4 Stars

Just when Lucy starts to feel a calmness coming into her life, everything starts to hit the fan.
Deadly Ever After is a fun and entertaining edition to the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series

Lucy and Connor are happily Celebrating their engagement with family and friends when out of the blue the ex and his mother show up, uninvited, to join in the festivities. When the intentions of the visit are unveiled, Lucy wants no part of this plan whatsoever. Agreeing to what should be a farewell dinner ends up having Lucy stumble upon a dead body that hits a little too close to home. And the icing on the cake is when Charles is not happy, to put it mildly, about the visitor release he brings home has his tail on edge.

I absolutely adore The Lighthouse Library Mysteries. Deadly Ever After is fun and entertaining. The atmosphere in which the book takes place is breathtaking and somewhat calming. Even with all the chaos that goes on within the story. Eva Gates does extremely well keeping her readers attention with an interesting and well plotted mystery and characters I have come to love over several books. She is able to keep us guessing and second-guessing with the turn of a page. I love that Lucy and Connor are finally getting together and I look forward to see what their future brings.

I absolutely love the Lighthouse Library mysteries. I would love to see a lighthouse library. Eva Gates spins a wonderful whodunit story that will have you wanting to help Lucy figure out who the villain is. Wonderfully written with great characters you will love. Great beach read!

I was given an ebook ARC by Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Lots of changes are coming to the Lighthouse Library, but nobody expects murder to come with them. And when the death isn’t on the library grounds, Lucy has a brief hope to not get caught up in the investigation, until she realizes that her family’s caught in the middle of it. One of the things this series always does for me is to carry me away in the story. I’ll get caught up in Lucy’s social whirl, and get distracted by all the sparkly red herrings, to the point that I’m unable to outthink the plot. This is a gift I treasure. Give me a tricky puzzle to keep me distracted and I will thank you for it. Lucy and Connor have me charmed and quite thoroughly hooked. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

Welcome back to Lighthouse Library and all its wonderful cast of characters. Love this series. Its a most excellent cozy mystery .

Deadly Ever After emphasizes once again why I love this series! Descriptions of this fabulous setting are so perfect that I can almost picture the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and hear waves crashing on the shore. The characters frequently have new surprises and are delightfully ready to step out of the pages into real life. The complex mystery is intriguing, and whodunit was one of the last people I would have expected.

I have enjoyed following Lucy and her friends since her move to Bodie Island and subsequent success as the assistant library director. Far different from the prestigious position she had before, she knows that the relocation and accepting the position are among the best decisions she has made; accepting Connor’s proposal is icing on the cake. She and Connor, now the mayor of Nag’s Head, had been close friends when she visited her beloved Aunt Ellen as a teen, and they began dating after Lucy moved here.

This is the kind of awesome place I would love to work and live for a year or ten! The only minor drawback is Louise Jane, a somewhat irritating native of the island who claims to know where all the ghosts hang out, including in the lighthouse. She resented Lucy getting the position she wanted and her opportunity to live in what Lucy dubbed the “Lighthouse Aerie”, a tiny apartment that was part of her employment package. Another benefit is Charles, the gorgeous, fluffy library cat. He spends nights in the Aerie with Lucy, waits in the library to greet her when she has been out, and lives a cat’s dream life.

There is an engagement party on the beach for Connor and Lucy. When only the catering staff from her cousin Josie’s successful bakery and immediate family were left on the beach, two very late, uninvited guests arrive. They are Evangeline, the wife of Lucy’s father’s law partner, and her son Ricky. Ricky is the man Lucy had always been expected to marry until she said no and escaped Boston for the Outer Banks. It seems Ricky may want another chance. His parents are in dire financial straits and they would love a fresh infusion of money, not realizing Lucy has none of the family wealth. The next night, Ricky and Evangeline ran out on the dinner they invited Connor, Lucy, and her family to. After dinner, Ricky’s father Rich, who nobody knew was in town, was found murdered outside the restaurant.

Lucy has helped with several murder investigations since moving to Nags Head despite the local detectives assuring her that they can handle things. When people she cares about are accused or involved, however, she cannot resist helping. She really wants to stay out of this one, but she two of the persons of interest are not guilty. The whodunit is elusive; it was honestly someone I least suspected!

The author teases our imaginations with humor and fun ideas! One of her most enjoyable word pictures is, “Charles put his paws over his eyes. . . I briefly considering putting my paws over my own eyes.” For those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries with lovable, eclectic characters, intrigue, humor, and a setting that is a touch of heaven on earth, I highly recommend this novel and series!

From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Deadly Ever After is another easy, breezy Lighthouse Library cozy mystery.

Lucy and Connor are enjoying their beachside engagement party with friends and family. Who should crash the party but Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, Ricky, and his pushy mother, Evangeline. Evangeline still wants Ricky to be Lucy’s groom regardless of what Lucy or Ricky want. Later, a man is found murdered. Lucy and her mom invite themselves along to do the death notification with the local police. From that point forward, Lucy is determined to solve the crime.

