Brenda H. (booksinvt) - , reviewed on 5/18/2015 + 465 more book reviews

By Book or By Crook is the first in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. Lucy Richardson has given up library job in Boston, rejected the marriage proposal of the man her parents wanted her to marry and moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Having spent the summers of her youth on Bodie Island with her Aunt Ellen, Uncle Amos and Cousin Josie, Lucy heads back there in search of a simpler life. Lucy lands the dream job of Assistant Librarian at the Lighthouse Library and takes possession of the even dreamier apartment on the fourth floor of the lighthouse.

Lucy's first task is to oversee the exhibit of a very rare Jane Austen book collection that Head librarian Bertie has worked hard to acquire for a three week loan to the Lighthouse Library. Opening night of the exhibit brings all of the Library Board members to the cocktail party and Lucy discovers that a few of the members are not too happy that she has been hired for the Assistant's position.

Library Chair Jonathan Uppiton is found stabbed to death in the Rare Books room with Bertie standing over him clutching the murder weapon. Bertie becomes the prime suspect due to the loud and public argument she had with Mr. Uppiton moments before he was found murdered. But, Bertie isn't the only person who had a motive to murder Mr. Uppiton, and Lucy sets out to clear her friends name and to save her new job at the library.

Things go from bad to worse however, when the Jane Austen books begin disappearing one by one. Are the thefts for personal gain or is someone trying to distract the police from finding the murderer? Lucy soon finds herself in the midst of a romantic triangle with Mayor Connor MacNeil (whom Josie fondly remembers kissing back when she was 14) and Butch Greenblatt, the hunky police detective. With the help of these two and fellow library employees, Ronald and Charlene, Lucy begins her quest for justice.

I couldn't think of a better location for a library or an apartment than a lighthouse. The author does a terrific job with the descriptions of the scenery and the characters. I could picture myself sitting in the sunny alcove in Lucy's apartment devouring the latest cozy mystery to hit the shelves. Plus, the mouthwatering descriptions of the pastries that Cousin Josie offers up in her Bakery will leave you drooling. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the lighthouse mascot - Charlie (Charles Dickens) a giant 30 pound Himalayan cat who features prominently in the killer's capture.

A great fun read and I can't wait for the next installment "Booked for Trouble" to find out what Lucy and the Lighthouse Library gang will be up to next.

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