I've been a fan since book 1 so I was really exited to see book 4! Unfortunately this didn't do anything for me.

Doris was basically absent for 90% and even then she didn't shine as usual. We didn't really have the golden girls, nor Georgies children, so the main selling point (the connection between all of them) of this series was missing.

The writing was also lazier, a lot of repetition and lot's of detail that didn't add to the story. I was actually happy when I reached the end :(

Not sure I give book 5 another chance - I'll have to see.

I hadn't realised this was a series but it reads well as a stand alone book. I love the central character Georgina and the detective Colin Bradshaw. It is a gentle enjoyable read. I shall look for more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read "The Body in the Lighthouse" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was the fourth book in the Georgina Drake series and Kate Hardy has written another fabulous story. I look forward to her books because you know they will have characters you like and the story is always interesting and well crafted. I especially like how she weaves together a current case with a historic case.

Georgina's 53rd birthday on Valentine's Day is also the 53rd anniversary of the death of Doris. Since solving what really happened the day she died and "reuniting" her with her true love Harrison 3 months ago, the ghost that only Georgina can hear through her hearing aids had gone silent. But she was back in this story and once again led Bert the springer spaniel to a historic body buried underneath a patio behind the lighthouse. Then same way she had led him to bodies at harrington hall and the Regency Theatre.

Eliot Manson bought the Summerstrand lighthouse and is renovating it. Georgina had been hired to photograph the renovations. When she arrives for the meeting, he doesn't answer the door. As usual Georgie is the first on the scene when a body is found, though this time DI Colin Bradshaw was with her. Manson has no pulse, he's cold and he's very red in the face.

We learn that the body under the patio was Ryan Everett who was staying with his great-aunt in the mid-to late 1960s. His death ties to the current residents of Little Wenbrough. Once again many of Georgie's friends are questioned as suspects. Ms. Hardy has woven the characters backgrounds so seamlessly, it is easy to follow who is related to who, and who might have wanted Manson dead and why.

When another body turns up, Georgie wonders how it's related to the death of Manson, if at all. Why was Manson at the lighthouse by himself? HIs whiskey was spiked but who would be able to do that when the lighthouse was locked from the inside? Why was Manson so careless with a paraffin heater? Why was his home ransacked?

Also in the story are tales of smugglers, priest holes and tunnels that no one seems to believe could exist.

We learn about the case that haunts Colin to this day and why he left London and moved here. We learn a lot about secrets. Georgie fears that she is keeping a big one from Colin but how can she tell him or really anyone that she can communicate with a ghost.

I absolutely love this series and the stories just get better and better. I look forward to each new book in the series because I know it will be another book that I will have a hard time putting down. Definitely giving it more than 5 stars!

I love this series! Photographer Georgie is such a likable heroine and the relationship between her and police detective Colin is touching and believable. The Body in the Lighthouse has everything: a tangle of intriguing suspects, exciting and atmospheric historical details, excellent pacing and a satisfying conclusion. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable, puzzling and gripping cosy mystery!

These books are always a delight. What a marvellous creation Doris is and the other characters now feel like old friends. Suitably awful victim with plenty of motives for him to be killed, so lots to keep you guessing.

I knew I’d love this and I was absolutely right. There are so many fantastic elements, a cosy crime set in a beautiful coastal backdrop is a good starter. A historic crime always has an extra element of intrigue and the long lasting effects on the people left behind up until present day. The very human story of being homosexual in less enlightened times and the historical differences and deep sadness playing out. I also likes the Enid Blighton esque smuggler and lighthouse aspect although I can’t go into too much detail as I’ll inadvertently give spoilers. I’d read a previous book in the series and the added facet of Doris the ghost wasn’t something I thought I’d warm to then but I most certainly did then and definitely did now. She’s charming and a brilliant addition to the storyline. Overall love love love this and truly hoping for more. A great read.

This is another story in this delightful series of cosy murder mysteries. The main character, Georgina Drake, is a professional photographer who has agreed to do publicity photos and an article on an unpopular building developer and his ambitious project converting a disused lighthouse. Her plans go awry when she along with her partner, DI Colin Bradshaw, discover the developers body in the locked lighthouse. The situation gets more complex when Bert, her dog, digs up a human skeleton nearby.

