Once again, Lucy discovers a dead body, but this time, he was killed right under her nose. Now, Lucy’s got to plan a festival, while also navigating the deceased’s rabid fanbase, a grieving widow with an agenda, and maybe find a murderer before they strike again. That was so much fun. And I am both pleased and shocked to report that I did not have the correct villain or motive identified before the end of this book. I thought it was fun that even when Lucy was trying to stay out of it, she kept getting dragged back into the middle of the investigation. I enjoyed the time spent with our favorite members of the supporting cast, and it sounds like there are a bunch of changes coming in the near future that I can’t wait to read more about.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

In this twelfth episode of the Lighthouse Library series, the library is organising a YA book festival with three local authors when unfortunately, their headline author, Todd Harrison, is killed. He had called in to see librarian Lucy McNeil at her home to talk about something bothering him and was sitting on her deck when she discovered him dead.

Fans of this series will know that Lucy has been close to other murders in the past and has helped the local detective solve cases with the things she has been able to find out through her contacts with the local community. However, in this case, she is regarded as a possible suspect and warned to stay away from the case, which she finds hard to do with Todd’s fan club viewing her house as a shrine to Todd and his politically ambitious wife making life difficult for her.

Another enjoyable episode as it’s always fun to visit the library and the library cat, Charles. Some changes are in the air for the next episode so it will be interesting to see how Lucy adapts to the changes in stall for her.

Shot Through the Book is a trip back to Nags Head and the Outer Banks of North Carolina where librarian Lucy McNeil gets involved in another murder mystery. This time a YA author participating in the library's book festival shows up announced at her home and gets killed on her deck. Crazy situation! Why was he there? She had only met him that afternoon. This mystery has some wacky characters, including the victim's wife, and a pool of suspects. Lucy wants answers and does her usual sleuthing. This is a nice addition to the series with a surprise killer and ending. We see interesting recurring characters and a fun beach setting.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

As always it was a delight to be back with the lighthouse library crew, including the cat. An unusual cozy murder mystery. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I’ve been a fan of the Lighthouse Library mystery series from the beginning. Shot Through the Book is a great addition to the series.
The library is set to hold a YA book festival. A fairly well known author is participating, but he dies before it occurs. Lucy tries to stay uninvolved but her mind has a talent for unraveling puzzles.
I really like the characters in this series - Lucy, Connor, Bertie, Ronald, and Charles, the cat. Also important are Sam Watson and Lucy’s family in the Outer Banks.
The library in a lighthouse and Lucy and Connor’s home are part of what makes this series so cozy and welcoming. Those places are threatened in the book. It leaves the reader feeling protective of this place and its people.
I enjoy how the author takes beyond solving the mystery to the festival and the further life of the characters.
I recommend Shot Through the Book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the opportunity to read this book.

It always makes me happy to read this series! I love the characters, the setting, the mysteries, and all of the books! (Considering that much of it is set in a library.) This was especially fun, as it revolved around a literary festival and the authors invited to speak at it. The mystery was interesting, and it kept me guessing all the way to the end. I can't wait for the next one, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the changes mentioned at the end of the book will start to play out in the next installment. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance digital copy!

Thank you Eva Gates ( @vicki.delany ), Crooked Lane Books ( @crookedlanebooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Shot Through the Book early (out May 6, 2025).

If you are a fan of Gates’ Lighthouse Mystery series, you will not be disappointed.

The action begins in the first chapter, when a local artist shows up to Lucy’s house to have a private conversation, but ends up murdered.

Lucy feels invested and wants to help, but the author’s widow suggests that Lucy works too closely with the police department. In addition, Lucy’s house becomes a destination for the author’s zealous teenage fans to pay their respects.

#ShotThroughtheBook #NetGalley #EvaGates #CrookedLaneBooks

Book 12 in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series begins with a very unexpected death when a visitor to Lucy's home is shot in another room while Lucy is making tea. Poor Lucy finds herself a suspect and as such does not have her usual links with the police. Then the victim's wife arrives and proves herself a very unpleasant person to deal with. A great beginning to an interesting mystery!

I was happy to be visiting Bodie Island again. Lucy's husband Connor is very supportive and they have a great relationship. The library characters are all present and fun to read about, especially Charles the library cat! An enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12) by Eva Gates from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.  

