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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was actually my first "cozy" and I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it. The town and characters are so real and relatable!
This was okay. I’m probably not the target audience. There was a lot about Jane Austen, who I honestly don’t care about at all (sorry). I felt overwhelmed by how many characters were introduced right off the bat. It was a lot of people to keep track of all of a sudden. And then more kept getting added as the story went on. I liked Charles the cat, even though my experience with cats is that they generally hate tummy rubs, so if a cat is going to be into tummy rubs, I think there should be some acknowledgement that most cats don’t like them, and this is a rare cat who does. JUST A PERSONAL ISSUE. A few things were repetitive, like it was explained a couple of times how cell service in the lighthouse is spotty due to the thick stone walls. But my biggest issue was how no one ever told Louise Jane to shut the hell up. Everyone was so polite to her even though she dropped insults left and right. And the narrator kept walking straight into her setups, and acknowledging that she was, but she never stopped! I always thought people on the East Coast were more straightforward. But maybe not in the South? I don’t know. I just kept waiting for someone to say to Louise Jane, “Why are you telling this story? Because it seems like you’re just trying to fuck with us.” or “Can you please stop insulting us to our faces?” But everyone acted like she was being a normal person. I hoped she would end up being the killer, so she wouldn’t pop up in future books, but she was too obviously evil to be the real killer. So she’ll probably be around for the whole series, slagging everyone in a nice tone of voice so they don’t realize they’re being insulted until later. Overall, it wasn’t the worst cozy mystery I’ve ever read, but I didn’t really connect with the characters or the plot like I’d like to.
I hated this book, even though, based on the description, I should by all rights have loved it. Just goes to show that descriptions can be deceiving.
For the first half of the book, I desperately wanted to SLAP Louise-Jane, the requisite "evil-thorn-in-the-side-of-the-main-character". She was a horrid, horrid individual. But, in fairness, that IS the role of this type of character, so I can't really fault her - she was just doing her job after all.
Then, for the rest of the book, I just as desperately - possibly even MORE - wanted to slap Lucy, our supposed heroine and sleuth. My god! I cannot believe how dense and clueless this character was. TSTL doesn't even BEGIN to cover the ditzy decisions she makes, and flat-out stupid things she does. Honestly, based on what goes on in this book, Lucy is barely this side of the bimbo in the horror movies who goes down into the dark basement alone to investigate when the power goes out . . . in her underwear! There was more than one instance - which I won't detail in case you decide to read this [although I in NO WAY recommend you do that unless you enjoy utter stupidity in your cozy mysteries] where I literally screamed at her: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! DON'T!! FOR GOD'S SAKE - DON'T DO THAT!!!!" It was so ridiculously implausible that multiple men would be chasing after Lucy. Even when she wasn't doing something dumb, she was incredibly wishy-washy and dull. I liked absolutely nothing about her. In fact, I caught myself thinking I wish the killer had gotten HER, because then there would be no more books about this dippy twit written. Alas, no such luck.
The mystery itself was predictable [even I figured it out before the reveal, and I never even try to do that] and even the supporting characters were either miserable, nasty people, or cliched beyond belief. I think there was only one character I actually liked and that was Lucy's boss Bertie, who only played a minor role.
I will definitely not be reading future installments in this series.
For the first half of the book, I desperately wanted to SLAP Louise-Jane, the requisite "evil-thorn-in-the-side-of-the-main-character". She was a horrid, horrid individual. But, in fairness, that IS the role of this type of character, so I can't really fault her - she was just doing her job after all.
Then, for the rest of the book, I just as desperately - possibly even MORE - wanted to slap Lucy, our supposed heroine and sleuth. My god! I cannot believe how dense and clueless this character was. TSTL doesn't even BEGIN to cover the ditzy decisions she makes, and flat-out stupid things she does. Honestly, based on what goes on in this book, Lucy is barely this side of the bimbo in the horror movies who goes down into the dark basement alone to investigate when the power goes out . . . in her underwear! There was more than one instance - which I won't detail in case you decide to read this [although I in NO WAY recommend you do that unless you enjoy utter stupidity in your cozy mysteries] where I literally screamed at her: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! DON'T!! FOR GOD'S SAKE - DON'T DO THAT!!!!" It was so ridiculously implausible that multiple men would be chasing after Lucy. Even when she wasn't doing something dumb, she was incredibly wishy-washy and dull. I liked absolutely nothing about her. In fact, I caught myself thinking I wish the killer had gotten HER, because then there would be no more books about this dippy twit written. Alas, no such luck.
The mystery itself was predictable [even I figured it out before the reveal, and I never even try to do that] and even the supporting characters were either miserable, nasty people, or cliched beyond belief. I think there was only one character I actually liked and that was Lucy's boss Bertie, who only played a minor role.
I will definitely not be reading future installments in this series.
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Two of my favorite things, libraries, and lighthouses, so when they are combined it really gets me excited.
Lucy Richardson is the newest librarian at The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library but her hiring has some people quite twitterpated. One thought the job should have been hers, others didn’t think the position was necessary, and even the head of the library board wants to get rid of her. The head librarian and the staff at the library are thrilled to have her join them, especially with the Jane Austen exhibit and programs starting.
