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.

Another great mystery in the A Lighthouse Library Mystery series. Lucy has become one of my favorite sleuths. She gives me a slight Nancy Drew vibes. And I love reading about a library in a lighthouse.

Lucy McNeil is busily preparing the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library for its major book festival. She is surprised when one of the major speakers, YA author Todd Harrison, unexpectedly visits her home at the end of a day of meetings organizing the event. She barely knew the man and wasn’t sure why he would visit her at her home to meet with her privately. She seated him out on her deck, and a few minutes later, when she returned from her kitchen to bring him a drink, she found him dead.
Baffled as to why he wanted to meet with her and how someone could kill him in the few minutes he was inside, Lucy sets out to use her ever-present investigation skills to help with the investigation.
Things become complicated by his widow, who shows up in town, clearly more interested in her candidacy for state senator than her husband’s tragic death. Lucy’s investigation is hampered by the local town teen groupies, who are firm fans of Harrison and are trolling the town in numbers, mourning his loss, and by bickering authors fighting to take over his prominence as a YA book writer.
Lucy desperately moves ahead to find the killer to save the town's major upcoming YA Book Festival.

A dead body on her own deck wasn't how Lucy hoped to start the Young Adult Book Festival. Not only is it someone she has barely met but, uh-oh, he was to be the festival's prime author. Who killed Todd Harrison? Why on Lucy and Conner's deck? And, oh, my, not with the usual weapon. Toss in a pushy, not exactly grief-stricken wife with political ambitions, rabid fans determined to live out rituals in Todd's YA series, and gossip, and you've got a twisty mystery to solve. On top of everything else, Lucy isn't even feeling all the great.

I don't want to detail the plot and ruin one moment for readers but will say that as a former teacher with librarian fans, I loved this twist on teens and authors. While I was a bit taken aback by Lucy's lack of backbone when Heather Harrison came calling, cameraman and assistant in tow, especially given Lucy is usually the strong one, I fully enjoyed the story. Politics in its most rabid attack mode might best characterize Heather's tactics but, wow, she is definitely a piece of work. By the time she's done, she's pretty much accused everyone of being inept, ineffectual, useless, or even being a murderer. I guess I'd be a bit taken aback to be confronted by someone like that, too, so I cut Lucy some slack. 4.5 rounded up to 5 star. It was fun to see the rest of the cast of characters together again, sharing ideas, and I felt like I was back home with friends as I joined them virtually. Now, true, a little of Louise Jane goes a long way but Lucy was pretty successful at keeping her reined in. There's even some romance blooming, always fun when you're among friends.

Bottom line, a fun, thought provoking read in many ways. While as educators we strive to pull students into reading, this one tackles what happens when an author's work becomes an obsession. Even worse, an obsession that leads them into not just annoying but potentially dangerous situations. What might be the result? You'll probably at first shake your head at some of the Todd Harrison book fans but be forced to look deeper into teen angst and obsessions as it progresses. You'll even learn a bit about a sport that isn't the norm for cozy mysteries, at least those set in modern times, as well as get some insight into both publishing and author agents, not to mention author rivalries. Nags Head is, as always, a fascinating location and I enjoy the quirky characters that seem to have found their virtual home there. This one kept me guessing until nearly the big reveal, I must admit. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for this early peek at all that's going on in Lucy's life. I did guess that not too finely hidden hint about the final big reveal, though, I must admit. Now I'm looking forward all the more to the next book.

I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GALLEY! Eva Gates' Lighthouse Library series is my absolute favorite cozy series. I have been impatiently waiting for this book and it did not let me down. Eva Gates is an auto buy author and can do no wrong.

Ive been following the lighthouse library series because i enjoy it very much.

It’s got a great cast of character, it’s humorous, mysterious, and the right amount of cosy.

I love following Lucy on her investigations, and this one is just as fun.

I recommend this to anyone who likes well thought out characters, heartfelt moments, believable mysteries, and good old fashion detective work.

Overall rating 4 of 5 🔎

Shot Through the Book is my first step into the world of Lucy McNeil, and it sucked me right in.
The atmosphere of the little island town is on the spot. I felt the summer breeze flying through my hair when my feet were sitting on the warm wood of the house's deck, overwatching the beach.

The same deck where murder happens.

Librarian Lucy McNeil is stunned when bestselling author Todd Harrison shows up at her Outer Banks home unannounced. But before she can find out why, he’s murdered on her deck—during the few minutes she’s inside getting a drink.
With no idea what he wanted or how someone killed him so quickly, Lucy is determined to get answers. But Todd’s widow, more focused on her political ambitions than grief, is out for blood—targeting both the investigation and Lucy herself.
Between obsessive fans, feuding authors, and a cutthroat politician, Lucy must untangle the truth before the killer strikes again.

Lucy McNeil quickly became one of my favorite amateur detectives. She is a kind and interesting character, and her internal monologues are funny and insightful.

The side characters in this story are also very well-written, and the whole town feels alive and comforting.
I was briefly checking out the other books in the series, and I like that, similarly to the detective series of Armand Gamache, it looks like the main character here is developing through all the books and is not stuck in one life part.

As for the mystery, I was pleasantly surprised not to be sure who the killer was, which is so rare for me when reading cozy murder mysteries. So, just for that, I was very happy with this book.

I would say that Shot Through the Book is the perfect read for anyone who likes cozy murder mysteries in small-town settings and also an ideal read for anyone who likes the island setting in the book, strong and intelligent heroin, and mystery that will let you on your tip toes who is the murderer.

Always a delight to visit the Brodie Lighthouse library and Lucy. The characters and their development are awesome. Great story plot that flows smoothly. Lots of suspects will keep you guessing. Looking forward to the next. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

It was wonderful to be back at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library! I love this series, and this newest book did not disappoint. It took me a while to get into the story this time, but the setting, small town politics, and theme of a Young Adult event at the library and a murdered author made for an enjoyable read. You were really able to follow the path to the killer through the clues discovered by Lucy.

I felt like Connor was a more in the background for this book, which was disappointing, but the way the other characters have grown and developed over the series has made for a great read.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this Cozy Mystery series. It was actually the one that got me started in ready Cozies. In this book, Lucy, the Brodie Lighthouse , librarian in the amateur sleuth and she is a great one. This time the library is having a YA reader book festival. The lead author is Todd Harrison. He is actually shot with an arrow on Lucy's deck while she is in the house getting them tea. He has a fan club in town and they tend to invade Lucy and Connor's house quite a few times in this book. Connor is the mayor in town. The list of suspects is long and as you go along you will see why. The person who done it is surprising . A VERY GOOD READ. Must read to see who done it.