The book opens on Lucy & Connor’s beachside engagement party which goes from wonderful to awkward real quick. The arrival of Lucy’s ex & his mother is shocking to say the least. This time Lucy the murder doesn’t involve the library finally but she still gets caught up with trying to solve the mystery. Eight books in & reading this is like coming back to a familiar place & friends. The fact that it surrounds a library set in a lighthouse, is the cherry on top. I like that Lucy’s life is changing, she’s getting married & moving. I enjoyed the book, dealing with the people & the life Lucy left behind before she came to find her place in Nags Head. This is another one win for me, the series has stayed fresh & if I’m honest I like the later books even more than the first ones. I definitely recommend the book & the series as a whole. Can’t wait for the next one!

I love this Lighthouse Library series, and each book just gets better. The mystery in this plot was very good and I loved revisiting with my favorite characters., especially Charles. And now Charles has a new friend!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The eighth in the Lighthouse Library mystery series this book is well plotted and offers another satisfying conclusion The setting, The Outer Banks of North Carolina, is beautiful as always, and the characters are a combination of old and new friends mixed in with a few frenemies. There are relationships that have grown and changed over the series, so readers who prefer series books may want to start with the first book in the series before taking up this one. The mystery itself is complete within this book, so can also be enjoyed as a stand alone..
This story begins with a beach party to celebrate Lucy’s engagement to Connor. to which her parents have come to celebrate. Pushing their way into this family time are Evangeline and Ricky. She’s the wife of Lucy’s dad’s law partner and he’s their son. Lucy and Ricky dated years ago when she lived in Boston and now Evangeline wants to convince Lucy to throw over Connor, her fiance, and marry Ricky.
Evangeline comes across as the nightmare mother/mother-in-law. She is accustomed to always get her way, . She wastes no time starting to push Ricky toward Lucy in her blatant attempt to get them back together. regardless of a lack of interest from Lucy or Ricky. It begins to unfold that her motivation is to rescue the law firm owned by the two fathers and provide cover for some shady dealings by Ricky's father.
At a dinner arranged by Evangeline supposedly to celebrate Lucy’s engagement arguments break out and people scatter. Not long after,a scream is heard and everyone rushes to the kitchen door where a body has been found. As more orderly conduct returns, Lucy looks down at the body and realize it's that of Ricky’s father.
.As the investigation begins, Lucy learns both Ricky’s father and his mother have each made numerous trips to the Outer Banks by themselves. Ricky's father always said his trips were to entertain clients, which now is in question. The trips made by Ricky's mother were all in secret and Lucy is curious about what motivated these trips.
Lucy gets drawn into the mystery while at the same time trying to let the police handle it There is a delightful mix of investigation on Lucy’s part, a little suspense regarding threats she receives, and the continuing story of her relationship with Connor. Overall, it is a pleasant vacation of a read, with just enough sand and surf along with a tightly plotted mystery and investigation to please almost any cozy mystery lover.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book for review.

This story takes place on the Outer Banks-of North Carolina, nearCoquina Beach part of the Hatteras Natural Seashore. Connor and Lucy just got engaged and her cousinJosie throws them an engagement part on Coquina Beach. Lucy works at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and lives on the 4th floor. Connor is Mayor and also a dentist. When Richard Eric Lewiston the third and his mom Evangeline with her bichon frise dog make a surprise appearance at the beach. A day later everyone goes to dinner at Jake’s Seafood Bar. When everyone was sitting down for a while things got heated and Evangelina and Ricky decide to leave. But when a body is found at the restaurant’s kitchen door , Lucy is forced to unwillingly put her detective’s skills to work and do what she can to save her family and her engagement meanwhile, the classic novel reading club is reading The Hound of the Baskerville and open war breaks out in the lighthouse library. Lucy takes in Fluffy the dog cause of to much barking at the hotel but Charles the library cat has other ideas. Fluffy ends up saving Lucy from the killer and the police come to make the arrest. Then everyone is able to return to Boston to figure out why the murder happened.

Number 8 in the series. It was fantastic! The author comes up with the neatest characters and within the book, one gets to really feel like they know the characters well. I really enjoyed this story line. It was fun 'meeting' the characters from Lucy's past. Louise Jane was great, as usual. I like how the book ended, lots of fun new adventures to come. Can't wait for #9.

This cozy mystery series is one of my absolute favorites. (To be fair, I am a librarian, so...) I feel like the entries get stronger with each book, which is nice to see, because that's not always the case.

