By Book or by Crook

Eva Gates (Vicki Delany)

By Book or by Crook is a delightfully breezy entry into the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, showcasing Vicki Delany’s (writing here as Eva Gates) gift for crafting warm, inviting settings that feel like instant comfort reads. Set in the wonderfully atmospheric Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, the novel blends small‑town charm, literary whimsy, and a classic whodunit structure that keeps readers turning the pages.

Librarian Lucy Richardson makes for an endearing protagonist—smart, earnest, and just impulsive enough to get herself into trouble without ever losing the reader’s sympathy. Delany/Gates surrounds her with a lively cast of locals, each sketched with just enough quirk to feel memorable without tipping into caricature. The mystery itself is light but satisfying, with clues tucked neatly among library stacks, seaside strolls, and the gentle politics of Outer Banks life.

What really shines is the sense of place: the lighthouse library is a booklover’s dream, and Delany’s prose makes it easy to imagine the creak of old floors, the salt‑tinged air, and the quiet magic of working among stories. It’s the kind of cozy mystery that invites you to settle in with a cup of tea and enjoy the ride.

A charming, comforting start to a series that promises plenty of warmth, wit, and literary mischief.