Guest Vicki Delany *Giveaway*

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News Flash: Mary C is Vicki’s lucky winner! Congratulations, Mary, and please check your email.

Edith/Maddie finally at the end of the month north of Boston.

I’m so happy to welcome my Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blogmate Vicki Delany to the Wickeds today to celebrate her new Stranger in the Library, the 11th in her Lighthouse Library series. Read down for a giveaway of book 10!

What a great cover. Here’s the blurb: Outer Banks librarian Lucy is working on an art show at the library when paintings–and people–start to go missing, in this 11th Lighthouse Library mystery from national bestselling author Eva Gates.

When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing.

No one knows why anyone would bother stealing it: the picture is of no value–the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices unusual tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech fails to arrive, and a party-goer is discovered drowned in a fish pond.

Meanwhile, Louise Jane is totally captivated by Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer lurking at the edges of the receptions on both nights. Tom slipped away from the party early, and he cannot be located by the police. Who, Lucy asks, is Tom Reilly, the shadowy figure threatening to break Louise Jane’s heart? Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed.

Playing with the Classics in the Lighthouse Library Series

In the Lighthouse Library series I write as Eva Gates, I enjoy taking a classic novel and using some of it in my own book. The novel the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library Classic Novel Reading Club is studying during the events of my book are loosely (very loosely) used in my plot and characters.

I have great fun with that. In past books, I’ve used The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The House of Seven Gables, The Moonstone, and others. I don’t copy the plot of those great books, but I enjoy playing slightly with them to create characters and events in my own books.

In the eleventh in the series, The Stranger in the Library, the club is reading Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith. This might not be a true ‘classic’ novel, but it is a classic of the mystery genre, so I felt free to use it. (My book – my rules!)

In this case, the basic idea for plot of my book came before I chose the classic novel to go with it. I wanted to do something about art fraud, and I searched my memory banks for a book to do with art fraud. What better than Ripley?

Now you might wonder what the psychopathic murderer, thief, and fraud Tom Ripley could possibly have to offer a cozy mystery.  And therein lies the fun.

When I teach creative writing, I always tell my students, there is nothing like a new idea. It’s all been done before. The trick is to take that idea and make it your own.  Tom Ripley, of all people, reimagined as a cozy character? Why on earth not?

Fortuitously, the Netflix TV show Ripley (based on The Talented Mr. Ripley by Highsmith) was recently released to great acclaim. I enjoyed it very much, and I’d highly recommend it.  Andrew Scott (who played Moriarty on the Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock show) is absolutely superb in the role.  The success of the TV show has reopened discussion about Tom Ripley himself. Can we sympathize with such a clearly ‘bad’ character? Can we, if not sympathize, at least understand him? Can we really hope he gets away with it? (True confession: I found myself hoping he would).

In my book, mysterious art dealer Tom Reilly arrives in Nags Head at the same time as a touring art exhibition of prominent American Impressionism. To coincide with the real show, the Lighthouse Library puts on an exhibit of their own, to spark conversation about the meaning and importance of art. A totally worthless and not-very good reproduction of a work by an important Outer Banks artist disappears after the library’s opening reception.  Who would take such a thing, and why? And what might Tom Reilly know about it? Complicating things, library assistant Louise Jane, is totally captivated by the handsome stranger.

The title of my book, The Stranger in the Library, is a deliberate riff on one of Highsmith’s best-known books, Strangers on a Train.

Readers: have you seen Ripley? Did you enjoy it? Have you read the books? Or – where is your favorite lighthouse? Let us know and you could win a signed hardcover copy of the tenth Lighthouse Library book, Death Knells and Wedding Bells. 

Vicki Delany is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than fifty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy.  She is currently writing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, the Year-Round Christmas mysteries, the Tea by the Sea books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates).

Find Vicki at http://www.vickidelany.com and http://facebook.com/evagatesauthor

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Published by Edith Maxwell

Agatha Award -winning author Edith Maxwell writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Beyond the Page) and short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Dot and Amelia Mysteries, the Country Store Mysteries series, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, and the Cece Barton Mysteries (all from Kensington Publishing). She lives north of Boston in an antique house with her beau and cat Martin, where she writes, gardens, cooks, and wastes time on Facebook.

