According to Lighthouse Directory there are more than 18,600 lighthouses that exist worldwide. Sixty-five of those are set along Maine's rocky coast, inlets and islands. The first to be constructed in Maine was Portland Head. It was commissioned by George Washington in 1791 and is one of the most popular among tourists today. Why the interest? History, maybe but stories of storms, shipwrecks, missing lighthouse keepers and ghosts make for a great story and are often the subject and setting for a good mystery novel.

The following list includes lighthouse mysteries from Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, California and Alaska.

“Whose Body in the Library” by Eva Gates (Lighthouse Library Mystery Series)

“Murder Most Maine” by Karen MacInerney

“A Ghostly Light” by Juliet Blackwell

“Lighthouse Keeper” by James M. Pratt

“Body in the Lighthouse” by Katherine Hall Page

“Murder Most Scenic” by Nellie Steele

“Smile Beach Murder” by Alicia Bessette

“The Lighthouse” by P.D. James

“Murder At Five Finger Light” by Sue Henry (A Jessie Arnold Mystery)

The Pemaquid Lighthouse holds special memories for me and I was lucky to find a copy of “Mystery At Pemaquid Point” by Mary C. Jane in our Library's Children's Room.

Happy reading mystery lovers!