I love the charismatic characters in this series. But this particular entry was not my favorite. The mystery was too easy to solve. The local police seemed to never have watched any television police shows. Questioning all the witnesses together in a big room? Allowing two civilians as ride-alongs on a death notification? It pulled me out of the plot each time it happened. However, I did love the perfect ending of Deadly Ever After. 4 stars!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read most of this series (minus a few of the first ones) and enjoy it. The amateur sleuth is Lucy Richardson, who works and lives at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Now that she’s engaged to mayor, Connor McNeil, they have started looking for a home of their own. Finding one that they can afford is proving troublesome.

At the same time, Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, Richard, from Boston has shown up with his overbearing mother in tow. The mother keeps pushing Lucy and Richard together ignoring the fact that Lucy is in love and engaged to Connor. When Lucy’s mother, from Boston, shows up, she wonders what is going on.

A death occurs that Lucy gets dragged into investigating. She even ends up housesitting a dog for Richard’s mother. Between working, looking for a house, planning a wedding, dodging the two from Boston, and investigating the murder, Lucy has her hands filled to overflowing.

There is a huge amount of change going on and the book has lots of laughs as well.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

The eight in the in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I always enjoy visiting with Bodie Lighthouse crew.

Lucy Richardson and Mayor Connor McNeil are enjoying being newly engaged when an ex shows up with his mother in hopes of reuniting with Lucy. Plenty goes on in this story.
I loved the twists, turns and reveals. This series is a definite on my to-be-read list. Can’t wait for the next one.

I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Assistant library director Lucy Richardson and Mayor Connor McNeil happily attend the engagement party their family and friends throw for them on the beach. It’s a great time, but the biggest surprise of the day is that her ex-boyfriend Ricky Lewiston and his mother, Evangeline, arrive uninvited. Evangeline says they came to wish Lucy well, but Evangeline is actually hoping that Lucy will get back together with Ricky. Lucy agrees to go to dinner the next night with some of her family and the party crashers, but are counting down the moments until RIcky and his mom leave North Carolina and return to Boston. Everything changes when a body is found the next night outside the restaurant where Lucy, Connor, and the others are dining. Now Lucy must find a killer to keep her family safe and to be able to get on with her new life with Connor.

This is the eighth book in the series, but reads as a standalone. I’ve only read two of the prior books but still feel like I knew who all the important characters were. Lucy currently lives at the top of a lighthouse with the library where she works below, but in between sleuthing, she and Connor are trying to find a house they can afford for when they’re married. The eerie atmosphere outside the lighthouse sometimes mimics the descriptions of the setting in the Sherlock Holmes classic The Hounds of the Baskervilles that Lucy’s book club is discussing. Since the library is so important to the series, I’m glad books were worked into the plot this way. I’m also glad other books are occasionally mentioned as Lucy assists patrons of the library. (Be aware there is a spoiler given about something that happens at the end of The Hounds of the Baskervilles.)

The murder victim has a surprising tie to Lucy’s family which makes her even more invested in finding the murderer. I like how smart she is and how she goes about gathering information about the case. I also really like her and Connor as a couple and this book makes it obvious how lucky she is to be rid of Ricky. I enjoyed the book and also the way the investigation wrapped up at the end. The downside of the book and the others I’ve read in the series is there are so many side characters who are hard to like. The worst one for me is library volunteer Louise Jane. I find her very annoying and unfortunately a development at the end of the book makes it likely she’ll be playing an even larger role in the future. Hopefully Lucy and Connor’s wedding plans will overshadow any of Louise Jane’s antics in the next couple of books. They are such a great couple, that will really give readers something to celebrate.

~ Christine

Bodie Island Lighthouse librarian Lucy Richardson and her mayor boyfriend Connor McNeil have announced their engagement. As they celebrate with friends, Lucy's former boyfriend Ricky aka Richard Eric Lewiston III and his pushy mother Evangeline make the trip from Boston to surprise them. In reality. Evangeline is planning on bringing Lucy and Ricky back together. Things continue to go badly at a family celebration dinner at Jake's seafood restaurant when Ricky storms off in a drunken huff. Then an employee finds the murdered body of Rich Lewiston, Ricky's father and the law partner of Lucy's father Miller. What was Rich doing in the Outer Banks? When a hungover Ricky arrives at the lighthouse the next morning, he does not realize that his father is dead and that he is a prime suspect in the murder. It's up to Lucy to do some snooping to clear Ricky's name and to get this meddlesome family back to Boston. Changes in both the library staff and a new abode for Lucy and Connor indicates new challenges and opportunities ahead.

This was another entertaining entry in the Lighthouse Library mystery series. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

This series is one that I always enjoy reading. It is such a fun premise of a library in a lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Lucy Richardson, formerly of Boston, is a librarian living in an apartment upstairs in the lighthouse with Charles, the library cat. A party was thrown for Lucy and her fiancé Connor McNeil so her parents are in town. But, an unexpected duo arrives from Boston, her former boyfriend and his mother. Later, the father/husband is found dead at a local restaurant where the couple, friends, and family are dining. The victim is actually a founding law partner along with Lucy's dad. Lucy has been known to help the police solve murder mysteries and since she knows the victim and his wife and son, she is working with Detective Sam Watson. Her mom is staying with the wife to help her deal with the situation. This is a great mystery to unravel as there a few obvious suspects but nothing is clear cut. No one knew the victim would be in town so who would have killed him? This is one that I definitely had not figured out. Another fun mystery to add to the series. Great setting and characters.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Deadly Ever After is the eighth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates.

