This was such a fun read. I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and this one did not disappoint! I couldn't guess who had done it either before it was revealed in the book. Very enjoyable!

Buried in the stacks is the 3rd installment in the Haunted Library Mysteries. If you like your cozy mystery with a bit of a paranormal twist, then this is sure to be a winner for you!

Without spoiling anything, I have to say I am so amazed and impressed with Ms. Brooks willingness to keep no one safe- even at the risk of foregoing future storylines! That move alone made this my favorite cozy read of the year!

This series has been fun, clever, and surprising since day 1. As a librarian, I do not always agree with the portrayal of how libraries are run, but the stories stand so strong that I am willing to put that aside to find out who did it and why.. Now, I am anxiously awaiting book 4 to see where we go from here!

Great book! Easy and fun to read. I will definitely read more from this author. Strange that this was not my usual style, but it was a great time,

This was such a good mystery. I'm really enjoying this series so far. I can't wait to read the next one.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from Netgalley.

This was a charming cozy mystery. I love the library setting, and the appearance of the resident ghost sets this series apart from other series set in libraries. The characters are strong and well written, from Carrie all the way to the minor players.

I recommend this book and the series.

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

3.5

Not having read the first two books of the Haunted Library Mystery series, I was certainly curious as to how the author would handle having a library ghost as one of the central characters. Hmmmmm

I am happy to report it was handled quite well. But then again, I do believe in ghosts. Aside from that aspect, this was simply a well written mystery. It also brought attention to the struggles between the homeless and the cities they live in. The author deals with this intelligently and made it an important part of the story. So not only did I find this tale to be entertaining, but it also gave me reason to think.

While this worked quite well as a stand alone, I am intrigued enough to go back and read the first two books. I am also looking forward to new installments.

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

I struggled to get into this third book of the Haunted Library Mystery series much more than I did with either of the first two volumes. Though I think the author identifies an important issue in public libraries (how to serve patrons who are homeless) and also keeps things interesting by killing off a somewhat established character, I still felt the story dragged in many places and didn't hold my attention. I am feeling myself becoming a bit burned out on some of the conventions of the cozy mystery genre, so for now, I plan to take a step back from this series for a while and skip the next installment for the time being. I think it's largely a case of me being the wrong reader at the wrong time for this particular book.

Nothing special, but I finished it. This series is not of the highest quality. But, it satisfies my desire to read a cozy mystery with a cute cover. And, based on the ending, I imagine the next book will have a death on the film set.

This was an okay book. It was certainly nothing to write home about, but it was pleasant and entertaining.

The best part of the book is that Carrie, our protagonist, really does get the fear of God put into her and so limits her investigation into a death. I cheered every time she promised not to investigate. And in all fairness, she really didn't do too much - only one stop to peer into a house she suspected was being used or an illegal card game. Other than that, she did everything she was asked to do by the police and her detective boyfriend.

The bad part is that the story just sort of drags along, perhaps because of that. The ending seemed, well, there was no real climax to the story. It all sort of ended.

I have to also say that there is only one author that I feel has successfully given a role in a book series to a ghost and that is Susan Boyer in her Lowcountry series. Evelyn just doesn't cut it as a ghost who is very helpful. She seems contrived to try to make the story work. I was unimpressed.

I really enjoy this Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook! The protagonist (with the best name ever) Carrie is very likable in her role as director of programs and events at the local library. A setting which gives her the prime spot for gathering the ‘word on the street’ when investigating the most recent murder – especially when the most recent victim is her former nemesis & coworker at said library. And, let’s face it, what self-respecting bookworm wouldn’t want to spend their days at a library and get paid for it? Not to mention the delightful cat (did I just use those words together??) Smoky Joe who has a personality all his own and adds to the story in his own way. And Evelyn, the library’s resident ghost who aids Carrie in crime-solving.

Dorothy’s murder presents a wealth of suspects since Dorothy was probably one of the least likable people in town, blackmailing her neighbors and coworkers with barely concealed glee. This allows the author to craft a very layered plot, with plenty of suspects and motives to keep you guessing. What makes her story even more interesting is the possible connection to the murder of Evelyn – Dorothy’s aunt, former librarian, and resident library ghost. As mentioned, Evelyn also happens to be Carrie’s partner in investigating the crimes Carrie stumbles across, which raises the stakes in Carrie’s ongoing quest to figure out who murdered Evelyn too.