…Overall, Shot Through the Book is an intriguing , cleverly crafted cozy, with an intricate plot that will keep you guessing to the end, a well rounded cast of quirky characters, humour, and just a touch of romance. …  

A fan of The Lighthouse Library Mysteries, having read them all , this twelfth entry, Shot Through the Book is yet again another amazing addition to the series. 

Our protagonist, Lucy McNeil, assistant director at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library always seems to find trouble and in Shot Through the Book, it hits too close to home, literally. When well-known and beloved YA author, Todd Harrison, in town for the library's conference, arrives unannounced at her front door asking for her help, although she is concerned by his odd behaviour. She seats him on their deck and when she returns with refreshments she finds his lifeless body with an arrow in his chest.

With the motive unclear, Lucy is throwned into the middle of the investigation and becomes a target for his widow using her husband's murder to boost her political agenda. Being shut out of the investigation doesn't stop Lucy from digging to find out the who and why of the murder. Plagued with ambushes from the widow and grieving, crazed, teenage fans setting vigils at her home, Lucy won't back down even when it is suggested that she is involved.

Overall, Shot Through the Book is an intriguing , cleverly crafted cozy, with an intricate plot that will keep you guessing to the end, a well rounded cast of quirky characters, humour, and just a touch of romance. I highly recommend.

4.5 stars rounded up

This series has gotten stronger as it has gone along. I really love the character redemption of Louise Jane. At the beginning of the series the less Louise Jane the better but as she has become a bigger part of Lucy's life and Lucy has gotten to know her more the more I enjoy her page time. She hasn't changed but I understand her motivations now and she never fails to make me laugh. She and library cat with attitude, Charles are probably my favorite side characters.

The mystery was a good one. A popular YA author has been murdered and at first glance no one really has motive to kill me. However, as Lucy investigates, she begins to see that all might not be as it seems. The author's wife is awful and their marriage was far from happy. As well, his next book is going to be a direction change that might not have left all his fans happy. The solution fit together nicely and tackled some issues that are important to be addressed. With the way it wrapped up it wouldn't shock me if this was the last in the series and if that is the case I found it to be a satisfying ending.

In Shot Through the Book, the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, the usually serene shores of the Outer Banks are far from peaceful when a murder disrupts the tranquility. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is buzzing with anticipation as it gears up to host the Young Adult Authors Festival, an event that draws several literary locals. Among the guests is best-selling author Todd Harrison, whose unexpected visit to librarian Lucy McNeil’s beach house sets the stage for an intriguing mystery. Todd’s sudden appearance leaves Lucy perplexed, and as she steps inside to fetch some refreshments, she unwittingly walks into a nightmare. Upon her return, she discovers Todd has been murdered on her deck. With no apparent motive or suspect, Lucy is thrust into the spotlight of the investigation, determined to unravel the enigma behind Todd's cryptic visit.
The plot thickens as Todd’s widow, Heather Harrison, arrives in town with a political agenda that threatens to overshadow her grief. Her ambitions for a senatorial career leads her to exploit her husband's death, using it as a stepping stone to further her campaign. Heather is relentless, ready to target Lucy and the local police to clear any obstructions in her path. As Lucy delves deeper into the investigation, she navigates a complex web of secrets, ambition, and betrayal. Lucy must maneuver through these treacherous waters, balancing the demands of the festival with the urgency of solving the crime before the wrong person is charged.
As I turned the pages of Shot Through the Book, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the charming yet suspenseful world Eva Gates has crafted. This cozy mystery delivers a deftly woven plot that pays homage to previous characters and events, offering seasoned readers nostalgic moments while captivating newcomers without divulging too much. The character descriptions are subtle yet vivid, painting a clear picture of each individual. The relationships are detailed with precision, from the warm camaraderie between Lucy and her best friend to the tense dynamics with Heather Harrison. These interactions add layers of depth and emotion to the narrative, making Lucy's perspective all the more relatable as events unfold. Despite occasional fluctuations in pacing, the narrative kept me hooked with its twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that leaves me eager for Lucy’s next adventure. For a cozy mystery that hits the bullseye, don’t miss out on Shot Through the Book!

Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 4.5/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 4.5/5.0
Cover Design: 5.0/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 4.8/5.0 (Rating will be rounded up due to platforms not allowing partial ratings.)

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.