The Ghost and the Dead Librarian
The Ghost and the Dead
Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
1st in the Series - Spinoff of the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries
Setting - Rhode Island
Publisher : Kensington Cozies
Publication date : September 29, 2026
Print length : 384 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 : 1496749332
ISBN-13 : 978-1496749338
Digital
ISBN-13 : 978-1496749352
ASIN : B0GDS6KY2P
Audio CD
ISBN-13 : 979-8228951006
ASIN : B0H55H66KS
Audiobook
ASIN B0H2NLG2YP
A LIBRARY JOURNAL "MYSTERY PICK OF THE MONTH" In an utterly
charming new mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle, a
small-town Rhode Island bookshop owner investigates the death of an eccentric
librarian with the help of a wisecracking, 1940s gumshoe ghost.
As a young widow, Penelope moved back to her quaint Rhode Island town to
give her young son a safer home and her aunt's dying bookshop new life. Using
her late husband's insurance money, Pen polished the store into a local
treasure. But her updates did more than attract new customers. They roused a
dead private eye from his big sleep.
With Pen's affection for hardboiled detective stories, it's no surprise
she's developed a fondness for the wisecracking yet oddly likeable spirit.
Sure, Jack's cold spots are exasperating, along with his proclivity for putting
noir fiction in the cozy section. But murder was Jack's business in life, and
his PI skills come in awfully handy when the body of an eccentric librarian is
found amid the bookshop's aisles.
For years, Dory jokingly called herself "The Dead Librarian"
because of her hobby of collecting and writing local obituaries. Now, in death,
she's discovered with her own eerily pre-written obit. Was it a suicide note?
Jack and Pen say no and their certainty takes them from a ghost town's ancient
cemetery to a posh Newport mansion. When another body drops, a mysterious
stranger makes Pen a shocking offer, one that may change her life—and Jack's
afterlife. But unless Jack can help Pen prove who "checked out" the
librarian, a ruthless killer may close the book on her.
"This spin-off of Coyle's 'Haunted Bookshop' series blends cozy
mystery, supernatural intrigue, and classic noir influences into a suspenseful
small-town murder mystery....Combining humor, literary references, ghostly
interventions, and layered community drama, the novel explores how hidden
truths from the past continue to haunt the present." —Library Journal
(*Starred Review)
About
Cleo Coyle
Cleo Coyle - Alice Alfonsi - Marc
Cerasini
Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her
husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of
the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries, now celebrating more than 20 years
in print, and the national bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. With more
than one million books sold, their works have been translated into Spanish,
Japanese, and Czech; received multiple Best of Year selection honors from
reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best
culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are
also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm,
NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where
they write independently and together, wrangle their rescue cats, drink a lot
of java, and cook like crazy. Connect with Cleo at CleoCoyleBooks.com
Author Links
Webpage: https://www.cleocoylebooks.com/
Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleoCoyleAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleocoyle_author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cleocoyle.bsky.social
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle
My Thoughts
Step into this haunted bookshop and prepare for a mystery with plenty of ghostly charm! The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle is a warm, entertaining debut in A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery, a spinoff from A Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. Jack Shepherd, the gruff ghost private detective, and Penelope Thornton-McClure make an endearing sleuthing duo, surrounded by quirky secondary characters who add extra sparkle to the story. Coyle’s friendly writing style blends charm, wit, mystery, and just a smidgen of suspense into an engaging whodunit. Penelope is a smart cookie and watching her unravel clues with a little spectral assistance is a delight. The humor is nicely sprinkled throughout, and the paranormal element adds fun without overshadowing the mystery. With its satisfying mix of clever clues, lighthearted humor, and ghostly guidance, this cozy mystery is a spirited good time from start to finish!
Giveaway
The author is giving away two (2) autographed copies of The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery) by Cleo Coyle. You can click here to enter, enter via the form below, or click on the badge in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Good Luck!
Calling all book lovers—The Ghost and the Dead Librarian is ready to haunt your TBR in the best possible way! Pick up your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple, or Bookshop.org. Be sure to follow Cleo Coyle on Amazon so you’ll receive a notification whenever a new book is released. You can also visit Cleo Coyle’s website to learn more about the books, find a handy series checklist in reading order, and sign up for the author’s newsletter. I’ll be back on Wednesday, October 21, with A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli. Before you dash off to your next great read, don’t forget to enter the giveaway—your bookish treat may be just a click away!
The Avid Reader
Tour Participants
October 19 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Carla Loves To Read - REVIEW
October 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
October 20 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT
October 21 - Escape With Dollycas Into A
Good Book - REVIEW
October 21 - Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
October 22 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
October 22 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 23 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
October 23 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT
October 24 – deal sharing aunt – SPOTLIGHT
October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 26 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW
October 26 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 27 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
October 27 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
October 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
October 30 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading
Books – REVIEW
October 30 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
October 31 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
October 31 – The Editing Pen -REVIEW
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*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of
this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and
opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Oh, wow, what a fabulous review! Marc and I thank you. And Jack & Pen thank you, too. Yes, our hardboiled ghost and the bookseller he loves to haunt are very real to us. We've been writng them for years, and we're thrilled to be continuing their fun, crime-solving adventures in this new spinoff series.
ReplyDeleteMarc and I truly appreciate your taking the time to read and review our work, and we're thrilled to know that you enjoyed our latest. We hope everyone gets a chance to step into our Haunted Bookshop world, and THE GHOST AND THE DEAD LIBRARIAN is a great place to start.
Happy reading to all...and Happy Halloween!
~ Cleo