"Shot Through the Book" is the first time I heard of this Lighthouse Library Mystery saga and the first of its novels that I read.
As it's its 12th installment, I felt a bit lost (not much)—it explains who everyone is and also a tiny bit about previous books' connections and a hint of their plots. However, I couldn't help but feel that there was much to be liked about some characters because of prior relationships that I should but didn't care about. I kind of felt left out—in between wanting to read those previous books in order to know what happened and being upset because it made me feel like an outsider.
As for the murder plot, I liked it. It took me a while to know who the killer was going to be. It's well-woven and interesting. But most of all, I enjoyed the cozy moments: the glass of wine on the deck, observing the sea. Those moments that didn't carry previous books' luggage made me feel at peace.
Publication date: May 6th, 2025
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Even having not read the rest of the saga, I loved the idea that Lucy was separated from her police contacts and had to work on her own, she didn't have official resources and had to find other ways to get information (I don't know how it happened in other books, but I liked that in this one).
Character development is quite flat in this installment, though, as I said before, because, I think, it relies too much on having read the previous stories first. I found Connor extremely dull and unpleasant, not the good husband Lucy wanted to sell to us. The only character I enjoyed was Heather—she is strong and her appearances are stressful; she is the one that gives the book the vibrant push it needs. She is a good antagonist and, as it's her first and only appearance, she's well described and developed as a character.
Overall, it's good as a cozy mystery. The surroundings are beautiful, and there's a murder... and a cat!
Rating: ★★★⯪☆
No comments:
Post a Comment