My first thought about this book was that it was taking us a long time to get nowhere fast. It's also true that it takes an age to show us where we are, as I had no idea what the setting was until Chapter 4, beyond it being a university library. It's one in Toronto, apparently, wherein our heroine has come back from an extended break away to replace her boss, who's in a post-stroke coma or something. Day One of her standing in for him is supposed to be the big showing off for the latest showpiece acquisition, a stunner of a Bible. The glitch is that said coma man is the only one to know the safe numbers to gain access to it. The bigger glitch, and the place we finally get to, with no surprise whatsoever involved, is that the volumes are not in the safe after all.

What follows wants to be a mystery novel, concerning the disappearance. Who's to blame – that bloke we can't get to like, or that bloke we're not supposed to like, or the woman colleague we bizarrely drop into seeing on her first morning of work, fourteen years prior to all this, or the university manager and his absenteeism due to training for an iron man, of all things? The choice of distractions these characters make is risible at times, but either way it's hard to care, with the 'no-loves-lost' attitude making reading about them so disagreeable. And with the book as unobtainable in our mind – something else we can't care about – this becomes a slog.

Especially as this is about as much about books as 'The Phantom Menace' was about phantoms. It's about people, and we're at a loss to find one to enjoy. It's about Liesl, our lead, getting old, drinking far too much now she's soon to not be a career woman, and how it feels when an old flame tries to revive things. It's about her husband, who only reminded me of the "Black! Black!! BLACK!!!" nutjob painter from 'The Fast Show'. It's about those evil Straight White Men (god curse them and all they do for the world) being bossy and, you know, either academic or managerial.

Come here for something that smacks of being a debut, makes one wonder what a "sparkling book-club read" (to quote the blurb) has to do with something this mediocre, a flippancy when it comes to bringing mental health into things as an issue, and really quite icky sexism. One and a half stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an eARC of The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler warning, TW: mental health, s**cide
I am sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book. I am not quite sure of who the intended audience for this book was. As a book lover, I should have loved this book, as I tend to enjoy books written about books. However, this just wasn't it for me. I found myself bored through the majority of the book, and did not find any of the characters likable or very much relatable (read: rich white men are the worst and motivated by selfish intentions). I also did not appreciate the discussions of Miriam's mental health. Her decision to take her own life was shrouded in shame and blame, and the author did not provide any resources for receiving help for readers who are struggling with mental health.
If you enjoy a "coming of old age" story and want to read about the intricacies of antique book acquisitions and library politics, then maybe this book is for you, it just wasn't for me.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Liesl is pulled out of a leave of absence to act as director of the department of rare books and special collections after the director, her boss, has a stroke. She has dreamed of being the One to select and purchase the special finds but has always been entrusted with the administrative tasks of running the library rather than contributing. The library had just spent half a million dollars on a religious set and is hosting an event for the donors to see the items. But when Liesl finally gets the safe combo, the Plantin Bible is not there and Liesl is advised by the university president and colleagues to preserve the institution's reputation by investigating the loss on their own rather than reporting it. When a quit, loner colleague goes missing, she is immediately blamed for the theft. Other important books also are found stolen and Liesl is caught trying to the right thing while being told to do the opposite.

I'd have liked more development of Liesl's character. There are intermittent flashbacks that tell other stories but they seem unnecessary. I feel like part of the book was missing.

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections is one of those mystery novels that isn't just a good mystery novel: it's flat out a good novel. Liesel, a librarian, has just taken a sabbatical to work on a book about the history of horticultural writing, but she's called back to her workplace (the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections) when her boss Christopher has a stroke on the very day that a group of donors have been invited to view the department's newest acquisition, which they've underwritten: a multi-volume polyglot Bible purchased at auction for $500,000. But Christopher never gave Liesel the combination for the safe where the books are being held until they're fully insured—and now Liesel has to manage the donor reception without access to the volumes they've come to see.

It does, not surprisingly, get worse. When Liesel finally tracks down the combination for the safe there's no polyglot Bible. Liesel is given responsibility for tracking down the missing books without involving the police. Meanwhile, there's jockeying for position at the department as it becomes clear Christopher may not be returning, and department members alternately cooperate with and attempt to hinder Liesel's investigations. Oh—and everyone has history with other department members, so old romances and enmities are blooming once again.

I was ambivalent about this title in the beginning because Liesel approaches her new, temporary position with a great deal of uncertainty and a complete lack of confidence. Watching her get jerked in one direction and another by colleagues and the university administration was disheartening. But gradually she finds her footing and her investigations begin making progress.

