This was my first in the series and I loved it. The characters were all engaging, the mystery was edgy and the locale was fun. I'm going to go back and get the rest of the series and enjoy. I highly recommend it.

This fourth book in the Lighthouse Library series, set in North Carolina, is a terrific cozy series. The Halloween-themed book was well executed and the superb cast of characters surrounding the librarian sleuth are fun and, for me, have become old friends.

This series has quickly established itself as among my top cozy series. May there be many, many more of these delightful cozies.

Great book. Will make for a good Halloween time read. My first in the series. Will check out the rest of the series.

The Spook in the Stacks is the 4th book in the Lighthouse Library series and it's absolutely charming. Set at Halloween, the Bodies Lighthouse Library is decorated and ready to go. Lucy Richardson, the assistant librarian who also lives in the lighthouse, is working one day when Jay Ruddle comes in to discuss donating his valuable collection of books and memorabilia from the Outer Banks to the library. Of course, everyone is excited. When the library has their Halloween event, Jay and his granddaughter are invited and Jay goes into the rare book room to read. Unfortunately, Lucy finds him strangled to death and suddenly his donation and the future of the library are up in the air. Lucy gets involved in the investigation and gets herself and her friends in deep trouble.

I really enjoyed this book and the others in this series, and I'm so glad that the series has continued.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had been hoping this wonderful series would continue and this latest installment set during Halloween at the Bodie Lighthouse Library did not disappoint. Lucy Richardson is the assistant librarian who lives in an apartment atop the lighthouse with her cat, Charles and she is now casually dating the mayor of Nags Head, North Carolina. When native son and millionaire Jay Ruddle visits the library to discuss his interest in donating his valuable collection of Outer Banks historic documents, the entire staff is very excited. But before he can legally effectuate his wishes, he is found murdered in the library after closing. His doting granddaughter, Julia, becomes the main suspect as she appears to be his only heir. But what about his personal assistant and curator to the collection, who would have lost his job if the documents were donated? Could his past business practices or long-ago romantic interest triggered the killer's rage? Lucy and her boss, Bertie also investigate other suspects.
Reading this series is very special because I lived in this area about fifteen years ago and still visit frequently. I used to spend my lunch time sitting at the picnic benches of the lighthouse grounds when I had business in nearby Manteo. Reading is also about imagination and reading a book about Halloween in the spring was a bit of leap but a fun one. I really enjoyed Lucy's continuing character development She stood her ground against everyone trying to harm the reputation of the library and also in her personal relationship with Connor. The mystery itself was well-plotted and I enjoyed the interaction of the various characters. Julia's character also grows from a seemingly meek granddaughter to someone capable of making important decisions which influence her personal and professional life.
I also thought this book did a wonderful job of addressing how libraries play such an important role in our respective communities. In times where many local and state governments are considering reducing or even eliminating library funding, the book highlights the ways libraries are changing with the times and how they are not just buildings but are essential and integral parts of our communities.

** Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary.

Lucy will freely admit that she is the Grinch of Halloween, the other members of the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are well and truly into it, so decorations are going up (but no ghosts or ghouls jumping out from under the stairs - thank you!), whilst all this is going on a man called Jay Ruddle (who everyone apart from Lucy seems to have heard of!) arrives to have a chat with the library head, he also has along with him his granddaughter and the curator of his collections. Apparently he wants to leave his collection to a local library, and the two contenders are the Bodie Island and a University History Department but before he can sign things over (although he had given verbal indications that Bodie Island was the front runner) he is found dead in the rare books room!

Lucy now needs to decide if her intuition about Julia (the granddaughter) is correct, try to rein in Teddy (who is lovestruck), figure out what is happening with Conner (her boyfriend who is running for Mayor again but his rival is claiming that another death at the library means it should be closed and the money spent elsewhere!), oh and figure out why she can suddenly see ghost horses!

