Book 22, 2020

The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Last night, I completed the book The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates. It's the fourth installment in the "Lighthouse Library" mystery series, featuring assistant librarian Lucy Richardson.

Halloween is fast approaching, and the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library may be receiving an unexpected treat. Wealthy, retired businessman Jay Ruddle is considering donating his extensive collection of historical documents relating to North Carolina. Things are put on hold, however, when Ruddle is found murdered in the library's rare documents room. The police suspect his granddaughter, Julia, but Lucy has met Julia and doesn't think she could harm a fly, much less her beloved grandfather. Lucy learns that Ruddle had made some enemies locally, while he was making his fortune, and she starts to question some of the oldtimers to find out who may have had motive for murdering the man.

In the meantime, the library board decides to proceed with the Halloween programs that were scheduled, Lucy's friend, Teddy, takes a shine to Julia, Lucy begins seeing a strange, spectral horse out on the marsh at night, her boyfriend, Connor, is in a marathon campaign to be re-elected as mayor, and Julia's estranged and eccentric mother arrives in town. Lucy has a lot on her plate, but with the help of Charles, the library cat, she just may be able to suss out a killer before anyone else is murdered.

There was quite a bit of activity going on in this story, but the plot remained cohesive, and it was a fun tale. The supernatural elements lent it a spooky air, which I enjoyed. Characters were done very well. It was good to reconnect with the regulars and meet some new ones. My only complaint is that the reader was not given a chance to solve the mystery.

Favorite lines:
♣ "I don't read bodice-ripper romances for the subtlety."
♣ "It's bigger inside than it appears from the outside...Sort of like the Tardis or Hermione Granger's beaded handbag."
♣ "Aren't they always having storms in the Midwest?"
♣ Books love to be read. Books need to be read.

A favorite series of mine, and this was no exception. Four stars!