This is the fourth Lighthouse Library mystery, a very quick, easy read, narrated in first person, past tense, by the protagonist, librarian Lucy Richardson.

As the story starts, we find our intrepid amateur sleuth well established as part of the community of Nags Head; not only is she running the monthly book club for the library patrons, she’s also dating the town’s mayor, Connor McNeil, and hoping not to get involved in another murder investigation ever again.

But we all know what happens to plans.

The world of the series is well drawn, with a sense of place and community; there are a dozen or so secondary characters, and half as many more minor ones, but the author manages to make them all distinct enough to avoid confusion. We have Lucy’s boss and co-workers, her family and closest friends, their love interests, her library-volunteer ‘nemesis’, the cops, and so on.

The relationships between these characters, and between them and Lucy, with all the petty rivalries and grudges of any small community, help sell the setting; this is also true of the little bit we are shown of the inner workings of a public library in a small town: budgetary constraints, fractious board members, local politicking over services, etc, and how all of these are affected by local elections.

There is a nod to the spooky season, as the story is set during Hallowe’en week, by adding foggy nights, a ghostly horse and some will-o-the-wisp, but the little paranormal touches lead nowhere, and felt a bit forced.

Despite the red herrings, the mystery thread is not very mysterious at all, but at least Lucy spends time actually thinking about potential suspects, their motivations, opportunity to commit the crime, and so on, and coming up with reasonable lines of inquiry; when the climax comes, her actions are perfectly sensible.

Like I said, nothing terribly complex but entertaining enough for what it is.

However, there is a lot of space devoted to Lucy’s love life–or rather, her dating Connor, who is in the middle of his re-election campaign. And I have to confess, I’m very confused why this was part of the story at all.

First, because it has nothing to do with the mystery, even tangentially, but also because the way the relationship is written, these two could more easily be eight graders rather than adults in their…I want to say mid-twenties to early thirties. It’s all, “does he mean to dump me now?” and “he used the L word!” and “I love his eyes, therefore I love him”, and Lucy wondering if she “could be a politician’s wife”, while also making it clear they haven’t even had sex yet (they barely kiss on page, and he hasn’t even been inside her apartment at the library, for goodness sake).

I found that part of the story unbearably puerile, frankly.

There were also a few minor repetitions–making sure the reader knows there’s no cell phone reception inside the lighthouse because of the thick concrete walls, and rehashing of Louise Jane’s grudge against Lucy, and so forth, but those weren’t as annoying.

I don’t know that I’ll read the rest of the series, but I’ll try the one that came out this week.

The Spook in the Stacks gets a 6.75 out of 10.

So sorry I forgot to come here and say how much I love this series! I am totally caught up this series so obviously I loved this one!!

I love this series! This is book 4 and probably my favourite one. The author has created excellent, likeable characters, an interesting plot and several red herrings. Pair this with lighthouses, a library and murder - and you have a fun read. Our protagonist, Lucy Richardson, is a librarian, and she lives in a lighthouse library in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Halloween is drawing close and the library decides to host a presentation on ghost stories of the area. Meantime, we have a rich, hoping to be benefactor, who studying in one of the rooms when he's murdered. Whodunit? I really enjoyed this book!

It's that time of year when ghosts and goblins run about! Librarian Lucy Richardson expects to find boos and haunts during Halloween. What she doesn't expect to find is a dead body in the rare books section.

The local library is hosting lectures on ghostly legends and there are deadly consequences. One of the potential clients is thinking about donating rare, historical documents. Before he can complete the deed, he becomes part of the rare collection himself.

Lucy must save not only herself but the rare book collection, before she becomes a new addition herself.

I really enjoy Gates' lighthouse library mysteries, but adding ghosts and local legends makes this one of the best volumes yet. There's plenty of mystery around, from a murdered businessman to the appearance of a spooky horse along the beach. A great read!

The 4th book in the much loved Lighthouse Library mystery series delivers the charm of the outer banks and of course our favorite librarian, Lucy. Although this one has more of a supernatural feel than the rest of the series, it is still a charming read.

With that said, I never had the urge to pick up the book for the mystery. I loved visiting the quirky library and seeing the romance with Lucy and Connor but the mystery elements fell flat to me. Their was no NEED or urgency to pick up the book for me as a reader. I was disappointed in this story but will return to read the next in the series.