An event took place for friends of the library to see the exhibit before it was opened to the public. Just as Bertie, the head librarian, is ready to announce a special addition to the exhibit the head of the board is found dead. Because of his position to get rid of Lucy, she becomes a suspect but Bertie is the one that leaps to the top of the police’s list. Then one of the Austen novels goes missing.
Did Bertie remove the book to throw suspicion away from herself? Or is the real killer a thief too? Or are there 2 criminals on Bodie Island? Lucy hopes to close the book on the case by answering all those questions.
First, the author starts the book saying there would not be enough space in a real lighthouse to include all the books, staircases and rooms she has written into this book, so on the basis of the library’s structure the reader must suspend reality and I was fine with that. I just imagined a huge lighthouse, bigger than I have ever seen. Think of it – each level has a special purpose. The main floor for the usual adult fiction and non-fiction with a special alcove and program areas. The next floor is filled with children’s books and programs. The third level for rare books, maps, etc. And the fourth floor a unique living space where Lucy has made herself at home. There is also a working lamp at the top. What a glorious setting with wonderful views! I would love to suspend the reality far enough to take me there.
Ms. Gates introduces us to fine characters. The library staff is made up of Bertie, Lucy, Ronald, the children’s librarian, Charlene, research librarian, and Charles, the library cat in residence. Lucy’s aunt, uncle, and cousin, along with the mayor, a nice detective and a not so nice detective round out what I assume will be the regular supporting cast. We also meet some unique friends of the library. Some were easy to like, others took some warming up and others were written to be not very likable. The author did a great job with this cast.
The murder mystery was not easy to solve. There was an entire room of suspects with an opportunity to commit the crime. The missing book mystery was also difficult because it could have been anyone from library regulars to someone off a bus that brought tourists in for the Austen exhibit. The library really should have had some kind of security person watching over the priceless items, but I don’t think there ever imagined the number of people that would pass through their doors for this event. I had a certain library patron at the top of my list but it was just a feeling. As the proof was all revealed I was surprised I actually was right.
I enjoyed everything about this story. Thee characters were very engaging, the mystery was very well written, and the setting was to die for.
I am late to the party on this series, but I am going to get all caught up before the fourth installment, The Spook in the Stacks, comes out on June 12.
Two of my favorite things, libraries, and lighthouses, so when they are combined it really gets me excited.
Lucy Richardson is the newest librarian at The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library but her hiring has some people quite twitterpated. One thought the job should have been hers, others didn’t think the position was necessary, and even the head of the library board wants to get rid of her. The head librarian and the staff at the library are thrilled to have her join them, especially with the Jane Austen exhibit and programs starting.
An event took place for friends of the library to see the exhibit before it was opened to the public. Just as Bertie, the head librarian, is ready to announce a special addition to the exhibit the head of the board is found dead. Because of his position to get rid of Lucy, she becomes a suspect but Bertie is the one that leaps to the top of the police’s list. Then one of the Austen novels goes missing.
Did Bertie remove the book to throw suspicion away from herself? Or is the real killer a thief too? Or are there 2 criminals on Bodie Island? Lucy hopes to close the book on the case by answering all those questions.
First, the author starts the book saying there would not be enough space in a real lighthouse to include all the books, staircases and rooms she has written into this book, so on the basis of the library’s structure the reader must suspend reality and I was fine with that. I just imagined a huge lighthouse, bigger than I have ever seen. Think of it – each level has a special purpose. The main floor for the usual adult fiction and non-fiction with a special alcove and program areas. The next floor is filled with children’s books and programs. The third level for rare books, maps, etc. And the fourth floor a unique living space where Lucy has made herself at home. There is also a working lamp at the top. What a glorious setting with wonderful views! I would love to suspend the reality far enough to take me there.
Ms. Gates introduces us to fine characters. The library staff is made up of Bertie, Lucy, Ronald, the children’s librarian, Charlene, research librarian, and Charles, the library cat in residence. Lucy’s aunt, uncle, and cousin, along with the mayor, a nice detective and a not so nice detective round out what I assume will be the regular supporting cast. We also meet some unique friends of the library. Some were easy to like, others took some warming up and others were written to be not very likable. The author did a great job with this cast.
The murder mystery was not easy to solve. There was an entire room of suspects with an opportunity to commit the crime. The missing book mystery was also difficult because it could have been anyone from library regulars to someone off a bus that brought tourists in for the Austen exhibit. The library really should have had some kind of security person watching over the priceless items, but I don’t think there ever imagined the number of people that would pass through their doors for this event. I had a certain library patron at the top of my list but it was just a feeling. As the proof was all revealed I was surprised I actually was right.
I enjoyed everything about this story. Thee characters were very engaging, the mystery was very well written, and the setting was to die for.
I am late to the party on this series, but I am going to get all caught up before the fourth installment, The Spook in the Stacks, comes out on June 12.
Cute characters and fun to read about the OBX, but it strains credulity that so many people live in one small beach town and are all so involved with the library. Read it with a suspension of disbelief and enjoy.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a fun book to read! I loved all the Jane Austen references and seeing other books mentioned. I'd love to visit a library in a lighthouse - two of my favorite things!