Vicki Delany/Eva Gates

Eva Gates is the national bestselling author of the Lighthouse Library cozy series from Penguin Obsidian, set in a historic lighthouse on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The first in the series is By Book or By Crook, and Booked for Trouble was released on Sept. 1st, 2015. Eva is the pen name of Vicki Delany, one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers.

Recently I asked the author about what she was reading. Her reply:

I just finished reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah for my book club. I was one of the few members of the club who didn’t love it. I thought the writing of descriptive passages was excellent, but the two main characters had very little depth. But mostly, there wasn’t a single original or unexpected idea in the entire book. Every plot twist was signalled way ahead. The story of the occupation of France during WWII and of the resistance has been told many times, as well as the vital importance women played in it. Hannah brought nothing fresh to it.

Once book club duties were over I dived into nEvermore an anthology of Edgar Allen Poe-related short stories. I don’t read many short stories, as I prefer novels, but several of my author friends have stories in this collection and I found the concept compelling. I am not finished so won’t comment on which stories I liked best or which I found wanting, but so far I am enjoying it very much.

The next book on my night table is The Marsh Madness by Victoria Abbott. This is the fourth in the Book Collector mysteries, and so far the books have been a joy. Very witty and full of the author's love of the golden age of mystery.

Visit Eva Gates's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch. Visit Vicki Delany's website and look for the first in her Year Round Christmas series, Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen, from Berkley Prime Crime, on Nov. 3rd.

The Page 69 Test: Booked for Trouble.

--Marshal Zeringue