I just couldn't get through this. I loved the idea of the lighthouse library, a library cat, and a few of the characters. Still, it seemed like I picked it up, read a few pages, and put it down again and again. I have thought on trying to explain why I didn't enjoy this. It was slow or at least that was what I decided. At one point I realized I had read quite far, and we were still trying to find someone to fill in for the famous author who died. Just not for me, I suppose.

Back with my favorite cozy series crew for their latest mystery, this was so fun to read! I really breeze through these books, they have the perfect balance of funny moments, romantic moments, suspenseful moments, and of course cozy moments. An easy 5 star read!

I liked the element of the book festival and the addition of the YA fans/teens. A lot of the other books in the series revolve more around classic literature so that was a different touch. The whodunnit really kept me guessing too, it felt different than the others in the series. And that ENDING! Gah! I’ll be scanning Netgalley like a hawk for the book!

Thanks so much to @vicki.delany, @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC! This one is out in May!

3.5 stars

Still a strong book in the series but if felt as if the mystery resolved itself through chance more than hard work. A bit of a shame, but the journey to the end is still lots of fun and it's great to spend more time with the characters of the Outer Banks setting. Small town mysteries have huge appeal for me, and I'm always ready to read a cosy.

I enjoyed the sudden setup of the mystery, which I think has been the most shocking in this series so far and hooked me immediately into the story. There was a sense of danger behind it, but I wished that level of danger stayed in the story. It dropped off rather suddenly. This felt like one of those cases where the danger could have been darker and more visceral. Cosies can include that level of danger. It's a shame this didn't.

The author included some discussion on the publishing industry in this mystery, concerning mainly the concept of luck being a factory for how an author's career can take off. I think that's true. In any creative industry, luck plays a part, and it's refreshing to see an author discuss that, even if it's in a fictional sense. Fortunately, Eva Gates also also talent to back up the success of this series, and after twelve books she's still managing to add fresh ideas and keep this reader engaged. A few of those twists occur towards the end, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in future books.

This remains a favourite cosy mystery series for me and I'm already looking forward to reading book thirteen!

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shot Through the Book is a great continuation of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries Series.

Lucy is back and solving another murder while also planning a book festival. This book has everything you’ve come to expect in a Lighthouse Library Mystery, and briefly mentions changes that Lucy will face in upcoming books.

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one!

The Lighthouse Library mysteries have become one of my favorite cozy series. The characters are family and always feel like coming home. An upcoming YA festival, death of one of the featured authors and an obnoxious wife, make for a compelling, comforting read.

A book festival featuring YA authors at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is an event many are looking forward to. Local best selling author Todd Harrison is the headliner. Librarian Lucy McNeil is surprised when Harrison comes to her Outer Banks beach house wanting to talk. But shortly after arriving, Todd is shot dead with an arrow.

Since the death occurred on her property, Lucy is determined to figure out what happened. But Todd's widow Heather uses his death as a platform to launch her candidacy for state senator. She makes unfounded accusations about the police & unofficial meddlers like Lucy.

Meanwhile, Lucy & husband Connor are annoyed by Todd's book club fans who keep visiting Lucy's home, and the last minute changes to the book festival line-up is causing grief to both the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library staff & the other authors.

This was a good entry in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mystery series.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

The latest Lighthouse Library Mystery doesn't disappoint. Newlywed librarian Lucy and husband Connor are embroiled in another strange case. An author shows up at Lucy's house to discuss something important - and Lucy has no clue. When she brings out iced tea on the back deck, she finds his dead body - shot by an arrow.

The case is complicated by the victim's legion of rabid teenage fans who start showing up at Lucy and Connor's, and an unpleasant police detective who frowns on Lucy's previous "help" in investigating murder cases.

Great ensemble cast, nice pacing, and a relaxing and familiar cozy series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Shot Through the Book, the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries by Eva Gates, is a fast-paced, well-written who-dun-it that keeps you turning the pages until the very end.
Librarian Lucy McNeil tries to keep out of the case this time after a virtual stranger is shot with an arrow on her back deck, but she keeps being dragged back in. With a good number of suspects, a completely despicable character who is the widow of the deceased, an obsessed fan base holding vigils at the scene of the crime, and plenty of literary references to keep book lovers happy, the book keeps the reader engaged and intrigued. The personal developments in Lucy's life are just icing on the cake, and leave the reader wanting more.
Thank you for the ARC of #ShotThroughtheBook to #NetGalley.

I really enjoy this series! I love the characters and love seeing what they are up to. I thought the mystery was interesting and I liked how it took place at their house, rather than the library. The superfans created a nice humorous aspect. I could understand more about why Lucy wanted to be involved (her house), but it was borderline too involved.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is a favorite place to visit in the pages of each new adventure with librarian Lucy McNeil. This time the library is hosting a book festival featuring several local authors and big name headliner Todd Harrison. When that headliner winds up mysteriously dead, Lucy is caught up once again in looking for the truth of what happened. There are plenty of suspects - the other authors who wanted to be the main speaker at the event, the one who accused him of stealing her story idea and profiting from it, disappointed fans who heard he was ending his popular series and starting something completely different... It seems too many people had motives to make solving the case easy. When Harrison's widow begins pressuring local police and using her bereavement as a means to further her own political ambitions, things really get out of hand.

This series has plenty of mystery elements - a cast of local characters with their assorted quirks and foibles, multiple motives to sort through, a protagonist who knows the majority of the suspects (or can find ways to question them), and enough suspects working at cross purposes to keep things unclear for the police. Lucy is an amateur sleuth, however unwilling, who uses her local knowledge and her resources to try and put things right. The fact that the death occurs on her own porch this time gives her some extra motivation to close the case. The setting with the library at its center and the way each story is somehow tied to books (authors, festivals, displays, etc.) make this series a cozy home away from home for bibliophiles and mystery lovers alike. Whether readers are returning for another visit to Bodie Island or just encountering Lucy and the library for the first time, it will be a pleasurable experience.

