Innkeeping with Murder (Lighthouse Inn Mysteries, No. 1) [Paperback]

Tim Myers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2001

Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Hatteras West Inn and Lighthouse. Innkeeper Alex Winston watches over the cozy getaway, and guests count on him to take care of everything from basic repairs to breakfast. But he also has to take care of the occasional murder case, too.

When a visitor is found dead at the top of the lighthouse, Alex must solve the mystery and capture the culprit before the next guest checks out.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (June 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425180026
• ISBN-13: 978-0425180020
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,373,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim Myers has been writing mysteries since 1993. He is the Agatha Award nominated author of 24 novels with Penguin/Berkley/Prime Crime, Penguin/NAL/Signet, St Martin's Press/Minotaur, and Kensington. Ten of his novels have been IMBA National Bestsellers, landing as high as #2. Tim has written under his own name, as well as Elizabeth Bright, Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, and others.

His first story, My Late Aunt Hattie, was an 800 word short-short that combined elements of comedy, mystery, and the supernatural. It was published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and went on to be included in The Haunted Hour anthology. The author has also had stories included in the Mystery Writers of America Anthology A Hot and Sultry Night for Crime, as well as the hardcover anthology Murder Most Crafty. He is also the author of over 80 short stories, and has been nominated three times for the Derringer Award for Excellence is short mystery fiction.

For more information on Tim, please visit www.timmyers.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant new series!, August 6, 2001

By 

Anthony P Perrotta - See all my reviews

This review is from: Innkeeping with Murder (Lighthouse Inn Mysteries, No. 1) (Paperback)

After Alex Winston inherits the West Hatteras Lighthouse Inn from his deceased Dad, he has trouble keeping up with the antiquated infrastructure. An old boiler, decrepit pipes, and a lack of guests make it difficult to make ends meet. When a close friend is found murdered at the top of the lighthouse, things really take a turn for the worse. As usual, the local police are a bit nearsighted, so it's up to Alex and his new, and quite lovely maid Elise to solve the murder (s) and hopefully clear the name of the B&B.

Although the mystery was a bit easy to figure out, 'InnKeeping with Murder' is a quick and light read. The characters are interesting, although we don't really get to know them very well as the book is a bit slim. The writing is nice and breezy, and the book certainly bodes well as the opener of a new cozy series.

I'm looking forward to the second installment as this introduction certainly leaves you wanting more, and the developing relationship between Alex and Elise is definitely intriguing and one to be watched. Hopefully, the second book in the series will flesh out our main characters a little bit more and introduce some more unusual residents of Canawba County.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasing first in series, September 3, 2001

By 

"christie20_98" (Henrietta, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Innkeeping with Murder (Lighthouse Inn Mysteries, No. 1) (Paperback)

INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is the first book in a cozy mystery series set at Hatteras West Inn and Lighthouse. The Inn was inherited by Alex Winston after his father died and his brother had no interest in keeping the family business. It is located near a small village populated with quirky characters. The area was described so vividly by the author that I wanted to visit the inn myself!
After Alex discovers a body on his property, and the local law enforcement agencies prove themselves not up to the task of solving the crime, Alex undertakes the sleuthing himself. While some of the character development was predictable, the culprit and the motive were not readily apparent. Several local characters were introduced, giving the author potential to further develop their personalities and relationships in future books.
I would recommend this book as a pleasant read, and look forward to reading more in the series!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CHEERS FOR TIM MYERS!, August 12, 2001

By 

Kent Braithwaite (Palm Desert, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Innkeeping with Murder (Lighthouse Inn Mysteries, No. 1) (Paperback)

As a mystery author with my debut novel in its initial release, I enjoyed this debut effort by Tim Myers. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Hatteras West Inn, INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is an unapologetic cozy. Alex Winston operates this struggling bed and breakfast. His B&B needs constant maintenance and many more guests. He does have a lovely maid named Elise, but unfortunately, a one of his few paying customers ends up murdered at the top of the lighthouse. As the experienced reader expects, the police can't get their act together so Alex and Elise launch their own investigation. Guess who solves the crime? INNKEEPING WITH MURDER is a breezy read and an entertaining book. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, wondering how Alex will keep his inn in business with dead bodies constantly popping up there.