Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this eBook. The views expressed are my own.
Full-time librarian and amateur detective Carrie Singleton is prodded to investigate the suspicious death of a fellow librarian by the ghost of the victim's aunt. Dorothy Hawkins, the reference librarian in the Clover Ridge public library, is hated or feared by almost everyone in town. There's not much sadness when she is killed in a suspicious car crash that looks to be a deliberate attack on her. However, her death is soon deemed to be a murder. Her aunt, Evelyn, who also died in suspicious circumstances and now is a ghost living in the library, wants Carrie to investigate Dorothy's death. . Of course the local police are not pleased with Carrie's sleuthing, especially when she receives threats. Carrie perseveres, in due course identifying Dorothy's killer and bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.
This is an enjoyable murder mystery story. It is easy to read and probably will not burden anyone's mental capability or upset their sensitivities. Even the presence of a ghost is OK, and a neat hook. The story has most of the characteristics of a cozy mystery, although it is grittier than some. Carrie as the protagonist (and narrator) is a realistic character, not cloying like some cozy detectives. Several bad guys are in plain sight and even some of the good guys come under a cloud of suspicion as Carrie investigates. There's plenty of red herrings to make things interesting.
It's the third in a series and can be read as a standalone. Events of the past from previous entries in the series are sufficiently described to aid in filling in the backstory.
A superior cozy mystery and recommended reading.

I am so excited about another Haunted library mystery!! The library ghost, Evelyn, is one of my favorite characters!!

In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities.

Carrie finds herself visiting her least favorite co-worker, Dorothy, after a slip and fall accident outside of the supermarket. It is then that she tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn. Carrie is shocked and can’t believe it until Dorothy is murdered by being run off the road as soon as she returns to work. Evelyn implores Carrie to find her niece's killer, but that's no easy task: Dorothy had made a hobby of blackmailing her neighbors and colleagues.

Does Dorothy’s death have anything to do with Haven house??

I love this series!! Do yourself a favor and read it!!

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Another great book in the series! The author's writing style is fabulous. The story was believable, interesting, and definitely kept me interested. The leading character is very likeable. An all around good book. I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

Buried in the Stacks is a library mystery with lots of twists, that will keep you guessing until the end. The characters are well developed. Some you will deeply dislike and others you will love. The real hero of this book may surprise you.

I enjoyed the previous books in the series more than this one.
I felt the whodunit was secondary and not the main focus of the story.

When I realised that this was part of set of books, I was worried that I would not understand the plot. However, I was pleasantly surprised that although it referenced her previous involvement in other crimes, the story kept to the current plot very well.
I am uncertain that the police would use a civilian as much in their work, but it made for an interesting storyline.

This is a cute cozy mystery. I didn't quite get the connection between the crime and the title other than the main characters worked in a library. It has many components that will appeal to a wide audience. There is a ghost that helps librarian, Carrie, out. Carrie owns a cat that travels with her to and from work. And of course there is the boyfriend who is absent most of the time. I thought the middle of the book did drag some. It could have been just me wanting it all to end. If you're looking for a quick read that's clean in every sense of the word, check out this book.

I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review.

Librarian Carrie has many projects going on at work when one of her colleagues is killed in a car accident and believed to be murdered. The library has a resident ghost who happens to be the dead woman's aunt. The ghost wants to figure out what happened to her niece, and it turns out that the murdered women had a secret life that would make her many enemies.

Despite the paranormal aspect of this, I did not feel that this was a true cozy mystery. It is more like an amateur sleuth story with a paranormal element. I felt like the story started too slow. Until the murder (which happened near the 25% mark), we basically just saw Carrie meeting with her friend, her hospitalized colleague, and working at her job (even though there were new aspects to her job). It just felt like too much setup, not enough actually happening. The writing is straightforward and clean. Even the idea that there is a ghost who is such an integral part of the story is treated in a no-nonsense manner. I feel neutral about this book; it was an okay read, but I'm not particularly looking forward to the next book (which I hope to do for any series that I start).

I have really enjoyed this series. Carrie has really grown as a character and I was somewhat pleased to see a character I did not like killed off. Though Carrie did find herself investigating and getting into a bit of trouble for it as well.

I did appreciate the issue of homelessness being brought up in this book. I know a lot of homeless and poor do use the library to stay warm or cool.

I could tell from the ending what the next book in the series will be based around! Looking forward to it.

