This book had so many twist and turns. I really appreciated the advanced copy. You won’t be able to put it down! I m interested in reading more from this author.

I went into this one pretty blind and having not read the previous books in the series, and I really enjoyed it! I will definitely be reading those previous books! I was pleasantly surprised by the ghostly Doris, who helps Georgiana solve the cases involving the bodies her little doggie seems to keep digging up, and I enjoyed Georgiana and her relationship with her partner Colin.

From start to finish I was completely sucked in and ended up reading it in one sitting. I thought both of the cases/ mysteries were really well plotted, and I especially enjoyed watching Georgiana solve the cold case. The current case, well I don't condone murder but this guy definitely had it coming. I loved the characters and both cases kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they were going to play out.

I did not realize this was part of a series when i requested it. I have not read any of the prior books in the series. I enjoyed this book a lot and did feel at times like I was missing something having not read the books before. However, I still liked the book and will look for the previous books to add to my to read list.

Upon arriving for a meeting, Georgie finds the lighthouse locked and the owner not around. Upon it being unlocked they discover the body of the owner.

I liked the clever way the story was resolved.

Has a supernatural aspect to it but only a small part of the story deals with that.

Thanks to netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.

The Body in the Lighthouse is the 4th book in A Georgina Drake Mystery series by Kate Hardy. I believe this was my first book by this author and overall I found it to be a very good book. It was able to hold my attention and keep me turning the pages. When the new owner of the lighthouse is found dead, it leads to the search for his killer. I enjoyed the relationship between Georgina and Colin and look forward to reading more of them in the future. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Kate Hardy has done it again, another cracker of a mystery starring Georgina Drake.

This one has a whole cast of characters, all who seem exceedingly innocent. It's a real brain scratcher for the detectives (amateur and those being paid). I did like the fact that Colin had a much bigger role than usual, given that he was in charge of both cases. There was some great police work done as well as Georgies efforts to find out the truth. Georgina herself had a smaller part, considering her normal role in the books and she was less 'annoyingly present' to the family and friends involved in the case since they were her friends.

I love a good bit of Doris and although the first few books revolved around her stories, she definitely took a back seat in this one. I'm just glad to see that she hasn't gone for good.

This book involved a cold case as well as a present one and dealt with themes such as abusive partners and family, sexual orientation, violence and revenge. The author deals with these issues in her characters well.

My thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

While visiting an old lighthouse for a photo shoot, Georgina Drake and her partner DI Collin Bradshaw are shocked to find skeletal remains and then another body. With the help of Doris a ghost only Georgina can hear, they start to investigate two murders.
I love this series and have read all the books. The characters are loveable and help with the mysteries in the story. Doris is an amusing ghost who I'm delighted to see in the book and the writing is well done. If you haven't read this series you should. Thanks to netgalley and storm publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this delightful authors books.

I didn’t realise that this was the fourth installment to a series so I don’t feel like I can give an accurate rating and I do think that I would have liked to of read this series from the start to get to know the characters better although it does work as a stand alone.

I enjoyed the latest murderous adventure for Georgie, Colin and Bert, the spaniel in Norfolk. It involves an unpopular local man, his lighthouse renovation and a host of historical secrets. There is a contemporary and historical mystery to solve, and the historical details and research methods add interest to the story. I like the Norfolk coastal setting, twisty mystery and many false leads. It has an engaging mix of humour, poignancy, and supernatural input from Doris. I like the characters, the atmospheric settings and the storytelling, which makes this an entertaining read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I didn't realise that this was the fourth book in a series, I think that had I read the previous books I would have been more invested in the characters, having said that, the book on the whole was enjoyable with a few exceptions.
Photographer, Georgina Drake, was commissioned to take pictures of the deserted Summerstand Lighthouse on the Norfolk coast, the lighthouse had been bought, against the wishes of the community, by property developer, Eliot Manson, a man despised by all but his model fiance, Tara.
What was going to be a quick photoshoot turned sinister when the body of the owner was found inside. Georgie's partner, DI Colin Bradshaw was quickly on the case, things got even more sinister when Georgie's dog, Bert, began digging outside where the patio had been and uncovered human bones, could there be a link ?
Manson had so many enemies that it was difficult to narrow down a suspect, Colin was stumped, it appeared to be accidental but his gut told him that Manson had been murdered but by who ?
This story has many twists and turns, I can't say that I warmed to either of the main characters, again that could be because I hadn't read the previous books which would have given me some background, I found Colin a little bland, Georgie a little pushy and I really didn't get the "connection" with Doris, I didn't see a need for her and nowhere did it say who she was. I have read and really enjoyed many stories with ghosts but I really couldn't see the point in this one. Apart from that I did enjoy the story and will be interested to see where it leads.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, the review is totally my opinion.

A enjoyable short and cozy mystery book with constant twist and turns, and new information that keeps the reader guessing. I couldn't put it down and was constantly second guessing who I thought had done it all. I was a bit sad that one of the mysteries was left open ended in a kind of "well here's our theory and it could have happened" but it was never officially solved. I was also a little put off by the MC talking to a ghost and that's how she got some of her information for figuring out what happened.

