Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into picking up this book. Reading the summary and seeing the cover I had images of a thriller but maybe with fantastical elements? What I did not expect was a historical fiction set solidly in the middle of WWII. Historical fiction in this time period is not normally my thing and I wouldn’t have picked this up had I known, but I’m really pleased I went in blind. The characters were rich and detailed, the plot was thick and had nice twists but never got so overly detailed or complicated I got frustrated with it. In general it was a good read and I’m really pleased my lack of knowledge led me to read a book out of my normal genre preference that I really enjoyed.

4.5⭐
The Dark Library is a smart, gothic, Christie-esque mystery set in the early days of WWII. I really enjoyed this book, though the description did leave me expecting something a little different. I anticipated a faster-paced, somewhat darker, almost supernatural, mystery but instead found a slower, more layered story focused on family, identity, and the secrets people try to bury.

Estella (E) returns home to her small college town in New York after the death of her father and the mysterious disappearance of her mother. As she navigates the conflicting feelings of returning home, and her new role running the household, she searches for answer about her mother's disappearance and unravels a web of family and town secrets. The story is slow, but intentional, building tension until the last quarter where things really pick up and take a darker turn. The setting is gothic and moody and mysterious, adding to the tension and leaving you wondering what could come next. The war is not the main focus of the story, but instead hangs like a shadow over the lives of the characters, whom Evans brings to life with authenticity and complexity. E's story deftly explores the gender and racial dynamics of the time too, building up to the exposure of town secrets its residents would rather keep buried. While different than I expected, this was an excellent, interesting read, compellingly blending history with an atmospheric mystery.

CW: suicide

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance review copy.

Definitely filled with DARK family secretes.

We follow E (Estella- she doesn't like being called that) Ecker, who has come back home to the Rockfall House. As a child, the house was always mysterious but being back home gives her the opportunity to learn many secretes. The reason she is back home is the same reason she left in the first place, her father. Her father has had a stroke and to make matters worse her mother is missing. So E is back, in the home she left, teaching at the collage her father did, but of course with less privilege. Now her father has a reputation to say the least, and one of the many things he is known for is having a rare book library, however there may be rarer and darker things hidden in the library.

The Dark Library is very well written, it is dark, eerie and gothic which makes for a fun read. I did like that it felt like there was never a dull moment and I love Mary Anna Evans ability to write a brilliant story. You need to pick this book up!

Thank You to Mary Anna Evans, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had trouble getting started, but once begun, I was hooked. Our heroine faced challenges of the time in which she lived. The author related the challenges through a modern lens.

I found the story engaging, and the author's ability to weave a tale entrancing. The conversation between characters was interesting, although there were a couple of times where the dialogue was more contemporary than I expected for the 1940's. Perhaps there was less concern about cursing and modesty than I thought.

There were several unexpected plot elements that kept me involved in the story, and a spectacular finale. I enjoyed Mary Anna Evans skill as a story teller. I thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read The Dark Library in exchange for an honest review.

Estelle (otherwise known as E) has returned home after years away upon the passing of her father and disappearance of her mother. While everyone assumes her mother fell from a cliff, E is convinced she's alive somewhere. If she could just find her. In the meantime, she works as a research assistant in the local college, despite having her Ph.D in English. Did I mention this is set in the early 1940's, when women weren't seen as equals, given professional opportunities, much less paid a fair wage? Not only does E struggle with the frustration of her career and the low wage it brings, but with being a single woman supporting herself and her family home.

I found this commentary on living during WW2 in America, the social conventions of the day, political opinions, and being a woman during that time interesting. I liked the characters and plot progression. One star was taken away, because it was somewhat predictable.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A compelling, literary love letter to the tangible magic of books. With humor, heart, and a haunting message about what libraries mean in our increasingly digital age, The Dark Library is ideal for lovers of absurdist fiction and anyone who mourns the slow fade of reading rituals. Scored a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars—immersive, memorable, and quietly powerful.

Book Review: The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I recently finished The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans, and it’s a gripping story wrapped in a gothic atmosphere that really drew me in, even if it took its time to build momentum.

The novel centers on Estella Ecker, who returns to Rockfall House—a place filled with heavy family history and secrets she’d rather avoid. She left years ago, escaping her domineering father, but now she’s back, teaching at the same college he once ruled and living in the grand home where he hosted artists and scholars. Things get even more complicated when her mother mysteriously disappears, and Estella might be the rightful owner of the estate. At the heart of it all is her father’s rare book library, a forbidden trove she was never allowed to explore while he was alive.

The town’s whispers about her father hang over Estella like a shadow, and no one seems to care about her mother’s absence. As Estella digs deeper into her family’s past, she uncovers dark secrets hidden within Rockfall House—and within herself. The story explores whether the sins of the past can repeat themselves or if Estella can break free from them.