I don't understand the less than appreciative reviews of 'Buried in the Stacks'. I know the A Haunted Library Mystery series has a resident ghost, and I accept that premise. The social issues of homelessness and mental health were addressed in a respectful manner to put the issue on the table. The characters are engaging, flaws and all. There is an expert mystery, a touch of humor and a lovely romance. I'm am looking forward to another in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Carrie is settling in to her job as head of programs and events at the Clover Ridge Library in Connecticut, close to her beloved Aunt Harriet and Uncle Bosco. She also is adjusting to her conversations with her ghostly friend, Evelyn Havers, a permanent (really permanent) resident of the library. But dealing with Evelyn's relatives is another story. Dorothy Hawkins, reference librarian, was extremely difficult to get along with, and even worse, stuck her nose in everyone's business, using their secrets as blackmail. But when she is injured, Carrie puts aside her personal feelings and sets out to help Dorothy. With this action, Carrie soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, one that may have ties to a local fundraising effort to help with the homeless problem that is plaguing the town and spilling over into the library. This is 3rd in the series and I like how they are fleshing out the main characters, including the relationship between Carrie and her boyfriend, Dylan. While this was a delightful cozy mystery with lots of twists and turns before finally revealing the culprits, it also highlights our current societal problem of homelessness, as well as mental illness that often goes unnoticed and untreated. Kudos to the author for including this problem and potential solutions in her story. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

I was hoping for more for this book after enjoying the first and being frustrated with some of the character development in the second. Unfortunately, its treatment of homeless people is appalling, particular how the ones who were middle class are ok but the rest - the ones with mental health or addiction problems - are not. The whole daytime haven thing and extravagant fundraising for it makes no sense - why isn't the priority getting them jobs or affordable housing and health care? The townpeople's reaction to homeless people in the library is to stop going or to stop taking their children so they won't be exposed. There's a distinct lack of compassion here for anyone.

This book of a classic example of someone who knows nothing about libraries writing about them. The way homeless patrons are talked about (it has librarians bad mouthing them in front of them) and treated in this book is horrible. The American Library Association has resources for library support for homeless patrons. They're very easy to find and the library manager/librarians should have known this.

The main character, Carrie, also keeps ignoring advice to stay out of things and to stay safe because a cranky ghost guilt trips her. It's tiresome. Troublesome Dorothy dies and everyone just moves on. Weak mystery, lack of research marks this as a major disappointment.

Just finished reading this book. It's a great read if you like a book that is based at a library that is haunted by a prior librarian.

Just not for me, I think. The writing was simple and the dialogue felt unnaturally formal and expository. But for people who want an easy read at a fairly low level of vocabulary and such (maybe 6th grande level?) and who like mysteries and ghosts, this might be a fit.

With the third installment of The Haunted Library Mysteries, Buried in the Stacks opens with our favorite librarian, Carrie Singleton, juggling the growing problem of the homeless taking shelter in the library and a new murder.

The Murder of a Rival
Carrie has been thrown into the role of Sunshine Delegate for the library. Her first task is to visit her rival, Dorothy, a fellow research librarian who is recovering from a fall. During her visit, Carrie is shocked to find out that Dorothy believes that it is her husband that is responsible for her fall. She is claiming that he pushed her. Even stranger, she is also claiming that it was her husband that caused the death of her Aunt Evelyn several years before. Aunt Evelyn is the haunted library's resident ghost. Dorothy eventually recovers from her injuries and returns to work, but upon her return home, she is killed in a car accident. Ghost Aunt Evelyn begs Carrie to uncover who killed her niece as well as who responsible for her death.

A Quest for Warmth
The Haunted Library is in Clover Ridge, CT which means, it is in a part of the United States that is frigid when winter comes. For Carrie, this also means that a large population of homeless people are using the library as a refuge from the February frost. Some of the homeless are loud and disruptive which is causing the patrons of the library to not want to come in or bring in their children for the programs that they are offering. Carrie is excited when a vacant house is purchased to turn into a retreat for the homeless but is quickly disheartened when she learns that the committee in charge of rehabbing the house is not on the up and up.

A Cozy Mystery
As with any cozy mystery, there is a bevy of storylines that transgress the pages. In Buried in the Stacks, we have the homeless plotline, the murder of Dorothy (and Evelyn), Angela's wedding where Carrie is her maid of honor, the search for Smokey Joe and of course, the interference of the library's resident cat. There is a lot going on in this book and a lot to keep straight as you read your way through it, however, that is what I always have loved about books like this. Cozy mysteries offer a plethora of loveable characters that are in crazy situations with several subplots and big life changes going their way. Buried in the Stacks delivers all of this and more. What I especially love about this series is the addition of the haunted library. I enjoyed how Ghost Evelyn and Carrie worked together to talk out the mystery, shares clues and uncover secrets. It was an element that was unique to this book and series. 

Book Information
 Buried in the Stacks: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook from Crooked Lane Books is scheduled to be released on September 10, 2019, with ISBN 9781643851389. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was received from the publisher in exchange for this review. To be linked to special pre-order pricing, click the link above!

Buried in the Stacks is the third installment in The Haunted Library Mysteries series set in Clover Ridge, CT and featuring librarian Carrie Singleton. Carrie has been thrust into the role of Sunshine Delegate for the library and her first assignment is to visit her nemesis and fellow research librarian Dorothy who is in the hospital recovering from a fall.

During her visit Carrie is shocked when Dorothy claims that it was her husband who had pushed her and that it was also him who'd caused the death of her Aunt Evelyn - the library's residence ghost - a few years before. Before Carrie can share the news with Evelyn, Dorothy makes her return to work and suffers a fatal car accident on the way home. Evelyn begs Carrie to find out who killed her niece and also solve the mystery of who had killed her.