If you enjoy mysteries, you'll find The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections a delight. Even if mysteries aren't your thing, if you enjoy contemporary fiction about women finding their place in the world, you'll find The Department of Rare Books and Special Collects well worth your time.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

This book provides a close look at the politics involved in collegiate policy and funding expectations placed on instructors and other professionals employed by the school.. It seems that one must be part politician and full time instructor, librarian, or keeper of special collections all at the same time. What a stress filled life the characters lead. Being a public school librarian, this was an interesting, eye opener to me.

This book offers such unique characters! The author gives us people who are seemingly passed their prime who have untold histories and stories that bind them together in mysterious ways. This could be considered a love letter to/for librarians and books. It could also be a nod to the various ways people cope with stress and the real struggles people have with anxiety and depression. Jurczyk provides an insider look into the methods of obtaining valuable treasures for a university library. She highlights the myriad of ways that university's fundraise, the fine line of negotiating with donors, and the juggling act of making everyone seem like they are invaluable to the library's end goal. Throughout it all of course there is a mystery to solve. Strong willed, chauvinist males compound temporary Director Liesl Weiss's ultimate goal of finding the lost items.
The imagery contained within this book's pages is splendid! Anyone who picks this book up will be able to get a feel for a university storage area and a crowded artist's apartment. The reader will salivate over spicy noodles and street food. While the untold offers intrigue to the story it is equally frustrating as well. Fascinating debut!
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

As much as I wanted to love this book, I really had trouble sticking with it. The premise of the story is great -- Liesl has been working in the distinguished rare books department for years and gets the chance to run things when the boss has a stroke. The discovery of, and subsequent search for, a missing manuscript has her looking closely at her colleagues when it becomes clear that someone in the department must be responsible for the theft.
However, I had trouble liking most of the characters, and the occasional flashback scenes didn't serve to move the plot along. Publisher blurbs led me to believe it would be more of a mystery as to who took the manuscript (and why), but the reveal was anticlimactic.
The inside look into the rare book world was interesting, which helps make this a good read, just not a great one, in my mind.

Liesel Weiss has had a satisfying career flying under the radar as the assistant librarian at a renowned university’s department of rare books. Having arrived at the cusp of retirement she is suddenly thrust into the spotlight when her boss has a stroke and a precious book goes missing. The world of academia with its donors and PR concerns treats theft differently. What is a conscientious librarian to do?
Great quirky characters added to the tale.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader’s copy.

Gads, I. So sorry. I just can’t make myself go back to this one. I wanted to like it. I love the title. But the author didn’t make me care about her characters. Liesl and her husband seem especially dysfunctional. The other employees in her department are unnecessarily harsh to her. The President is unhelpful. And it seems disorganized. I can’t imagine why they are searching book by book through completely unorganized stacks. And I guess I’ll never know. I wish the author luck and hope she finds her audience. It isn’t me. But I am grateful for the chance to try.

Themes : Power hierarchies, bureaucracy within a university, office politics
About an older woman nearing retirement age Leisl Weiss who is vaulted unexpectedly into a leadership position in an academic institution, her authority undermined at every turn. She herself suffers from Imposter Syndrome and drinks to cope. It’s portrayed that she is efficient and organized, a large part of her job before the 'promotion' was paperwork invoices, catalogs, organization of departmental events. Not only is she invisible by dint of her age and gender, she has to constantly schmooze and stroke the egos of the library donors. And suffer the university president Garber who is very vividly written, I can definitely picture someone like him.

Mental health- quite a few of the characters suffer from or used to suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. The focus is how the people whether family members, colleagues, acquaintances react. Do colleagues notice when someone they work with day in day out start to exhibit symptoms? If so, how much are they willing to inquire and care? What if the colleagues' mental illness results in a higher workload for the others on the team in a high pressure situation? With a spouse, are there days when the supportive partner doesn't feel like fulfilling their expected caregiver actions? What happens to a child growing up in a household with both parents as mental health sufferers?

Not enamoured with the mystery crime plot and how much it drove the story. The author attempts to keep a tense pace throughout and keep the pressure on Liesl's neck through calamitous events and noxious people. I was not waiting with bated breath to find out or guess who the culprit was. I am more interested in the implication of how the crime was enabled and what the fallout was in shaking up university admin.

Like everyone I was expecting to say something along the lines of 'I love libraries and bookstores and love reading about librarians'. But I realized that most of the books I've read of the above have a magical realism or fantasy aspect to them. This book, yes, is about rare books and artifacts, and shelving and the minutae of being a rare book university library administrator. But it’s also about constantly being undermined at work being a female despite being conscientious and competent. Sexism. How wearisome that is. I suspect this will conjure up some unpleasant stressful emotions in female readers who can identify all too well. I find it a plus for the book, it's realistic. However, the way it was written was very in your face, almost obnoxious. I prefer the realization to creep into the readers' consciousness in a more subtle fashion, like with Katie Kitamura's Intimacies. Speaking of subtlety, I do very much appreciate how the author dripped information and backstory of Liesl and Francis' past relationship. All hints and insinuations with puzzling questions like why Liesl's daughter Hannah is a taboo topic; the reader confirms their own suspicion but it’s never said out loud. Yes, finally an author that trusts us readers to connect the dots ourselves with the crumbs laid out at strategic points!

