DEATH KNELLS AND WEDDING BELLS is the tenth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates. While it can be read as a standalone for the excellent mystery, if you enjoy really getting to know characters, you’ll want to start with the first book and read them in order. In this newest release, the protagonist, Lucy, had finally married Connor. I was pleased that the author gets right to the setup of the conflict leading to the crime. And conflict aplenty shows up at Lucy’s wedding reception and continues through to the morning after brunch. There are so many wonderful characters and I enjoyed getting to know Lucy’s family better. I especially liked that the head librarian, Lucy’s boss, Bertie, figures prominently in the story.

When one of the wedding guests is murdered, the police focus on Bertie’s special friend, Eddie. Too many people witnessed their argument at the wedding and now Eddie seems to have disappeared. I love Lucy’s helpful nature and she is quick to help Bertie find Eddie. Except it’s not as easy as they hope. With twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and plenty of suspects—thanks to a crowd of wedding guests—I was glued to the pages. Ms. Gates knows how to plot a mystery and the clues sprinkled throughout will keep the armchair detective on their toes. With a hair-raising reveal—I loved that Charles, the library cat, got in on the action—all the threads of the multi-faceted story came together. This highly anticipated book lived up to my expectations and has me counting down the days until the next book is released.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates has readers returning to Nags Head, North Carolina for Lucy and Connor’s wedding. I like how everyone (family, friends, co-workers, and even a soon-to-be ex-wife) came together for the couple’s wedding. There was a wrinkle or two during the day, but it was overall a wonderful wedding day which Lucy and Connor deserved. The murder of Aunt Joyce’s plus one casts a shadow on the wedding weekend. I know Lucy was enjoying her wedding weekend, but I have a feeling that a murder was icing on the cake (she loves solving a whodunit). The force’s newest detective, Detective North, is not happy with Lucy’s sleuthing and is vocal in expressing his displeasure to Detective Sam Watson. The mystery was straightforward. It is a whodunit that can easily be solved early in the book. I did, though, enjoy following Lucy as she questioned people and searched for clues. I love Charlie’s role in the takedown. I could envision the scene in my head and it had me laughing. Eva Gates has created a great cast of characters for this series. I like Lucy’s curiosity. She has questions and Lucy likes to get answers. Lucy is a natural born sleuth. It is also what makes her a good librarian. I like how the characters are there for each other. Bertie may be Lucy’s boss, but she is also a friend. The same goes for the rest of Lucy’s coworkers. I understand Lucy’s motivation for wanting to help Bertie’s plus one, Eddie. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Nags Head, Lucy and Connor’s new home, and Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. I like how the author likens the library to the TARDIS. There is no way the lighthouse could be big enough to house the library and Lucy’s Lighthouse Aerie (now Louise Jane’s). It gives readers a chance to use their imagination (I see this regular lighthouse on the outside with a beautiful, big library on the inside). Death Knells and Wedding Bells is the tenth A Lighthouse Library Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but new readers will struggle in the beginning (gets easier the further you get into the story). I did find the pacing a little slow at times, especially in the beginning. In addition, there is repetition of information (case details, background on suspects and victim). Overall, though, I enjoyed my latest trip to the Outer Banks, and I am looking forward to my next visit. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story. Louise Jane provides several mirthful moments. I enjoyed the book club discussions about Edgar Allan Poe’s stories (A Tell-Tale Heart is my favorite). I like how the death of Aunt Joyce’s plus one related to The Cask of Amontillado. Death Knells and Wedding Bells takes readers to the Outer Banks with beautiful beaches, jovial nuptials, a snuffed out plus one, an absent date, a single-minded detective, and a probing bride.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read & review this title. This is the second book in this series that I've read, and I found it enjoyable.

Family and loved ones have gathered in Nags Head for the nuptials of Lucy and Connor. Everything is perfect until one of the guests is found murdered in the hotel the morning after the wedding. Lucy tries not to investigate but is drawn in after suspicion falls on the beau of a friend. Throw in a little family drama, and you've got yourself a fun read.

The characters are great in this series, especially Lucy's family and Louise Jane. I love the combination of library and small beach town. The mystery is intriguing and multilayered. All in all, it is a fun read. I plan to read more of this series. The sense of community is strong in this one, and I like that. There are moments when I question Lucy and why she does things, but it is not often and overall doesn't detract from the story.

My opinions are solely mine and are honestly and freely given.

I was so excited to receive an ARC for this installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries and while I enjoyed my reading experience I had a few things that I wish had been done differently. One of my main gripes is the lack of interaction with some of Lucy's friends, family and coworkers; It made her feel very isolated during the mystery. I also wish we would have seen more of the lead up to the wedding and the wedding activities of Lucy and Connor. With nine books leading them to become husband and wife it would have been nice to have more of a glimpse into the I do's.

