THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS by Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany) is the fourth book in the series but the first to be published by Crooked Lane Books. I am so happy that this series was revived by a new publisher because I loved this story which features an old lighthouse turned into a library! Protagonist Lucy Richardson is the assistant librarian at the Brodie Island Lighthouse Library. She is lucky enough to live in a small apartment in the lighthouse, situated above the library. It sounds positively charming. The library and town are getting ready to celebrate Halloween, which Lucy would rather skip. She doesn’t consider being scared fun at all. I’ll have to admit, I totally agree with Lucy. I would be more than happy to skip any of the horror-themed stuff Halloween offers but I do enjoy the adorable little kids in their cute costumes of fairies, ladybugs, and princesses.
Ms. Gates weaves an enticing tale of an academic fight over a private historic collection, a reclusive multi-millionaire found murdered in the library, and a mysterious ghost horse that arrives in the creepy fog. In amongst the murder mystery, which Lucy gets pulled into helping solve at the bequest of the murdered man’s granddaughter, there is the theme of families torn apart and then reunited and unrequited love. These subplots add to the appeal of the story and pulled me in until I couldn’t help myself and turned pages late into the night. The exciting reveal provided a twist that I didn’t see coming and left me hoping the next installment is soon to follow.
While the book doesn’t contain recipes, Lucy’s cousin owns a bakery and provides plenty of delicious treats for the Halloween celebrants. One of those treats is Coconut Sugar Cookies so Ms. Gates developed a recipe. Let me tell you, my oldest granddaughter (who is special needs) adored these! I frequently make lemon sugar cookies and she thinks they’re okay. But, she gobbled up my girlie ghosts and pumpkins and asked for more! I love this unique take on sugar cookies and even though there is an extra step to pulse the coconut, I think it is more than worthwhile. Since I made these cookies in the spring (and not during the Halloween setting the book portrays) I made a few Halloween cookies and with the remaining dough, cut some simple shapes that I sprinkled with white sparkling sugar to garnish. Either way, this is a recipe that I will be making year-round!
Amazon Synopsis
Halloween in North Carolina’s Outer Banks becomes seriously tricky when librarian Lucy Richardson stumbles across something extra unusual in the rare books section: a dead body.
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.
A special thanks to Eva Gates/Vicki Delany for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS! Contest is limited to U.S. and Canada residents only and ends Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
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- 7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
- 3-3/4 cups cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon pure coconut extract, optional
- Sanding or colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating (optional)
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Process coconut in a food processor until finely ground. Whisk together flour, coconut, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
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Put butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and coconut extract, if desired. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined.
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Divide dough into thirds; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm but malleable, about 1 1/2 hours.
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Roll out dough between 2 sheets of lightly floured parchment to 1/4 inch thick. Repeat, and stack between parchment on a baking sheet. Freeze or refrigerate dough until firm, 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Cut out shapes with a floured cutter. Space 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment. To decorate with sugar, lightly brush with water and sprinkle with sugar. Or once cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.
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Bake until edges are golden, 11 to 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets 3 minutes. Transfer to wire racks; let cool completely.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
yes
No, I’m not a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations.
I’m just not a fan of Halloween.
Yes! I certainly am.
I love the outer banks, and a lighthouse turned library is awesome! I know just the right lighthouse.
Oh, and yes, I am a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations
Yes, I still like spooky Halloween Haunted Houses & everything that goes with them.
I am not a fan of scary Halloween things, but I do love to see the little children all dressed up. And I LOVE this series so much!
I am not a fan of the spooky Halloween celebrations but am all for the cute Halloween celebrations. This is a new to me series, and I love the idea of the setting of a lighthouse turned into a library!
No, I am not a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations.
Love spooky Halloween party!!!!
Going to have to try these,
Both the cookies and the book look great.
Not a fan of gory Halloween displays, but like the spooky aspects. We decorate our house to be scary but not the kind that gives kids nightmares. We keep it tasteful and G rated.
Not that spooky.
I love a great murder mystery, I’m up for some spooky. I’ve met a ghost or 2 in my time. Not the scary kind, but it is a little spooky.
Halloween is a great time to decorate and have fun, and I love the festivities and ghost stories that go with it!
Love Halloween! Hate haunted houses! Love the series!
I am not a big fan of Halloween, but I like fall foods and activities (candy and carmel apples are the best!).
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. However, I don’t really like going on spooky hayrides or to spooky houses.
What marvelous Halloween designs! Well Done!!!
I’m weird, I lie them and think they’re cool but as to going to the haunted houses and such, I can’t I’m too chicken, LOL. We decorate with the cute Halloween decor. Thanks for the recipe!
Yes, I love Halloween.
YES, I LOVE HALLOWEEN, and coconut is my fav. I’ll have to make these cookies.
No I don’t like being scared
I love Halloween! All things Halloween. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m not a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations. I like reading books with it in it but that’s it. Thank you for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Spook In The Stacks.