Lucy Richardson, Bodie Island Lighthouse librarian seems to have a way with books, murder, and now a ghost. When a Jay Ruddle, a local who has done well in the business world returns to his hometown to donate his collection of historical documents, he has narrowed the choice down to a local college and the lighthouse. Unfortunately Jay is murdered in the library before he was able to announce his final selection and Lucy finds herself smack in the middle off yet another murder investigation.

While this is the fourth book in the Lighthouse Library mysteries, this is the first book I have read and I was enthralled! There was no disconnect from not having read any of the first three books in the series. The story moves at a good pace and the plot is solid. I look forward to reading the first three books in the series as well as future books.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2245518461. Reviews posted on Facebook and Goodreads.

Once again Lucy, the staff, and patrons of the Lighthouse Library, located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, find themselves in the midst of a murder. The victim,a former area resident who planned to donate his collection of valuable historical documents to the library, dies at a library event, and Lucy finds him. Until the evening of the murder, his finalists list for the collection also included Blackmore College's history department. His granddaughter and curator accompanied him to the Outer Banks, immediately becoming suspects. Lucy's boyfriend Connor seeks re-election as mayor, spending much of his time, campaigning. Butch, the detective, warns Lucy against detecting, but somehow the mystery seeks her out. Louise Jane enthralls guests with her haunting stories of local ghosts while Lucy spots her first one and some inexplicable happenings with a model ship on loan from Louise Jane. Although light and cozy, the book keeps the reader engaged. Some portions, particularly in the first few chapters, seemed a bit repetitious, providing details such as Lucy's living arrangements in more than one location. I received an advance electronic copy from the publisher via NetGalley with expectations of an honest review.

Lucy Richardson is in her element working as the assistant librarian at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. She’s surrounded by an eclectic group of staff members and the VIP library cat, Charles. Trouble begins when an elderly multi-millionaire approaches Bertie, the library director, about donating his personal collection of Outer Banks rare historical documents to the library. The competitors for the collection are determined they’ll receive it at whatever lengths they have to go to—even including discrediting Bertie or the Lighthouse Library. However, there’s a murder in the rare book room of the library which puts a crimp in everyone’s plans.

Author Eva Gates makes a smooth transition to her new publisher, Crooked Lane Books, with book four of the Lighthouse Library Mystery series. The story kept my interest with plenty of plot twists to lead me away from the true killer’s identity. I was surprised at the reveal. The setting is at Halloween, and there is a paranormal twist included and lots of fun scenes that are entertaining. I enjoyed the progress of Connor and Lucy’s relationship...slow, but sure. I believe cozy fans will be pleased with this story. My rating: 4 out of 5 Stars.

I reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane.

Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with a Lighthouse Library, this is one really well done mystery.

Local boy Jay Ruddle made a killing and more than a few enemies when he sold out to the big box store and headed for New York. Now he is ready to slow down and is trying to choose between two libraries to take his extensive collection of North Carolina history.

While the library hosts its Halloween event Jay has asked to use the rare book room. When Lucy checks on him, she finds him strangled to death. But who? And why?

There are a lot of people still around who harbor grudges and this could be about the collection or maybe just good old greed.

These characters have matured over the books and they are smart, funny and really interesting. I especially loved the history and local lore. But is there more to those tales? When Lucy starts seeing ghostly lights and a horse in the mist, she may change her mind about the supernatural!

I am really glad Crooked Lane picked this series up! A really good cozy. Eva Gates is actually Vicki Delaney!


With The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on everyone’s minds and ghoulish gossip on everyone’s lips, Lucy will need to separate the clues from the boos if she wants to crack this case without losing her head in The Spook in the Stacks, the delightful fourth in national bestseller Eva Gates’ Lighthouse Library mysteries.

NetGalley/Crooked Lane Books  Release Date June 12, 2018

This is one of my favorite cozy series and I was so happy to visit the Lighthouse Library again. This one takes place during the Halloween and the Library is celebrating the Holiday with lots of ghost stories. The library is also competing with another library for a collection of important North Carolina papers. When the wealthy collector is found dead in the Library during a lecture Lucy sets out solve the murder. The author does a great job with the North Carolina background and the small town library setting. The mystery was good and the solution was surprising. This series does not need to read in order. Enjoy this return visit.