This is the fourth book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series and they keep getting better. I like how Lucy has grown over the course of the series so far and I liked how some secondary characters had a bigger role in this book. I enjoyed the role that Louise Jane played in this book incorporating some of the ghost stories of the Outer Banks as it was set at Halloween. This was very fitting to her character from previous books. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next for the characters in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the fourth book in the Lighthouse mystery series.

Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, librarian Lucy Richardson becomes involved in another investigation when wealthy businessman Jay Ruddle is murdered in the Lighthouse Library. With her friends there to help she navigates through twists and turns and some possible otherworldly visitors.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this author, this is the first book I have read in the series and don’t recommend it as a stand alone. I Enjoyed the characters and did not figure out The Who done it until it was announced. I can’t wait to read more books from this author.

The fourth book in the Lighthouse Library Mysteries finds the Lighthouse Library in the Outer Banks getting ready for Hallowe'en. Lucy is not crazy about the holiday, but with the enthusiastic volunteers she jumps in with costumes and events. With a model of a ghost ship and Louise Jane giving talks about local legends there is a lot going on. When Jay Ruddle, a wealthy senior announces that he is ready to give up his historical papers to either a library or educational institution, the Lighthouse Library is in the running. This brings Jay and his granddaughter Julia into the library to check out the rare books room. When Jay is found dead in the room, Julia is the prime suspect. Lucy tries not to get involved, but she and Bertie, the library director are sure that she didn't kill her grandfather. Can they find the real killer before someone comes after Julia? With all that is going on, when Lucy starts to see ghostly apparitions and hear things, she is starting to think that some of Louise Jane's stories might have something to them.

I find this series is very character driven. Lucy is a great MC, with a lot of friends, outside interests and is quite intelligent. Then there is Theodore “Teddy” Kowalski. I am still not sure about him. He has an affected English accent and seems to put on airs, that I am not comfortable with. He was featured quite a bit in this book and we did get to see a softer side to him, with a bit of toned down creepiness. We get to know the library staff, Lucy, Bertie, Ronald, and Charlene better in each installment of this series. I absolutely love Charlie, named for Charles Dickens, the library cat. He really is a special animal and just senses when someone wants or needs to give him a pat or a scratch. I love the setting in these books, a library in a lighthouse fascinates me. I have been to Nags Head and really enjoyed the area, so all that adds to my enjoyment of this series. The author's writing is descriptive and the story is well paced. The murder itself was very intriguing. It seemed that with the victims unseemly past, there were many people that disliked him, but would they kill him? There were plenty of red herrings in this story and I was completely surprised at who the murderer was. A great cozy that can be read as a standalone, but I have read two others in this series and recommend you start at the beginning so you do not miss any character development. Great job Eva Gates.

4.5 stars rounded up.

This installment of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series was worth the wait! It was wonderful.

I love the main characters anyway. They're all very well-developed and well-rounded. It's like reading about old friends each time I pick up one of these books. I love cozy mysteries, but there are only a handful of series that I will re-read. This series is one of them!

The plot this time around was great. There were plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing about who the villain really was. I did not figure it out ahead of time this time around, which is great. It's always more fun when I do not figure out who is the villain!

If you wish to read this series, I suggest starting with the first book in the series, By Book or By Crook. You can read any of the books by themselves but the interpersonal relationships will make more sense if you start from the beginning!

Check out this and the rest of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series and enjoy!

THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS is the fourth book in the Lighthouse Library cozy mystery series by Eva Gates. This story takes place around Halloween and there is a definite eerie vibe throughout THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS. One of the stories featured in the local reading group is Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and there is heavy foreshadowing by Eva Gates. Multimillionaire Jay Ruddle is murdered, and several people make likely suspects. Librarian Lucy Richardson is drawn into the murder because of the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library's connection to Jay Ruddle.