49 Thoughts

  1. No, I haven’t seen Ripley (don’t have Netflix) nor have I read the books. My favorite lighthouse is at Pemaquid Point lighthouse here in Maine. There’s a lighthouse tour, I believe, for the entire coast, which would be a blast to do. I do love the idea of a lighthouse library! Congratulations on your new book!

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  2. We once took a trip up the entire coastline of Maine. I think my favorite lighthouse is Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse. The lighthouse is beautiful and the area view is amazing. Hoping to check out some along the western coast this summer so there may be one up for this spot as well. 🙂

    Congratulaitons on #11 – STRANGER IN THE LIBRARY, which sounds like a wonderful read and is most definitely is on my TBR list. Greatly appreciate the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of DEATH KNELLS AND WEDDING BELLS. Would love the opportunity to read and review it.
    2clowns at arkansas dot new

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  3. I haven’t watched Ripley but it’s on my “to watch” list. My favorite light house is in my hometown in Wisconsin. I enjoy your Lighthouse Library series and look forward to reading The Stranger in the Library.

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  4. Vicki, congrats on STRANGER IN THE LIBRARY’s forthcoming release. I’ve been a reader of the series from the start and I’m definitely looking forward to reading this one as well.

    I have not seen Ripley. I don’t have Netflix. A friend of mine does, and I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything about watching it. I have not read the books either.

    And since I just missed getting the chance to meet you at the Kensington Cozy Con East, I would thoroughly enjoy the chance to win the signed hardcover of DEATH KNELLS and WEDDING BELLS.

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  6. VICKI: Congratulations on the latest Lighthouse Library mystery! I read an ARC in March, and enjoyed it.

    As for Ripley, I read all the Patricia Highsmith books decades ago.
    Don’t have Netflix so I can’t watch this new adaptation.

    And I have seen a few lighthouses. The most famous one in Canada is at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. I first visited in 1987, and was finally able to go back in June 2023. Sadly, it has become a huge tourist mecca with dozens of tour buses & a viewing platform built. Fortunately, I went there before the hordes arrived at 9:00 am and was virtually the only one there!

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    1. I’ve been to Nova Scotia but never got to Peggy’s Cove. I’d love to go there someday.

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  7. Your book sounds intriguing. Ripley was fabulous. The series and the books. I haven’t visited any lighthouses as yet but hope to since they are fascinating.

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  8. I haven’t seen or read Ripely yet.

    My favorite lighthouse is Cape Hatteras in Buxton, NC.

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  9. Welcome back to the Wickeds, Vicki. I haven’t seen the new Ripley yet, but you’ve got me intrigued. I will check it out. As for lighthouses, I have to go with hometown favorite Portland Head Light, though I am also very partial to Pemaquid Light.

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  10. I live in Nova Scotia and we have a lot of lighthouses. They are all my favourite 🙂

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  11. Congratulations! I have enjoyed your many unique series. Watching Ripley was exciting. I haven’t read the books as yet. Many years ago when I went on a road trip to Maine I visited several lighthouses.

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  12. Congratulations on another book! Patricia Highsmith is a wonderful writer and I have read all her Ripley books. I had not heard of this series but I enjoyed the Matt Damon movies. He is such a cutie!

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  13. Excited to read The Stranger in the Library. Lucy and crew are always favorites of mine. I have not seen nor read the Ripley movies or books. I am partial to the Heceta Head Lighthouse on the central Oregon coast. Thanks for the chance to win the new book.

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  14. I haven’t read it yet l I recently started reading your books .. the tea by the sea series .. I really enjoy it ..

