I have really enjoyed the books in the Lighthouse Library series by Eva Gates. The characters are richly developed and I have come to love Lucy and Connor and the other people on the Outer Banks of NC. There are lots of twists and turns as you travel through the pages and uncover random clues to the murder mystery. Though I know there is not really a library in the Bodie Island Lighthouse, I can envision one and would love to either visit one or have the opportunity to work in a lighthouse library. I guess I can add that to my bucket list! Charles, Lucy’s library cat, plays a major role in the resolution of the “whodunit.” I was cheering him on! Eva Gates does a great job writing cozy mysteries and I can’t wait for the next adventure with the Outer Banks gang.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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This series is a must-read for me!
I love how the characters are developing as the series progresses, and I hope there are more to come!

I enjoy traveling back to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with the Lighthouse Library mystery series. With great characters and great mysteries, this perfect for fans of the cozy mystery genre.

Lucy gets a call from her boss saying that a friend has disappeared right after a body was found at her wedding! Talk about a memorable occasion. Lucy sets out to find the real killer while continuing the wedding celebration weekend. Lucy has quite the knack for recalling tiny bits of information that lead to a break in the case. The quirky supporting characters add to the story. This is a fun but a bit more high end cozy mystery.

The author has again added an enjoyable book to her Lighthouse Cozy Mysteries series. Lucy McNeil (née Richardson) had been married at a well-planned ceremony followed by a great reception. As one might expect in an Eva Gates mystery, the reception ended with a murder. The victim was not very nice, but even he did not deserve to die.

With plenty of suspects, it would take the Nags Head Police Department with the help of amature sleuth Lucy McNeil days of hard work to find the responsible person. The library located on the Outer Banks along the North Carolina sea shore offered it clues along with a memorable setting for a wedding and/or vacation.

This reader’s attention was held in place - with multiple late nights trying to piece together the clues and find the right suspect. I have no problem giving the book 5-stars; I am sure others will as well. ______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Love this series. Has a great setting that takes place on the outer banks. Lots of details on the area. It has great characters and was a great cozy mystery. Hope there’s more in the series

I have been waiting for Lucy and Connor's wedding since practically the first book. Even when there was a bit of triangle starting, I was always rooting for Lucy and Connor. This book didn't disappoint. The mystery was great and very entertaining. Kept me guessing till the end.

Death Knell and Wedding Bells is the 10th installment in the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. However, it is the first book I have read in the series. I instantly liked Librarian Lucy and the cast of characters in this Nags Head, NC, cozy mystery.

The setting, the mystery surrounding a missing guest and murdered guest at her wedding, the nod to Sherlock Holmes, and characters all captured my attention and made for an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading this series from the start.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher due an advanced copy.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wedding is happening and everyone is pretty happy. Except for maybe a few bits of family tension but what wedding doesn't have a bit of that but things get a bit more tense when murder happens.

It seems that something might have went down at the reception that Lucy and Collin didn't know about, some people not gettin along, etc. Then they find one of the guest murdered and Bertie's friend Eddie is missing, things don't look good for Eddie.

So of course Lucy is going to try and figure out where has Eddie taken off too and who might have had motive to kill the victim. There was a few good suspects but I did find it a bit easy at least to me to figure out the killer but I still enjoyed it.

I like this series as the characters are a lot of fun, I love Lucy, the lighthouse library, the folks that work there, just everyone, even the annoying one has grown on me a bit. :)

If your a cozy fan give this series a try!

It's Lucy and Connor's wedding. The wedding is perfect and the reception. The morning after Lucy notices housekeeping struggling to open a door. She tries to help and they notice something lodged in the keyhole. Security is called and he doesn't want to call a locksmith. He runs and knocks down the door and they find a body. Aunt Joyce recognizes the body as her wedding date. Lucy starts asking questions.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the mystery and being able to follow clues with Lucy. I'm excited to read more about Lucy and friends.

What I liked:
* Charles. He really proves himself as the greatest cat ever in this book and I didn't know I could love him more than I already did.
* Teddy. His part of the story was very sweet and it was lovely to see.
* Edgar Allan Poe. Seriously. So awesome.
* Bertie and Eddie. It is simply lovely to see an older relationship handled so deftly.

What I didn't like [buckle up buttercup]:
* No wedding. Seriously. I have been reading for NINE BOOKS and we don't even get the wedding?? UGH. I have a feeling we only get the reception because it worked well for the plot. EPIC fail [IMO].
* The ugly family drama. It was really distasteful and IMO, not needed. It didn't advance the story [even though it was trying to, but more on that later] and was just yuck. I wanted to skip those parts every time they came onto the page.
* ALL the missing side characters. I missed them tremendously. The "new" people that were there for the "mystery" were no fun and just made me miss our regulars that much more.
* Louise Jane. I am never going to like her, but she is borderline desperate in this one and it wasn't a good look; she typically is just annoying, but this time, I was both annoyed and felt sorry for her.
* COULD the killer have been M O R E obvious?? I kept hoping I was wrong [when discussing this with the bestie, she said she kept hoping it was a red herring and that is perfect], but nope. It was one of the transparent mysteries I have read in a long time [and I am using the word mystery very loosely here] and I was left feeling very disappointed.
* I have never been a fan of how Lucy disregards everyone's concern for her safety, but it was more so in this one. She has just married Connor and she continues to blow off his concern and get involved in a way that comes perilously close to her not having to worry about her marriage anymore. I know that he knew this about her going in, but it has seemed to amp up and it, for some reason, really bothers me. It seems really disrespectful.

