The Stranger in the Library

The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates is the eleventh A Lighthouse Library Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I always enjoy returning to Nags Head, North Carolina. The author’s descriptions capture the area and the buildings (real and imagined). I would love to work in the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library (it reminds me of the TARDIS). Lucy has been busy working on an educational impressionist art display for the library to complement a traveling impressionist art show that is visiting the town. Louise Jane, of course, gets in on the act by donating a family painting to the library’s exhibit. Lucy is a strong female protagonist. She is friendly and relatable (I would like to be her friend). She show more picked up some gorgeous dresses on her honeymoon (lucky girl). There is a delightful cast of characters in this series. I have even come to like Louise Jane. The mystery was well plotted and paced. There are some twists along the way. I loved joining Lucy as she asked questions and searched for clues. I was not left with any lingering questions at the end (hooray). The Bodie Island Classic Novel Reading Club chose Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith. I enjoy it when an author mentions a book that I have not read previously (gives me a new book to add to my TBR pile). I liked the author’s note at the end with her explanation of the MacGuffin she used in the story. I was sad when my trip to Nags Head came to an end, but I hope I will get to visit again soon. show less

Librarian Lucy McNeil is recently married and returned from her honeymoon in Europe, happy to be home. She's involved in displaying Impressionist art in the library, a co-project of a traveling art show, and they are displaying reproductions of art, which are meant for library visitors to learn about the genre. While the opening goes well, Lucy is amused once again by Louise Jane, who has a painting by one of her ancestors at the opening, a well-known Outer Banks artist. But the next day they notice the painting is missing, and no one seems to know where it has gone. Even though they report it to the police, it now has to take a back seat, because Lucy, her cousin Josie, and Louise Jane have discovered the body of one of the show's show more organizers.

What Lucy wants to know is are the two crimes connected, and if so, how? Even if Detective Sam Watson asks for Lucy's impression of some of the suspects, she's more concerned with the painting, as it wasn't valuable but sentimental. Why would someone steal it at all?

But there's also the problem of Louise Jane being attracted to Tom Reilly, a man who claims to be an art dealer, but he disappears and can't be found. While Louise Jane refuses to believe anything bad about him, Lucy isn't so sure. And finding him might be just as difficult as finding out why the painting was taken, and why the organizer was killed. Can she once again enter a murder investigation but without putting herself in danger?...

This is the eleventh book in the series and I have read them all. While I will admit that it took me a few books to warm up to the series, I now love it. I have fully immersed myself in the Outer Banks without actually visiting there, and the populace in this book makes you want to do so. The characters are quite human, and actually have human interests. By that, I mean that they don't spend their time sitting around drinking, but they also watch television, go shopping, etc. It's the same type of lives that we, outside the books, live. This is what makes them so endearing, and the author has done a wonderful job of it.

But back to the book -- when the painting is discovered missing, I, along with Lucy, am wondering why anyone would want it at all. But then there's a surprise in store (and I won't mention it here) that helps in the investigation, and we only have to decipher the clue. Hah! Easier said than done. Especially when Lucy is pretty much on her own this time, since Sam is concerned with finding out who killed the Person in the Pond. Two very different mysteries, with possibly two different reasons. Or is it?

When the ending comes, I have to say that I figured out the killer earlier than Lucy, but then again, as I've said many times before, I read a lot of mysteries, so this is how my brain works. However, finding the reason why was a bit more difficult, and worth the read altogether.

There's a bit of a twist at the end, and it makes everything even more worthwhile. Again, I love this series and would have no problem recommending it to anyone. You can read this as a standalone, but it will make you want to go back to the beginning and see how it all began. Recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. show less

This novel was the first in a long cozy series that I have read, although I love the author's Tea By the Sea series. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it (likely because I was catching up on a lot of backstory), but after that, I breezed right through it. I enjoyed the art references and the characters as well as the scenery/setting. I adored the ending as well. Reading this book from another likeable series has firmly established this author as one of my top five favorite cozy mystery writers.

Net Galley Feedback

I love how excited the town and the library staff were for the upcoming art show. I don't remember ever living in a place that supports the arts and learning as much as Nag's Head does in this book, although I would love it if that were the case.

I was not able to guess who the killer was, so that was a pleasant surprise. I love that Lucy experienced a really close call in this novel, too often there are no real consequences for the amateur sleuths.

Looking forward to reading the next installment in the Lighthouse Library mystery series.

A traveling art show inspires the lighthouse library to display a collection of borrowed art along with educational information. Though not originals, it is well received. So much so that one reproduction is stolen! But the real crime is the murdered body found in a pond the night the art show opened. Lucy wants to know who stole the picture from the library and why, since it clearly had no value. But she also is tapped by the police detective to use her observation skills to winnow out some clues to the murder. Louise Jane figures prominently in this tale, and her sort-of friendship with Lucy seems to be going toward a more positive relationship. This series never disappoints. The plots are intriguing. The characters are well developed show more and quite likable. The characters grow and their lives change as the series continues, so to get the most enjoyment, read the series from the beginning, even though the mysteries can be read as standalones. show less

This 11th book in the Lighthouse Library series is, once again, truly enjoyable for cozy fans.

Here, Lucy, the Outer Banks librarian, is involved in intrigue in the art world. All the usual characters are present along with some interesting characters from the art world, Those characters, as well as the Nags Head, NC setting added to my enjoyment, along with a great plot.

Among my favorite cozy series and, again, Eva Gates did not disappoint.

Highly recommended!!

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

Lucy is a librarian in Nags Head, NorthCarolina which is also known as the outer banks. She is working on an art show. Slowly pieces of art and people start to go missing. Lucy is the assistant director at the Bodie Island Lighthouse library. Her and her husband Connor, who is also Mary of Nags Head, have recently returned from their honeymoon. The library is having a cocktail party open house for the art show. Lucy’s cousin Jose who owns the bakery is catering the party. The Historical Society is also having a party the next night. One of the pictures at the library is a reproduction called Stormy Seas. Louise Jane, head of the Historical Society, has an uncle George who hand painted the picture of his brother Robert’s original. show more When Lucy opens the library the day after the cocktail party, she realizes the painting is missing. When it does get returned the back paper has been sliced like someone was looking for something. At the Historical Society party there are all the right people attending. Mark, who is the owner of the company hosting the party is found dead in the fish pond.by Lucy, Jose and Louise Jane. This is when the story evolves into so much more. The three of them all get involved in the investigation of Mark’s death. Chaos and intrigue ensues.and secrets come to the forefront. This was a great little cozy mystery. There are a few road blocks and unexpected turns of events but Lucy prevails and finds the culprit to the murder. I am looking forward to book 12 now. show less