What really stood out to me was the setting—perfectly gothic, atmospheric, and hauntingly beautiful. The characters felt authentic, especially Estella, whose journey toward uncovering the truth felt both suspenseful and unsettling. The mystery was well constructed and kept me guessing, though I will say the story took a bit longer than I expected to reach its climax.

Overall, The Dark Library is a solid read with strong elements of mystery and family drama. If you enjoy dark secrets wrapped in an eerie setting, this book is worth picking up. Just be patient as it slowly unfolds—there’s a lot beneath the surface waiting to be discovered.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evan’s
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. While I was immediately drawn in by the title and the description of The Dark Library it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

I felt that the plot moved very slowly and not a whole lot happened until about 50% into the book. There were only a few clues as to what the mystery was even about. Majority of the action and the plot took place in the last 25% of the book. The ending felt rushed and like the mystery wrapped up with little explanation of how we got there.

I did enjoy some of the character, mostly Leontine, and I appreciated some of the history about life on the home front that was thrown into the story.

I had high hopes for this book, love a good thriller, mystery in my hands. This one I struggled with as I had a really hard time getting into it. While I felt bad for E (the main character) for all that life had thrown at her, I couldn’t really connect with her. The story started off real slow and I found myself putting the book down more often than not. That being said, things did pick up about 75% through and I was intrigued, wanted to know what was going to happen next. Sadly the ending was slightly disappointing and felt rushed.
While it’s not my favorite book and I probably wouldn’t recommend it, I didn’t hate it and I wouldn’t talk someone out of giving it a read.

This is the kind of story that takes its time and slowly pulls you in. Set in the 1940’s, we follow Estella “E” as she tries to find her missing mother and other mysteries/ deaths around town. It’s part historical fiction, part mystery, with a gothic feel throughout.

I liked the moody setting and the way the story gradually unraveled. It’s slower paced, but if you enjoy a mystery with depth, atmosphere and secrets, pick this one up!

While I do think this book would be great for more a mystery reader - it was not for me. I know going into this it was more of a historical mystery, but it was very slow to get into and it unfortunately didn't grasp my attention. This would be perfect for some people, I think I am just more of a thriller, more fast paced suspense read.

The title and cover of The Dark Library completely drew me in—but unfortunately, the book itself just didn’t live up to the intrigue it promised.

With ARC copies, I always try to finish the book no matter what, and while I did make it through this one, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I kept putting it down and getting distracted, which is never a great sign. The pacing felt uneven, and early on—around the 20% mark—I still didn’t understand the direction of the story. It jumped back and forth in time and spent a lot of energy on plot threads that didn’t feel meaningful. Case in point: Why are we spending so much time on Dean Jameson?

That said, it did improve later in the story. Estella’s father dies of a stroke, and she discovers that her long-missing mother had been abandoned in an asylum by him. He gave false information so no one would find her, and she remained silent for years. That twist was compelling and added much-needed emotional weight. There’s also a romantic subplot involving a character named Devon, but honestly, I’m not sure what to make of him—he comes off as shady, and I couldn’t quite figure out how he fit into the bigger picture.

The ending was... interesting, but weird and a bit jumbled. It left me with more questions than answers, and while I appreciated the attempt to tie things up, it didn’t fully land for me.

Overall, this was just okay. A solid 3 stars—it has potential, and some strong moments, but ultimately fell flat in too many places to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an eArc copy of The Dark Library. I think the synopsis of this book is a little misleading. The library is barely mentioned until about 75% into the book which was very confusing and made the pacing feel very slow. Once I hit the 75% mark, the story flew. The Dark Library would have been a 2 star rating but the ending was good enough to bump it up to a 3.

I had a tough time wading through The Dark Library by Mary Anna Stevens. The author tried to cram too many ideas into one book (like me trying to fit thirty library books into one tote bag). It was hard to keep it all straight (the author seemed to have too many ideas). The mystery is missing. There is a touch of intrigue (blink and you will miss it) but there is no tension (no twists, turns, or action). I found the characters to be lacking and unlikeable. The characters needed to be fleshed out and given personality (they needed something). I expected more of the story to take place in the library (it is titled The Dark Library), but I was let down once again. Many of the plot points had no point which was so frustrating. A Slow Loris moves faster than the pacing in this story. Many unnecessary minute details bog down the story. The ending is rushed (we go from zero to sixty and then get whiplash when it suddenly goes back to zero again) and unsatisfying. If you are suffering from insomnia, then begin reading The Dark Library and get ready to drift off to slumberland.