Although the setting was Toronto , I wish there had been more specific mentions of names and descriptions of streets, restaurants, buildings, landmarks. The text was conspicuously void of these, in a way I can only interpret as the choice of the author. For example, it was mentioned there was a local news outlet present at one of the events, what was it? CP24? What's the name of the convention center close to the airport? What noodle shop does the family keep going to? What style of noodle - pho, ramen, vermicelli, hor fun? Where does the family shop for groceries? Liesl's husband John mentions that the missing Bible worth half a million dollars is worth more than their abode. Which place in the GTA now spacious enough for three people and art supplies in commuting distance to a major Toronto university is worth less than half a million?! It may seem like nitpicking but details like that are what facilitate immersion in the story and the Toronto setting is part of the reason why I was eager to pick up this book. [For obvious reasons, the author chose not to name the university depicted in a fairly unfavourable light but I kept picturing U of T in my mind.]

I do like all the uncomfortable gritty issues that the author brought up but not a fan of the writing style overall. Lots of dialogue and events to rev the pace. This is recommended for those interested in a plot driven story of the inner workings of a specialized academic library and institutionalized gender dynamics at work.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Department of Rare Books and Collections will be released in January 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

Five Stars: A delightful bookish mystery, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections is the reading equivalent of a warm cup of tea in front of a fire on a winter's day. Eva Jurczyk has crafted a love letter to libraries and those who make the shepherding and protection of books their life's work. Her settings are sure to enchant any reader who relishes getting lost in the stacks of their favorite library.

Great story if a bit sad in places. You really like the main character and want to see good come to her. There are a few slower parts but nothing that drags the book down.

I could not put this book down. It was wonderful to have an older woman as the protagonist. I felt as if I was right there in the library, and could imagine the sinking feeling when discovering that priceless book had gone missing. One part literary drama and 2 parts mystery makes this book a cozy winter read.

3.5*
Jurczyk takes us into the rarefied world of rare books. Liesl works for a large university library where patrons are wooed and endowments and donations allow the library to amass a collection of extraordinary books and manuscripts. She had been on leave from her job at the library when her former boss become incapacitated by a stroke, causing Liesl to be called back to fill in until he recovers.

Liesl finds herself embroiled in a mystery when the latest and most impressive new acquisition is missing. Involving the police is tricky because of the delicate relationship with donors and negative publicity. Yet finding the missing book becomes a bigger problem when one of the employees also disappears.

The mystery of what happened to the missing rare book and the missing librarian are the central issue of the plot. But there are also issues of mental illness that make the story more than a mere tale of suspense.

Lovers of books will find this tale has much to offer. Liesl isn’t the only one who appreciates the rare find that would enhance any collection. The interpersonal connections of the characters, along with the allure of antiquarian book acquisition, make this a rare treat.

It’s a moment all readers have come to cherish. Alone in a library with countless opportunities to go places , view lives, relive historical moments. A chance to glimpse a truly historic volume. I loved every moment of this backstage look at libraries that need their benefactors and are trusted by same people to acquire those tomes that lend prestige to a space crowded with words. The scramble to find a lost or misplace priceless bible is full of recognizable characters and heroines just beneath the surface. Here you will find the precious and the profound. It’s is both human and captivating. The Plantin Bible a long sought acquisition goes missing, the man in charge suffers a stroke, his assistants,now in charge scrambles to make sense of the where, how and why of this mystery. Through it all the methodical process that makes good librarians shines a light on the answer and a kiss on the profession.

Liesl has been working in the Rare Books and Special Collections Library at the university for years, for the last several doing all the things to keep it running behind the scenes for the director. When the director has a stroke she is appointed interim and is far out of her comfort zone being the public face of the library and the staff refuse to respect her in the new role. It gets far more uncomfortable when a rare manuscript that was supposed to be in the safe is not there. Liesl struggles in her new role but is determined to figure out what happened to the manuscript even if she doesn't like what she finds out.

Overall I liked this, but to me it felt slow in places. As a librarian, I of course loved the setting. When I read the description of this book I thought it was going to be more of a mystery than it turned out to be. It’s a very character driven book which is just something to keep in mind when recommending it to patrons.

A well paced and immersive story. A book about books. What's not to love?! I delighted in the literary references and the mystery of who done it was very well thought out and not predictable.

This book was simply not my cup of tea. The setting was fabulous, after all most readers love books set in libraries and around rare books, but the characters and the plot was simply not my thing.

An entertaining novel which will appeal to many book lovers due to the subject matter. The pace is a bit slow at times, but overall a good read.