Death by Beach Read
A Lighthouse Library Mystery
by: Eva Gates
narrator: Elise Arsenault
Dreamscape Media
Pub Date: June 07, 2022
Mystery & Thrillers

Ninth in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, Death by Beach Read is cozy, atmospheric, and suspenseful. Amid the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, a historic cottage in Nags Head Beach harbors secrets and intrigue for new owners Lucy and her Mayor beau Connor. Their endearing and intuitive cat, Charles, is quite invested himself in solving a murder which happens in the cottage, along with Lucy and the entire community. Listening to this on audiobook was a real treat, thanks to Arsenault's appealing and expressive narration.

Her job at the Bodie Lighthouse Library plus planning her wedding keep Lucy busy, but life is interrupted as she works on solving the case of the mysterious dead body. Book and beach lovers will thrill with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore setting, plus a historical library and a Classic Novel Reading Club. I'd love a summertime visit to Nags Head to check out books from Lucy's Library and read them on a deck overlooking crashing waves, I'll gladly wait until the murder is solved, though!

Author Gates excels in providing details and descriptions of place which pull her readers in to the mystery and location. Narrator Arsenault is on point with her vocal performance, adding the perfect tone and richness. I had not read other books in this series, but felt this book could serve as a standalone. Like others, though, I would like to read the full set of books. I can't resist books featuring libraries, especially in such a gorgeous setting. This book will fit in nicely with the audiobook collections of cozy mystery audiobook listening fans.

Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the advance reader's audiobook copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
 #DeathbyBeachRead #NetGalley #EvaGates #DreamscapeMedia #EliseArsenault

This is my first Lighthouse Library Mystery book. I like that in the book there was a book club. This is a book that I got lost in, it was so enjoyable to listen to. I also liked the cat. Some people can tell early on who did the murder, I'm not one of those people so I was guessing til the end. I'm now going to have to go back and listen to the first eight books. My first Eva Gates novel is a good cozy mystery, I'll have to look at her other books as well.

This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the 9th book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. I love this series, and I have read the other books in this book series before picking up this book. I love the characters in this book. I loved the mystery/suspense in this book, but I did miss her living in the lighthouse. I hope the next book in this book series will have more of the lighthouse library in it. I am glad she has Charles the library cat at her new house. I cannot wait for her wedding. I did enjoy getting to know Connor's father. I did not guess the killer or who was messing with Lucy's house. Great Fun Read. I re-read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I really liked the narrator of the audiobook. I was kindly provided an e-copy and e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Crooked Lane Books) or author (Eva Gates) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I loved reading another Lighthouse library mystery, although this one wasn’t at the library! I am so happy to see Lucy and Conner together despite some people trying to start drama in their relationship. This was similar to Eva’s other books, but also unique in its own way!

Lucy works at the library in an old lighthouse on the beach at Nags Head, North Carolina. She is engaged to mayor and dentist, Connor, and they are remodeling a home on the beach filled with lots of past stories. Some swear there are ghosts. When Lucy is in the house alone, she experiences strange sights and sounds. When someone is found dead in the house the investigations begin.
The library cat, Charles, adds a lot to the story. I got a little tired of the busy body people in the town. This is a cozy mystery, and I would have liked a little more mystery and adventure. The narrator was excellent!

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates

I want to start off by saying this is the first book I read in the series so my perspective may be off compared to someone else who has read the whole series. I do believe though that reading out of order does not take away from the story.

Lucy and Connor move to their new house even though they are not married. They are renovating the new place and this is where this cozy mystery takes off. Lucy is a librarian in a lighthouse. How cool is that! Anyways during renovation they come home to find a body in the house. The house has it's own mysterious past. I forgot to mention that Connor is the mayor of the town.

Of course there is Charles the cat who has it's own character to the story. It was a light cozy mystery it was a fast pace read with a little bit of mystery. What I thought was missing the light humor that is sprinkled in this cozy felt a little bit more serious than other cozies in my opinion.

Elise Arsenault narrated this audio book and did a great job distinguishing each character bring them to life in this cozy.

