Lucy McNeil lives happily with her husband Connor, the mayor. She works at Bodie Island Lighthouse Library where she gets to take her cat Charles to work. They are setting up a book festival and have invited renowned YA author Todd Harrison. The festival may have to be canceled because Todd Harrison visits Lucy at her home, uninvited and then ends up dead in her deck with an arrow shot through the middle of his chest.

Who would want an innocent written dead? Perhaps his greedy and manipulative wife Heather Harrison, or a  female musician and alleged stalker or perhaps his obsessive fan and leader of his fanclub?

Lucy will have to jump through a lot of red tape in order to find out who had motive to kill Todd and why?

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books!

In this 12th installment of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries, Librarian Lucy McNeil is shocked when an arrow kills her visitor, sitting on the deck outside, while she makes drinks for them inside. Not only does she not know why he wants to speak with her, but it also seems no one else knows what he wants to discuss.

Eva Gates writes an intriguing mystery with familiar characters and relationships in a comfortable setting. Shot Through the Book is an entertaining and suspenseful read.

Shot Through the Dark is Eva Gates #12 book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. In this book an author is murdered at Lucy McNeil's home where she lives with her husband Connor (the mayor) and Charles the cat. He had arrived to ask for some guidance, but Lucy never got to hear what it was.

And so begins the challenge to find out who is the murderer. The police are warning Lucy off helping in any way. Lucy and Connor are finding fans of the writer on their back porch that faces the open beach and once even in the house.

As well the widow shows up at the library and other places making awful accusations and generally making a nuisance of herself. I didn't like her, and of course was wondering if she could be the murderer. Yes, could be. But then I remembered it could be some shadowy on the fringe person as well. So I held that person along with the wife in my mind.

Everything plays out, with some other red herrings being presented, with many of the usual characters taking part. The final denouement was not pretty but actually quite a bit of fun (for the reader mainly no doubt.)

I do recommend the book and even if you haven't read the whole series ( I hadn't) you can still pick this one up.

4.5 cozy stars!

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates is an engaging cozy mystery.

Librarian Lucy McNeil ends up in the middle of the murder of young adult author Todd Harrison after he is killed on her back deck. Detective Sam Watson is on the case, but Lucy continues to ask questions to satisfy her curiosity. Lucy, her husband Connor, and Sam soon find themselves in the crosshairs of Todd’s muckraking widow, Heather.

Lucy and Connor are such a wonderful couple. Connor is currently the mayor while Lucy works at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Lucy has helped the police solve cases in the past. But due to Heather’s truly outrageous behavior, Lucy works hard to stay out of the investigation. But her innate curiosity is hard to quell, and Lucy stumbles into danger when she seeks answers to her questions.

Shot Through the Book is a clever cozy mystery with a charming protagonist. Lucy is a kind-hearted and likable person. She and the rest of the characters are well-developed with interesting quirks and foibles. The storyline is clever and unfolds at a steady pace. The behind the scenes peek into the world of publishing is fascinating. The identity of the perpetrator is absolutely jaw-dropping. With an unexpected plot twist, Eva Gates brings this wonderful mystery to a very intriguing conclusion. Readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is planning a YA book festival. When the headlining author shows up unexpectedly at Lucy's house, she is bewildered because they do not know each other. In the time it takes to her go inside and get them some drinks, the author is shot with an arrow while sitting on Lucy's back deck. There are plenty of suspects for Lucy to look at in this 12th installment of the series. I really enjoyed this, as I have all the others in the series. This is a great cozy series, with great characters and rich atmosphere.

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates the 12th instalment in the "Lighthouse Library" Mystery series by Eva Gates. I love this series and couldn’t wait to visit Nag’s Head and the Bodie Island Lighthouse library in the Outer Banks of N.C. Again.

Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.

This time the story is more centred around a YA book festival and author Todd Harrison who subsequently dies.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.

I can't wait for the next instalment! I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

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

Shot Through the Book is book 12 in The Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates but is easily read as a standalone novel. This was my first book in the series, and while it's true that I was not familiar with the backstories of some of the characters, the background provided in the book was sufficient for me to not feel like I was missing out on a lot.

The story is told from the first person point-of-view of Lucy McNeil, an assistant director at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. When one of the authors who is attending an upcoming festival shows up at her house unexpectedly, and is then killed, she is immediately drawn into the mystery of his murder.

Shot Through the Book is set in the small coastal town of Nags Head, North Carolina, and as one might expect from a cozy mystery, there are lots of interesting characters in the town, and everyone knows everyone. This is even more the case because Lucy is married to the town's current mayor.

In addition to the town's regular characters, a few characters from outside the town show up as viable suspects in the mystery, and Lucy has her work cut out for her. Especially when the author's widow starts causing trouble in town.

I found Shot Through the Book to be an engaging mystery that kept my attention from wandering, something that has been a problem for me this year, even when reading some of my favourite genres. And although I did spot the suspect rather early on, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the novel. After all, you can never really know if you're right, unless you take a peek at the end of the book.

I would recommend Shot Through the Book to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery. It's the perfect book for an evening (or two) at home with a good cup of tea.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you netgalley for letting me review this book.

Who doesn't love a mystery involving a bookstore. I love books about books. They are are so wholesome and fun to read about.

I loved all the twists and turns this book had.

Will the killer come as a surprise to you or not. And what are the real motives about why the widow of the man who was killed are.

Yikes! Someone murdered Tom on Lucy's front porch while she was inside making lemonade. She knows she didn't do it, but who did? Things get complicated quickly in this latest in the long running series that sees Lucy become a bit of a political pawn for a moment. Luckily, she's got Connor and her pals to help find what happened and the identity of the villain. As cozy fans know, there are red herrings and more than one suspect. I like this series for the characters as much as the mystery and it was pleasant to spend time with them again. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

This 12th installment in the Lighthouse Library cozy mystery series is yet another enjoyable book in the series. One of the best in the series, so far.