Title: Shot Through the Book
Author: Eva Gates
Series: Lighthouse Library Mystery #12
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 272


Librarian and Amateur Sleuth Lucy McNeil is back on a case!

The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When bestselling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits Lucy at her Outer Banks beach house. She invites him to sit on her deck and goes inside for iced tea. When she returns a few minutes later trying to maneuver the door with the tray of ice tea classes as well as her Charlie her cat she needs assistance and calls to Todd who doesn’t seem to hear her. A bit irritated as he is sitting comfortably sitting and enjoying the sounds of the ocean until she discovers a metal shaft in his chest and finds him dead!

Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the little time it took to get a pitcher of tea out of the fridge, ice from the freezer, two glasses from the cupboard!!! Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened.

This was another great read and I love love the ending! Now excited for #13 which I know will not be unlucky for Lucy and Connor!

Personal note: The Outer Banks were always our “go-to Vacation Destination Place” for years ~ well until we moved to Southern California. My Hubby and I still have wonderful memories of our wonderful stays.
We usually stayed in Kill Devil Hills and Yes! We did visit the Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras. When I saw the lighthouse pictured on this adorable cover I thought ~ that Lighthouse looks like Nantucket not Cape Hatteras which I know has diagonal stripes. There is another Lighthouse at Bodie Island which was features in Book #10.

Aww I love this story on so many levels.
Eva Gates is the pseudonym name of another of my fav authors ~ Vickie Delany!

Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early e-Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 6, 2025.

Lucy and the library crew are busy organizing a YA book fair, with a popular dystopian YA author as the main draw. Lucy is surprised when he shows up at her house in the evening after barely meeting him earlier. What happens next shocks her. Soon Lucy is involved in an investigation, but low-key after being warned off being seen cooperating with her friends on the police force.
As always, the Lighthouse Library is a delightful spot and the characters quirky and likable. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This series was the first one I loved and really got me into cozy mysteries. But I feel like the murder felt forced and then we habe our second mystery of why Todd appeared at her in the first place was almost forgotten and that was the most interesting one to. There is a lot going on in this book but still it felt very repetitive. The same thoughts or events are discussed in very similar ways. And I do like how protective Connor is of her and stood up for her. But I kind of want more based on the end of the book. I wouldn't mind if the next addition was not a murder mystery but maybe something a more nonsense and Connor helped her so we would really get to see the depth of their relationship. I feel like I know more about Louise Jane than Connor. I always enjoy co!ing back here and it was a very quick and easy read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Just loved this book! This series keeps getting better. It kept me wanting to read more. This was a cliffhanger. Did not expect the ending at all. Very well done!

I absolutely love this series. Shot Through the Book is the 12th installment in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates, aka Vicki Delany. I love everyone of her series, but this one has to be my favorite. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, lighthouse, the beach and coastal locations, this book and series is for you. #NetGalley #EvaGates #CrookedLaneBooks

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates is the 12th book in the Lighthouse Library mystery series. The library is hosting a Young Adult authors festival. One of the authors is Todd Harrison, who lives in the area and has a popular series. After a meeting, Todd shows up at Lucy’s house unexpectedly. While he is sitting on the porch, Lucy goes inside to fix him a drink. When she goes back outside, she finds him dead on her porch. As a result, chaos erupts. Teens show up at Lucy’s house holding virgils for their beloved author and other authors are fighting for his spot. Also, Todd’s wife Heather, shows up and uses his death to help launch her campaign for state senator.

Shot Through the Book is one of the best books in the series. The story is filled with humor which includes annoying teens along with some suspense. Also, at the end of the story Lucy has a surprise for her husband! I am looking forward to reading about what happens next for Lucy, the others at the Lighthouse Library, and the surrounding community.

Another interesting story with Lucy, Connor, Charles, and the Library Lighthouse crew. The library crew is busy arranging a YA event for the summer vacation with three local authors attending, including a recent transplant who actually has bestsellers to his name. When the bestselling author shows up at Lucy and Connor's house and ends up dead on the deck before Lucy can even set up refreshments, you know she will have a hard time being removed. What I enjoy about this series is that information gathering is always in an intelligent and intellectual way. Lucy and her band of happy helpers don't go running off looking for trouble. They just ask interesting questions. While asking her questions, Lucy runs into trouble with the victim's wife, deals with the potential retirement of a friend, and finds that her own life may require some changes. Definitely an fascinating addition to the series. My thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read! #ShotThroughtheBook, #LibraryLighthouseseries, #EvaGates #bookreview, #bookideas #retiredreader

The library is hosting a YA reader event with a local author as the headliner. When he is killed on Lucy and Connors deck, she is once again involved in trying to determine who killed him. Though this time, she has to work without Sam Watson. The widow has decided Lucy is too tied to law enforcement and she is stopping at nothing to accuse Lucy of being too involved. Lots of red herrings in this story, but in the end the killer is found, by Lucy, of course! Love these characters and the setting for the books. Changes are ahead for Watson, Lucy and Connor. It's exciting to imagine what comes next. Can't wait to find out!

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC. This one might be one of my favorites in this series. What I felt when reading it was the evolution. I feel how the characters changed gradually and normally like real peoples. I love how each characters get significant at some points.

The mystery was well executed. I never saw it coming and while reading the reveal scene my heart was jumping in my chest.

I cannot wait for the next one because of the end. Please read it!

I just love this series and this was a great addition! Keep em coming! It’s always a joy to revisit these characters.