I recommend this to anyone who likes a light cozy mystery. I am rating this 4 stars the only thing that I thought was lacking was a bit more humor to lighten up this serious cozy. I do plan on going back and reading the other installments of this series it seems to be well worth the read for cozy lovers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for a free audio version of this book for an honest review.

Death by Beach Read was a fun cozy mystery. I didn't realize this was a book in a series until I was well engrossed in the story. Though there are characters from previous books that are included in Death by Beach Read, it was easy enough to enjoy as a stand alone. Lucy and her fiancé, Connor, are renovating an older home on the beach. This house has a rich history, including tales of ghosts and hauntings. Lucy and Connor don't believe in the tales, until they find a dead stranger in their kitchen. Lucy, a local librarian, decides she has to prove that the death was not caused by a ghost or anything supernatural. As she continues her investigation, more and more strange and mysterious occurrences happen.
I was given an ARC of this audiobook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #evagates #lighthousemysteries #deathbybeachread #cozymysteries

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Death by Beach Read is the 9th book in the series. I did not read the first 8 and I maybe that would have helped me like this book more but that’s doubtful. I didn’t like the main character of Lucy who came off as a know it all and better than everyone . The other minor characters were underdeveloped or just annoying. The mystery seemed forgotten and the end was predictable. I just reviewed Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates. #DeathbyBeachRead #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This series has such a wonderful setting with Lucy living and working in the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. All the previous books were set in the library with a few excursions out but mostly centered in the library. At some point a series must grow and items that worked well together have to be separated. I missed the library in this one as it wasn’t prominently featured, instead focusing on Lucy and the house she has purchased with her fiancé, Connor and I feel it lost a lot of its charm. The mystery was interesting but never quite caught my interest. I hope the series returns to the library.

Audio was well done, no issues

This was a cute story with nice characters....narrator was good. Nothing gripping that makes me want to go read the whole series.

This is the ninth addition to the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I have not read any books in this series and found that this book can stand alone. I was engaged from the beginning and didn’t want to stop listening. I found the characters to be well-developed and, for the most part, realistic. The setting was easy to imagine and sounds lovely. The plot moves at a steady pace. The subplots of the various characters are also interesting. I will definitely go back to book one and reading this series. I recommend this book.

Was pleasantly surprised to find out this is the 9th book in the series. One can definitely read as a standalone. A cozy mystery set in a small town in the Outer Banks. Lucy, a librarian and her finance Connor, the mayor and part time dentist bought their dream home fixer upper. Luckily her future to be father in law is a retired handyman and so Connor has also experience in fixing things. Shortly after moving in Lucy who is alone in the house hears noises above her and the next night again, but all is secure and the stairs are boarded up. When Connor returns home and Lucy tells him, they go to search upstairs only to find a dead body in the pantry where the attic stairs slide down. Finding out later the dead man is the brother of the family that had sold them the house.
Now there is the mystery of why he was breaking in, and the old rumor of hidden treasures. Great page turner who done it mystery! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #DeathbyBeachRead

This is the first book I have read in this cozy mystery series and I can’t wait to read the rest! I loved the audiobook performance and the storyline - filled with a hero cat, library events and a whole lot of “who done it” mystery this was a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, I got my hands on an audio copy of this one early! I’ve been waiting for this next installment of this series and it did not disappoint.

This is book 9, but I’d say they could be read as standalones if you weren’t into a series. Out of order wouldn’t work since the timeline of the books flows perfectly, but each case that’s the center of the book is different. Just something to keep in mind.

In this one we follow Lucy when she moves out of the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and into the house she’s recently purchased with her fiancé, the mayor, Connor. If your up on the series, you know Lucy has a habit of tripping over bodies and this one is no different. As usual, Lucy sticks her nose in to help solve the crime and all kinds of things happen.

