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A Cozy Mystery That Never Disappoints

Eva Gates delivers yet another delightful installment in her cozy mystery series with Shot Through the Book. There’s something so comforting about returning to familiar characters and settings, and this book was exactly what I needed—dependable, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable.

While the formula follows the classic cozy mystery structure, it never feels stale. The twists kept me guessing, and even though I thought I had it figured out, the ending still managed to surprise me. That’s what I love about this series—no matter how many I read, they always keep me on my toes.

If you love cozy mysteries that feel like curling up with an old friend, this is one you’ll want to pick up. I know I will every time I see a new one on the shelf!

I have read and loved all of the books in Eva Gates / Vicki Delany's Lighthouse Library Mystery series and Shot Through the Book (book 12) is a great addition! The main characters are likable and it's like visiting old friends. Lucy works at Bodie Island Lighthouse Library and is married to Connor who is a dentist and also the mayor. Lucy and Connor are a cute couple. Lucy, her boss Bertie and co-workers Ronald and Louise Jane are planning a YA Author event featuring Todd Harrison and two local authors. Todd stops by Lucy's home but is killed before she knows why he came to visit her. Todd has a fan club that is causing problems along with his wife and his agent. I suspected the culprit but wasn't sure and there is enough going on to keep it interesting. This is a very enjoyable cozy mystery! #ShotThroughTheBook #LighthouseLibraryMystery #NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #VickiDelany

Eva Gates is a go-to author when I want that special, fun cozy mystery series. In Shor Through the Book, a Lighthouse Library Mystery, Lucy is again the victim of finding the corpse. But this time, she lets the victim into her house and while she's preparing something to drink in one room, he's killed in another. How could that happen? Gates invents a great plot, and we once again are entertained by many of the core series characters. Some changes in the local police department and main character side stories breathe a little bit of fresh into the future of the town. We learn about a few interesting authors and writers in the town's history, and the humor of all the relationships, Louise Jane in particular, rise to the surface. A fun few hours to escape reality.

Lucy McNeil is back in the 12th instalment of the Lighthouse Library Mystery Series. When renowned YA author Todd Harrison shows up unexpectedly at Lucy’s home wanting to discuss a private matter she is naturally intrigued as they are virtual strangers. Before Lucy can find out what he wants he is murdered on her deck. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and this one did not let me down! Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC.

Librarian Lucy MacNeil, like nearly everyone in the outer banks, is excited about the upcoming book festival which the Lighthouse Library is hosting. The local event is aimed primarily at teen readers, with three local authors scheduled to appear. One of them, Todd Harrison, is a NYT bestselling author with passionate fans. And, apparently, a deadly enemy. One night after a meeting about the book festival, Todd shows up at Lucy's house asking to talk to her privately. While Lucy gets them something to drink, Todd waits on the deck. When she goes out to join him, Todd has been murdered.

There are suspects aplenty for Lucy to investigate, but her helpful sleuthing is hampered by accusations made by Todd's wife. An ex-tabloid journalist, she has accused Lucy of murdering her husband just so she can be in the spotlight as she "investigates" for the police. But the wife may have her own motive for murder.

Lucy's sleuthing may be hampered, but it isn't halted. Despite these accusations of murder and "amateur investigations," which cause even Lucy's friends in the police to keep their distance, Lucy can't help but dig into the mystery of Todd's death. Multiple subplots are juggled creatively by the author. We see glimpses into Lucy's marriage, watch alternative plans for the festival develop, and join Lucy in her uneasiness with the teen fanatics who loved Todd so much . . . maybe too much?

The ending works great, tying all the subplots together. The touches of humor, the quirky characters, the sound of the waves crashing against the Outer Bank shores, Charles the library cat--all the wonderful aspects of the series are present in this twelfth Lighthouse Mystery. If you are a fan, you will love this, and if you haven't read the series yet, you should definitely start.

And let's hope the series continues. The book ends with everything from this mystery completed, but there are some scenes at the end that let us know things are changing for Lucy. I can't wait to see how she handles the twists life is throwing at her!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Eva Gates for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Shot Through the Book coming out May 6, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m obsessed with this author! I’ve read so many books by her. I love cozy mysteries so much! This is one of my favorite cozy mysteries series. I’m obsessed with the setting and the characters. I love the whole lighthouse theme. I love where Lucy is going in life. There was definitely some drama in this book. But I really love the township. I love that Lucy’s husband supports her. I will definitely read more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

I loved this book. It’s fast paced & smooth in how the story flows. It’s interesting all the way through. I did not guess who the killer was until the very end although I did guess the little surprise at the end. It’ll be interesting to see what changes due to it. #ShotThroughtheBook #NetGalley

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.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates is a delightful cozy mystery that combines intrigue with a charming setting. The story follows librarian Lucy Richardson as she navigates a new mystery in her small town, blending her love for books with her knack for solving crimes. The plot is engaging, with well-developed characters and a perfect mix of suspense and humor. Fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the book’s light-hearted tone and its focus on books and libraries. If you’re looking for a fun and relaxing read with a bit of mystery, Shot Through the Book is a great choice.

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.