Lucy and Connor are engaged, and, of course, their engagement party is the scene of drama. First, Lucy's ex, Ricky, shows up, and then a dead body shows up; I'll let you guess which Lucy is happier to see.

This is a good mystery with a couple of twists and turns that makes it very fun and satisfying. The library staff does its library thing; the local detective does his thing; and Lucy does her thing.

I am really sad about Lucy no longer living in the lighthouse, but I've no doubt that Gates has plans for the lighthouse aerie that will be spectacular.

Lucy and Conner are celebrating their engagement on the beach on the Outer Banks with friends and family. All is going well. But Lucy has two unexpected guests. Her ex-fiance Ricky and his mother, Evangeline.
Lucy soon finds out that Evangeline wants her son, Ricky to get back with Lucy.
There is another unexpected visitor but this person shows up dead behind Jakes restaurant.
Lucy being Lucy is soon investigating.
I loved reading this book and found myself not wanting to finish. I tried to guess who the guilty person was but just couldn't. And this is what made this a wonderful mystery.

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

I love this series. In fact, I think it is my favorite of all the series I read but it seems to be winding down and I am left wondering if there will be another installment or if we leave Lucy and Connor to grow old together. Only time will tell.

Many thanks to Kensington, NetGalley and Ms. Gates for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy's parents visit the Outer Banks in preparation for Lucy and Connor's upcoming wedding. Evangeline and Ricky, the wife and son of her father's business partner, also visit Nags Head. When the business partner everyone thought remained in Boston turns up dead outside Jake's restaurant, the investigation extends beyond Nags Head to Boston in search of a motive. In other story lines, a couple of British researchers keep Charlene busy in the rare books room, and Connor and Lucy search for a home they can call their own. I fear including more summarization would reveal spoilers. This installment marks some changes that will occur in the lighthouse library's story. The reader can't help but wonder how these changes may affect the series' charm, but it still shows promise to remain an outstanding series. I received an an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DEADLY EVER AFTER, the eighth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, by Eva Gates, is another delightful addition to an engaging (pun intended) series! Protagonist, Lucy Richardson, is celebrating her engagement to Mayor Connor McNeil when who should show up, but her ex-almost- fiancé, who wants to reconnect. Making matters worse is Lucy’s ex-almost-mother-in-law, Evangeline, and her own mother wanting the union to happen between their two children. The author builds tension in each scene and uses it to move toward the murder of Evangeline’s husband. The creative twists in setting the mystery up and then planting clues for the sharp reader to follow is the hallmark of Ms. Gates’ strong writing style. Her descriptive voice in bringing the characters and setting to life, makes each book feel like visiting old friends!

Witty, enjoyable read like a cozy mystery book should read. Characters who make you laugh, you find relatable and enjoy their story make it that much more enjoyable.

I love the Lighthouse Library Mystery series! It is one of my favorite cozy mysteries with likable characters, family, friendship, and a little romance. Deadly Ever After is the 8th book in the series. Lucy is a librarian in the made up Bodie Island Lighthouse library, which is a fun idea. Lucy's and Connor's families and friends gather to celebrate their engagement. Lucy's ex- boyfriend, Ricky, and his mother, Evangeline show up near the end of the party along with their dog, Fluffy.. Evangeline wants Ricky and Lucy to get back together which is awkward but isn't going to happen. Evangeline's husband Rich is also Lucy's father's Law practice co-owner. A body is found outside Jake's Seafood Restaurant after a dinner they all attend. Lucy works with the police a little to track down clues. Lucy and Connor are looking for a house to buy together which adds to the story. I suspected who the culprit was but wasn't sure until the end. The ending was similar to at least one other book, but it is all still interesting. The characters are what makes this series so enjoyable. #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #DeadlyEverAfter

I'd like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I love cozy mysteries and have actually followed this series since the beginning. I was excited to receive a copy for early review. All cozy mysteries are cute, light and build their own little worlds. This series is no different. Overall I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't a favorite of mine in the series. At times it felt a bit slow, and maybe too much wedding talk. But maybe someone younger, thinking about their own wedding would enjoy it much more. I don't think it would really work as a stand alone book, I think the reader would miss out on some of the little in jokes and character traits if they hadn't followed from earlier books, but they are easy to read and enjoyable.

