Reviewed by annieb123 on
Read and Buried is the 6th Lighthouse library mystery by Eva Gates. Released 15th Oct 2019 by Crooked Lane, it's available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a clean cozy mystery with books, cat (a Himalayan called Charles), a librarian, and a library in a lighthouse. Although it's part of a series, there's enough backstory woven into the plot that it works fine as a standalone. The ensemble cast is full of archetypal characters, but the author is skillful enough and the writing technically adept enough that the whole works very well. The plotting proceeds at a good clip, the murder (which happens off scene) is relatively gore-less and couldn't have happened to a more deserving scoundrel. (Even his wife hated him).
Despite her protestations to the contrary, main character Lucy gets drawn into solving the mystery. There's a coded cipher, a Civil War era map and journal and hints of a buried treasure. The language is very clean, nary a sh*t or d*mn to be seen. There is no sexual content (some chaste kisses, in context, but nothing racier).
This is, simply, a well written, readable, and enjoyable library cozy (with cat). There are also a number of fun bonus reading prompts referenced in the book which will lead the reader to other books and series. It's well worth a look for fans of the genre.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 24 October, 2019: Reviewed