Deadly Ever After

 

Gates, Eva. Deadly Ever After. New York: Crooked Lane Books, 2021.

Lucy's parents visit the Outer Banks in preparation for Lucy and Connor's upcoming wedding. Evangeline and Ricky, the wife and son of her father's business partner, also visit Nags Head. When the business partner everyone thought remained in Boston turns up dead outside Jake's restaurant, the investigation extends beyond Nags Head to Boston in search of a motive. In other story lines, a couple of British researchers keep Charlene busy in the rare books room, and Connor and Lucy search for a home they can call their own. I fear including more summarization would reveal spoilers. This installment marks some changes that will occur in the lighthouse library's story. The reader can't help but wonder how these changes may affect the series' charm, but it still shows promise to remain an outstanding series. I received an an advance electronic copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Miss Kopp

 

Stewart, Amy. Dear Miss Kopp. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021.

The Kopp Sisters lives took different directions after their training at the camp. Constance works for as the only female agent in the Bureau of Investigation. Norma took her pigeons to France where a new commander does not see their value. Fleurette's dreams of show business took off by joining May Ward's tour which takes them to different army training camps. She does not get along well with the show's star. The entire novel unfolds through letters from the sisters to each other and to and from other acquaintances and associates to the sisters. While I feared the epistolary nature might lessen my enjoyment, I found I loved this one more than the preceding installment. Each sister's separate identity emerged as they pursued things within their own range of interests and talents. I received an advance reader's copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.