Something Read, Something Dead

Something Read, Something Dead can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in the previous books in A Lighthouse Library Mystery series. I always enjoy Eva Gates descriptive writing which brings the story to life. I can imagine the beautiful library, the town, the characters, and Lucy's adorable apartment inside the lighthouse. There are a variety of new characters as Grandma Gloria descends on the town with a group of relatives. Gloria is a Southern lady who believes in proper etiquette and extravagance (which she expects Josie's parents to pay for, of course). Gloria brings along her own wedding planners to carry out her instructions (oh dear). Mirabelle has her own agenda and is happy to cause mischief wherever she goes. The adorable library cat, Charles is back, and he provides some laugh out loud moments. After Mirabelle's death, Lucy is not about to let Detective Yarmouth pin the crime on Josie. Lucy immediately starts asking questions so she can quickly close the books on this terrible incident before Josie begins a new chapter of her life married to Jake. The mystery has multiple suspects (all with good motive to harm Mirabelle) plus misdirection to send readers down the wrong path. I was able to identify the killer long before the reveal, but it did not hinder my reading pleasure. There are references to Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers and her main character, Lord Peter Wimsey sprinkled throughout the story. The Outer Banks sounds like a beautiful place to live and work. I believe many of us would want to work and live in a library that is inside a lighthouse (it must be a large lighthouse). It is such a shame that Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is suffering from foundation issues which will be costly to repair. Let us hope that the townspeople will rally around and help with the expensive renovations. I liked the reference to Daryl Wood Gerber and her French Bistro Mystery series (entertaining cozy mystery series). Something Read, Something Dead will delight cozy mystery readers with its engaging characters, charming library, delectable sweet treats, and a bewildering whodunit.