ARC Review: Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates

Shot Through the Book
Author: Eva Gates
Series: A Lighthouse Library Mystery (Book 12)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (May 6, 2025)

Description: In the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries, Lucy McNeil is back on the case, but this time she’s on the case alone.

The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone.

Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.

Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.

My Thoughts: This is the twelfth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series and I'll admit I haven't read all of them. Luckily, I didn't need to in order to enjoy this episode. 

A YA Book Festival is being planned, and things seem to be going well until the star author comes to Lucy's house and is murdered with an arrow through the chest. Lucy has no idea why he has come to see her. He dies just after their greetings. 

Now the festival plans are in disarray with the two local audios vying for headlining the festival. The deceased author's teenage fans are holding vigil outside of Lucy and Connor's house. And the "grieving" widow looks like she wants to capitalize on her husband's death to launch her own political career. 

The grieving widow is making trouble for Lucy and the local police department alleging corruption which means Lucy is pretty much on her own to investigate. She has lots of suspicious characters to investigate too. 

This was a nice cozy mystery.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.