Death By Beach Read (Lighthouse Library Mystery #9), by Eva Gates

Although I found myself frequently wanting to grab Lucy, shake her, and yell "What did you think you were doing?" in her face after some of her decisions, I found this book a fun, interesting read. The plot is simple, Lucy and soon-to-be husband Conner move into a new/old "unpainted aristocracy" house that they are fixing up. They find a dead body in the kitchen one evening after returning from an outing.

It's what goes on in-between that makes the story both interesting and, yes, a trifle sad. The almost tragic aftermath of one youthful misadventure changed one life forever. Could that have lead to murder? Is the house haunted? What does "The House of Seven Gables" have to do with anything? Charles the library cat may have the answers but he's not telling. Will Lucy's wedding ever get past the "we need to plan" stage? Will Lucy even live that long?

All these questions, well, most, are answered in "Death By Beach read", the ninth in the series by Eva Gates. Although part of a series it stands alone nicely. Yes, there are loose ends at the end but the mystery is solved, even though I had no clue who the killer was until Lucy did. I still cringe at her tendency to not share information with those who might be able to more safely act upon it but, hey, it wouldn't be a true cozy mystery unless the main character manages to place themself in peril at some point, right. Lucy is lucky to be surrounded by good friends and family, not to mention neighbors willing to step up and do the right thing. Even Charles the library cat gets in on the action. My hero.

Bottom line, even as I move into the beginnings of another Alaskan winter here at my home, it was fun to spend some time at the beach with Lucy and those about here. Give this one a read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC.