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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Love triangle, meh and I wish MC had more agency but overall really enjoyed this one.
http://www.girllostinabook.com/2015/10/review-by-book-or-by-crook-by-eva-gates.html
1.5/5
There are so many things that definitely were working in favour for this book, but sadly, so much went wrong. The story started out, okay if one could suspend belief that a library could actually fit in a lighthouse. However, things started going downhill from there. The development around Louise Jane's antics was clunky and cringe-worthy, and FMC's reaction to them seemed to be forced by the author and was rather mind-boggling. Worse was the utter lack of security in the library; especially one that supposedly had a very valuable set of books loaned to them. Somehow, the concept of controlled environments and security requirements to protect the books completely vanished, but hey! the characters were required to wear white gloves to handle the books because whatever.
I found it interesting that the FMC comments about caring about taking care of books and their condition, yet she had no qualms about reading on the beach and having her book getting sprayed by sea water. That cannot be good for the book. Add to all this some bizarre notions of library science (a Master's program of study) and some pretty clear instances of body shaming and I was sorely tempted to DNF this. I somehow managed to rage-finish this book which had an obvious, stereotypical ending for such a setting.
Really disappointed with this book and the author, and will not be continuing with this series.
There are so many things that definitely were working in favour for this book, but sadly, so much went wrong. The story started out, okay if one could suspend belief that a library could actually fit in a lighthouse. However, things started going downhill from there. The development around Louise Jane's antics was clunky and cringe-worthy, and FMC's reaction to them seemed to be forced by the author and was rather mind-boggling. Worse was the utter lack of security in the library; especially one that supposedly had a very valuable set of books loaned to them. Somehow, the concept of controlled environments and security requirements to protect the books completely vanished, but hey! the characters were required to wear white gloves to handle the books because whatever.
I found it interesting that the FMC comments about caring about taking care of books and their condition, yet she had no qualms about reading on the beach and having her book getting sprayed by sea water. That cannot be good for the book. Add to all this some bizarre notions of library science (a Master's program of study) and some pretty clear instances of body shaming and I was sorely tempted to DNF this. I somehow managed to rage-finish this book which had an obvious, stereotypical ending for such a setting.
Really disappointed with this book and the author, and will not be continuing with this series.
I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning, but it grew on me. I love the setting, living in the library sounds like a dream come true for this book lover! It does look like they are setting up a potential love triangle, sigh, seems to be a 'formula' for several cozy series lately.
I think I *want* to like cozies more than I *actually* like cozies. They just aren’t my thing ... but this one was better than a lot of the others I’ve read.
Imagine a Lighthouse.
Now...
Imagine a Library within a Lighthouse.
Imagine you not only get to work at this Lighthouse, but you get to live here, too.
Of course...
Even though the Lighthouse was based on a real one (Bodie Lighthouse in the Outer Banks of North Carolina), the author explained that she chose to fictionalize the possibilities of what could be contained in it.
Any way you look at it the setting is charming and perfect for a cozy mystery.
And...
The mystery was good with plenty of suspects and clues.
If you're a Jane Austen fan (you will find out why when you get the book), a library fan, and a lighthouse fan, this is the cozy for you!
I think I will look into mystery #2.
Now...
Imagine a Library within a Lighthouse.
Imagine you not only get to work at this Lighthouse, but you get to live here, too.
Of course...
Even though the Lighthouse was based on a real one (Bodie Lighthouse in the Outer Banks of North Carolina), the author explained that she chose to fictionalize the possibilities of what could be contained in it.
Any way you look at it the setting is charming and perfect for a cozy mystery.
And...
The mystery was good with plenty of suspects and clues.
If you're a Jane Austen fan (you will find out why when you get the book), a library fan, and a lighthouse fan, this is the cozy for you!
I think I will look into mystery #2.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I don’t know why people are picking this apart like a cozy mystery with an illustrated cat on the cover is supposed to be a philosophical think-piece.
Cozy mysteries are supposed to be formulaic; that’s part of what makes them cozy. The only thing that can really mess it up is 1. Plot holes 2. Annoying main character. I found neither in this book.
This one checks all the boxes. I enjoyed the lighthouse/library setting, and the beachy vibes. Also, it’s set in my home state of North Carolina, which was nice.