In addition to tracking down a killer Carrie is faced with the growing problem of the homeless camping out in the library to escape the winter weather. A few ugly arguments between the homeless results in the library patrons unwilling to visit or to bring their children to the various programs being offered. Carrie is pleased to hear that a previously vacant house has been purchased and is slated to become a retreat for the homeless, but she quickly learns that things aren't on the up and up with the committee in charge.

A fast paced adventure with returning characters, just the right amount of romance and a feisty feline.

I received an advanced copy of Buried in the Stacks from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Carrie Singleton works as a librarian in the town of Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She's been asked to be the new Sunshine Delegate - who sends cards and gifts to employees - and unfortunately her first assignment is Dorothy Hawkins, who dislikes Carrie because she believes Carrie's job should have gone to her.

When Carrie visits Dorothy in the hospital, she tells her that her husband tried to kill her. Carrie doesn't know what to think, but allows it to pass. Then, when Dorothy is murdered, she wonders if she could have prevented it and if Dorothy was really afraid of her seemingly gentle husband, Fred.

There's also a homeless problem in the library - they come there to keep warm this February, but several of them are disruptive and the patrons want them removed. When a solution is offered, Carrie jumps at the chance to help. But she soon finds that all is not what it seems, and the solution might be hiding something illegal.

Her ghost-in-residence Evelyn, Dorothy's aunt, asks her to find out who killed Dorothy. But when she starts investigating - against the wishes of the police - she discovers that it might be her who's next on the killer's list.

This is the third book in the series and I will say that it is better than the first two, but I have to wonder if anyone in this library ever comes to read books. People come in looking for solutions to household problems that they can figure out themselves on their own computers (unless they're dumber than a box of rocks you don't need books to figure out any of these problems), hold meetings, watch programs, etc.; but no one is ever reading (except the homeless people).

I'm also amazed at how much money this library has for extra things - a charge card for gifts for employees? At most businesses, they take up a collection among employees for flowers when someone takes ill or dies, but I've never heard of a specific job for this. If this library has all this extra money - for programs, cafes, gardens, etc.; why doesn't the town have any money to help the homeless? As a note, you can't kick homeless people out of a library because patrons don't like them there. It's a public institution paid for with taxpayer dollars and is open to the public. The ACLU would make quick work of them.

I was irritated at Doris and Henry's son for not finding a way to keep his parents with him. They lose their business, and in order to live with him at all, he makes them get rid of their beloved pet, then gets a one-bedroom apartment and throws them out on the streets. What kind of jerk is he? I'd sleep on the floor and give my parents my bed before I'd allow this.

Also, Angela states how Carrie is her maid-of-honor, then later mentions how her cousin is, then even later it's back to Carrie; and more than once Carrie tells us that she wanted to live with her mother but she wouldn't let her. These are details that should have been picked up on but weren't. Honestly, we really don't care about Angela's wedding. We all know what brides are doing to prepare, and it's not interesting at all. (Although I did figure out that Carrie's favorite style of dress is sweetheart neckline).

As to the murder, I found it odd why Carrie would stand up at the funeral and basically tell people she was going to find the murderer. Nice way to make yourself a target, and then she's surprised when someone notices her investigating. Why would she do that? Announce it to all and sundry? It didn't make any sense.

I guess the truth of the matter is the book was disappointing. There was so much back-and-forth in the book so you really couldn't get into the murder at all: the murder, the homeless, the wedding, Dylan's business, Carrie's baggage, the library programs (which are mostly not plausible), Carrie's meals, Evelyn's withholding of information, looking for Smokey Joe, etc., and not enough on the straightforward murder investigation, which should have been the crux of the book. You couldn't really get drawn in when everything else was taking you back out.

I never felt that we really got to know the suspects, because there just wasn't any time given to any of them, so while the murderer was a surprise, it would have been no matter who the murderer was because we never got to investigate anything. We weren't given any clues at all because of the aforementioned back-and-forth.

I would have liked to have enjoyed the book more, but I basically finished it in order to find out the killer, and if I had realized the plot device addition, I would have known who the killer was (I'm not saying it here, but it pretty much explained it all). Anyway, I think I'm done with this series as it just doesn't seem believable to me. Sorry.

Buried In the Stacks is another great addition to this cozy series. I love the library setting, and the characters.

I read lots of books over the last few weeks trying to catch up on all the ARC's I picked. We drove to Vernon this last weekend and I had 7 hours both ways to read so was able to read almost 3!

I have not read the previous two books in the series but I did not have any trouble following along as the author did a wonderful job of retelling things without overloading you with the past books. She also dealt with some pretty uncomfortable/sad issues in society today like swindlers, homelessness, Alzheimer's care, and dealing with unpleasant judgmental people.

The protagonist Carrie is one of the librarians and Evelyn (ghost) was also before her untimely death.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I also loved the inclusion of the library cat, Smokey Joe into the story.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends, and plan on buying the first two books.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.