Another thoroughly enjoyable outing for Georgina, Colin and Doris. I've read and loved this entire series and I sincerely hope there are more to come. Highly recommend reading if you like your crime cosy and non-scary but intriguing and well-written. I also love the way Hardy has slowly developed the relationship between Georgie and Colin. Wonderful.

I'm afraid to say that I DNF'ed this book at 58%, there was nothing inherently bad about it. But the story was incredibly slow with nothing that truly captured my attention. I struggled somewhat with the writing as well, there were parts that were repetitive and almost contrived. I did like Georgina's character as she had depth, but felt that Colin's was quite superficial. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you for the arc however, I'm very grateful!

The author knows how to engage her readers’ interest from the very beginning. Unsurprisingly, her characters are well drawn and no matter how hard I try, the discovery of ‘who did it’ comes as a surprise. I like the relationships in this series - Georgiana and Doris, Georgina with her family and friends and of course - her relationship with Colin.

I am so looking forward to the next one!

I'm hooked. Once I started reading, I was compelled to finish. I've come to like Georgina, Colin, and the cast of characters that surrounds her. It's a pleasure to see a main character who actually works with the police, not against them, and doesn't hesitate to share any info gathered. Nor does she go dashing off into dangerous situations, something few of our other favorite amateur sleuths can boast of. She's smart, cares about others, and able to sort out things not always obvious to the frequently overworked and stressed Colin. I have to admit to patting myself on the back, of course, for picking up on a missed clue before it became important, so maybe I'm getting better at this sleuthing thing, too. Toss in Georgina's spaniel Bert, who has the not-so-desired trait of digging up bodies, and it's a fun read.

The author does an excellent job of mixing myth and history, fuzzy as some of the events were in most memories. I won't detail the plot as I don't want to give away too much as the twists and turns are part of the fun, not to mention they make our brains work We're reminded of a history within the lifespan of many of us, however, when acceptance of differences was not common and those who wavered from the expected path might face danger. Everyone has secrets but, as the book notes, secrets kept can fester. This time they lead to murder. Who killed developer Eliot Manson and his girlfriend? Why? As it turns out, the list of suspects is a long one. There's also the matter of the human bone Bert digs up? Who was it? Why were they buried at the lighthouse? Does the legend of Black Shuck, a huge mastiff that once seen means you only have a week to live, have something to do with this situation? Priests' holes? What is Georgina learning about Colin during all this, well, aside from reaffirming his fatigue at being compared to Mr. Darcy? Oh, and so many Shakespeare references, too. What's up with that?

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are likable, people whose situations most can relate to, and the setting is lovely. You'll learn some history, not to mention Shakespeare quotes, and get to hang out with some adorable dogs. And, oh, I can't forget Doris. Doris is a ghost heard only by Georgina via her hearing aid. I feared Doris might be gone after the last book so was delighted to see her pop up again, especially with news of her beloved Harrison. She's able to be part of the investigation, too, an extra plus. Colin remains a tad stuffy but we learn more of his backstory, too, one that impacted his life, so he's making strides forward with Georgina. Thanks #StormPublishing for allowing me this early look at all that is going on in Georgina's world. As an amateur photographer myself, I found myself drawn to her initially and have come to like her a great deal. I'm looking forward to the next book to see if my hunch about what secret she's keeping from Colin is right, not to mention if she'll actually share it with him.

Part of a series,best read in sequence for the backround. An old and a new murder to solve with little to go on. Good characters including the otherworldly one.

The author is very adept at giving just enough background to her main characters that you do not need to have read the rest of the series to understand the relationships, but without feeling overworked for those who have read the previous books.
A gentle investigation into two murders separated by decades at the same location and stumbled upon by Georgie and her ghostly friend.
Nothing twisty, no real surprises but a decent cozy mystery for a rainy evenings enjoyment.

Georgina Drake sets out to photograph a lighthouse and finds the owner, an unpleasant property developer, Manson, dead there. Compounding this her dog finds a human bone where a patio is being removed. So much for her holiday with partner DI Colin Bradshaw. Dora, our favourite ghost/spirit tells Georgina who the bone might belong to and it's always fun to see how Georgina puts this knowledge to Colin without actually saying a ghost told her so. Plenty of suspects for both deaths, historic abuse, revenge, smugglers' tunnels. All in all a good read, interesting, cosy with twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This was an ok cozy mystery, nothing memorable, and nothing to entice me into reading others in the series. I hadn't read anything by this author previously so the beginning was a bit confusing, not knowing who all the characters were and their relationship to each other. A little background would have helped a lot. I can't say I particularly liked any of them, either, and wish the Mr. Darcy comparison hadn't been mentioned so often. We get it, Colin looks like Darcy. Move on. I didn't get who Doris was - again, a little background would have helped - and the fact that she was a ghost did nothing for the story, in my opinion. Not a bad read, but nothing special either. 3 lukewarm stars.