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  15. Welcome back, Vicki/Eva 🙂 First…Definitely “your book-your rules”. I love that, because your rules make all your books my favorites even before they are published. I especially liked The Stranger In The Library, which I already posted a review for, so I disqualify myself from your generous giveaway. Sadly, I don’t subscribe to Netflix, but am an avid British mystery show fan, and subscribe to Britbox and Acorn TV. I will try to watch this show at my son’s home. Every time I see Andrew Scott, I see him as Moriarty:-) Thank you for writing such exciting mysteries…I so look forward to reading all 4 mystery series you write. I am currently reading Trouble Is Brewing (brilliant), and next I will read A Sleigh Ride With You! Thank you so much for sharing background information on your wonderful mysteries! Luis at ole dot travel

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  17. I thoroughly disliked the movie “the Talented Mr. Ripley” and have never seen the series, but your book sounds fun! I love your library lighthouse books. The characters are so fun, and I would love to live in a lighthouse. There are so many lighthouses in the US that are special, some I have visited and more that I have not unfortunately. I grew up with the Port Isabel, Texas lighthouse and love the Key West one, so I guess even though they are not as wonderful as many others, they will be my favorite ones as they are part of my life. Being a big classic movie fan, I love many that you mentioned that were books first and then movies like “The Moonstone” and “Strangers on a Train,” so it is fun to see homage played to them through a cozy. I have read your 10th book but gave it to a friend to enjoy. I would love an autographed copy to keep and to add to my collection of signed books. Thank you.

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  18. I love your lighthouse book series and look forward to each new one. My favorite lighthouse is Hunting Island Light in Beaufort, S.C. Linda Marean.

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  21. I would love to go on a lighthouse tour someday because I just love lighthouses. Last night I was looking up how to say lighthouse in Irish and this is what I found out in Irish it’s spelled ainm an ti` solais there’s your fun fact for the day
    Never saw Ripley don’t have Netflix
    Would love to read this book in print format
    Hopefully I Win
    don.stewart@zoominternet.net

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  22. I’m afraid I haven’t read any of Patricia Highsmith’s books. I did love the movie version of Strangers on a Train, however. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  23. I’ve never heard of Ripley- we don’t have Netflix. I’ve read some of the Lighthouse series but need to catch up on the last few. I love the way the plot mirrors that of the books being discussed.

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  24. I have not seen Ripley, but the movie “Strangers on a Train” is one of my all-time favorite movies! As it turns out, I’m reading “Death Knells” right now – this remains one of my favorite series! My town library (where I had my best job ever!) closed 7 years ago due to mold and we anticipate re-opening later this year. We had to let go of our whole collection, but I’m hoping we can offer our patrons the opportunity to your books when we re-open our doors!

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  25. I have not read Highsmith’s books (but you have intrigued me to check them out!) Right now, Vicki’s lighthouse library is my favorite lighthouse!😉

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  26. Congratulations on the new book! I can’t wait to read this adventure. I have not watched Ripley. My favorite lighthouse is on the Oregon Coast.

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  29. I have never seen The Talented Mr. Ripley, but I have seen the lighthouse at the Outer Banks that sets the stage for the Lighthouse Library mystery series. The series makes it so much more special than it was when I saw the lighthouse many years ago. Honestly, it was a GREAT idea to use it as an inspiration for the series! I read all of the Lighthouse Library mysteries in order and absolutely love them!

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  30. I’ve read the Highsmith books but don’t have Netflix. No favorite lighthouse – the last one I visited was Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse in Nova Scotia.

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  31. No, I haven’t seen or read Ripley. My favorite lighthouse is “Big Red” in Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan. We go to the lake every time I’m in Holland. This is one of my favorite series, looking forward to reading book #11.

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  33. No, I haven’t seen it or read the books. Favorite lighthouse would be the one here in Pensacola, Florida.

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  34. There are many beautiful lighthouses all along the Great Lakes. To pick one is hard. I would have to pick the Marblehead Lighthouse on Lake Erie. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

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  35. Congratulations on your book! I have seen some gorgeous lighthouses on the east coast on our camping trips. It would be so neat to see the inside of one!

    Thanks for the chance!

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  36. I haven’t read the Ripley books, or seen the Netflix show.
    I love your Lighthouse Library mysteries. They are some of my favorite cozies.
    A lighthouse tour would be so fun. I’m adding it to my overflowing bucket list.

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  39. I loved the Ripley show on Netflix. Looking forward to your book. West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec ME is my favorite lighthouse !

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