An interesting, clever murder where a YA author with an almost cultlike following is murdered by bow and arrow on Lucy's deck. His widow goes after Lucy and her friends and colleagues rally around here, which I really enjoyed seeing.

Of course, all the regular characters are there but some of the minor characters play a larger than usual role in this book. Planning a bookfair, political intrigue, and teens with unusually strong devotion to an author all add to the interest of this book.

Very highly recommended to cozy mystery fans!!

Shot Through the Book is a very enjoyable addition to the Lighthouse Library series. I really loved seeing all the library employees rally behind Lucy to support her and the her own growth in the story. I was also very happy that Connor was featured much more prominently in this mystery compared to the last installment. As with most cozies some things were quite predictable but there were also some great twists in the story that I did not see coming!

Shot Through the Book is a five-star delight for cozy mystery lovers and bibliophiles alike! Set against the enchanting backdrop of the Outer Banks and the charming Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, this mystery blends literary lore, murder, and small-town intrigue with effortless ease. From the opening scene where best-selling author Todd Harrison shows up at librarian Lucy McNeil’s beach house only to be found murdered minutes later, this story pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Lucy McNeil is the perfect cozy sleuth: sharp, resourceful, and refreshingly grounded. One moment she’s preparing lemonade, the next she’s a suspect in a high-profile murder case involving a famed author she barely knew. With her reputation on the line and a YA book festival teeming with colorful personalities, she dives into an investigation brimming with red herrings, rivalries, and secrets tucked neatly between the lines.

The supporting cast is just as vibrant, especially Heather Harrison, the manipulative widow who arrives with a political agenda as sharp as her designer heels. Her media-fueled crusade to turn tragedy into personal gain adds delicious tension, while the late author’s obsessive fan club and the festival’s egotistical writers create a flurry of motives and misdirection that will keep even seasoned mystery readers guessing.

Author gives readers everything they could want: smart dialogue, witty observations, a fully realized literary world, and a coastal setting that feels like a character itself. The mystery is satisfyingly twisty, with a perfectly timed reveal that ties all the threads together while leaving you eager for Lucy’s next adventure.

Shot Through the Book is a standout entry in the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library series—equal parts engaging, atmospheric, and joyfully bookish. Whether you’re in it for the murder, the beachy charm, or the literary inside jokes, this cozy mystery hits the sweet spot. Highly recommended for fans of Kate Carlisle, Jenn McKinlay, and anyone who believes the best drama always happens between the covers of a good book.

I like the characters and the setting of the Outer Banks. The characters move forward in their lives in each book which is nice. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. - Still hoping for more in this series.

This is the twelfth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series and I'll admit I haven't read all of them. Luckily, I didn't need to in order to enjoy this episode.

A YA Book Festival is being planned, and things seem to be going well until the star author comes to Lucy's house and is murdered with an arrow through the chest. Lucy has no idea why he has come to see her. He dies just after their greetings.

Now the festival plans are in disarray with the two local audios vying for headlining the festival. The deceased author's teenage fans are holding vigil outside of Lucy and Connor's house. And the "grieving" widow looks like she wants to capitalize on her husband's death to launch her own political career.

The grieving widow is making trouble for Lucy and the local police department alleging corruption which means Lucy is pretty much on her own to investigate. She has lots of suspicious characters to investigate too.

This was a nice cozy mystery.

First book I read in the series, but it can easily be read nonetheless. Good writing, solid plot with a refreshing background based in archery. The ending was satisfying.

5/5 stars: This is the eleventh entry in Gates' Lighthouse Library Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Nags Head, North Carolina and features an assistant director and librarian who finds herself turning sleuth after a best selling Young Adult author's murdered on her Outer Banks beach house's deck after mysteriously requesting they meet in private. Caught between an intrusive fan club, squabbling authors fighting for prominence and a politically ruthless widow, she must roll up her sleeves and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice. With plenty of twists and turns, Gates has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Gates' writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Lucy, Conner, her dentist/mayor husband, her family and friends and the staff and patrons at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. And of course there's no better cat than Charles, who deigns to live with Lucy and Conner when not “working” at the library. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, By Book or by Crook.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting she is puzzled since they strangers. After she goes inside to get him a drink when she comes back out she finds him dead on the porch. Caught with an intrusive fan club mourning Todd authors fighting for prominence in his absence and a politically ruthless widow Lucy has to roll up her sleeves and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice. I enjoy Eva Gates lighthouse stories she has great characters and keeps the story gong till the end.

I feel very fortunate that there continues to be new books in my favourite cozy mystery series The Lighthouse Library. This time, Lucy and the gang are planning a YA book conference in Nags Head when the featured author is murdered at Lucy's house.
I loved the characters, and the setting never gets old. I was fully engaged while reading this story and couldn't put it down. This series is so consistently good! I can't wait for the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for review.

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!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Cozy Mystery That Never Disappoints

Eva Gates delivers yet another delightful installment in her cozy mystery series with Shot Through the Book. There’s something so comforting about returning to familiar characters and settings, and this book was exactly what I needed—dependable, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable.

While the formula follows the classic cozy mystery structure, it never feels stale. The twists kept me guessing, and even though I thought I had it figured out, the ending still managed to surprise me. That’s what I love about this series—no matter how many I read, they always keep me on my toes.

If you love cozy mysteries that feel like curling up with an old friend, this is one you’ll want to pick up. I know I will every time I see a new one on the shelf!