Deadly Ever After

Lucy's finally getting married to the love of her life, dentist and mayor Connor McNeil. She's happy and content...until during her engagement party there are party crashers - specifically, her ex-boyfriend Richard Lewiston III and his mother Evangeline. It's soon obvious to everyone that Evangeline is there for one purpose only: to get Lucy back together with her son, But Lucy has no intention of doing so, and even Ricky knows it will never happen. Evangeline isn't about to give up, and throws her own little dinner a couple of nights later.

But after the party a body is discovered behind the restaurant, and it changes the entire game. Now there's an investigation, and everyone who knew the man is on the suspect list. With ties to show more Lucy's father Millar, things get heated and it's Lucy who has to figure out why he was there and who hated him enough to want him dead. Unfortunately, things at Evangeline's hotel get hot, too. They've demanded she remove her barking dog, and Lucy is the lucky person who needs to take Fluffy. Now if she can get her to get along with her cat Charles, everything will be fine. Or will it?

This is the eighth book in the series, and I've read every one of them. I do believe that the series just keeps getting better, and this book proves that. We have Lucy trying to plan her wedding and it's interrupted by a murder. No surprise there, but the victim is one. (And, because this is an early ARC, I am not going to tell you who it is). Things are getting dicey because of it, and soon Lucy discovers that more than one person who's involved has a secret or two; and those could disrupt more than one life. Lucy, however, is good at keeping secrets and does so again.

Then there are a couple of visiting professors from England, and her friend and co-worker Charlene seems drawn to one, but Lucy is concerned, wondering if he has secrets of his own, and vows to warn her, but every time she tries to, something gets in the way. There's also little Fluffy, whom Lucy had thrust upon her, and Charles isn't happy about it; and Ricky - whom it appears isn't quite over Lucy at all.

There are plenty of secrets and lies, and everything is woven together in an intriguing tale that draws us in from the beginning and keeps us reading in one sitting. It's an enjoyable story that's a great addition to the series, and I really had a lot of fun reading it. Lucy has turned out to be a great character, and even though I have never warmed up to Louise Jane, she's toned down a bit in this story and I really liked that. I also liked the fact that Lucy and her mother are growing closer, which is also welcome.

All in all, when the murderer is discovered, everything comes together in a neat little package and the reason why is, of course, as old as time. The book was very good and I enjoyed it tremendously. I hope others will, too. Recommended. show less

Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates is the 8th A Lighthouse Library Mystery. I thought this story was well-written with developed characters. The story moved along at a quick pace with vivid descriptions. It is always a pleasure to visit the Outer Banks where Lucy Richardson works at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. She lives in her Lighthouse Aerie and will miss it when she marries. Connor McNeil and Lucy are engaged with plans to wed the following year in August. They have been searching for a home to purchase with no success. I love the characters in this charming series. They are a friendly bunch who care for one another. I like how the library staff are there for one another. The descriptions of the library are delightful. I would show more love to live in an apartment above the library. I, like Lucy, imagine the characters come alive at night when the library is empty. Lucy will miss her cozy abode. The whodunit was a fun one to solve. There are several people who could have offed the victim. The clues are subtle and can easily be missed. There is humor scattered throughout the story. Lucy manages to get herself into sticky situations plus doing things she does not want to do. There are subplots that enrich this book. Charlene is smitten with a visiting researcher, but Lucy fears she will get her heart broken. Bertie and Louise Jane are spending quite a bit of time behind closed doors. Connor and Lucy are trying to find a home to purchase. Lucy’s mother was very gracious. She is a kinder soul than I. I cannot imagine looking after Evangeline. Deadly Ever After can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading all the books in this engaging series. It will allow you to get to know the characters and see how far they have come since By Book or By Crook. I look forward to my next visit to the Outer Banks. Deadly Ever After is an entertaining cozy mystery with engagement party poopers, house hunting hardships, book club conversation, a misty marsh, flashing lights, a terrible threat, and an affectionate fiancé. show less

It’s time for Lucy’s and Connor’s engagement party, and it’s a wonderful time for all, until the very end when her ex-boyfriend and his snooty mother show up. What could be worse than that? Oh, perhaps finding a murder victim in the alley behind the restaurant after a family dinner. Well, how boring would Lucy's life be if there weren’t a bit of murder and mayhem thrown into it? She and Connor have barely started planning for their wedding, since they have devoted their spare time into looking for a house to buy. Well, it’s a real mess now, and the problems seem to involve her dad’s law firm as well. This latest book in the series is top notch, and the series just keeps getting better with each book. The lighthouse setting show more for the library is delightful, the characters are real and well developed, the animal characters are charming, and the mystery is intriguing. The only thing I hate is waiting for the next book! show less

This 8th book in the Lighthouse Library series is yet another terrific installment in this long-running series which rates among my favorite cozy series. Lucy Richardson and the usual (and wonderful) cast of supporting characters are back but, in this book, Lucy's parents are visiting Nags Head, NC, from Boston, along with Lucy's old boyfriend, Ricky, and his mother.

All of this makes for a very entertaining cozy. Very unputdownable and one I'd highly recommend.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

Lucy's parents visit the Outer Banks in preparation for Lucy and Connor's upcoming wedding. Evangeline and Ricky, the wife and son of her father's business partner, also visit Nags Head. When the business partner everyone thought remained in Boston turns up dead outside Jake's restaurant, the investigation extends beyond Nags Head to Boston in search of a motive. In other story lines, a couple of British researchers keep Charlene busy in the rare books room, and Connor and Lucy search for a home they can call their own. I fear including more summarization would reveal spoilers. This installment marks some changes that will occur in the lighthouse library's story. The reader can't help but wonder how these changes may affect the series' show more charm, but it still shows promise to remain an outstanding series. I received an an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Lucy and Conner are celebrating their engagement on the beach on the Outer Banks with friends and family. All is going well. But Lucy has two unexpected guests. Her ex-fiance Ricky and his mother, Evangeline.
Lucy soon finds out that Evangeline wants her son, Ricky to get back with Lucy.
There is another unexpected visitor but this person shows up dead behind Jakes restaurant.
Lucy being Lucy is soon investigating.
I loved reading this book and found myself not wanting to finish. I tried to guess who the guilty person was but just couldn't. And this is what made this a wonderful mystery.

I requested and received an advance copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Deadly Ever After is the eighth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates.

Lucy and Connor recently have gotten engaged, and their friends and family are hosting an engagement party on the beach near the library lighthouse. As the party is winding down and the packing up begins, the last people expected to show up arrive, that being Richard Eric Lewiston III(Richy), Lucy’s ex-fiance, and his overbearing mother, Evangeline. Evangeline feels there is still a chance that Lucy and Richy can marry. Neither Lucy nor Richy have any intention of making this happen. Evangeline insists that they all go to a restaurant for dinner. When Richy refuses his mother’s attempts to win back Lucy’s heart, they have a heated argument, show more and Richy leaves. As the rest of the party is going, a scream is heard from the restaurant’s back. Lucy and Connor head to the back only to find a dead body. Lucy’s father identifies the body as his law partner, and Richy’s father, Richard Lewiston, Jr. No one knew that Lewiston, Jr. was even in town and had no idea why he was. Detective Watson, once again, advises Lucy to stay out of his investigation, but Lucy feels the need to investigate since her father might become a suspect.

It’s always enjoyable to visit the Bodie Island Library Lighthouse, its staff, and the area’s residents. The book is well-plotted and written. Most of the usual characters are back, and they are well-developed and believable. There were enough red herrings that kept me guessing until the end of the book as to who the murderer was.

I will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series. show less