The Body in the Lighthouse, I would put under the heading of cosy mysteries, your Agatha Christie style read and as I have not read anything from this author before I do prefer a more robust action-style thriller, but this did capture me once I started reading.
The characters are well thought out quite a homely style bunch and have a good plot but there were quite a few characters and as the author has written more books of this series this being no:4 so those who have read from the beginning of the series do have an advantage over the standalone readers, but
standalone readers need not fear as although the characters are there the plots are very different.
A good read just about the right length.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy to read.

Stori eithaf gwahanol sydd yma, gyda dirgelwch llofruddiaethau i’w datrys ond gyda rhywfaint o gymorth goruwchnaturiol! Roedd yn ddiddorol dilyn safbwynt yr heddlu wrth i Colin a’i gydweithwyr geisio datrys y mater, a chael safbwynt arall wrth i Georgina, partner Colin, geisio datrys yr un dirgelwch gyda chymorth ei chyfaill ysbrydol Doris! Stori sy’n afaelgar yn llawn dirgelwch a chymeriadau credadwy, o’r teulu sy’n rhedeg y dafarn i artistiaid lleol gyda chysylltiad â’r gorffennol. Mae sawl tro annisgwyl wrth i’r stori ddatblygu ac ambell un yn dod o dan y chwyddwydr. Da iawn!

Quite a different story, with murders to be solved but with a little supernatural assistance! It was interesting to follow the police’s side of the investigation as Colin and his colleagues try to solve the matter, and to follow another perspective as Georgina, Colin’s partner also tried to solve the same mystery with her ghostly friend Doris’ assistance! A gripping story full of mystery and believable characters, from the family running the local pub to local artists with a connection to the past. There are several unexpected twists as the story develops and many characters raise suspicions. Really enjoyed this one!

Loved this fourth outing with Georgina Drake and her secret ghost companion. Kate Hardy writes well-paced stories with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. I also love the fact that Bert the spaniel is literally the star of the show. Can’t wait for the next one in this series.

The Body in the Lighthouse is the fourth book in the Georgina Drake cozy mystery series written by Kate Hardy. I like Georgie, a 53 year old photographer, widow, mother of two adult children, owner of the body finding spaniel Bert, friend to a lovely ghost named Doris who has been dead for 53 years, and in a budding relationship with Detective Colin Bradshaw. In The Body in the Lighthouse Georgina has been commissioned to photograph a historic lighthouse and the man planning to completely renovate it-Eliot Manson- a decision that is unpopular with the locals. When they arrive at the lighthouse Mr. Manson is not there although his car appears to be. While waiting the ever curious Bert starts digging, and as is becoming the norm in the series, he discovers a human bone. After a time Georgina calls Manson's office and his PA agrees to bring the key to the lighthouse so the photographing may begin. Lo and behold Eliot Manson is found dead- is it murder or an accident? The series and this book are easy to read with likeable characters, well developed plots and very satisfying endings. I do hope that if there are to be future books in the series that the relationship between Georgie and Colin picks up a bit more energy and that the storylines are more varied. Saying that though I have found the books to be pleasurable and very satisfactory reads. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Body in the Lighthouse; this review reflects my honest opinion. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

The fourth book in the series and perhaps the best of the four. If you enjoy the idea of secret tunnels and the use of technology to assist solving crimes then this book is definitely for you. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Thank you for allowing me to review this 4th book in the series. It is another example of a very good murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. Kate Hardy writes well. Her characters are developing well in each book. I'm enjoying following Georgina and Colin's relationship as it develops. It I'd good that the quirky character, Doris is still around to prod research in the right direction. Bertie the fog is also a lovely touch.
A good easy read for those who enjoy murder mysteries, that are not too gruesome.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had read the rest of the series though it would be possible to read this as a stand-alone. But the context to the characters would make the book more enjoyable had you read the rest of the series.
If you had told me that I would enjoy a series with a ghostly element the. I would have said ‘never’. But I love this series.

Doris does play a very small role in this book. However the way in which Kate Hardy has woven her into the story makes perfect sense. Specially after the end of the previous book.

Perhaps some of the actions of Colin are not the way all policemen work but one presumes that the author has done research and knows h]that the police use any resources available to solve mysteries.
His relationship with Georgina is sympathetically explored.
One wonders what poor Bert, the dog, will find next!

A great read and I look forward to more adventures with Georgina and Colin
Though the perpetrator in this one was a great surprise

During a brief lull in my [other commitments] 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.

A very good murder mystery. Even though its part of a series it can be read as a standalone book. I enjoyed this quick read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
Georgina Drake’s latest photography assignment takes a dark turn when she discovers the body of unpopular property developer, Eliot Manson, at the scenic Summerstrand Lighthouse. As if one body wasn’t enough, Georgina has barely managed to share her concerns with charming DI Colin Bradshaw when her spaniel, Bert, digs up human remains buried near the lighthouse.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I love how relationships have grown & changed over the series especially Georgie & Colin’s. A very well written intriguing murder mystery. There are plenty of suspects as Manson was disliked by just about everyone apart from his fiancée but then she’s found dead in their house. There’s also the mystery surrounding the body under the patio, Doris is also back & helps Georgie solve this mystery. I was drawn in from the start & read it in two sittings & thoroughly enjoyed it
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own