This a pretty typical cozy mystery series. It’s lighthearted and quick - easily binge-able. This installment was great, I loved it. I mean, a lighthouse library??? Yes please.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I enjoyed the audio version of this Lighthouse Library Mystery series. This was #9 and although I have not read or listened to the first 8, I was able to follow the characters and storyline and enjoy it. It would have probably been better if I had read the first 8, just for more details, but I do not believe I got lost in any of it. The narrator had a pleasant voice and it was easy to tell the different characters. The main character is Lucy, a librarian at the Outer Banks on the coast of North Carolina and I liked the details given about the area. This was a cute story and interesting audiobook. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review it.

Death by Beach read attracted me for two reasons...

First- I love beach reads. I look forward to each Spring when they start hitting the shelves of my local bookstore. There is something cozy about a beach cottage, which most have, or a vacation spot in a tropical locale. I also love the covers, the blue of the water and the sky, and the sandy beaches. Blame it on an idyllic childhood spent living in those types of places and now being stuck smack in the middle of the states with no ocean near me.

Secondly- there is a library in an old lighthouse ...I want one of those!

I noticed after I started the audio that this was the ninth book in a series called Lighthouse Library Mystery. It scared me just a bit...I mean nine books in...what have I missed and what would I not understand?
There were slight mentions of other cases, but it did not interfere or hinder my reading in any way, it just kind of let me know that she had been involved in case solving in the past.

The setting of the book was one of my favorite parts of the story, Gates writes descriptions of the Nag Head and Outer Banks that will immediately transport you to the area. Imagine a quaint charming beach town in a Hallmark movie. Or..maybe it is just me and I have spent too much time watching movies!

The story itself is simple and charming. Lucy, who is the librarian in the lighthouse, and her fiance Conner have finally bought their dream house, a cute beach cottage that they have begun to renovate. But they find someone murdered in their house and it also appears to be haunted. Lucy sets out with her cat sidekick Charlie to solve the crime.

Death by Beach Read is a quick read, the mystery felt well planned, and the author wrote a fun story. It is cozy of course so do not expect any shock and awe here.

I listened to this on audio and for the most part, enjoyed the narration, but I found after a while that the narrator overdone southern accent became a bit irritating like your memaw had put way too much sugar in that pitcher of tea, it was a bit thick and syrupy. I moved past it however and finished the book in a day while tidying up my yard.

Throw this one in your beach bag if you enjoy haunted houses, cats, coastal locations, and just simple entertaining reads.

A cozy mystery with so many of my favorite things! From libraries to light houses to home renovations, this book had so many of the cozy things that I find so much joy in. Just like the title says, this would be a great beach read and was a great pallet cleanser between the more suspenseful thrillers that I read regularly. This is a great option if you’re looking for a mystery that is more light-hearted and a quick read. I’m rating this as 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4!

I listened to this as an audiobook and found the narrator to very slow but otherwise was pleased with her performance.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Eva Gates for allowing me to listen to this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Death by Beach Read has perhaps a bit of a slow start, but it picks up within a few chapters, and soon we are back to our friends at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and Nags Head, North Carolina.

The focus on Lucy and Connor’s new house is an engaging setup, and keeping the entire episode there expands the locale of the series significantly. The mystery is woven well into the richer, deeper ongoing saga, even if a couple of the characters and elements of the backstory seem a bit forced. Overall, Death by Beach Read is a satisfying visit to the shore, and I look forward to returning soon.

Audio: As the narrator for earlier books in the series, Elise Arsenault is comfortable in the style and characters, which makes a comfortable experience for the listener. I was able to marathon listen as I relaxed, perfect for a summertime release.

Thank you to Eva Gates, EliS Arsenault, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Lucy Richardson mystery and certainly not the last! I have already gone and gotten copies of the backlist.

Lucy's character is perfect for a cozy mystery, a librarian on a hunt to find out who murdered the man in her secret crawlspace. Unlike some cozies, she was not over-the-top, too innocent, or extremely prim and proper. She is a real, 2022 character. As an ex-librarian myself, this felt like such a great story to be enveloped in and I wished I could solve crimes with her!

I received an audio ARC, and I have to say that the narrator is excellent! Her choice of tone for some male characters was ..interesting, but not enough to make me avoid the other audiobooks.