The relationship between Georgina and Colin is nicely developed and with him in charge of both cases this makes for some interesting dialogue. Georgina is also helped in her investigations by Doris, the ghost of a young woman who died some 50 years ago. This quirky relationship provides the basis for interesting subplots. The coastal and rural scenery is carefully described. The characters are well developed and there are plenty of twists and red herrings making this a very enjoyable read. I look forward to further adventures for Georgina, Collin and Doris.

Another hugely enjoyable installment in Hardy's Georgina Drake series. I love many things about this series, the gorgeous Norfolk setting which always makes me feel like I'm on holiday, the believable and well drawn characters from Georgina's eccentric friends to her children as well as the main cast of Georgina, Colina and Doris, and of course the dual plotline, mixing a historic murder with a current one. This time the action takes place around a coastal lighthouse. An unpopular bully is found dead, was it murder or an accident? And who was the skeleton found under the patio? Fun, fast paced and the perfect rainy day read. Highly recommended.

Georgina Drake book four. Cosy mystery.
Norfolk little Wenborough and Georgina has been celebrating her birthday with policeman Colin, their relationship is going really well.
Georgina along with Colin are heading to summerstrand lighthouse to meet Eliot Manson the lighthouse has been empty for some time and he is making it into a holiday home, so she has set up a interview and some photos his car is outside but the man is nowhere to be found. Colin unearthed a skeleton then they find Mr Manson body inside the cottage attached to the lighthouse.
Never a dull moment in this book lots of twists, turns, with added banter.
I always look forward to reading from this author. Loved it.

Another thoroughly enjoyable outing for Georgina, Colin and Doris. I've read and loved this entire series and I sincerely hope there are more to come. Highly recommend reading if you like your crime cosy and non-scary but intriguing and well-written. I also love the way Hardy has slowly developed the relationship between Georgie and Colin. Wonderful.

I'm afraid to say that I DNF'ed this book at 58%, there was nothing inherently bad about it. But the story was incredibly slow with nothing that truly captured my attention. I struggled somewhat with the writing as well, there were parts that were repetitive and almost contrived. I did like Georgina's character as she had depth, but felt that Colin's was quite superficial. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you for the arc however, I'm very grateful!

The author knows how to engage her readers’ interest from the very beginning. Unsurprisingly, her characters are well drawn and no matter how hard I try, the discovery of ‘who did it’ comes as a surprise. I like the relationships in this series - Georgiana and Doris, Georgina with her family and friends and of course - her relationship with Colin.

I am so looking forward to the next one!

I'm hooked. Once I started reading, I was compelled to finish. I've come to like Georgina, Colin, and the cast of characters that surrounds her. It's a pleasure to see a main character who actually works with the police, not against them, and doesn't hesitate to share any info gathered. Nor does she go dashing off into dangerous situations, something few of our other favorite amateur sleuths can boast of. She's smart, cares about others, and able to sort out things not always obvious to the frequently overworked and stressed Colin. I have to admit to patting myself on the back, of course, for picking up on a missed clue before it became important, so maybe I'm getting better at this sleuthing thing, too. Toss in Georgina's spaniel Bert, who has the not-so-desired trait of digging up bodies, and it's a fun read.

The author does an excellent job of mixing myth and history, fuzzy as some of the events were in most memories. I won't detail the plot as I don't want to give away too much as the twists and turns are part of the fun, not to mention they make our brains work We're reminded of a history within the lifespan of many of us, however, when acceptance of differences was not common and those who wavered from the expected path might face danger. Everyone has secrets but, as the book notes, secrets kept can fester. This time they lead to murder. Who killed developer Eliot Manson and his girlfriend? Why? As it turns out, the list of suspects is a long one. There's also the matter of the human bone Bert digs up? Who was it? Why were they buried at the lighthouse? Does the legend of Black Shuck, a huge mastiff that once seen means you only have a week to live, have something to do with this situation? Priests' holes? What is Georgina learning about Colin during all this, well, aside from reaffirming his fatigue at being compared to Mr. Darcy? Oh, and so many Shakespeare references, too. What's up with that?

