The Body in the Lighthouse, I would put under the heading of cosy mysteries, your Agatha Christie style read and as I have not read anything from this author before I do prefer a more robust action-style thriller, but this did capture me once I started reading.
The characters are well thought out quite a homely style bunch and have a good plot but there were quite a few characters and as the author has written more books of this series this being no:4 so those who have read from the beginning of the series do have an advantage over the standalone readers, but
standalone readers need not fear as although the characters are there the plots are very different.
A good read just about the right length.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy to read.

Stori eithaf gwahanol sydd yma, gyda dirgelwch llofruddiaethau i’w datrys ond gyda rhywfaint o gymorth goruwchnaturiol! Roedd yn ddiddorol dilyn safbwynt yr heddlu wrth i Colin a’i gydweithwyr geisio datrys y mater, a chael safbwynt arall wrth i Georgina, partner Colin, geisio datrys yr un dirgelwch gyda chymorth ei chyfaill ysbrydol Doris! Stori sy’n afaelgar yn llawn dirgelwch a chymeriadau credadwy, o’r teulu sy’n rhedeg y dafarn i artistiaid lleol gyda chysylltiad â’r gorffennol. Mae sawl tro annisgwyl wrth i’r stori ddatblygu ac ambell un yn dod o dan y chwyddwydr. Da iawn!

Quite a different story, with murders to be solved but with a little supernatural assistance! It was interesting to follow the police’s side of the investigation as Colin and his colleagues try to solve the matter, and to follow another perspective as Georgina, Colin’s partner also tried to solve the same mystery with her ghostly friend Doris’ assistance! A gripping story full of mystery and believable characters, from the family running the local pub to local artists with a connection to the past. There are several unexpected twists as the story develops and many characters raise suspicions. Really enjoyed this one!

Loved this fourth outing with Georgina Drake and her secret ghost companion. Kate Hardy writes well-paced stories with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. I also love the fact that Bert the spaniel is literally the star of the show. Can’t wait for the next one in this series.

The Body in the Lighthouse is the fourth book in the Georgina Drake cozy mystery series written by Kate Hardy. I like Georgie, a 53 year old photographer, widow, mother of two adult children, owner of the body finding spaniel Bert, friend to a lovely ghost named Doris who has been dead for 53 years, and in a budding relationship with Detective Colin Bradshaw. In The Body in the Lighthouse Georgina has been commissioned to photograph a historic lighthouse and the man planning to completely renovate it-Eliot Manson- a decision that is unpopular with the locals. When they arrive at the lighthouse Mr. Manson is not there although his car appears to be. While waiting the ever curious Bert starts digging, and as is becoming the norm in the series, he discovers a human bone. After a time Georgina calls Manson's office and his PA agrees to bring the key to the lighthouse so the photographing may begin. Lo and behold Eliot Manson is found dead- is it murder or an accident? The series and this book are easy to read with likeable characters, well developed plots and very satisfying endings. I do hope that if there are to be future books in the series that the relationship between Georgie and Colin picks up a bit more energy and that the storylines are more varied. Saying that though I have found the books to be pleasurable and very satisfactory reads. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Body in the Lighthouse; this review reflects my honest opinion. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

The fourth book in the series and perhaps the best of the four. If you enjoy the idea of secret tunnels and the use of technology to assist solving crimes then this book is definitely for you. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Thank you for allowing me to review this 4th book in the series. It is another example of a very good murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. Kate Hardy writes well. Her characters are developing well in each book. I'm enjoying following Georgina and Colin's relationship as it develops. It I'd good that the quirky character, Doris is still around to prod research in the right direction. Bertie the fog is also a lovely touch.
A good easy read for those who enjoy murder mysteries, that are not too gruesome.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had read the rest of the series though it would be possible to read this as a stand-alone. But the context to the characters would make the book more enjoyable had you read the rest of the series.
If you had told me that I would enjoy a series with a ghostly element the. I would have said ‘never’. But I love this series.

Doris does play a very small role in this book. However the way in which Kate Hardy has woven her into the story makes perfect sense. Specially after the end of the previous book.

Perhaps some of the actions of Colin are not the way all policemen work but one presumes that the author has done research and knows h]that the police use any resources available to solve mysteries.
His relationship with Georgina is sympathetically explored.
One wonders what poor Bert, the dog, will find next!

A great read and I look forward to more adventures with Georgina and Colin
Though the perpetrator in this one was a great surprise

During a brief lull in my [other commitments] I had the chance to look at Storm's offerings, and decided to read an ARC of The Body in the Lighthouse, by Kate Hardy, being released Oct. 29. Described on the cover as "a gripping cozy mystery novel," it's the fourth in a series, but I decided not to let that stop me.

