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Ruddle's historical documents to add to their collections.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.
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his extensive collection of North Carolina historical
documents to the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, but the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.
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