I love cozies and this one did not disappoint. Lucy and Connor are engaged. Her friends throw them an engagement party. There are some surprise guests, including Lucy's parents (good) and a former almost ex-fiance and his mother (bad). Ricky is the old boyfriend and Evangeline is his mother. Evangeline crashed the party in hopes and reuniting Ricky and Lucy. Things are not going her way. A last ditch effort is to invite Connor, Lucy, and her family to a nice restaurant. Ricky disappears and Evangeline gets a headache. As the rest of the party leaves, they stumble upon a body. Lucy really tries to stay out of the investigation, but when it turns more personal, how can she not.

I enjoy this authors style of writing. It is easy to read and flows easily. There are plenty of suspects and some red herrings. I love Lucy and all the other characters. This story makes for an enjoyable escape.

Another wonderful visit with Lucy and the gang at the Lighthouse Library. The setting of this book could not be more charming. Who wouldn't love a library housed in a working lighthouse? This is the eighth book in the series and I've read them all. I would guess this book is best enjoyed when read as part of the series. And you won't regret starting with number one. This is one of my top five favorite cozy mystery series and never disappoints.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the 8th book in the Lighthouse Library series.
As Lucy and her fiancé are celebrating their engagement, an ex-boyfriend Richard (Ricky) and his mother Evangeline crash the party. Evangeline is married to a partner in the law firm of Lucy's father and Ricky is also employed there. Evangeline is hoping that Lucy will resume her relationship with Ricky.
After a dinner party thrown by Evangeline held at Jake's Seafood Bar with Lucy, Connor and her parents as guests, a body is found outside the restaurant's kitchen door. The body is identified as Evangeline's husband. No one knows why he was in the area nor who would want to murder him. Does it have to do with his trouble at the law firm?
Lucy will have to investigate the murder in order for Evangeline and Ricky to return home.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

I love cozy mysteries for their quirky characters, funny/unbelievable situations, and reluctant heroes who must save the day or solve the crime. This one was a pure delight, and a lot of fun. I love characters who aren't mean-spirited, even when they have every right to be (EVANGELINE SHOWING UP!)

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have not read anything by Eva Gates before, and this is number 8 in the series.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse Librarian Lucy Richardson and Mayor/dentist Connor McNeil have announced their engagement. Lucy's cousin Josie conducts an engagement party for the two, mainly just friends and family, when two unexpected people arrive. Lucy's ex-fiancée Richard Eric Lewiston III and his mother Evangeline, a pushy and overbearing Boston socialite who believe Ricky and Lucy are meant to be. In the hopes of getting Lucy to see the error of her ways, Evangeline throws a dinner party of her own at Jake's Seafood Bar. Unfortunately, a body is found outside the kitchen door, and Lucy must don her amateur detective hat. While investigating, the book club starts reading The Hound of the Baskervilles and Lucy has temporary custody of a small dog named Fluffy. Charles, the librarian cat, is not a fan.

I really liked this story. I would not recommend this novel as a standalone. There are references to past books, but nothing that overly affects this novel. The references are more like vague ghostly gestures, however if readers are like me and want to watch character development as well as the various developments than starting at the beginning is best. The romance of the novel never overrode the main plot of the novel, which was my favorite part. It flowed seamlessly throughout the novel as an extra piece in the lives of everyone.

The main mystery was well-written and never once felt rushed. I felt that the clues were well placed and spread out smoothly like in a play. I will admit I had a suspicion about the murder but it wasn't until later in the novel, so it didn't jump out right away. It also wasn't overly graphic, but it wasn't boring either. It was the quintessential cozy mystery.

I also liked the parallels between The Hound of the Baskervilles and this novel. Again, it wasn't over powering and this isn't a normal pastiche, but it was interwoven quite beautifully. I especially liked the addition of the small fluff dog adequately named Fluffy.

Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars, and plan to read the early books in order.

I really love this cozy mystery series, it is one of my absolute favorites. This upcoming volume lived up to the quality I expect from this series. There is something magical about the idea of a library being inside of a lighthouse and who doesn’t love a library cat. The book starts with Connor and Lucy having an engagement party and as things are wrapping up her ex-boyfriend Ricky and his mother show up officially to congratulate her on her engagement and unofficially to break her and Connor up so Lucy can marry Ricky. Of course the whole group gets caught up when someone is murdered outside the restaurant they are having dinner in. The main mystery of the murder was well-written. There were a couple of other twists that were a bit more predictable, but overall this book was very enjoyable. I appreciate the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an advanced electronic copy so I could provide this honest review.

This is such a fun series, and I had a great time with this cozy mystery. I loved the plot, the twists and turns, and the characters!