I really used to be but now it seems things are a bit more dark & not as much fun!
“Are you a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations?” We’ve never been big on Halloween in my family–but I am happy to eat tasty treats!
I am not a fan of the gross guts gory Halloween stuff but I do adore Halloween. I prefer the more silly fun side though.
No, not any more!
I am a fan of the fun type of spooky, but not the gory type
I don’t like anything too scary! The cookies look delicious, my m-i–l loved things with coconut!
Thanks very much Kim, and thanks for commenting everyone. I hope you enjoy the book. I know you’ll LOVE the cookies to go along with it. Vicki/Eva
Yes, I am a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations. Just not overly gory.
Not so much a fan of really spooky things. I just love the season.
Love LIGHTHO– USES! I’ve always dreamed of living in one & this makes reading this series that much more fun.
used to always do the “spooky” Halloween but not anymore (but I did like it!)
Yes I do enjoy spooky Halloween events. My sister’s birthday is on October 28 and my birthday is on October 30. We love celebrating with a Halloween theme. Those cookies look yummy!
I’m too chicken to visit a haunted house but love seeing the kids in their trick or treat costumes…I know spirits are real because I have recording of them talking, just never know if bad or good ones.
I am not a fan of scary things, but I do love seeing all the little kids dress up in Halloween costumes. I am going to have to try out the cookie recipe. They look yummy and I bet are fun to decorate.
Sorry not a fan of spooky or scary. Do like sweet or funny kids costumes though.
Yes
I do not enjoy spooky Halloween events. I love Halloween but like the cute decorations…nothing scary!
I like seeing the kids costumes and the decorations, other than that I’m scared! Lol
Not a big fan of spooky Halloween, but love the dress up part.
I love everything about Halloween. The scarier, the better! Love the haunted houses, the horror movie marathons, trick-or-treating with our grands, handing out candy on the square, decorating the house, my hubby’s outdoor light/music show, and baking Halloween cookies. Cozies based around Halloween make the holiday even more fun.
I enjoy Halloween but I don’t do much for the scarier side!
I am a big fan of Halloween.. (my son was born on Halloween so we try to make every year different and special for him) but I am a chicken when it comes to scary movies.. I will watch them, but sometimes it’s from under my blanket on the couch because even the music gets me. The first time I watched the original Halloween movie, it was 2am ar my mother-in-laws house (before we got married) I dont think my husband expected me to scream as loud as I did.. scared the **** out of me LOL ??
I am a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations.
I am not a fan of spooky Halloween celebrations, I am more for the cute ones.
Love to decorate for Halloween..even have a spooky but fun Halloween village! Never too scary though…
love Halloween and cookies
I like spooky, but not gross.
Love spooky Halloween anything!
I’m not sure if I would enjoy a spooky Halloween celebration anymore. But my husband and I did meet at a haunted house he was working at almost 20 years ago now.
i love everything Halloween
I am not a fan of real spooky Halloween activities. I would never go to one of those Extreme Haunted Houses.
First, big fan of the author and her books. Second, not a big Halloween fan but I do give out candy and decorate a little.
I’m more a fan of cute spooky celebrations. I have a 4 year old and 2 year old who love to decorate and make decorations with me so we try to keep the scary to a minimum
Yes I am a fan.
Love Halloween, it’s my husband’s birthday. I’m a big chicken when it comes to spooky celebrations though.
I love Halloween! My daughter and her son were both born on Halloween, so it is a double celebration!
Thanks for the contest!
I think they are fun.
I Am a fan
No, I’m not a fan of spooky parties.
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday!
Thank you for your review on “THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS” by Eva Gates.
WOW! All I can say is you took my favorite cookie and elevated it to AWESOME. I will definitely be making this wonderful sounds rave review cookie for my family (and me).
I do enjoy a family friendly Halloween celebration. We love the Halloween parties with fun games and yummy treats. Love making the cutout witch, pumpkin, ghost cookies and decorating cupcakes in a Halloween theme. A bit of scary is good but so much of it is overdone (for me any ways). Guess I’m a small kid at heart. 🙂
Reading “THE SPOOK IN THE STACKS” would be my idea of celebrating Halloween in July. After all, if they can have Christmas in July why not Halloween? 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of Halloween, but I went to Universal Studios last year for Halloween Horror Nights and it was so fun and scary.
I love Halloween. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. We decorate but not scary. Pumpkins, scarecrows, cornstalks and lights to celebrate the arrival of the little ones in their costumes.
I’m definitely not a fan of scary Halloween things at my age but I don’t really remembering caring for them even as a young adult. I NEED to see faces especially in this day and age of so much nonsense happening. Masks are not my thing unless it’s my grandchildren behind them. ?
I love spooky Halloween celebrations, as long as things aren’t tooooo scary for the little ones.
I do like spooky Halloween celebrations! Fun!
Not too spooky!