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I’ll admit it—if a book involves a library, I’m probably going to read it. So Eva Jurczyk’s The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections had me from the title alone. It’s set in a dusty, prestigious university library where a rare manuscript disappears, and a quiet, second-in-command librarian named Liesl suddenly finds herself in charge.
The mystery is a good one. The missing books aren’t just generic plot devices—they’re authentic historical works, and Jurczyk (a librarian at the University of Toronto herself) clearly knows the world she’s writing about. That behind-the-scenes look at special collections was easily my favorite part.
Where it fell short for me was tone and cohesion. The first couple of chapters felt oddly off—there’s some random sexual innuendo that doesn’t match the rest of the book. It’s as if the author started with one type of story in mind and changed course without smoothing out the transition.
Liesl’s personal growth arc—from quiet team player to capable leader—is satisfying, but I never really connected with her on a deeper level.
If you love books about books, this one may still be worth checking out. Just temper expectations—it’s more interesting than gripping, and more uneven than unforgettable.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.