The Spook in the Stacks is the 4th Lighthouse Library Mystery, and the first I've read in the series. Lucy Richardson is the assistant librarian at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library. (A library in a lighthouse...what a GREAT idea!) At first, I'm not sure I'm going to like Lucy. Halloween is around the corner and very early in the book, she says: "If there's a Halloween version of the Grinch, I'm it."

Over the course of the book, however, Lucy starts to question her beliefs in ghosts. She repeatedly sees a horse on the marsh, there are mysterious lights outside, and ship model pieces moving of their own accord. Hmmm...

In the meantime, during a big event held outside the library, wealthy businessman Jay Ruddle is murdered while perusing the rare books room. With hundreds of people traipsing around the property, anyone could have done it!

Overall, the mystery was interesting. There were some loose ends that weren't tied up as well as I would've like at the end, but all in all, it was a good story.

I really liked this entry in this series set on the Outer Banks. The relationships were nicely explored, and the subplots of who will get Ruddle's collection and whether or not Connor will win re-election for mayor were woven cleanly throughout the book. It was an interesting, enjoyable read. My only negative comment is that it looks like this series might be heading toward becoming yet another cozy mystery series featuring a woman, a cat, and supernatural element. Please don't! It's good the way it is!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates(Vicki Delany) is the fourth book in the Lighthouse Library series and was the most intriguing one to date. I was thrilled when this series found a new home at Crooked Lane Books.

Ms. Gates has penned a fast paced plot with plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages. The characters have become well developed over the last three books; and I felt like I was on vacation visiting with old friends when I started reading this book. Ms. Gates' descriptive writing of the Outer Banks and the North Carolina coastline makes we want to visit each time I read one of these books. The murder turned out to be quite complex and the resolution was very satisfying. I look forward to reading many more in this series.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. I loved this book. This series is one of my favorites. An automatic buy for this reader. Just a fun read, wonderful characters and a steady plot that has the reader turning the pages till the end. I can imagine myself sitting in the Lighthouse Library and spending the day catching up on the gossip and the quirky patrons of the Outer Banks. Very enjoyable.

A great series that I am so glad is continuing! The writing flows smoothly throughout the story. The characters, as always, are engaging and quirky, and fit well within the story. The mystery was well thought out and executed. A great addition to what is a wonderful series!

This book follows Lucy Richardson whose working at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library as Halloween is approaching they have agreed to let Louisa Jane do all her talks on hauntings and things. Add to that a businessman from Nag's Head long ago is deciding where to donate his documents to either a college library or the lighthouse library. When he winds up dead the pressure is on to find the killer. In the cops sights is his granddaughter Julia. Will Lucy figure it out in time? Who will win the mayoral election going on?

I really enjoyed this book as it has everything I've come to love with the lighthouse mysteries. The patrons of the library plus the staff make it a real treat to go back and see what everyone is up too. It was also good to see that Nag's Head was dealing with the elections as well! I really loved it and found I couldn't put it down until I had it all figured out. Even though this book really kept me guessing on the bad person.

I was so excited to find out that the Lighthouse Library series was going to continue, and it was worth the wait! Love following along on the adventures of Lucy and her eclectic gang. Great mystery. Fun subplots. Can't wait for the next one!

It’s Halloween on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the staff of the Bodie Island library is preparing for the day when they are approached by Jeff Ruddle a wealthy retired businessman. He is looking for a place to donate his extensive and valuable collection of North Carolina historical documents. But the library is not the only institution he’s looking at and the competition is fierce. In fact, it may just be deadly.

There is something, at least for me, about the combination of holidays and cozy mysteries that just works really well and author Eva Gates puts Halloween as well as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to very good use in her novel, The Spook in the Stacks: A Lighthouse Library Mystery. This fourth installment in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series is infused with a nice amount of spookiness while providing an interesting mystery with a likeable protagonist. A fun read for anyone who shares my enjoyment of holiday cozies.

3.5

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review