Mystery Annotation
Title: Read
and Buried: A Lighthouse Library Mystery
Author: Eva
Gates
Publisher: Crooked
Lane Books, 2019
Genre: Mystery,
Cozy Mystery
Page Count: 309 pg.
Setting: Outer
Banks, North Carolina, Modern Day
Subjects: Women
Librarians Fiction
Libraries Fiction
Murder
Investigation Fiction
Outer
Banks (N.C.) Fiction
Synopsis: Lucy Richardson, a librarian at the Bodie
Island Lighthouse Library, has a knack for finding herself on the trail of a
good mystery. In the sixth entry of the
Lighthouse Library Mystery series, while restoring the foundation of the Bodie
Island Lighthouse Library, a construction crew unearths a tin box containing a
Civil War-era diary, a mysterious map, and a message written in an enigmatic
cypher. Town residents speculate on the
meaning of the code and rumors spread of buried pirate treasures, secret troves
of Confederate military documents, and stashed, yet never retrieved family
jewels, hidden in anticipation of looters and the arrival of Union
soldiers. The following night, Jeremy
Hughes, member of the historical society is found dead after breaking into the
library and, it is soon discovered that the map and code are missing.
Though she has promised to stay
out of the investigation and leave it to the professionals, Lucy is drawn into
the case almost against her will. Who
killed Jeremy Hughes? As she searches
out the identity of the killer, Lucy is forced to contend that there is no
shortage of suspects. Charlene, Lucy’s
friend and co-worker appears to have a history with the victim. Evidence suggests that Lucy’s frequent rival,
Louise Jane, was present on the night of the murder. Two college history professors appear desperate
to get their hands on the diary. With
the help of, among others, her boyfriend, Connor McNeil, Detective Sam Watson,
Bertie James, the library director, and Charles, a feline with an astute
perception of human character, Lucy must track down a killer who will stop at
nothing to crack the code and reveal its hidden secrets.,
Appeal: This book will appeal to fans of the cozy
mystery genre. The work contains no
swearing or sexual content beyond some light kissing. While some instances of adultery are
mentioned in the book, it is revealed only through dialogue and there is little
or no description or detail. The
violence in this book is understated, with little or no detailed description of
blood or bodies. Readers who like the
“whodunnit” experience without the blood-and-guts factor will find a
comfortable retreat with this work. A
good book for readers who enjoy reading about librarian and book-lovers.
Read-alikes: Murder Past Due: A Cat in the Stacks Mystery
by Miranda James
The Book Supremacy (Bibliophile
Mystery) by Kate Carlisle
Murder in the Manor: A Lacy Doyle
Cozy Mystery by Fiona Grace
I've never actually read a cozy mystery before, but I know I should read some in order to understand the genre better. I think I would like this one as far as the setting and it being about librarians and featuring a cat. You mention that it's the sixth book in the series; have you read the rest of the series or were you able to just start with this one?
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time delving into cozy mysteries as well. I chose this title based on the recommendation of a librarian at my local public library, who suggested that it would be a beneficial, as it is a popular sub-genre among fans of mysteries. I have not read any of the other five books in the series, but I did not find that it detracted from the experience in any way. There were obvious references to earlier books in the series, but understanding those references were not crucial to understanding the plot of this story.
DeleteExcellent summary! I'm always intrigued by cozy mystery series that have a TON of titles. How many dead bodies can one person find before it gets really creepy? What is going on in that town? Are they getting therapy? If I find a dead body, I'm probably not going to start Nancy Drewing to uncover the murderer. But that's just me. Great job on the appeal as well. You going to continue this series? Full points!
ReplyDelete