Many a library and academic were hot to get their hands on Jay Ruddle's historical documents to add to their collections. Whether or not that was what got him killed is something Lucy has to figure out. Ruddle's family life was littered with hidden animosities and other secrets and provides more than one person with an ax to grind. As Lucy tries to decipher the puzzle that was Jay's life and eventual murder, friends, family, and co-workers, once again step up to help Lucy with gathering clues. Thankfully, frequent nuisance and over-eager library volunteer Louise Jane McKaughnan is more of a source of entertainment in THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS rather than her usually obnoxious self. Louise Jane is still annoying but at tolerable levels. Local book collector, and Lucy's friend, Theodore Kowalski becomes enchanted by Jay's granddaughter Julia. The possibility of Julia's involvement in the death of her grandfather has Theodore begging Lucy for her help. Theodore seems like a slightly more sympathetic and interesting character in THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS than in previous stories, due to this amusingly awkward infatuation.

THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS is full of ghostly goodness, macabre machinations, and a jolly good time. As with the past few books in this series, Lucy's love life plays a minor role in this story. Lucy contemplates how strong her feelings for her boyfriend Connor are, and whether they're a good fit. Lucy's relationship with Connor acts as a contrast to the mixed-up love triangle between Theodore, Julia, and Greg. I look forward to the next, always entertaining Lighthouse Library mystery by Eva Gates.

A wonderful cosy mystery that takes place in a lighthouse library.

At Bodie Island Lighthouse Library in North Caroline is on full Halloween mode. Librarian Lucy Richardson gets into the holiday spirit by hosting a lecture on ghost legends, starting with the works of Washington Irving. To add excitement, former resident and wealthy businessman Jay Ruddle returns, looking for the perfect place to donate this extensive collection of rare historical maps and books. Unfortunately, during a lecture, Lucy finds Ruddle dead in the rare book section of the library. Known for being a ruthless businessman, the list of suspects is extensive and each one has a motive to have wanted him dead. Can Lucy get to the truth?

I landed in the middle of this series it seems. This is my first book by Eva Gates and the Lighthouse Library Mystery and I loved every minute of it. Sea, books and murder: the perfect combination. Even though I didn’t read the previous books, I didn’t feel like I missed anything. The previous events are mentioned and they were enough for you not to feel the need to read the previous instalments.

The style of writing is simple and easy to understand. Gates’ descriptions make you want to jump to this small island in North Carolina and just walk beside Lucy in her murder investigation. The plot is engaging and pulls you in from the very beginning. The murder is twisted and intriguing as Lucy puts different possibilities on the table. The setting is over Halloween, which gives a darker, more mysterious light over the whole chain of events. The ending is unexpected. Gates gives out all the clues throughout the novel but only in the end, the see the pieces come together from a whole different perspective.

The characters are well developed and Gates explores them thoroughly. They become alive, almost out of the page and each one contributes to the story and the characterisation of the setting. Lucy, the protagonist is amazing to follow. As she steady collects the clues and tries to piece them together, you follow her line of thought. She’s very down-to-earth, logical and, of course, her love and respect for books will make you fall in love with her or at least identify yourself with that feeling. Secondary characters, like the library staff, add spice to the story and help build up the plot.

A fun cosy mystery with a great setting, charming characters and a twisted murder mystery. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.

I was so excited to see the Lighthouse Library series coming back under a new publisher. This was one of my favorite recent series, so I jumped at the chance to read another installment. I was not disappointed! From the moment Lucy discovered a body in the library right up to the end I was engrossed. I love Lucy – she takes risks but has common sense in the way she goes about things. I love Charles (the library cat), the lighthouse setting, and the slightly spooky paranormal theme. I hope this series continues for a long time to come.

I am in love with the Lighthouse Library Mystery series! I want to live in the lighthouse and work in the library. Wonderful characters with lots of personalities. I really enjoyed this mystery and have a new author to follow!

The mystery in this one kept you hanging until the last minute. Add in the fact that it's Halloween, and you have lots of spooky things going on in the lighthouse library. This one has it all...mystery, quirky characters, relationship issues, books, intrigue. A fun and cozy mystery that will appeal to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: The Spook in the Stacks
Author: Eva Gates
Chapters: 23
Pages: 336
Series: Lighthouse Library mystery book 4
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: 4 stars

The Spook in the Stacks is the fourth Lighthouse Library Mystery by Eva Gates and Lucy and Charles are back for a new mystery. Charles is the loveable cat who lives in the library. Lucy thought her time of solving mysteries was behind her. That is until just before Halloween when Jay Ruddle a businessman is found death in the library the rare book room of all places. Lucy plans to stay out of it and let the police handle it. But when the police's prime suspect is the victim’s granddaughter whom Lucy believes couldn't do it she decides to investigate on her own.