Georgina and Colin (her detective boyfriend) are enjoying a few days together and head to a lighthouse so Georgina can do a photoshoot there. Before she goes, she learns the new owner she is interviewing has a bad history with friends of hers and is hated by many for his housing developments that locals can’t afford. Her dog literally digs up a skeleton outside the lighthouse and soon they have two murders to solve. Georgina has an edge on the older murder since she has a friendly ghost to help her.
This is a fun cozy mystery series. It works as a standalone, but I have enjoyed the series and the development of the characters and relationships over time. The mystery kept me guessing and I like the description of the settings and the characters.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a great book. I read it as a standalone and hadn’t read any previous books by Kate Hardy nor this series and it really was excellent. Some depth to the characters and some real hard topics covered with care and sensitivity. The murders were straight away and launched me into the book and to the life the Georgina and Colin lead together. The community around the lighthouse is small enough for their to be links and friendships between the people involved which added to the mystery. Nothing beats old smugglers routes and ancient lighthouses for a bit of atmosphere either.

Georgina Drake is looking forward to her next photographic assignment at the Summerstrand Lighthouse, or at least she was until she learned a little about its new owner, local property developer, Eliot Manson. A bully and serial philanderer, he has more enemies than friends in the small village where he lives. As it is her birthday, Georgina's partner, Detective Colin Bradshaw, has taken a few days off and, alongside dog Bert, accompanies her to the photo shoot. He is instantly back on duty however, when they discover not one body but two!

With Georgina’s secret friend, the dearly departed Doris, once again speaking to her through her hearing aids, she has her ghostly partner-in-crime-solving back and it isn't long before they have information to impart, not that Georgie can tell Colin where she got it! With an investigation going nowhere fast, and friends and acquaintances on the suspect list, everyone is on edge. Will the long hidden secrets which are about to be revealed make their killer more dangerous or will the past finally be able to be laid to rest?

Kate Hardy's fourth book in her Georgina Drake Mystery Series is my first, but I was at no disadvantage. There were a couple of spoilers for previous adventures but I thoroughly enjoyed this and absolutely plan to read all previous and future stories as soon as I can.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this and recommend it highly.

This was my first Georgina Drake mystery (it’s #4 in a series). I had no problems following the story, although I would like to go back and find out how Georgina becomes involved with her Detective Inspector boyfriend and also with a ghost that helps her solve murders. This series takes place in Norfolk, a place I love, so that greatly added to the atmosphere for me. Georgiena and her dog first find some old bones at a lighthouse where she is supposed to meet a dastardly developer, who they also find dead. Lots of suspects, lots of clues, and lots of fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this DRC.
#TheBodyintheLighthouse #NetGalley

This was a good book! I loved the way it was written and not the back and forth between two characters minds that I’ve been ready. It was slow to get going, but then ended really quick I thought. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I didn’t feel like you needed to. And I’m a stickler for having to see/read things in order, but it had a lighthouse on the cover and I’m a lighthouse hunter so I had to read it.
I know I haven’t read the other two but it would have been nice to know more about Doris and it was also super confusing when she talked about Doris dying and her. I was confused, but I’m assuming had I read the other books it would make sense.
I liked this book, but it seemed like too many stories in one kind of thing. I also had no feeling towards if we found out who killed Eliot because he didn’t seem that great.

I love a good cosy mystery and while this wasn’t a ‘bad’ cosy mystery it really didn’t stand out for me. What I would say though, is that even though this is part of a series I had no issue slipping right into this world and the dynamics so it’s definitely not necessary for anyone to have read the previous two books in the series to enjoy this one.

This is a slow paced mystery with a fairly predictable ending (the breadcrumbing felt more like slices of bread littered throughout), but it was a nice enough way to while away an evening.

Now comes my gripes (and there’s 2 main ones).

