The Librarians
Author: Sherry Thomas
Reviewers: Sophia Rose and Jen
Rating: B
What We’re Talking About:
Sophia Rose and Jen are big fans of Sherry Thomas and were excited to try her new contemporary mystery, so we decided to both read it and post a joint review.
The Librarians features four librarians and two dead patrons. The story builds a large front porch in that the four main characters: Sophie, Hazel, Jonathan, and Astrid are all introduced with their respective backstories as the book outlines the daily life at their Austin library branch before the plot gets moving forward.
Single mom, Sophie seems a sure bet for the most ‘normal librarian type’ of the group until her secrets come out. Hazel gets a second chance with her “Day to Remember” romantic dream now that she’s single again and that once-upon-a-time romance gets a real chance. Big former football player Jonathan has been secretly crushing on the Medical Examiner since his high school days and finally gets a chance with Ryan when a body shows up at the library. Poor Astrid is trying to live down a youthful mistake meanwhile it’s her ex that ends up dead, stirring her to get in on the investigation.
Sophia Rose: I confess that I kept setting this down, reading a few pages or a chapter at a time until well over the half-way point. There were timeline jumps that didn’t help me settle in though they are meant to add some tension and explanation for how the situation got from point A to point B.
Jen: I agree! The story shifts POVs between the four MCs, and I wasn’t prepared for it, which led to some confusion. Add to that the story is shared in present tense, which felt off to me. The story also shifts back and forth in time to build suspense. It is effective, but again, was confusing at times.
Sophia Rose: Sometimes I have the patience to let a book get through all the build up and to the point, but I think The Librarians caught me at the wrong time because I got antsy and even learning about the four librarians and their lives- which is usually a hit with me- didn’t attach me to them.
However, this was not to say that I didn’t end up enjoying The Librarians. Quirky characters and a mystery that eventually grabbed me were a hit in the end when I stuck it out and finally got pulled into the story. So, those who like a slow-mover getting going and building up momentum and a library setting with librarians “assisting the investigation” should check this one out.
Jen: I also ended up enjoying The Librarians. All-in-all it is an engrossing mystery with likable characters. There are a lot of coincidences that lead the group to coming together, being in the right place at the right time, but I can overlook it and consider it part of what makes the story entertaining. There is a happy ending, and I appreciate how the author takes time to share what happened to each character after the bad guys are caught. There is also great closure. I love that the characters create a found family and it’s all very happy. The book is character-driven and I really enjoyed their stories.
Our Rating: B
Sophia Rose & Jen
About the Book:
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.
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Series: Standalone
Genre: Mystery
Format(s): hardcover (368 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley