Caffeinated Reviewer

A gothic, historical mystery? Yes, please. The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans pulled me in with its atmospheric setting, missing person case, and strange happenings. E searches for her mother, and deals with the death of her father in this 1940s tale of dark secrets and forbidden libraries.

Can a family's dark history repeat itself?

Estella Ecker has returned to Rockfall House, the last place on earth she wants to be. Years after she ran away from her overbearing father, she has been forced back home to walk in his footsteps, teaching at the college he dominated and living in the fabulous home where he entertained artists and scholars for decades―and perhaps she owns it now, because her mercurial mother has disappeared. At the center of everything―the whispers, the rumors, the secrets―is her father's library of rare books, which she had been forbidden to touch while he was alive to stop her.

Everyone in town is watching Estella, with her dead father's name on their lips, and no one seems to care about her missing mother. Who were her parents, really, and is the answer hidden somewhere in the depths of Rockfall House? And who will Estella be, if she gathers enough courage to find that answer? What she will discover is that no one can escape the secrets hidden in this dark library.

Suspenseful and unsettling but ultimately triumphant, The Dark Library by acclaimed author Mary Anna Evans is a compelling tale of mystery, family secrets, and the quest for truth.

Despite its slow start, I found myself pulled into the mystery. This story follows Estella, who prefers to be called E as she returns home to Rockfall House after the death of her father and disappearance of her mother. She takes a professor position at the college her father governed.

The estate is a mess with only the housekeeper/cook remaining and the finances are a nightmare. Besides that, there is the matter of her missing mother. Did her father push her off the cliff as some suspect? Evans weaves an interesting and atmospheric tale from the library filled with books her father never allowed her to touch, to the new governor at the college who unexpected lept to his death.

We have two men vying for E’s attentions. The first is her solicitor, who is older and kind but whom she feels no chemistry and a young professor but someone is watching the house and there is evidence of someone trying to break in.

A box of forbidden books hidden under her bed, including one penned by her mother, might hold the answers. I enjoyed how the author built suspense and revealed pieces of the puzzle. She used both the setting and the period to build her story, and it was suspenseful.

Filled with twists and turns, The Dark Library delivered and is perfect for fans of gothic mysteries. Be warned, it starts off slowly, but if you allow it, it will sink its claws into you.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Mary Anna Evans

Mary Anna Evans is an award-winning author, a writing professor, and she holds degrees in physics and engineering, a background that, as it turns out, is ideal for writing her new book, The Physicists' Daughter. Set in WWII-era New Orleans, The Physicists' Daughter introduces Justine Byrne, whom Mary Anna describes as "a little bit Rosie-the-Riveter and a little bit Bletchley Park codebreaker."

Instagram

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

• Same Genre