People always assume working in a library is quiet, predictable, and filled with nothing but the soft rustle of pages and the occasional shushing. And sure, we have those moments. But here at The Morton Library, nestled in a sleepy corner of Taos, in northern New Mexico, quiet doesn’t always mean peaceful—and predictable flew out the window the day my grandmother came back as a ghost.

Yes. You read that right. My Grandma Valerie, who passed away last year, now hangs out in the library. She’s not scary—more like a cross between a hippie life coach and a nosy neighbor. She floats, sure. Glows a little, sometimes smells faintly of patchouli. But she’s also got an opinion on everything from my lunch choices to the Dewey Decimal System, and she never hesitates to let me know when something “feels off” in the archives.

Then there’s Moonbeam, my black cat. She made her way to me via the local dog groomer (too tricky to explain). She’s clever, calm, and not above knocking a book off a shelf if I’ve overlooked something important. Oh, and she sees ghosts. Not just Grandma Valerie—all of them. I’ve caught her more than once staring into a dark corner like she’s listening to someone I can’t see… until I can.

You see, The Morton Library doesn’t just hold books and newspaper clippings. We’re the town’s historical research center—photos, diaries, letters, old blueprints, you name it. It’s our job to preserve the town’s past. But sometimes, the past doesn’t want to stay neatly filed away in a climate-controlled archive. Sometimes, a single donation box turns into a full-blown mystery.

A few weeks ago, someone dropped off an old leather-bound journal with no return address. It looked harmless enough—until Grandma got a “weird vibe” from it, and Moonbeam wouldn’t go near it. The next morning, our clocks stopped at the same moment, the lights flickered in the reading room, and I found an old photo inside the journal … of someone who shouldn’t exist. At least, not according to any public record.

That’s how it happens, more often than not. A new donation. A reference question. A seemingly innocent research request that uncovers a hidden chapter of local history—and a few restless spirits who want their stories told.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my job. I love the smell of old paper, the satisfaction of matching a photo to a forgotten name, the quiet hush of the stacks. But I never expected my work would include ghost mediation, magical cats, and solving mysteries that span generations. And I definitely didn’t think that my family had this in mind when my great-great-grandfather started the library’s collection.

But honestly? I wouldn’t trade it. Not even on the days when Grandma Valerie turns the microfilm reader into a Ouija board or Moonbeam decides to take a nap on top of the current exhibit.

The Morton Library might be haunted, but it’s also full of heart. It’s a place where the past still speaks—sometimes literally—and where every day brings a new question to answer, a new puzzle to solve, and the occasional ghost to appease.

So if you’re ever in the area, stop by. Just don’t be surprised if a file box opens by itself… or if my cat stares at you like she knows your secrets.

She probably does.

Haunted Gold – A Ghost in the Library Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery w/paranormal elements
Release: July 2025
Format: Digital, Print
Purchase Link

A legendary treasure, a vanished professor, and a haunted library – welcome to the world of Emily Plankhurst. In the quaint town of Taos, New Mexico, Emily has inherited her family’s research library and is determined to continue their legacy. But when a renowned history professor goes missing while searching for a long-lost Conquistador treasure, Emily finds herself caught up in a twisty mystery.

With the help of her ghostly grandmother and a worried colleague of the professor, Emily must navigate through a town full of treasure hunters and clues to find the truth. But as she delves deeper, all Emily knows is that the missing professor had checked out a couple of rare documents from her library, and one of them just might be the authentic map to the treasure!

Will Emily be able to locate the professor before someone else gets hold of the map? And will she learn whether the famous Conquistador gold actually exists?

Find out in this first book in a new spinoff series from USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton.

Meet the author
Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books in multiple mystery series. A lifelong mystery enthusiast, Connie’s passion for the genre was sparked by childhood favorites (Nancy Drew!), eventually leading her to create her own compelling female sleuths. Her latest venture, The Ghost in the Library series, introduces readers to Emily Plankhurst, a librarian in a haunted research library, blending cozy mystery with a touch of the supernatural. Beyond writing fiction, Connie has contributed to Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul and has taught writing courses, sharing her expertise with aspiring authors. She resides in northern New Mexico, drawing inspiration from the rich landscapes and history of the Southwest. When she’s not crafting mysteries, Connie enjoys various arts and crafts, taking long walks, baking, and exploring local cuisine, often incorporating New Mexican recipes into her books. Her multifaceted career as a teacher, bookseller, reader, and writer reflects her deep commitment to the literary world.