Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates:

4 Stars

This may come across as shallow, but there was a cat on a beach reading a book on the cover — that was it. I had to read it. His name is Charles!

Nichelle, a newcomer starting over in life, got a good bit more than she bargained for when she accepted a position at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. Luckily, she has plenty of help to straighten things out.

The setting is the quiet star of Whose Body in the Library — Jake’s Seafood Bar, Josie’s Cozy Bakery, and, of course, the library in the lighthouse. The story skirts the edge of the Cozy genre, but is a touch too realistic to settle there. Still, it has that warmth, strong vacay vibes, and a lovely aesthetic. This is an ideal beach read! The characters, too, while eccentric and distinct, feel like real people. I don’t know if Louise Jane would drive me up the wall or amuse me in real life, but I enjoy her on the page. I love characters that are allowed to breathe; this cast isn’t made up of angels or villains, but folks that fall in between.

The plot is solid, although I do find Nichelle’s conviction a little premature. That said, I also felt that the events that followed were inevitable. Thematically, the ending fit, but I would have liked just a little something more — maybe the second meeting of the book club, full of gossip and Harris tweed jackets, or a big scene for Charles, who absolutely deserves one.

Whose Body in the Library is suitable for mystery lovers who don’t want their whodunits too grisly, while maintaining depth and style.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read Whose Body in the Library. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and wrote this review voluntarily.