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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
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!
The unique setting of a library inside a lighthouse along the coast of North Carolina drew me to this series, but it was just okay to me, mostly because the mystery was a bit lackluster and I had trouble relating to the main character, Lucy. Lucy is an academic librarian who leaves her life in Boston behind to accept a position at the Lighthouse Library, just in time for the library to host a traveling collection of Jane Austen first editions. But when the head of the library board is found murdered and the Austen books go missing, Lucy decides to sleuth to clear the name of her boss, who some believe is behind the crimes.
Since this is the first book in the series, there was quite a bit of set-up about Lucy's background and the background of all the characters in this town, and I think the main issue I had was that I didn't really like any of the characters that much. The stakes for Lucy's boss also didn't seem that high, as the police let her keep working as if she wasn't under investigation and not much was happening on that front. Besides that, once a rare first edition book goes missing, why would you leave the others in a rinky-dink display case in a library that has no security? These books are worth like $20,000 a piece. Get a safe, you guys. Then, once the killer was finally revealed, I couldn't help but say "Who?" There were so many characters with similar names and no personality that I honestly could not keep track of them, so the reveal wasn't very exciting.
I know everyone loves this series, but it just didn't hook me.
Since this is the first book in the series, there was quite a bit of set-up about Lucy's background and the background of all the characters in this town, and I think the main issue I had was that I didn't really like any of the characters that much. The stakes for Lucy's boss also didn't seem that high, as the police let her keep working as if she wasn't under investigation and not much was happening on that front. Besides that, once a rare first edition book goes missing, why would you leave the others in a rinky-dink display case in a library that has no security? These books are worth like $20,000 a piece. Get a safe, you guys. Then, once the killer was finally revealed, I couldn't help but say "Who?" There were so many characters with similar names and no personality that I honestly could not keep track of them, so the reveal wasn't very exciting.
I know everyone loves this series, but it just didn't hook me.
Intriguing Mystery
I very much enjoyed this story. There were twists and turns and I was surprised when we learned who the guilty person was. I look forward to reading the next story in the series.
I very much enjoyed this story. There were twists and turns and I was surprised when we learned who the guilty person was. I look forward to reading the next story in the series.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
This was a fantastic cozy mystery.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series!!!
Lucy is an absolutely delightful protagonist, and for an "amateur detective" does not get up to any investigations that are out of the realm of realism. She isn't hunting down strangers and demanding answers, which is a trope that I can't personally stand in my mysteries.
I really liked how the story included Butch as the "good" cop in the sense that he supported Lucy and her investigations while really being the one to deep the police work along side Detective Watson as the "bad" cop who suspects Lucy and doesn't want her involved, but again as the professional is the one doing the bulk of the work to solve the crime.
The supporting characters who work at the Lighthouse weren't really fully developed in this first entry, I expect to see more of that as the series unfolds. This was really about getting to know Lucy, the lighthouse and the general vibe of the town of Bodie Island. The townfold on the other hand are a lively and engaging cast of character and I definitely look forward to reading more about thier adventures.
As a sold bibliophile I love a mystery set in a Library and a Lighthouse Library is just so unique-this series definitely sucked me in, and I ordered the 2nd book from my library the second I was done reading this one.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series!!!
Lucy is an absolutely delightful protagonist, and for an "amateur detective" does not get up to any investigations that are out of the realm of realism. She isn't hunting down strangers and demanding answers, which is a trope that I can't personally stand in my mysteries.
I really liked how the story included Butch as the "good" cop in the sense that he supported Lucy and her investigations while really being the one to deep the police work along side Detective Watson as the "bad" cop who suspects Lucy and doesn't want her involved, but again as the professional is the one doing the bulk of the work to solve the crime.
The supporting characters who work at the Lighthouse weren't really fully developed in this first entry, I expect to see more of that as the series unfolds. This was really about getting to know Lucy, the lighthouse and the general vibe of the town of Bodie Island. The townfold on the other hand are a lively and engaging cast of character and I definitely look forward to reading more about thier adventures.
As a sold bibliophile I love a mystery set in a Library and a Lighthouse Library is just so unique-this series definitely sucked me in, and I ordered the 2nd book from my library the second I was done reading this one.
This was a page turner. Sometimes the character got a little annoying or irrational, but overall I loved the various components, including the lighthouse, books, and the cat.
This is a cute start to a fun beachy series. Lucy may not be Olivia Limoges when it comes to mysteries in seaside towns, but she totally knows how to hold her own.
Lucy leaves the hustle and bustle of Boston to move to the Outer Banks and become the Assistant Librarian for the CUTEST library in a lighthouse. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library has just been granted access to an exclusive set of [a:Jane Austen|1265|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1380085320p2/1265.jpg] first editions. When the chairman of the library board is murdered, and one by one the books start disappearing, Lucy realizes that this may not be the dream job she imagined.
With her trusty sidekick, Charles (a Himalayan cat), Lucy decides that she needs to protect the books, the library, and her job by finding the killer.
Lucy leaves the hustle and bustle of Boston to move to the Outer Banks and become the Assistant Librarian for the CUTEST library in a lighthouse. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library has just been granted access to an exclusive set of [a:Jane Austen|1265|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1380085320p2/1265.jpg] first editions. When the chairman of the library board is murdered, and one by one the books start disappearing, Lucy realizes that this may not be the dream job she imagined.
With her trusty sidekick, Charles (a Himalayan cat), Lucy decides that she needs to protect the books, the library, and her job by finding the killer.
This was an absolute delightful book and a wonderful start to the series! Lucy is new to the outer banks after spending summers with her Aunt Ellen and Uncle Amos on the outer banks and falling in love. We are introduced to Bertie, who runs the library. Ronald who runs the children's room and programming. Charlene the hip hop loving research librarian. Louise an annoying wannabe librarian. And of course Conner and Butch who create a possible love triangle for Lucy.
I think that I might just be a huge Vicky Delany fan because even as Eva Gates I am obsessed! Onto book 2!
I think that I might just be a huge Vicky Delany fan because even as Eva Gates I am obsessed! Onto book 2!
Even though I found Lucy to be a bit of a mouse and the mystery easy to solve, it was a good beach read. It did make me want to visit the OBX.