Reviews

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh

himangshu8_'s review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 A psychological thriller that starts slow but has all the emotions to make readers think.
I have never read any of Valerie Keogh's books before. As her first book that I have read, I felt the book has some amazing thrilling elements. There were some moments where the scenes of the book scared you.

The story is about a girl named Ava, who is a librarian. She leads a very quiet and normal life, as she except it being a librarian. But she has a dark past. Some memories that always haunt her. And all of a sudden, one incident in a Cafe changes her life all over again. It was no longer a boring and quiet life.

The book starts slow, after reading almost 50 percent of the book, I barely felt any thrill or excitement. But the author does a great job of hinting readers some secrets to Ava’s life, which as a reader keeps me going even after a slow start.

The second half of the goes in a blink, with so many incidents taking place within a short period, that you can feel how the main protagonist has felt in in such a situation.

The book was good but became predictable at the end. Of course, if you have read too many thrillers you will predict what’s going to happen in the story.
So I rate this book 3/5 stars
I recommend this book, especially to people who love reading thrillers but haven’t read many thrillers. 

lonewolf000z's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.0

catreader18's review against another edition

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4.0

Ava has her dream job as a librarian at the Tate. It’s a perfect job for her because she loves to work alone. Her best friend is always encouraging her to get out more and date. When Ava rejects a man at the bar she’s walking away when she hears, ‘you’ll be sorry’. Then strange things start happening and she’s afraid the man she rejected is out to get her.

I enjoy this author’s books. They make you think and trying to figure out the twists is part of the experience. This is a slow building book with a surprising ending. Ava is stronger than she gives herself credit for. The story takes place over a few days and is a quick read. If you like strong female characters, you will want to check out this book.

jkellyjr's review against another edition

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4.0

A librarian with laser focus…….

Book Information

The Librarian was written by Valerie Keogh. It’s due to be published on April 21, 2023 and is 281 pages. Keogh is a bestselling international author of crime and psychological thriller series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review.

Summary

Ava Warrington holds the coveted position of Head Librarian at the Tate Modern, a dream job that she adores. The peaceful and serene atmosphere of the library provides her with an escape from the painful memories of her past. A decade earlier, during her university days, Ava experienced a traumatic incident that still haunts her. Despite her sister's assurances that it was not her fault, she can't shake off the feeling of guilt.

One night, Ava's best friend Poppy convinces her to step out of her comfort zone and join her at a local bistro. While Poppy finds love, Ava has an uncomfortable encounter with a persistent man. After finally extricating herself from the situation, the man ominously warns her that she will regret her actions.

Strange things start to happen to Ava, leaving her wondering if the man from the bistro is behind it all. But what is his motive, and how does he know her? The haunting memories of her past and the ominous warning from the man begin to merge, as Ava tries to unravel the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange events happening in her life.

My Thoughts

The Librarian is an engaging, well-written book that is easy to read. The story starts off quickly with an exciting incident, but then takes some time to rebuild momentum as the protagonist, Ava, worries and ponders. However, once the story picks up pace, it becomes a thrilling rollercoaster ride.

The book is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the end. There are plenty of red herrings and surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While some of the surprises may be expected, not all of them are predictable. The suspense and tension steadily build up throughout the book, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, The Librarian is an enjoyable read. Despite the slow build (and a small confusing reveal at the end which I found unnecessary), the book is a quick and entertaining page-turner that will keep you engaged until the very end.

Recommendation

For readers who enjoy engaging "who done it" stories with relatable characters and plenty of twists and turns, The Librarian is a fantastic choice. I recommend it.

Rating

3.5 Quiet Stars

cathi77's review against another edition

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3.75

I needed a book with books on the cover which is how come I read this novel.  It was an enjoyable read but a little bit predictable.  

auscaz's review against another edition

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tense fast-paced

2.75

irronnie's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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dee_1985's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

2.0

yeseningles's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

filzahji's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5