I have long had a love/dislike relationship with these books and when they are good, they are REALLY good and the the last two seem to have gone back to the meh of the first couple. It is very frustrating as a reader who has loved this author's other books - I WANT to love these, but it does seem to be getting harder and harder to do so.

And all that brings me to the audiobook. I tend to forget that I am not a fan of some narrators when they are doing cozies [but are really good in other genres] and such is the case here. I am just not a fan of the narrator in this series [I have listened to her reading other things and don't have an issue at all] for several reasons; she cannot stick to ONE ACCENT [she will be doing the southern thing for a character and then all of the sudden that slips and you are led to believe that a new character is speaking when in fact it is the same person, just without the accent they started with], she gets super breathy when things get tense [and things get TENSE in this one; I may have known who the killer was, but was not really ready for how they come after Lucy] and that kind of makes it weird. Like I said, I really like her reading other genres; this one is just not my favorite of hers. IF you are not bothered by these issues, then she will be fantastic for you!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Eva Gates, Elise Arsenault - Narrator, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for providing the eBook ARC and the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dollycas's Thoughts

The day has finally arrived. Connor and Lucy had a beautiful wedding and like most weddings there was a little bit of family drama but they are not going to let anything ruin their day.

Then Lucy gets a phone call from her boss and friend Bertie and she learns Bertie's plus one Eddie never came back to her house after the reception. Lucy tries her best to calm Bertie down and vows to reconnect the next day. But the next day a body is discovered. It's another plus one from Lucy's wedding and now the police really want to find Eddie. Could Bertie's friend be a killer? Are more of Connor and Lucy's guests in danger? Before Lucy can enjoy her wedded bliss she is going to have to find out but she knows it isn't going to be easy and it could be very dangerous.

____

This truly is one of my favorite series! The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is my fictional happy place. I love everything about it. Connor and Lucy's home is wonderful too. Ever since a vacation to North Carolina many years ago I have yearned to return. The books in the series always give me a nice little virtual vacation.

The author has created such fantastic characters. I was so excited for this wedding to take place. Lucy and Connor make a wonderful couple. I was sad that story didn't have the actual "I Do's" and that the day was marred by a murder but this is a mystery series and Ms. Gates has hit it out of the park with this one! A hotel full of suspects, a missing man, a new detective on the case, the twists, the turns. I couldn't put this book down. The final showdown was so exciting I was as out of breath as the involved parties.

With this being the 10th book in the series these characters have found a place in my heart. I enjoy each visit more than the last and each visit ends too soon. I do encourage you to read the series in order to really get to know the characters but this story can be read and enjoyed all on its own.

Death Knells and Wedding Bells is the second book this week that gave me a book hangover. Once I started reading I just couldn't stop. This book also receives my Paradise Rating and a spot on my Best Reads List for 2023. My bags are already packed for next year. Will readers be traveling with Lucy and Connor on their honeymoon? I can't wait to find out!

Hold onto your detective hats, folks, because Eva Gates' "Death Knells and Wedding Bells" serves up a delightful concoction of murder, mayhem, and matrimonial mishaps in this 10th installment of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. Librarian Lucy's dream wedding takes an unexpected turn when a guest goes missing, only to be discovered strangled in a locked closet. Now, Lucy must channel her inner sleuth and solve the case before her honeymoon is over.

The Outer Banks provides the picturesque backdrop for this comical yet thrilling tale. Gates skillfully weaves together a web of family tensions, quirky characters, and surprising connections, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Lucy's wedding day may not have gone as planned, but her determination to uncover the truth adds a delightful layer of excitement to the narrative.

What sets this series apart is its witty and endearing cast of characters. From Lucy's sharp wit to the lovable heroics of Charles, each member of the ensemble shines with unique quirks and charm. Gates effortlessly balances humor and suspense, creating a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will have readers both chuckling and on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a devoted fan or new to the series, "Death Knells and Wedding Bells" is a hilarious and captivating addition that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.

'Death Knells and Wedding Bells' is the 10th book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series but only the second I have read, the first one being book #7. Considering I have a lot of catching up to do, I did not find it hard to follow at all and this is one of those books that I couldn't find fault with at all.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Eva Gates (Vicki Delany) for the e-Arc of the book. The book published on June 6, 2023 and although I had finished reading it before the publication date, I got a bit delayed with sharing my thoughts.

The good news is that Lucy and Connor get married. The bad news is wedding guest is murdered. See y complete review on www.reviewingtheevidence.com.

