"When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing. No one knows why anyone would bother stealing it: the picture is of no value--the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite ...
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"When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing. No one knows why anyone would bother stealing it: the picture is of no value--the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices unusual tension among the show's organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech fails to arrive, and a party-goer is discovered drowned in a fish pond. Meanwhile, Louise Jane is totally captivated by Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer lurking at the edges of the receptions on both nights. Tom slipped away from the party early, and he cannot be located by the police. Who, Lucy asks, is Tom Reilly, the shadowy figure threatening to break Louise Jane's heart?"--
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The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library has created an educational display about art history to coincide with an impressionist art traveling show coming to Nags Head. Several residents have loaned their personal impressionist reproductions or imitations to display in addition to all the books Lucy and the staff are featuring for the event. The display's launch was very well attended but when Lucy arrives the next morning she notices one of the reproductions was missing. Yes, it was a reproduction of a famous painting by an Outer Banks artist but it was a reproduction. Who would want to steal it?
Lucy and other members of the library staff were invited to the opening night of the traveling show. She attends with her new husband, the mayor, Connor. They both notice the show's organizers are upset that the man pegged to give the welcome speech is late. Another steps in to welcome the guests but as the event is winding down the tardy organizer is found murdered on the grounds floating in a fish pond.
Does the missing painting have anything to do with the murder? Or is there a thief and a killer on the Outer Banks? With some assistance from her friends, Lucy intends to paint one or both into a corner.
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I love this series and Ms. Gates never disappoints. She makes it so easy to escape to my fictional happy place, The Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. It is a special place that amazingly contains everything a library needs and more.
Newlyweds Lucy and Connor are settling into married life after honeymooning in France. Their jobs keep both of them very busy but they always make time for and support each other. The author has surrounded them with great people. The library staff, Bertie, Denise, Ronald, and Louise Jane, all helped with the library's art event. Louise Jane played a larger role in this story. Charles the library cat was on hand to greet the guests. Lucy's cousin Josie, catered both of the events. Ã?Æ'ââ?¬Å¡ All are available to help Lucy sleuth, either by her side or covering for her at the library. All these characters are genuine and are developing at a realistic pace. Each book feels like I am catching up with my fun literary friends.
Ms. Gates introduces several new characters in the traveling tour organizers and their entourages. All had a purpose in the story and were each interesting in their own way.
The author plotted out a complicated mystery. Lucy did what she does best, research. She delved into all the suspect's lives to get answers. She meets face-to-face with them as well. I was happy to see they met in public places, but she and Louise Jane took a huge risk that definitely had chilling consequences. I wasn't sure they were going to get out of this one. Would the series end after 11 installments?Ã?Æ'ââ?¬Å¡ I trusted that Eva Gates would get our heroine out of the mess she got herself into but I had no idea how she was going to do it. My Kindle was steaming as the pages were flying.
The Stranger in the Library is a brilliant addition to this series. I loved everything about it. From the wonderful lighthouse library to Connor and Lucy's home on the beach, to the Granger House where the real art was displayed. Each place was easily envisioned. Add to that delightful characters and an outstanding mystery with an edge-of-my-seat ending and you have a story worth more than 5 stars. This book receives my Paradise Rating and a spot on my Best Reads List for 2024.
Until next year, Ms. Gates . . .
Kristina
Jun 18, 2024
An enjoyable visit to Nags Head!
The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates is the eleventh A Lighthouse Library Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I always enjoy returning to Nags Head, North Carolina. The author�s descriptions capture the area and the buildings (real and imagined). I would love to work in the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library (it reminds me of the TARDIS). Lucy has been busy working on an educational impressionist art display for the library to complement a traveling impressionist art show that is visiting the town. Louise Jane, of course, gets in on the act by donating a family painting to the library�s exhibit. Lucy is a strong female protagonist. She is friendly and relatable (I would like to be her friend). She picked up some gorgeous dresses on her honeymoon (lucky girl). There is a delightful cast of characters in this series. I have even come to like Louise Jane. The mystery was well plotted and paced. There are some twists along the way. I loved joining Lucy as she asked questions and searched for clues. I was not left with any lingering questions at the end (hooray). The Bodie Island Classic Novel Reading Club chose Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith. I enjoy it when an author mentions a book that I have not read previously (gives me a new book to add to my TBR pile). I liked the author�s note at the end with her explanation of the MacGuffin she used in the story. I was sad when my trip to Nags Head came to an end, but I hope I will get to visit again soon.