The police chief wants Lucy to stick to just being a librarian and leave the police work to the professionals. But as a librarian people who won't talk to the police will talk to her.

What I love about this book and the series as a whole is that Charles the library cat has a habit of pointing out clues to Lucy that end up leading her towards the person who committed the crime or murder. But look adorable while doing it. Charles likes just about everyone who comes into the library that if he doesn't like someone there's a reason.

I love that this series focuses on a library inside a lighthouse as far as I know this is the only cozy mystery series about a library inside a lighthouse. In a small beach town in the outer banks of North Carolina that hasn't completely been touched by the developers.

The Spook in the Stacks is great for anyone who loves libraries, lighthouses, cats, and cozy mysteries. And as always I look forward to the next one in the series.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Book 4 in the series.

I loved this series, and I was really sad when it was canceled in the Berkley Purge. I was thrilled to see the series picked up by Crooked Lane, and even more thrilled to find it on NetGalley for review!

Lucy and friends are as fun as always, the mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. Lucy hating Halloween was disappointing to me personally since in my opinion, it's the best holiday, haha. And I really dislike Louise Jane. To the point where she's become a major distraction from the story. There's not one single thing I can find to like about her, she's just flat out nasty. It'd be one thing if she were a minor player, but she's not.

Still, I will continue to read the series and hope that Louise Jane falls down a well. I am looking forward to more of the Lighthouse Library mysteries.

I thought maybe this mystery series had been canceled, so I was excited to hear about this fourth book. It's an imaginary library set in a real Outer Banks lighthouse.
Setting the book at Halloween is great because throughout the series Louise Jane has been telling ghost stories. I don't really like Louise Jane much, but she gets her chance to shine in three talks about the stories from the Outer Banks,
Lucy keeps working at the library and ends up investigating the murder of Jay Ruddle. She helps Connor with his mayoral campaigning. The lighthouse library series has always had an interesting cast of characters and this book adds a few transient interesting characters to the mix. I think someone might be able to read this book without reading the first three.

One of my favorite fictional librarians, Lucy, has yet another murder in her library. A wealthy benefactor would like to donate his valuable collection of North Carolina history to the library, but is murdered before he is able to do so. Being Halloween at the Lighthouse Library adds to the drama, as does Lucy's romance with town mayor Connor. I liked that Lucy was still struggling with her feelings over Connor, and admitting her past relationship could be affecting her present. Louise Jane is written so well, that I can feel Lucy's tension whenever she shows up in the plot. I did feel the last 50 pages could have been sped up a bit, but overall another winner from Eva Gates. I definitely would have liked more of Lucy and Connor though. Hopefully in book #5 he'll come around more often. I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Libraries, lighthouses and murder -- what a trifecta. Lucy Richardson, a librarian, lives in a lighthouse library in the Outer Banks. It's almost Halloween and the library hosts a presentation on ghost stories in the area. Meanwhile, a rich hoped-to-be benefactor is studying In the rate book room when he meets his untimely demise. Enjoyable mystery!

The Spook in the Stacks has my dream setting – a library in a lighthouse that the main character lives in. Sign me up for that job, please!

Lucy is a relatable heroine who loves her job and also can’t help but investigate crimes in their small Outer Banks town. She has a bevy of engaging secondary characters to team up with, including the library’s resident cat Charlie who seems to have a knack for crime solving too. Gates does a great job of creating realistic characters without losing the quirkiness common to cozy mysteries – or without making the quirkiness go over the top.

At first I thought the whodunnit was completely obvious. And, with 2 hours left in my reading time, I briefly wondered how much the author could possibly draw this out enough to keep my interest. Well…. silly me. The who that dunnit was not at all the one I just knew it was lol. I’m in a bit of a losing streak lately when it comes to these things which in this case is a good thing because it means the plots lately have been really well constructed.

Bottom Line: The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates is enjoyable and entertaining with a fun cast of characters and a to-die-for setting (quite literally for our poor murder victim). A well-done mystery and several interesting subplots – including a bit of paranormal possibilities – will keep your attention from start to finish!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)