I'm happy to report that this novel stands on its own perfectly well; there were quite a few characters to keep track of, as well as a previously begun and now developing romance, but I never felt lost or even slightly confused. Hardy explains context for what's happening without belaboring the points, so I was able to step in and hit the ground running. Well, maybe jogging would be a better word -- things do happen in this book, but at a comfortable trot, not a flat-out run.

Importantly for me, the protagonist, Georgina Drake, is likeable and interesting. She's an older woman, a widow and professional photographer, with a springer spaniel, a trio of female friends, and a fairly new relationship with a handsome Detective Inspector. She loves flowers and food and trading literary quotes with DI Colin Bradshaw and other people.

I was a bit startled to discover on the first page that Georgina also sometimes hears a ghostly voice through her hearing aids, since the book's promotional copy didn't hint at any supernatural elements; however, this ghost is more of an occasional visitor who can sometimes give helpful tips, rather than granting leveled-up supernatural detection powers to Georgina. Mostly, Georgina just talks to people and gets them feeling comfortable enough to open up to her. Certainly, this novel stays firmly in the cozy subcategory of mysteries rather than veering into the spooky or scary.

Unlike another British novel I read recently, which I didn't even realize was British (I'd assumed Appalachian) until nearly the end, this book is firmly grounded in the here and now, despite ghostly revelations. I particularly enjoyed reading about the architectural details encountered in various buildings and towns. Even though the murder site is in a town made up by Hardy, it had a solidly local feeling, with discussions of priests' holes, historical smuggling and wreck-salvagers, and current development woes.

Oh, yes, the murder site. Actually, Georgina and Colin stumble across two dead bodies when he accompanies her to a photo shoot at a picturesque lighthouse; the owner seems to have fallen victim to carbon monoxide poisoning, but Georgina's dog also digs up human remains that had been buried on the property. [This is all mentioned in the promo copy, so no spoilers here.] Colin reminds Georgina about the rules against interfering with police investigations, but there's no harm in asking questions, right? Seriously, I do enjoy how carefully Georgina and Colin are navigating their new relationship, thinking about what they can assume and what they need to ask each other about, and tell each other (he doesn't know about her ghost friend yet).

This is partly a cozy mystery because the primary victim was reportedly a terrible person; readers need feel little sympathy for him aside from knowing that violence is rarely the best way to solve problems; since he was so awful, there are lots of suspects, so Georgina gets to have lots of conversations with relatives and townsfolk as Colin goes through the police routine. The buried remains are another story, but eventually there is closure for all the threads.

This book provides a very enjoyable light read. The plot elements are intriguingly entangled, but the connections make sense once revealed; historical and architectural details give a good sense of place; characters are distinct, the romance is progressing nicely, and the protagonist is fun. Really, the only qualm I have is that Georgina the professional photographer is surprisingly agreeable to delay telling her magazine that there won't be any lighthouse photo package due to the owner dying, but maybe that's just because I've been an editor much longer than I was a reporter. ("Oh no! What will be the next issue's centerpiece NOW?")

I'd be happy to try another Kate Hardy novel when I have time for another cozy read. Indeed, I see that Hardy won three Romance Novelists' Association awards in the last 20 years. Additionally, under her real name of Pamela Brooks, she's written more than a dozen books about history and legends, so that helps explain how Hardy's novel feels real.

A very good murder mystery. Even though its part of a series it can be read as a standalone book. I enjoyed this quick read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
Georgina Drake’s latest photography assignment takes a dark turn when she discovers the body of unpopular property developer, Eliot Manson, at the scenic Summerstrand Lighthouse. As if one body wasn’t enough, Georgina has barely managed to share her concerns with charming DI Colin Bradshaw when her spaniel, Bert, digs up human remains buried near the lighthouse.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I love how relationships have grown & changed over the series especially Georgie & Colin’s. A very well written intriguing murder mystery. There are plenty of suspects as Manson was disliked by just about everyone apart from his fiancée but then she’s found dead in their house. There’s also the mystery surrounding the body under the patio, Doris is also back & helps Georgie solve this mystery. I was drawn in from the start & read it in two sittings & thoroughly enjoyed it
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This is truly a mystery! The mystery starts at Summerstrand Lighthouse. A dead body has been discovered and it is a man named Eliot Manson. He has quite a few enemies in town so there are quite a few people for Detective Colin Bradshaw to clear. Along with another dead body that has been discovered that organ Everett.
Georgina is a professional photographer and she had an appointment to go out to meet the man that was going to be renovating the lighthouse. Bert her spaniel came with her and unfortunately for her and him he brought back a bone to her. Being that Colin was there they went to investigate and found the other body..
Are the two bodies connected or is it a coincidence?

Truly a fantastic book highly recommend!

Happy Mystery Reading!!

