This is the fifth book in the Lighthouse Library series by Eva Gates, which is a pen name for Vicki Delany who some know best for her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. In fact, there was a cool little reference to that series, see if you can find it!
I just love Charles, the library cat. It was hilarious how he showed an unwelcome library visitor that he wasn’t welcome. I found this picture on Google under licensed for reuse, and I think Charles might look something like this.
My Goodreads review:
Something Read, Something Dead by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was even better than the last book, and I really liked that one a lot. While this is only the second book I’ve read in the series (I seriously do need to start it at the beginning), I’m never lost, because the character relationships and previous happenings are referenced or explained, and…I like that there are never any spoilers.
Josie and Jake’s wedding was coming up soon and when the “Louisiana Mafia” as Josie called her Grandma Gloria, aunt and cousins on her dad’s side, showed up, Josie was nearly tempted to grab Jake and elope. One of the cousins died after eating a dessert at Josie’s shower at the lighthouse, and since the dessert was made by Josie, her bakery was closed for the investigation, and she was the main person of interest. Sam Watson who was the usual detective had to step to the side and allow the state detective to take over, and it wasn’t easy for Lucy to investigate without him getting angry.
There was an awesome twist toward the end that I never saw coming, and I hadn’t really figured out the killer. I had it down to two people, but no particular reason, so it was fun to watch it play out. I especially liked that Lucy had all the suspects and both detectives gathered at her aunt Ellen’s house and was able to do her big reveal there, like in so many TV shows and older mysteries.
The side story of the library desperately needing $100K for emergency repairs was interesting and even had a little drama of its own, when someone spread rumors that the donations would revert to the town’s operating fund if the library didn’t raise the total (which was a total lie). In the end, everything worked out great and I was very pleased with the book’s ending as well. While I’m anxious for the next book, I hope I can get caught up with the first three before it comes out!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 