Colin - now maybe he would have been more likable if I had read the previous books but he really didn’t hold up as a love interest in this book. His attitude was a bit dated and while he did seem capable of some reflection, he didn’t seem interested in implementing any changes. He was boring and seemed determined to live up to so many male toxicity stereotypes. I also didn’t see any chemistry between him and Georgie - I couldn’t for the life for me understand her interest in him. Also how many times is he going to be compared to Mr Darcy?! This felt like such a weird and forced comment to be continually thrown around and I can’t help but feel as though this was meant to endear the reader towards liking Colin more, although it definitely didn’t do that for me. I found his relationship with Georgie really frustrating and I think honestly this is what dragged down my rating so much.

What I wanted to know more about was Doris and her relationship with Georgie. This was the only unique element to this book and yet it was barely mentioned - it was given barely any page time at all. While I’m not a big fan of ghosts in mysteries, if you’re going to add one at least make it interesting? Or impactful? Doris had absolutely no influence on the story in any way at all - so why was she there?

Overall I can’t see myself reading any more of this series. Not because it was a terrible book (because it really wasn’t) but because the balance here was just all wrong and I’m doubtful it would be better in the next installment.

I LOVED this book. I love how the author incorporates her own life experiences and circumstances, creating an amazing work of art. I did not see the twists coming - AT ALL! I need to read her other books in this Georgina Drake series. That is truly how much I enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book!

I love this series! It's fun, the slowly developing romance between Georgie and Colin is sweet and gentle, and the mysteries are intriguing. In this one, Georgie is set to meet a developer to do a photo shoot for an architectural magazine, but the man's not there when Georgie and Colin arrive at the lighthouse to meet him. However, Bert, with Doris' help, uncovers another skeleton .... and Georgie and Colin find the developer dead inside the locked lighthouse. A real conundrum for Colin and his team. Georgie and Doris try to unravel the mystery of the skeleton which has some surpring revelations. The characters are awesome and the story is so well written. A great read.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Hardy for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Photographer Georgina Drake arrives at a local picturesque lighthouse for her latest photography assignment. When she discovers the body of Eliot Manson, a local property developer inside her assignment takes a sudden turn for the worst. Initial investigation suggested that his death was due to a carbon monoxide leak. Still, after Georgina surveys the scene, she finds that his death appears to have been cleverly set up. Due to his unpopularity with the locals over his re-development plans for the area and an angry ex-wife following their divorce, this doesn’t surprise her.
As she shared her findings with the local DI, Colin Bradshaw, her dog Bert dug up human remains buried on the lighthouse grounds. Could there be a connection between the two murders? Georgina moves ahead in her investigation, although her life may also be in danger.
This is another fantastic Kate Hardy story full of twists and turns and difficult to put down until the surprising ending.

I am sorry to say that I was unable to finish The Body in the Lighthouse by Kate Hardy. The author failed to get my attention, and the book definitely didn't stand alone. The fourth book in a series that I haven't read, it left me feeling that there were tons of things I needed to know and was missing that went on before. I found the characters fell flat for me, and superfluous conversations and details had me yawning.
I appreciate being pre-approved for the ARC of #TheBodyintheLighthouse from #StormPublishing and #NetGalley.

My 6P review: Publication, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

Georgie Drake’s dog digs up a body and she investigates the decade’s old mystery. Another body is discovered at the same location and this victim has no shortage of enemies.

This is the third book in the series and although it is my first read, I felt I didn’t need to read the previous two to understand what was going on.

I didn’t particularly like the characters. Colin was annoying and one of the most unprofessional police officers I’ve come across. He was like a wet tea bag. Georgie was much better but I couldn’t understand her relationship with Doris. What was that all about? Perhaps reading the first two is actually necessary.

There was too much repetition for my liking. Colin was always reminding Georgie about his inability to say too much. There was also a lot of unnecessary detail which added nothing to the story itself. Such as how many sugars Jodie has in her tea and how Georgie likes her cappuccino. This made me skim a lot of the time.

It had a lovely setting and I could clearly picture the lovely town in Norwich but I don’t think I’ll be returning to it but please don’t be put off by my opinion.

Thank you to Netgally for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Georgina is supposed to take photographs of an old lighthouse that will soon be renovated. But when she arrives, the lighthouse is locked and the new owner, who was supposed to meet her, is nowhere to be found. The owner's assistant arrives to unlock the door and finds his body. If that weren't enough, Georgina's dog finds a human bone buried under where a patio has been recently removed. DI Colin Bradshaw and Georgina seek to find if the two deaths are related, and who is responsible for them.

This book felt rather disjointed to me. The jumping back and forth to peripheral characters led to confusion about who was who. The DI let Georgina in on a lot of inside information and asked for her help, and that didn't ring true.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.