Another thing I really liked about Buried in the Stacks was the subplot involving the local homeless population who spend their days in the haven of the library. This is a reality in my own public library system, and I so appreciated the author’s compassionate and insightful portrayal of the people involved, giving them dimension and dignity while not sugarcoating the situation. Carrie’s heart for one of the couples who make the library their day shelter is very touching – as is the equal compassion shown by her friends as they also step in to help out in little ways.

Dylan. Sigh. I used to think Dylan was a swoony match for Carrie, but since we share the same name I feel compelled to watch out for her. And to be honest, Dylan was kind-of a jerk in Buried in the Stacks. I don’t sense a lot of chemistry between them anymore either, but that can be overlooked if he actually took Carrie’s feelings and opinions into consideration. As it is, I think she deserves better so he’d better get his act together in the next book!

Bottom Line: Buried in the Stacks is well-written with a multi-layered mystery plot and delightful characters. Carrie is a strong protagonist with her own set of vulnerabilities (that make her even more likable) and a fun network of family and friends (including Smoky Joe & Evelyn). The plethora of suspects will keep you on your reading toes, and the reveal is nicely done. I’m curious to see how the various storylines involving Dylan, Evelyn, and Carrie’s mom (all separately lol) play out in the next book, too. A fun cozy with some depth too, in a lovely bookish setting.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

I started reading this book, but did not finish it. I read a few chapters but was not interested in continuing with the story at this time. I will likely come back to read it in the future.

I enjoyed this latest installment of The Haunted Library series. This mystery was interesting and the overall story was good and moved well. While this wasn't my favorite cozy ever, it kept me intrigued me and kept me interested. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

With winter coming and temperatures dropping, the homeless residents of Clover Ridge are taking shelter in the library, much the consternation of some of the town’s more fortunate residents. Carrie wants to do what she can to help the homeless and joins the committee of volunteers seeking to renovate an old house the homeless residents can use during the day when the shelter is closed. Only, the more Carrie learns about the plans for Haven House, the more she questions the motives behind those involved with getting it off the ground. Could it be a cover for an illegal operation? And what about the alleged accident and later death of a not-so-well-liked librarian? Could the two be tied together or was it just a freak accident? Librarian Carrie, with the help of the library’s ghost Evelyn, and the library cat Smoky Joe are ready to take on another case—or will Carrie be in way over her head this time?

Carrie continues in her role as Head of Programs and Events at the public library, and is proving she is more than well suited for the job. I wish my library had half the programs the Clover Ridge library has. This is the third book in the Haunted Library series, and I continue to enjoy the series. Carrie puts herself in danger’s way more than once during her investigation, despite the warnings from both her boyfriend and the police chief, making me want to shake a little more sense in her. She should know better, but she’s a bit impatient when it comes to waiting for the police to do their job. Besides, there isn’t much they can do without evidence.

On a personal note, Carrie and her boyfriend are still feeling out their relationship. Carrie seems to have difficulty with trust, which is understandable given her past. I found it ironic that some of her concerns about her boyfriend’s occupation are the same concerns he voices about her amateur sleuthing—at least he has the excuse of being trained and doing his job professionally.

While the outcome and twists in this particular installment were not always surprising, Buried in the Stacks was still an entertaining read, and I enjoyed seeing how everything played out. The author gives us a glimpse of what is to come in the series at the end of this novel, and I am looking forward to seeing what trouble Carrie finds herself in next!

I did enjoy reading this cozy mystery. I found myself wishing I had read the previous book in the series, to have a better idea of the characters and things that happened before. I laughed out loud several times and enjoyed the main character, Carrie. Love that she works in a library and has a ghost as a friend. I'd recommend this book.

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.

As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her—and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library's resident ghost, six years earlier.

And then Dorothy is murdered—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. Carrie, Evelyn, and Smoky Joe the cat are on the case, but are the library cards stacked against them?

A fun, quick mystery with more humour than I expected!