Like many of the previous mysteries I was unable to solve all parts of the who and why before the ending reveal which is always a nice surprise. Overall, I will continue to recommend the author and series to other cozy mystery fans and look forward to reading whatever comes next for Lucy, Connor and Charles.

The Lighthouse Library series has to be one of the most consistent cozy mystery series available!
Lucy and Connor are finally married, but of course, there is a murder that involves their wedding. It's a challenge wading through tricky family dynamics and friendships, and there is a new detective in town. With library cat Charles by her side, Lucy is once again on the case.
This is another well written novel by Eva Gates - it moves well, we have an entertaining cast of characters, and a wedding is a perfect setting for a murder. I missed the setting of the lighthouse library - Lucy still works there, but it was not as prominently featured in this novel.
I hope this series continues - I look forward to reading a new book every year!
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for review.

Title: Death Knells and Wedding Bells
Author: Eva Gates
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publishing Date: June 6, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
****
Lucy and Connor are getting married! The wedding...the food...the family drama...and murder. What more could you possibly need for a highly entertaining wedding ceremony, er...cozy mystery. LOL. I adored everything about this book. I was kept highly entertained throughout the whole book.

One of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love the thought of a library in a lighthouse. So fun!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Lucy and Connor have finally had their wedding! But this being Lucy, a corpse turns up the next day and she must investigate (against Connor's wishes but with the help of Charles the cat). Wayne was the plus one of her aunt Joyce, a woman she doesn't know well. Her boss Bertie is worried because her pal Eddie seems to have disappeared. Are the two connected? Of course they are! Oh and Lucy has to run the library and the book club is reading Poe (I always like how Gates weaves bits of other novels into the story). It's classic cozy stuff but I'll suggest gently that it might be a bit of a struggle for those who haven't read the earlier books. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This is the 10th book in the series and I have loved every one! A library in a lighthouse and lots of fun characters always keeps my interest. This time Lucy and Connor are getting married and of course along comes a dead body. I was gifted an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Story of the book-

The ideal Outer Banks wedding was just what Lucy and Connor had envisioned. The late spring weather made for a gorgeous day, the food was delectable, and everyone had a nice time until one of the visitors vanished, aside from the usual rumblings of familial tensions. Bertie James, Lucy’s supervisor, calls her before she can look forward to the remainder of her life at Nags Head and the job she conducts at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. After the celebration, Bertie’s pal Eddie never returned home.

Lucy doesn’t first take it seriously since, sometimes, wedding guests just have too much fun. However, when she finds a dead wedding guest strangled in a closed wardrobe, things soon turn dark. The police then start questioning Eddie as a result. Before it’s too late for Bertie’s pal and the rest of her wedding guests, Lucy must determine if the two are related. Lucy wonders if the maestro of the macabre can aid her inquiry or if the search for the killer’s identity will remain nothing more than a mystery as the Classic Novel Reading Club reads the Selected Works of Edgar Allen Poe.

My review-

I had a hunch about who could be hiding something throughout the majority of the tale, and it turned out to be accurate. But in the midst, I made a few mistakes. For me, the middle of this novel lagged a little bit more. I also had a rather indifferent attitude about the wedding because Connor never fails to let me down. Because of the evocative backdrop, the reader is immediately taken to North Carolina’s seashore. The author of this novel develops several subplots that cause readers to make false assumptions, but she ultimately solves the mystery in a way that surprises them and holds their interest until the very end.

The remainder of the novels in this series will be read by me because I liked this one so much. Although I haven’t read any of the other novels in this series, I found this one to be a nice, jovial cozy mystery. I related to Lucy as a person because I liked that she was a librarian and that she talked about books and a book club. Realistic and relatable personalities are present. Lucy is fighting to keep out of the probe, and you can sense it.

The mystery is packed with twists and turns to keep you wondering. I had no reason to suspect the murderer. This series is well-written, and each book seems like a visit with an old friend thanks to a strong female heroine, a cute cat, and fantastic supporting characters. For Lucy, Connor, and the rest of the team to be able to discover a lot more secrets in the future, I hope to see more stories in this series. The Lighthouse Library is the place to go for readers who prefer returning to a setting and cast of familiar characters or who just enjoy a mystery with literary overtones.

This is a very good addition to this series! The setting is beautifully described and the lighthouse library is so unique. The characters have become like old friends and it’s a pleasure to visit them again to see what new mystery is to be solved. The mystery itself is well written and offers multiple suspects to examine. An enjoyable read!

