Storm Publishing put me on a list of automatic approvals for ARCs this year after I gave a positive review of KJ Charles' Death in the Spires, a mystery set in England in 1905. Storm apparently focuses on murder mysteries, however, judging by the notifications I've received; and although I love that genre, I've been very busy reviewing science fiction and fantasy for Skiffy and Fanty and have let most of those opportunities pass.
During a brief lull in my genre commitments, however, I had the chance to look at Storm's offerings, and decided to read an ARC of The Body in the Lighthouse, by Kate Hardy, being released Oct. 29. Described on the cover as "a gripping cozy mystery novel," it's the fourth in a series, but I decided not to let that stop me.
I'm happy to report that this novel stands on its own perfectly well; there were quite a few characters to keep track of, as well as a previously begun and now developing romance, but I never felt lost or even slightly confused. Hardy explains context for what's happening without belaboring the points, so I was able to step in and hit the ground running. Well, maybe jogging would be a better word -- things do happen in this book, but at a comfortable trot, not a flat-out run.
Importantly for me, the protagonist, Georgina Drake, is likeable and interesting. She's an older woman, a widow and professional photographer, with a springer spaniel, a trio of female friends, and a fairly new relationship with a handsome Detective Inspector. She loves flowers and food and trading literary quotes with DI Colin Bradshaw and other people.
I was a bit startled to discover on the first page that Georgina also sometimes hears a ghostly voice through her hearing aids, since the book's promotional copy didn't hint at any supernatural elements; however, this ghost is more of an occasional visitor who can sometimes give helpful tips, rather than granting leveled-up supernatural detection powers to Georgina. Mostly, Georgina just talks to people and gets them feeling comfortable enough to open up to her. Certainly, this novel stays firmly in the cozy subcategory of mysteries rather than veering into the spooky or scary.
Unlike another British novel I read recently, which I didn't even realize was British (I'd assumed Appalachian) until nearly the end, this book is firmly grounded in the here and now, despite ghostly revelations. I particularly enjoyed reading about the architectural details encountered in various buildings and towns. Even though the murder site is in a town made up by Hardy, it had a solidly local feeling, with discussions of priests' holes, historical smuggling and wreck-salvagers, and current development woes.
Oh, yes, the murder site. Actually, Georgina and Colin stumble across two dead bodies when he accompanies her to a photo shoot at a picturesque lighthouse; the owner seems to have fallen victim to carbon monoxide poisoning, but Georgina's dog also digs up human remains that had been buried on the property. [This is all mentioned in the promo copy, so no spoilers here.] Colin reminds Georgina about the rules against interfering with police investigations, but there's no harm in asking questions, right? Seriously, I do enjoy how carefully Georgina and Colin are navigating their new relationship, thinking about what they can assume and what they need to ask each other about, and tell each other (he doesn't know about her ghost friend yet).
This is partly a cozy mystery because the primary victim was reportedly a terrible person; readers need feel little sympathy for him aside from knowing that violence is rarely the best way to solve problems; since he was so awful, there are lots of suspects, so Georgina gets to have lots of conversations with relatives and townsfolk as Colin goes through the police routine. The buried remains are another story, but eventually there is closure for all the threads.
This book provides a very enjoyable light read. The plot elements are intriguingly entangled, but the connections make sense once revealed; historical and architectural details give a good sense of place; characters are distinct, the romance is progressing nicely, and the protagonist is fun. Really, the only qualm I have is that Georgina the professional photographer is surprisingly agreeable to delay telling her magazine that there won't be any lighthouse photo package due to the owner dying, but maybe that's just because I've been an editor much longer than I was a reporter. ("Oh no! What will be the next issue's centerpiece NOW?")
I'd be happy to try another Kate Hardy novel when I have time for another cozy read. Indeed, I see that Hardy won three Romance Novelists' Association awards in the last 20 years. Additionally, under her real name of Pamela Brooks, she's written more than a dozen books about history and legends, so that helps explain how Hardy's novel feels real.
Content warnings: Dead bodies, blood; child endangerment, past abuse; character's bigotry (negatively portrayed).
Disclaimer: Free eARC for review from publisher via NetGalley.
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