By Book or by Crook

Starred review from January 1, 2015

Reference librarian Lucy Richardson has decided to leave Boston behind, along with her Harvard University job, almost fiance, and unending social circles, to stay with her aunt on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Then she lands a delightful position at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, although Lucy is one of the few who are pleased. When the chair of the library board is killed at a reception honoring the installation of a collection of first edition Jane Austen novels, and then one of the Austen novels is stolen, Lucy suddenly realizes that reading mysteries has definitely not prepared her for a real-life one. VERDICT This charming, entertaining, and smart series launch by Gates, who also writes under the Vicki Delany pen name, features an unusual (and real) setting and colorful cast of characters that set it apart from other bookish cozies.

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