The Lighthouse Library Mystery series is one of my favorites, and this 10th installment didn't disappoint. Lucy and Connor are finally married, but not a day passes before one of the guests goes missing and another is found strangled in a closet at the reception venue. We are treated to many scenes of the lovely Outer Banks setting and fun with relatives and friends as Lucy tries to find the killer. This series has made the Outer Banks a destination I plan to visit, and I'm looking forward to what comes next in the series! Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance digital copy!

This is book 10 in series and enjoyable in that we finally get THE wedding! But because it's Lucy, there has to be a dead body somewhere! LOL In a twist, it's related to the wedding guests, but in a proxy way, but it still keeps everyone in town longer, and involved with Lucy trying to solve what happened. It's an interesting look at family dynamics and a cozy mytery, all rolled up into one, and an enjoable entry into the series, perfect for new and oldfans alike.

This is the tenth in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. At the beginning of the story, Lucy and Connor have their wedding. The next morning, Lucy is present when the housekeeper at the hotel finds her aunt’s plus one dead in a storage/cleaning closet. We also discover Bertie’s plus one is missing. Are these incidents related?

The police and Lucy are investigating. Lucy is mostly trying to locate Eddie to ease Bertie’s distress.

I like the series and this story. The characters care about each other and try to support one another. We learn secrets about both men that their significant other’s did not know.

I suspected the killer and was glad that he/she would not be continuing in the series. I look forward to the next installment. I was given an advanced reader’s copy and am not required to leave a positive review.

I had a great time attending Lucy and Conner’s wedding. This is a great cozy mystery series what could be more fun that a series with a librarian and a library in a light house. The addition of the book club is always a fun way to find new books to read. The characters are relatable and realistic. The mystery is full of surprises to keep you guessing. The killer was not someone I suspected. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.

Loved this latest entry in the series! Glad to get a peek into the wedding, catch-up a bit with the family, and have a fun mystery to solve. Very zippy with plenty of red herrings.

I do like this series. The idea of a library in the lighthouse is entertaining. The cast of characters are interesting. A murder on your wedding day would be memorable for sure. Lucy can't help herself..she must try and figure out why and by whom. I liked the story.

"Lucy and Connor planned for the perfect Outer Banks wedding—and that’s exactly what they got. Aside from typical rumblings of familial tensions, the late spring weather allowed for a beautiful day, the food was delicious, and everyone had a good time, until one of the guests goes missing."
This is a good mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

A wedding , drama with the sister in law and her new boyfriend and then a murder what else could go wrong at her wedding. The honeymoon is delayed for a month so what else is a girl to do except investigate the murder at her wedding. This was a really fun read I loved the light house and the library and I did not know who the killer was until the end.

I love the Lighthouse Library series so was delighted when NetGalley gave me access to the e-ARC for the tenth book set around the Bodie Lighthouse into which Eva Gates has craftily shoe-horned her fictitious library.

The eponymous Wedding Bells in the title are those of librarian sleuth Lucy Richardson, who becomes Lucy McNeil as she marries long-time sweetheart and town mayor Connor McNeil. This brings lots of out-of-towners to the Outer Banks as the Richardson family visit from Boston and New York. And one of the guests is the subject of the Death Knells in the title …

One of the things that I love about cosy crime is that it is far more forgiving than grittier sub-genres. Just as we are happy to imagine an entire library with staff offices and meeting rooms as well as wide-ranging stock inside the lighthouse, we are happy to imagine Charles the library cat attacking the bad guy and to accept that otherwise street-smart Lucy should return home to an empty house after running into the murderer.

Of course we are. We don’t come to Eva Gates’s version of the Outer Banks for a dose of reality. We come to solve a mystery in the age-old tradition of Sherlock Holmes or, most appropriately here, his predecessor Auguste Dupin.

Another joy of the series is that each book includes a book club scene in which the library patrons discuss a classic novel which always has a relationship to the main action of the current crime. In this one it’s The Murder in the Rue Morgue, the Poe story in which we first meet Dupin.

As usual, Lucy solves the crime and the criminal is brought to justice by Detective Sam Watson (hat-tip by Gates to Conan Doyle).

All in all, another great instalment of this favourite series. Now I cannot wait for book 11!

The latest book in the Bodie Lighthouse series did not disappoint. Lucy and Connor have just gotten married and the next day discover the body of one of their wedding guests.

Like in the other books, Lucy can't help but investigate this death. There are less scenes in the library but the few that are were very entertaining.

I figured out the murderer early in the book, but it was still an entertaining read. I would definitely recommend this book and this series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.