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are likable, people whose situations most can relate to, and the setting is lovely. You'll learn some history, not to mention Shakespeare quotes, and get to hang out with some adorable dogs. And, oh, I can't forget Doris. Doris is a ghost heard only by Georgina via her hearing aid. I feared Doris might be gone after the last book so was delighted to see her pop up again, especially with news of her beloved Harrison. She's able to be part of the investigation, too, an extra plus. Colin remains a tad stuffy but we learn more of his backstory, too, one that impacted his life, so he's making strides forward with Georgina. Thanks #StormPublishing for allowing me this early look at all that is going on in Georgina's world. As an amateur photographer myself, I found myself drawn to her initially and have come to like her a great deal. I'm looking forward to the next book to see if my hunch about what secret she's keeping from Colin is right, not to mention if she'll actually share it with him.

Part of a series,best read in sequence for the backround. An old and a new murder to solve with little to go on. Good characters including the otherworldly one.

The author is very adept at giving just enough background to her main characters that you do not need to have read the rest of the series to understand the relationships, but without feeling overworked for those who have read the previous books.
A gentle investigation into two murders separated by decades at the same location and stumbled upon by Georgie and her ghostly friend.
Nothing twisty, no real surprises but a decent cozy mystery for a rainy evenings enjoyment.

Georgina Drake sets out to photograph a lighthouse and finds the owner, an unpleasant property developer, Manson, dead there. Compounding this her dog finds a human bone where a patio is being removed. So much for her holiday with partner DI Colin Bradshaw. Dora, our favourite ghost/spirit tells Georgina who the bone might belong to and it's always fun to see how Georgina puts this knowledge to Colin without actually saying a ghost told her so. Plenty of suspects for both deaths, historic abuse, revenge, smugglers' tunnels. All in all a good read, interesting, cosy with twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This was an ok cozy mystery, nothing memorable, and nothing to entice me into reading others in the series. I hadn't read anything by this author previously so the beginning was a bit confusing, not knowing who all the characters were and their relationship to each other. A little background would have helped a lot. I can't say I particularly liked any of them, either, and wish the Mr. Darcy comparison hadn't been mentioned so often. We get it, Colin looks like Darcy. Move on. I didn't get who Doris was - again, a little background would have helped - and the fact that she was a ghost did nothing for the story, in my opinion. Not a bad read, but nothing special either. 3 lukewarm stars.

Georgina and Colin (her detective boyfriend) are enjoying a few days together and head to a lighthouse so Georgina can do a photoshoot there. Before she goes, she learns the new owner she is interviewing has a bad history with friends of hers and is hated by many for his housing developments that locals can’t afford. Her dog literally digs up a skeleton outside the lighthouse and soon they have two murders to solve. Georgina has an edge on the older murder since she has a friendly ghost to help her.
This is a fun cozy mystery series. It works as a standalone, but I have enjoyed the series and the development of the characters and relationships over time. The mystery kept me guessing and I like the description of the settings and the characters.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a great book. I read it as a standalone and hadn’t read any previous books by Kate Hardy nor this series and it really was excellent. Some depth to the characters and some real hard topics covered with care and sensitivity. The murders were straight away and launched me into the book and to the life the Georgina and Colin lead together. The community around the lighthouse is small enough for their to be links and friendships between the people involved which added to the mystery. Nothing beats old smugglers routes and ancient lighthouses for a bit of atmosphere either.

Georgina Drake is looking forward to her next photographic assignment at the Summerstrand Lighthouse, or at least she was until she learned a little about its new owner, local property developer, Eliot Manson. A bully and serial philanderer, he has more enemies than friends in the small village where he lives. As it is her birthday, Georgina's partner, Detective Colin Bradshaw, has taken a few days off and, alongside dog Bert, accompanies her to the photo shoot. He is instantly back on duty however, when they discover not one body but two!

With Georgina’s secret friend, the dearly departed Doris, once again speaking to her through her hearing aids, she has her ghostly partner-in-crime-solving back and it isn't long before they have information to impart, not that Georgie can tell Colin where she got it! With an investigation going nowhere fast, and friends and acquaintances on the suspect list, everyone is on edge. Will the long hidden secrets which are about to be revealed make their killer more dangerous or will the past finally be able to be laid to rest?

Kate Hardy's fourth book in her Georgina Drake Mystery Series is my first, but I was at no disadvantage. There were a couple of spoilers for previous adventures but I thoroughly enjoyed this and absolutely plan to read all previous and future stories as soon as I can.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this and recommend it highly.