Lucy and Connor recently have gotten engaged, and their friends and family are hosting an engagement party on the beach near the library lighthouse. As the party is winding down and the packing up begins, the last people expected to show up arrive, that being Richard Eric Lewiston III(Richy), Lucy’s ex-fiance, and his overbearing mother, Evangeline. Evangeline feels there is still a chance that Lucy and Richy can marry. Neither Lucy nor Richy have any intention of making this happen. Evangeline insists that they all go to a restaurant for dinner. When Richy refuses his mother’s attempts to win back Lucy’s heart, they have a heated argument, and Richy leaves. As the rest of the party is going, a scream is heard from the restaurant’s back. Lucy and Connor head to the back only to find a dead body. Lucy’s father identifies the body as his law partner, and Richy’s father, Richard Lewiston, Jr. No one knew that Lewiston, Jr. was even in town and had no idea why he was. Detective Watson, once again, advises Lucy to stay out of his investigation, but Lucy feels the need to investigate since her father might become a suspect.

It’s always enjoyable to visit the Bodie Island Library Lighthouse, its staff, and the area’s residents. The book is well-plotted and written. Most of the usual characters are back, and they are well-developed and believable. There were enough red herrings that kept me guessing until the end of the book as to who the murderer was.

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

Unexpected guests arrive at Lucy and Connor's engagement party - Lucy's ex boyfriend, Ricky and his mother, Evangeline. Evangeline is determined that Ricky will be Lucy's future husband. Nothing is going to stop her expect for the murder of her husband.

This is one of my favorite series. I love the characters and the setting. Plus I'd love to live in an apartment over a library. I like how Louise Jane who started out as Lucy's rival has became a friend.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another delightful visit to the lighthouse library. Our lovely protagonist is engaged. Many changes will be occurring in her life, but first she needs to solve another murder mystery. A charming and engaging tale. Adorable dog and cat. I look forward to reading her further adventures. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

This is a series I really enjoy and this book is no exception. Lucy is the amateur sleuth and usually ends up in situations. This one happens at a family and friend get together to celebrate Lucy and Connors engagement. See all the things that happen a long the to finding the person who done it. I never know until the end .A GOOD READ.

As Lucy and Connor’s engagement party winds to an end Lucy’s ex-fiancé and mother show up. Ricky seems to want Lucy back. Later in the week as the families join for dinner, Rick – Ricky’s father and Lucy’s father’s law partner – is found dead. Who killed Rick who wasn’t even supposed to be here?

I enjoyed this book in the series. I love the characters and the library setting. Connor and Lucy get a great surprise at the end.

Another good addition to this series.
Even if it's not my favorite I enjoyed it and think it's entertaining.
I was happy to learn something more about Lucy's life and catch up with the characters.
The mystery is full of twists and turns and kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment because I want to know what will be next.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love visiting the Outer Banks and Bodie Island Lighthouse in the guise of a Lighthouse Library Mystery. This is the 8th and it starts off with an engagement party for Lucy and Connor.
We meet Ricky or Richard the third Lewiston for the first time. He was the reason behind Lucy coming to Nags Head in the first place. He doesn’t improve on personal acquaintance.
The body in this mystery belongs to Rich or Richard Lewiston II. Neither Evangeline or Ricky are very broken up about his death, which makes them fine suspects.
I love the setting. I love the main cast - Aunt Ellen, Uncle Amos, Josie, Jake, Butch, Connor and the library crew. I’m still not sure about Louise Jane and Theodore, but I suppose the stories wouldn’t be as quirky without them.
I am highly in favor of reading this series in order. The relationships build and there are details from past books that help to flavor the events in this one. I will admit that you could follow the story f8ne without having read the others but I still argue the enjoyment would be less.
This story is just about perfect. The villain makes sense but is not expected.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication.

This is part of an ongoing series that I hadn’t had the opportunity to read from the beginning. I was pleased to find that it easily can be read as a standalone. After reading this book, I now want to go back and read the series from the beginning so I can see how it all began. The characters are well developed and engaging. The setting of having a library located in a functioning lighthouse is so unique and just what a book lover would find enchanting.

Lucy Richardson is planning her wedding to Connor McNeil but the bells that should be ringing are clanging a very off key note. Lucy's mother has other ideas and they involve Lucy's ex - the mother's want Lucy walking down the aisle with Ricky.....not Connor. Can Lucy and Connor say I do as planned?
If that isn't enough of a challenge a killer arrives on the scene and it has ties to Lucy's past in Boston. I won't say any more for fear of spoilers.
Best read in order - IMHO but works as a stand alone if you are new to the series. The setting of the Outer Banks and the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library makes for a great reading escape. Add wonderful characters and a solid mystery complete with the needed twists, turns and red herrings and you have a five star mystery in a five star series.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.