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Carrie works at the library as head of programs and events. There is ghost that resides at the library named Evelyn. She has a best friend Angela and is dating Dylan. Her cat Smokey Joe goes with her to work and loves running around the library. Her nemesis Dorothy gets killed.

There seems to be a lot going on in this book. Besides the murder investigation, you have attempted cat abduction, homeless daycare and upcoming wedding plans. No one liked the murder victim cause she was blackmailing a lot of people. The homeless daycare Haven House may not even be legit. Carrie has her hands full, but she does get the job done. The reveal of the killer and the solving of not just one murder but two was a twist I did not see coming.

Some scenarios in the book were predictable.

There is a nice shout out to mystery authors, and the adult programs mentioned in this book makes we wish my local library did adult programs for the community. But my library tends to go towards kids programs then adult programs.

What I didn’t like in the book was the comment on the fragile male ego. I did not want this book to turn into a feminist book.

To the Publisher: At the beginning of the book, the author introduced Julia as Carrie’s sister in law and Tacey as her niece. But throughout the rest of the book, Julia was mentioned as her cousin and Tacey also her cousin. This was confusing. I hope this is corrected in the final release.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced digital copy. This review is my own.

This is the first book I have read in this series and I was happy to dive straight in. Allison Brook did a fantastic job providing any backstory, making this a great standalone read. I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues to satisfy even the most painstaking and diligent armchair detective.

The author, Allison Brook, has drawn a lot of great characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. I particularly liked librarian Carrie Singleton who works in the local haunted library building. In the wintertime, 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.

Set in a small Connecticut town - Clover Ridge - Carrie has a lot going on in this book, having returned to her hometown following relationship woes. She has thrown herself into her new position as Sunshine Delegate - the library employee who visits sick and hospitalised co-workers. The busy protagonist had the necessary attributes of any great sleuth: intelligence, curiosity and keenness.

There was a large number of characters in Buried in the Stacks but I think I just about managed to keep track of all of them without being overwhelmed! Apart from Carrie herself, I was also rather fond of library ghost, Evelyn Havers and Dylan, Carrie's boyfriend. Of course, I have to mention the library's adorable cat, named Smoky Joe. Evelyn the ghost was woven into the plot so masterfully that the paranormal elements were not overdone or cheesy...just great fun.

Another of my favourite aspects of this novel was the fluidity of the writing. The details of the plot were very well executed and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The author did a brilliant job of balancing the story-line and various events jumbled matters up somewhat, making figuring out the identity of the perpetrator more challenging. There was a sense of increasing menace as the story progressed, which definitely helped to keep my interest.

I am looking forward to returning to Clover Ridge with Carrie on a future occasion and reading the earlier books in the series, too! So entertaining and engaging, Buried in the Stacks is definitely well worth the time invested.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Title: Buried in the Stacks

Author: Allison Brook

Series: The Haunted Library Mystery book 3

Chapters: 38

Pages: 311

Genre: cozy Mystery

Rating: 3 stars

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Buried in the Stacks is the third book in The Haunted Library Mysteries series by Allison Brook. Carrie Singleton is settling into her job at the library but has discovered something, the colder weather brings the local homeless population to the library. That employees and patron's alike don't like and employee that wasn’t that well-liked ends up murdered. Carrie at first plans to stay out of it because she has enough to deal with, without adding crime-solving to it. Between planning programs and handling tensions between the homeless people and everybody else. For working in a public library I can tell you that what the author wrote has indeed happened before. Any city that has a homeless population is going to have that group end up at one of the public libraries in that city at least once.

This one wasn't my favorite book of the series so far but it was still an enjoyable read.



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.

Cozy mysteries can carry you away as the evenings grow cooler. Allison Brook has written one that includes ghosts! Who murdered Carrie's coworker? Was it to do with the help the library is giving the new Haven House committee?

Just another day in the life of a librarian/amateur detective. Not one but two murders, a bunch of criminals who plan on cheating people out of their money in the pretense of helping the homeless, as well as an out of town boyfriend...All in a day's work for Claire and her sidekicks Smokey Joe the library cat and Evelyn the library ghost.