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Many a library and academic were hot to get their hands on Jay Ruddle's historical documents to add to their collections.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.

Book Summary

Wealthy businessman Jay Ruddle is considering donating his extensive collection of North Carolina historical documents to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, but the competition for the collection is fierce. Unfortunately, while the library is hosting a lecture on ghostly legends, Jay becomes one of the dearly departed in the rare books section. Now, it’s up to Lucy Richardson and her fellow librarians to bone up on their detective skills and discover who is responsible for this wicked Halloween homicide.

Meanwhile, very strange things are happening at the library―haunted horses are materializing in the marsh, the lights seem to have an eerie life of their own, and the tiny crew of a model ship appears to move around when no one is watching. Is Lucy at her wit’s end? Or can it be that the Bodie Island Lighthouse really is haunted?

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.