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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
We return to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where Lucy and Connor have found a home. It needs renovations, but it is an unpainted aristocracy which is what they wanted, and it is in a terrific location (on the beach). Lucy loves her job, her fiancé, and her new home. She has started her wedding plans, but there are still many items to complete. But then strange things begin to happen in the house. Footsteps, doors left open, and footprints in dust in the unfinished living room. The house is rumored to be haunted, but Lucy is not buying the paranormal explanation. Then one evening, Lucy and Connor find a man dead in their kitchen. When they learn the victim’s identity, Lucy discovers that the man had a connection to their home. Lucy intends find out why the man was in their home, how he got in, and who killed him. It is a coincidence that the Classic Novel Reading Club is reading The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Lucy finds a few parallels between the book and what has been happening at her new home. Lucy soon learns that her house troubles are not over. Can Lucy clear up the mystery before the killer strikes again? Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates is ninth A Lighthouse Library Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but you will be missing out on a delightful series. I thought Death by Beach Read was well-written with realistic, developed characters. I enjoy the wonderful descriptions of the Outer Banks. I would love to live in that area. All our favorite characters are back plus a couple of new additions. Charles, the library cat, returns with attitude. Charles is one smart cat and a good judge of character. The mystery was fun. It was well-plotted with red herrings and good clues. I like how the mystery ties into the book that the book club is reading. I was delighted with the spookiness of the mystery. I was able to solve the mystery early in the book, but that did not hinder my pleasure. The reveal was exciting and provided the answers Lucy had been seeking. I loved the descriptions of the unpainted aristocracy homes including Lucy and Connor’s. I was sorry when my visit to the Outer Banks came to an end. Death by Beach Read is a hauntingly good time with unpainted aristocracy renovations, baffling footsteps, a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, a jolly Louise Jayne, a haunted history, a mystifying murder, and a fiery finish.
kimdavishb's review
5.0
DEATH BY BEACH READ is the ninth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates. With delightful characters, a charming setting—who can resist a library in a supposed haunted lighthouse in the Outer Banks—and a puzzling mystery from years ago that ties into a current day murder, I was glued to the story from the very first. The author creates a compelling tale featuring protagonist Lucy Richardson. I’ve so enjoyed watching Lucy’s adventures and relationships flourish over the course of the series. This newest release is no exception as she and her fiancé, Connor, plan a wedding while renovating their beach historic cottage. I greatly appreciated how the library’s book club’s classic novel selection seems to parallel the trouble Lucy is experiencing with her own, new to her, house. The well-plotted mystery kept me intrigued. With great attention to detail, Ms. Gates ties up all the threads of the clues sprinkled throughout the story and ends with a highly satisfying conclusion, making me eager to find out what’s next in store for Lucy, Connor, and Charles, the library cat.
I was delighted to have had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of DEATH BY BEACH READ, thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley. The narrator, Elise Arsenault, does an admirable job in capturing the voices of the characters and adds to the overall enjoyment of the story.
I was delighted to have had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of DEATH BY BEACH READ, thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley. The narrator, Elise Arsenault, does an admirable job in capturing the voices of the characters and adds to the overall enjoyment of the story.
karinlib's review
4.0
I continue to love this series by Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany) set in one of my favorite places on earth: The Outer Banks of North Carolina.
In this ninth installment of Lighthouse Library Mystery series Lucy, Connor, and Charles, the Library cat are living in their recently bought older home in Nags Head NC. All is not as it seems.
In this ninth installment of Lighthouse Library Mystery series Lucy, Connor, and Charles, the Library cat are living in their recently bought older home in Nags Head NC. All is not as it seems.
jane_kelsey's review
DNF at 6%... the writing style really did not work for me and did not captivate me in any way. I could not have cared less about what it was going on and no patience to wait.
mintlovesbooks's review
4.0
If you're looking for a suspenseful cozy mystery that explores a historical case rife with family drama, Death by Beach Read would be a great read for you.
My favourite thing about this book was the inclusion of scenes full of tension and action. It added a suspenseful feeling to the book while still remaining a cozy mystery at its heart. I felt as if there was really something at stake for Lucy, the protagonist, as she went about solving the mystery, making for a gripping read. The mystery itself was well-written, with many layers to unravel.
At the same time, I didn't love Lucy as a character. I found that she could be a bit judgemental of other people at times (particularly people she did not care for), whereas people she was more sympathetic to got the benefit of the doubt. I think there are a few moments where she could be considered TSTL (too stupid to live) - it's not for all of the book, but I just thought I'd throw that warning out there in case this is a trope you'd really like to avoid.
Many of the other characters are colourful figures, so if you're not a big fan of Lucy, you might enjoy reading about everyone else. I especially liked learning more about the family members involved in the main family drama in this book.
This is the first book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series I've read. While it is possible to read and enjoy this book without knowing about the other books in the series, as I did, I feel that some scenes would be more thrilling with knowledge of the prior books in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
My favourite thing about this book was the inclusion of scenes full of tension and action. It added a suspenseful feeling to the book while still remaining a cozy mystery at its heart. I felt as if there was really something at stake for Lucy, the protagonist, as she went about solving the mystery, making for a gripping read. The mystery itself was well-written, with many layers to unravel.
At the same time, I didn't love Lucy as a character. I found that she could be a bit judgemental of other people at times (particularly people she did not care for), whereas people she was more sympathetic to got the benefit of the doubt. I think there are a few moments where she could be considered TSTL (too stupid to live) - it's not for all of the book, but I just thought I'd throw that warning out there in case this is a trope you'd really like to avoid.
Many of the other characters are colourful figures, so if you're not a big fan of Lucy, you might enjoy reading about everyone else. I especially liked learning more about the family members involved in the main family drama in this book.
This is the first book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series I've read. While it is possible to read and enjoy this book without knowing about the other books in the series, as I did, I feel that some scenes would be more thrilling with knowledge of the prior books in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
hopecatena's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
readabookbraun's review
4.0
Enjoyable read! The ending does feel like it could be the end of the series.