Lucy and Conner had the perfect wedding. The 10th edition of Lighthouse Library mysteries begins with their perfect wedding reception. After the last toast they went home since their Paris honeymoon was postponed for a month. The next morning they attended a family brunch given by Lucy's mother. Still perfect, until it's not.

On the way to the ladies room, Lucy and her Aunt Joyce encounter a hotel maid trying to unlock a storage closet. They try to help her until the hotel manager kicks down the door. That's when they find the dead body of Aunt Joyce's 'plus one'.

The story revolves around the dead man's story, a few likely suspects and Lucy's efforts to solve the murder.

This is a great story in a great series. Highly recommended!

#DeathKnellsandWeddingBells

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This is a novel worthy of a happy sigh after reading the last page. The author has a winning collection of characters, including Lucy, the Lighthouse Library librarian, her new husband, Connor, quirky Louise Jane, and wedding guests. I love the ambiance of the lighthouse and its associated scents, sounds, and visuals as so beautifully described. I also appreciate the love and friendship shared by locals who contribute to the community.

Lucy is the right-hand librarian of Bertie, the library director, and Connor is a dentist with a successful practice who is serving his final term as mayor. As part of her employment, Lucy lived in the little apartment at the top of the lighthouse library. I couldn’t imagine a more exciting place to live and work! Lucy and Connor purchased and have been remodeling a classic home they both love.

Their wedding and reception were perfect. Lucy and Connor will go on their honeymoon the following month. Lucy’s Aunt Joyce, who she barely knew, was there with her friend, Wayne, from New York City. Wayne had too much to drink and wanted to go back to New York, so Joyce told him to find his own way back. Bertie was there with Eddie, a long-time friend and professor who claimed to not be feeling well, so they left early. Sam, the detective who Lucy has helped solve a few crimes with, was there with his wife.

The following morning, Bertie hesitantly called Lucy. Eddie was staying at her home while in town. When they returned there the night before, he realized he left something behind and took the cab back to the reception. Eddie did not return or even contact her, and Bertie was worried. Lucy and Connor were on their way to a post-wedding brunch at the hotel where their reception was held. Lucy asked people about Eddie, but nobody knew anything except that he left with Bertie.

Joyce arrived at the brunch without Wayne and made excuses for him. Joyce and Lucy tried to help a maid who was wrestling with a closet door, but there was a problem with the lock. Connor joined them, then the hotel manager finally kicked the door inside the closet. Underneath the downed door was something keeping it from lying flat. They found Joyce’s plus one, Wayne, underneath, murdered several hours earlier.

Sam was one of the first people on the scene, and a new detective on the force, North, joined him. North criticized Sam for being too close to these people and believing anything they told him. Over the next few days, he particularly complained about Sam listening to Lucy. He claimed Lucy had been stringing Sam and the town along for years with murders she instigated and solved for attention. Eddie’s disappearance made him the person of interest, and North acts as if she is hiding him.

It has been fun watching the primary characters grow over time. Lucy has been my favorite, with her cousin Josie and Aunt Ellen being close seconds with Charles, the library cat. The incredibly quirky Louise Jane has even changed for the better. She still claims the lighthouse, where she now lives, is haunted, as are many places in the area. Louise Jane is an assistant to the research librarian, and is finally friendly towards Lucy. Sufficient backstory is given on the characters so new readers can feel a part of the story.

I enjoyed every step of watching Lucy and her friends try to solve this murder and Eddie’s disappearance, for both Bertie and Eddie. Whenever Lucy decided to let the police handle it, a new clue would surface and tease her back at it. Plot twists kept this already fast-paced mystery gaining momentum as several suspects came to light. This was a very challenging puzzle for me! I was so surprised to see who did it – someone I had considered, then discarded, several times. I highly recommend this book, and its series!

This long-running series will make you long to visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The local color is terrific, and the main characters are interesting, not just stereotypes. That being said, I wasn’t totally engaged in this particular mystery. Lucy and Connor finally get married and the next day, they find out that a guest (a “plus one”) has been murdered. There’s very little of the Lighthouse Library in this particular story, and lots and lots of characters to keep straight, right from the beginning of the book. Even though I’ve read the most recent two in the series (numbers 8 and 9 - this one is number 10), I was still a bit lost with all the relationships. There was a lot of family drama in this one too, which wasn’t particularly appealing.

Nevertheless, Lucy does a great job with her amateur sleuthing, putting together clues and letting the local police know what she’s discovered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. Since I was a bit late to it, I bounced between the ebook and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. Elise Arsenault did a good job with the narration, using a variety of accents for the different characters.

All opinions are my own.

Death Knells 6/6-6/9

3.5 stars

Pro:
* good narration
* Familiar friends, the library, Charles
* Nods towards Poe’s work
* Book club
Con:
* too many characters too soon at the beginning
* Formulaic in places
* Mystery is too easy to solve.
* Familiar friends don’t have much of their expected quirk/endearing limelight.

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