This was a great mystery thriller, I was gripped from the start and I loved the historical setting.
We meet E (Estella) during WWII not long after she returned to her hometown of Bentham-on-Hudson, as she tries to secure a position as a professor, come to grips with losing both her parents (the death of her father after her mother has disappeared under mysterious circumstances) and to keep herself afloat in the old house on the Hudson River.
When the dean of E's university plummets from his office and dies, E finds herself swept up in coming to grips with the dean's death, searching for her mother, and unravelling the strange events that took place in her family and small town in recent years, while she was living in Boston..
E is a sympathetic character, to be a woman at a time where women were not hired as professors, to be in a situation where she can't make proper decisions about her house or her finances, it was so awful to think about. She's cheerful though, and her friends Marjorie and Leontine help her face her circumstances.
While this definitely isn't romance focused, I loved the inclusion of Dr Devan Chase, the charming literature professor who joins the university at a time where lots of teachers are joining the army.
The town of Bentham-on-Hudson was a fun setting, it gave great small town mystery vibes. There plot was twisty and I couldn't work out who to trust or who was a suspect as things went on - I felt like I wasn't sure about anyone!
This was an easy read, I devoured it while trying to puzzle out the ending, and I was shocked by the ending.

Overall, this was a good standalone mystery read.

Estella must return to her home, Rockfall House, upon the death of her father and disappearance of her mother in the midst of WW2. Rumours and whispered secrets surround the house and its contents… What darkness lies in the walls?

This was an extraordinary historical thriller! Darkness and mystery build up throughout the novel at a steady pace, keeping you intrigued as a reader and wanting the answers to the questions along the way.

I loved that the main characters were strong willed females with a penchant for investigating; this is a perfect atmospheric read for those who love historical thrillers with a gothic undertone.

Returning to her family home, Estella must figure out how to keep the house running while searching for her mother, who has unexpectedly disappeared. We witness the struggles of an educated woman as she attempts to establish a name for herself in higher education. There's so much betrayal and hidden secrets that soon come to the surface.

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

The Dark Library keeps you on your toes, as you and the main character never know who to trust.
During World War II, Estella (E) Ecker returned to Rockfall House, her childhood home. Her overbearing father has died, and her mother is missing. She begins working at the local university while she tries to find any clues about whether her mother is alive or dead. When her boss commits suicide, she becomes even more unsettled. What is going on in this town? Did it have anything to do with the dead body they found in the water by her home when they were looking for her mother? Or does it have something to do with the pictures she finds in the library her father made sure to keep everyone out of? What was actually going on with her family? And why is everyone looking at her like they are scared of her?
The title and official synopsis were somewhat misleading for me. It takes about 75 percent of the novel before the library enters the story, to my frustration. But as I continued to read, I understood that the library undercut every portion of the book from the very beginning. This is what gives the book its title. I also hope that I gave a clearer synopsis of the book, as I had expected something more supernatural from the official one. Though I was a tad disappointed there was nothing of that vein included, I was pleased with the story anyway. Mary Ann Evans creates a tense atmosphere, revealing mystery after mystery for E and the reader to unravel.
Evans builds a gothic world in the town of Bentham-on-Hudson. The house itself is almost a character in itself. It is a major location where some of the darkest events happened, but it also looms in the background of the brightest events. You can’t escape Rockfall House. Each person who steps into the house is a suspect. Can E trust her new friends? Her old friends? Each person she comes across has some connection to the house, whether they had dinner parties with the parents or they are children of those diners. Except for Devan, but he has an interest in the area. E and the reader must always be on their toes.
A great suspense novel, The Dark Library is a must-read this summer!

I DNF’d this book. I didn’t want to read a book by an author that would use language in the way she does. Her character didn’t want to live in a town that was “all white”. Would any publisher allow her to say that if it substituted “all black” or “Asian”? Of course not. I used to not care or just overlook this type of stuff, but after reading several different books in several different genres lately with race brought up, I’m frankly sick of it. The only way to stop this is to demand publishers use the same rules for generalizations against white people as a group, as you would other races as a group.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy in exchange for my review.

The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans The Dark Library follows the story of a young librarian named Emily, who discovers a hidden section in her library filled with ancient, mysterious books. As she delves deeper into the secrets of these volumes, she uncovers a world of magic and danger that threatens to disrupt her quiet life. Emily must navigate this newfound realm, confronting dark forces and uncovering long-buried truths to save her beloved library. Emily learns that the hidden section was created centuries ago by a secret society of scholars dedicated to preserving forbidden knowledge. These scholars believed that the power contained within these ancient texts should be safeguarded from those who might misuse it. Over time, the section was forgotten by most, its existence becoming little more than a whispered legend among the library's oldest caretakers. As Emily explores the hidden section, she initially feels a mix of awe and trepidation, overwhelmed by the vastness of the knowledge before her. Her curiosity soon transforms into determination, as she becomes resolute in her mission to protect the library and its secrets. Along the way, Emily experiences moments of doubt and fear, but ultimately, she grows more confident and courageous, embracing her role as both guardian and seeker of truth.