Another fabulous story in this awesome series, this one takes us to a lighthouse in Summerstrand when Georgina has an assignment to take photos and interview the owner, Eliot Manson who is renovating it, much to the dislike of many of the locals, but when she arrives with her trusty dog Bert and her partner DI Colin Bradshaw what they find is the owner dead and then Bert digs up a bone, which means two cases to investigate.

The investigation starts in earnest with Doris helping with the body found buried, and Georgina is enthused to help uncover what happened to them and who they are, but the scene in the lighthouse looks very suspicious to Colin and Georgina and with the fact that the victim is not well liked by anyone only his fiancé there may be a lot of suspects to interview with the forensic team on the case there are some answers coming in and it classed as a murder.

When the victims fiancé is found dead as well more questions are piling up and the pressure is on Colin to find the answers, of course Georgina is there to help she is very good at getting answers to her questions and with Doris helping with the buried body they soon discover who this person is and are uncovering the reason for his death, but will they discover who killed Eliot Manson.

This is a page turner of a book one that I read in one sitting, I could not put it down, so well written it kept my mind turning trying to work out who done it, Kate Hardy brings the characters and the setting to life in her stories and of course Georgina, Colin, Doris and Bert are a formidable team they work through things and get the answers, I do highly recommend this one and the series and look forward to many more mysteries to uncover in this beautiful setting.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

This is book four in this series. I haven’t read the previous ones and I don’t think you really have to. However I think I would just so you get some sense of the main characters and how they came to be together.
There’s two mysteries to solve in the book. I thought each one was good and kept me guessing. I did think it started a bit slow but it picked up and moved fairly quickly then. I will definitely be looking forward to the next ones in this series.

This was a great cozy mystery set on the coastline with historic pasts. When Georgina’s invited to photograph the lighthouse with a business, all is not well. Her dog starts digging and they find a body in the garden. The mystery begins. Then another body turns up inside the lighthouse.
It’s a great quick read, I enjoyed the characters and will go onto read the first three books in this series. Can be read as a stand-alone thought. Got into it quickly and read it in one sitting. A cozy 4 star read.

This was my first Kate Hardy book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will certainly be looking for the previous 3 books in this series, and any that come after as well.

This book read just fine as a stand alone novel, with previous events explained to that I didn't feel like I missed anything.

Georgina Drake is a wonderful character. I just loved her. She's only a year older than me so I really identified with her, but not with her tragic history of course. Bert the dog is just gorgeous and reminds me of my dog Holly.
Colin also sounds lovely, especially looking like Mr Darcy! Lucky Georgie.

The storyline was really interesting and I felt that it just moved along at the right pace. I didn't want to stop reading last night but I couldn't keep my eyes open so had to finish the story this afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I couldn't put this book by Kate Hardy down.
It's a well written mystery and full of twists and turns and great characters

When Georgina Drake was sent to photograph a scenic, soon to be redeveloped lighthouse, she was with DI Colin Bradshaw and her dog Bert. Having to meet with the current owner, Georgie was bemused when no one answered her knocking at the door. And Bert was determined to do some digging close to the lighthouse. When he uncovered human bones, and Colin had sent for a set of keys for the lighthouse door, it soon became clear that they had two deaths - one obviously suspicious, and one (the owner/developer in the lighthouse) perhaps not suspicious. But Georgie wasn't convinced and Colin felt the same. Forensics and his team soon arrived on scene, and the job of interviewing members of the public began. Georgie set herself the job of discovering who the bones belonged to, but could she after the time which had lapsed?

With the help of Doris, Georgie dug deeply. Her daughter Bea provided her mother with links to past missing persons so they had something to work with. Meanwhile, Colin was frustrated, continually hitting a brick wall regarding the body in the lighthouse. Then another body was discovered, the clock was ticking; time was of the essence...

The Body in the Lighthouse is the 4th in A Georgina Drake Mystery series by Kate Hardy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Georgie and Colin are becoming close, Bert the spaniel is digging up more bones, and Doris is wonderful. I've loved every one in this series, and am looking forward to #5. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

I like this series. I enjoyed the mystery and it kept me guessing. I find the characters interesting as well.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another instatelment in the Georgia Drake cozy mystery series. The same loveable characters and gor new readers this vould be read as a standalone which would probably have you reaching for the orher titles in the series.
As always a nice mystery set against a lighthouse backdrop with another historic crime in the background. This was a quick enjoyable read full of returning characters and new ones who were well written . I loved the way the mystery unfolded and was solved. It was enjoyable throughout with clear character arc. I loved the way the interactions highlighted the various relationship changes and how the characters had grown throughout the series. I really hope there is another one as I gave grown yo love Georgian her ghost and Colin.
Thank you do much netgallery publisher and author for this cracking 5 star read.

I have no read any of the other books in this series, got this one through Netgalley (thanks netgalley!!!) but if they are anything like this one!!!! I'm going to go buy them all now!!!