27 Jul Book Review of Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12)
Book Review: Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12)
As a longtime fan of cozy mysteries, I couldn’t resist diving into Shot Through the Book, the twelfth installment in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series by the talented Ellery Adams. In my excitement to continue this charming journey, I was eager to see how the author would weave yet another captivating tale of intrigue, murder, and, of course, books! However, what I uncovered left me feeling a mix of bewilderment and concern for our poor main character, the well-meaning but often clueless, Lucy Richardson.
From the very beginning, I felt a nagging sense of déjà vu. The cover promised its usual charm, yet the story veered into familiar territory; Lucy’s seemingly perpetual mishaps and her alarming lack of common sense felt as though they were on repeat. Case in point: when a man she has barely met approaches her unannounced late at night, she invites him in. Now, I’m all for hospitality, but did her instincts go on vacation? This moment seemed not only ludicrous but set the tone for a narrative that felt less like clever intrigue and more like a frustrating series of head-shaking moments.
Adams has a knack for using her characters to explore themes of community, family, and the power of stories—yet in this installment, Lucy’s character development felt stunted. After twelve books, I would hope to see some growth, especially considering the series’ premise centers around her experiences as a married woman and amateur sleuth. However, her constant blissful ignorance made me wonder if we were in a time loop rather than carrying on with a heroine who’s seen her fair share of crime.
The writing is undoubtedly engaging, infused with Adams’s signature warmth, but the pacing feels uneven. The mystery unfolds with a haphazard energy, and at times, the narrative felt burdened by repetitiveness. Well-meaning as she is, it seems Lucy still doesn’t grasp basic investigation protocols, raising an eyebrow at her dismissive encounters with teenage characters grieving the loss of a beloved author. Moments like these echoed a lack of emotional resonance that the series had previously delivered, leaving me questioning Lucy’s likability.
Again and again, I found myself wondering why a librarian—an intelligent and resourceful individual—couldn’t seem to connect the dots, even after her eleventh encounter with murder. Is there a disconnect brewing between the character I hoped she would become and the one we’re left with? I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being asked to accept a protagonist lacking the common sense she should have accrued through her chilling experiences.
In the grand scheme of things, while Shot Through the Book certainly boasts beautiful prose and relatable community nuances, the breakout moments felt stifled by improbable character decisions and plot twists that left much to be desired. Perhaps the charm I once found in this series is overshadowed by my growing frustration with Lucy’s continued naivete.
For those who adore cozy mysteries featuring gentle humor and intriguing plot lines, this book may still hold appeal, but I can’t shake my feeling that it’s time to turn the page on this particular series. New readers might find solace in the simpler charms of the earlier volumes, while long-time fans may need to brace themselves for a mix of nostalgia and disappointment. As for me, I’m left contemplating what direction my next literary adventure might take—one with a protagonist who knows just a little better!
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