast paced and entertaining read with lots of historical information.

I'm happy to have stumbled upon this series, as I love a solidly set up cozy mystery. The friend group was dynamic and super cute, and our lead was likeable.

I really love this series by Eva Gates and always looking to the next one. This one is no exception. The library is an old lighthouse. Lucy resides in the lighthouse on the fourth floor and is always involved. in helping with the investigation. I love her way of doing it. She always seems to be right. This is a must read .

This is an awesome addition to the series! What continues to make this series great for me are a strong female lead, fantastic cat with lots of personality, and the setting of a lighthouse library! The mystery was well written with a touch of history and the writing was great as well! A must read for anyone who likes cozy mysteries!

I've read all of the Lighthouse Library Series by Eva Gates. This cozy mystery bring the lighthouse library gang finds
a buried box 📦 from the 1871. The contains of the box are a diary written in code, code 🔑, and a map from there the plot thickens.. You will also learned about the Freedmen's Colony that existence during the Civic War in the Outer Bank, NC. This was a good read give this cozy a chance.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Loved this mystery read. Thank you Eva Gates for this lovely book. The characters, setting and plot were delicious. Enjoyed this book very much. Looking forward to reading more.

This series could not get any better! Love the location.....a lighthouse! And this time around the mystery is even better. A strong female lead character surrounded by well developed and interesting pals solving a perfectly plotted murder. If you haven’t stumbled across this series I can not recommend it highly enough! They don’t need to be read in order so start with this one and you won’t be sorry! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

I received this book via Netgalley and Crooked Lane in return for an honest review. I loved this book! The setting is fabulous; the characters are wonderful! It's not the first in the series and is easily read as a stand-alone. If you're interested in libraries, cats with personality, fun heroines, unique characters - this is the book for you! The discovery of a buried book of weather observations, coupled with an indecipherable code and an odd map, makes for an interesting day at the Lighthouse Library (Wow, a library in a lighthouse :)!). Then, in the night, a member of the local historical society is found dead in the head librarian's office and the code and map are missing. Go on a great adventure of a lovely town and good people to find out the murderer. You'll be glad you did!