The Librarians
by Sherry Thomas
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
Sometimes a workplace isn’t just a workplace but a place of safety, understanding, and acceptance. And sometimes murder threatens the sanctity of that beloved refuge....
In the leafy suburbs of Austin, Texas, a small branch library welcomes the public every day of the week. But the patrons who love the helpful, unobtrusive staff and leave rave reviews on Yelp don’t always realize that their librarians are human, too.
Hazel flees halfway across the world for what she hopes will be a new beginning. Jonathan, a six-foot-four former college football player, has never fit in anywhere else. Astrid tries to forget her heartbreak by immersing herself in work, but the man who ghosted her six months ago is back, promising trouble. And Sophie, who has the most to lose, maintains a careful and respectful distance from her coworkers, but soon that won't be enough anymore.
When two patrons turn up dead after the library’s inaugural murder mystery–themed game night, the librarians’ quiet routines come crashing down. Something sinister has stirred, something that threatens every single one of them. And the only way the librarians can save the library—and themselves—is to let go of their secrets, trust one another, and band together....
All in a day’s work.
PJ's Thoughts:
Having read Sherry Thomas's historical romances, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this new, standalone, cozy mystery. What I discovered were characters who engaged my interest, a mystery twisty enough to keep me guessing, and a satisfying conclusion that would lead me to read more of this type of book by Thomas.
There are four main characters in this novel, all of whom work at a small neighborhood library branch in Austin, Texas. Over the course of the story, we learn about each of them in present-day scenes as well as flashbacks, all told from each individual's point of view. That much head-hopping can easily become confusing, especially when the characters are also interacting with one another as well as secondary characters but I felt the author handled the flow well. There were a couple times when I had to re-read a few pages to make sure I was in the right timeframe of the story but those were few.
The author takes her time setting the stage for both the mystery portion of the book as well as the individual stories of the main characters. I engaged with some of the main characters earlier than others but by the end of the book, I was wholly invested in all four. The pace set by the author with each main character gradually revealing their secrets to the others feels authentic and relatable, also allowing me, the reader, to get to know them more intimately as they slowly come to know one another. I will say that if you're an impatient reader, you will need to call on some patience for the first third of the book as it moves at a relatively slow pace while the stage is set for the mystery and we get to know the characters. It wasn't an issue for me but it may be for others.
The mystery is an important part of the book but there is also a bit of second-chance romance for two of the main characters (I was pulling for both couples) and some heartbreak along the way for another. The mystery itself is very well crafted, with several surprises that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, the story zagged in an entirely different direction, keeping me eagerly flipping pages right up until the end.
If you're into cozy mysteries with relatable characters, a well crafted storyline, and a satisfying payoff at the end, all wrapped up in well-loved books and community at the local library, give this one a chance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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