peggyemi 's review for:

By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates

3.0

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I am a fan of this author's writing as Vicki Delany and so I decided it was time to start this series. This is a 3 1/2 star read for me. It is a very solid beginning to a series. I love that this is series involves books and a library located in a lighthouse. It makes for a setting that really calls to me, as a book lover. The characters are solid. I liked Lucy and thought that she has the potential to become a favorite main character for me. In this first book, she is still finding her footing in a new place and a new job, but based on this author's writing, I can see her growing and getting stronger. There is a nice cast of secondary characters that round out the story nicely. My only issue with this series was the pacing. I felt the plot dragged a bit in some places, but that is not uncommon in the first book of a new series as the author tries to balance the backstory with the mystery.

I thought the mystery was well done. There were many viable subjects, each with varying motives. I had a hard time trying to decide who was actually behind the murder and the thefts. I found the mystery to be engaging and loved trying to fit all of the puzzle pieces together.

I will be continuing with this series and look forward to seeing what the author has in store for the characters.