The Dark Library unfortunately was not my cup of tea. I found to be very boring and without purpose. There was not enough suspense and too many characters. I kept wondering what the point of the story was I was reading it. The stakes needed to be made clear from the very beginning and the story needed faster pacing and more mystery.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me.

A dead father. A mother, missing but presumed dead. And something suspicious about her father’s library. Very intriguing!

It was a little hard to get into the book at first, even with the suicide of Dean. By the time I got to the chapter where E’s family and home life were introduced, I did get excited and interested to learn more about E, her parents, Annie, and her home to read on. There were a lot of unexpected surprises and twists and turns to keep track of, but I enjoyed the suspense of it all. I enjoyed learning of the secrets of the library and the basement, and all the other individuals involved. I also enjoyed the ending as it provided a conclusion to all my questions.

Wow, this story will draw you in. E is right in the middle of a murder case when the Dean flies down from the tower in front of her. Who killed him?? She’s also trying to find her mom (many believe is dead)? She learns her father is a blackmailer. Oh my, there are so many secrets in the story and E will find out what’s going on, even if she doesn’t want to. She might even find a new romance. It’s a neat story written in the time of WW2 and given from a woman’s POV. It was a little slow at the start but did build as the story went on. The twists that went along on the journey were well done and transitioned smooth. The characters were great. Annie, E. Leontine, and Devan really brought out the story. They made for a really good ensemble. Mom made me think of the screen actressesses from the old days. I loved trying to figure out who the culprits were. It’s a really great story with nice engagement for the reader.

The first two thirds of this book were very slow paced and it was hard for me to feel engaged. I was intrigued by the main character Estella who goes by E but it was hard to keep track of many of the side characters. Too much emphasis in the day to day life and not enough of the mystery or suspense that was promised for this part of the book. The last third of the book finally gets into what this book is building towards and I really enjoyed the conclusion and how everything unraveled. The gothic scenery was also a real treat.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book - the setting on the Hudson River in New York State, the old mansion, and the Gothic mystery. I couldn't put this one down, and I know anyone who loves suspenseful mysteries and Gothics will love this book.

If you enjoy Gothics filled with menace, secrets, and strong women confronting the unthinkable, The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans will keep you hooked from start to finish. Set in a small college town in New York during the early days of WWII, the novel follows Estella “E” Ecker, a woman caught between the constraints of her gender and the weight of her family’s dark history. With a PhD in Literature, she’s relegated to a research assistant position, where she struggles against the inequities of her time.

The story unfolds as Estella returns to her hometown after her mother’s mysterious disappearance and her father’s sudden death. Despite the police's conclusion that her mother is gone for good, Estella refuses to believe it, convinced her mother is alive somewhere. As Estella starts her new job at the local college, a suspicious death occurs, propelling her into a tangled web of secrets about her family’s past.

Set against the backdrop of WWII-era challenges—rationing, the absence of men, and the fear of spies—Estella’s quest for answers is made even more difficult by the social constraints placed on women at the time. As she delves deeper into her family’s past, she uncovers disturbing truths about how her father made his money and what the “dark library” truly means.

Though the story moves slowly at first, with hints and mysteries dropping throughout, the suspense steadily builds. The last 10-15% of the book delivers an intense payoff as all the secrets come to light. Estella's journey from a woman struggling to assert herself in a world that marginalizes her, to uncovering the dark secrets that have haunted her family, is deeply compelling.

The Dark Library is a slow-burn suspense novel, perfect for those who enjoy atmospheric, twist-filled reads that unfold piece by piece. It’s an ideal choice for a dark, rainy night or a quiet weekend read—just be prepared for a thrilling, satisfying conclusion that will leave you thinking long after you finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted copy! This was my first historical thriller and it was so cool! It kept me hooked from the beginning and was a really good solid thriller

While I enjoyed the imagery and darker tone of the overall story I found myself wanting more “thrill” from this thriller. I think the characterization ended up muddy and hard to follow in places, but all in all I think this is a great read for someone with niche tastes leaning heavy toward dark academia.

This was my first historical thriller, it was well written and the plot was super great. Would love to read more of them

This was an outstanding mystery with a historical setting. The female protagonist is almost insanely courageous, all the way to experimenting with poison On HERSELF to see if the symptoms match those of the book's murder victim. Runs from alarming to funny, when the poison renders her unable to write notes on the process. (I won't tell you how that scene ends, but I thought it was hilarious!), Some of the characters are too sadly believable, There are twists, turns, acts of nature, and of evil. Every time you thnk you have it figured out - WRONG!

I love historical mysteries and this one gripped me right from the very start and kept me in its clutches the whole way through. I read it so quickly i couldn't put it down. The writing was engaging and the story was so compelling. I loved the characters too. My first book by the author but it won't be my last

Oh my goodness! What a ride this book was! There is a bit of everything. I loved the strong female characters. From strong willed E to the sweet Annie. How the plots and secrets came out were written so well. This was my first historical mystery and it did not disappoint! A must read!

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

This book took me my utter surprise. It was far from my usual genre and comfort zone but I was absolutely blown away. There were some elements that I did not connect with but this may just be due to me not usually reading this genre! I do think someone who typically reads historical type books will enjoy this

The Dark Library was not quite what I expected. Even after reading the synopsis, I anticipated a darker tone, but the story took a different direction. That said, it was still an engaging read. The novel features a strong female protagonist who finds herself entangled in intricate family dynamics that seep into every aspect of her life, including her work. With her mother missing after her father’s death, she is determined to preserve the family legacy. However, as she does, long-buried secrets from her father’s past surface, bringing new and unexpected threats.

The pacing was slow at times, but I found that it worked well, allowing space to absorb the numerous twists and turns. While the story wasn’t as dark as I initially expected, it carried an almost Hitchcockian feel, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere that kept me invested.

What I love about this book is that, despite being set in the 1940s during World War II, it often felt surprisingly modern. I found that contrast really engaging—it made the story feel both timeless and immersive.

Estella Ecker, E for short, finds herself thrust back to the home she ran away from. With a tyrant for a father and a position at a college where women have no respect, she feels trapped but reis to make the best of it. Mysteries and bodies start piling up and the story does not let up! Thoroughly enjoyable with unforgettable charters and told with witty insight. This was fantastic and I will definitely be following this another for her next release!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Expected publication date - June 24, 2025

Thank you, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Dr. Estrella Eckert "E" is called home when her mother disappears and her father suffers a stroke. She accepts a job below her qualifications and struggles to make ends meet in 1942 America. Her father dies shortly after her return, and strange things begin happening in the world around her. She also begins uncovering secrets about what may have happened to her mother and how her father made his money.

I enjoyed this story a lot. It definitely took some turns that I did not expect.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Estella Ecker finds herself back at Rockfall House, a place she never wanted to return to. After years of escaping her controlling father, she is now compelled to step into his shoes, teaching at the college he once ruled and residing in the grand home where he hosted countless artists and intellectuals. To make matters more complicated, her elusive mother has vanished, leaving Estella to grapple with the possibility that she might inherit the estate. At the heart of this turmoil lies her father's extensive library of rare books, a treasure trove she was strictly forbidden to explore during his lifetime. 2. The townspeople are fixated on Estella, constantly murmuring her father's name, while her mother's disappearance seems to barely register with anyone. This raises questions about her true parentage and whether the answers are concealed within the shadows of Rockfall House. As Estella contemplates her identity and the courage it will take to uncover the truth, she realizes that the secrets lurking in her father's dark library may hold the key to her past and her future.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
I was really into the first few pages and then the story seemed to slow down. There were times when I wished it was more fast paced. E is a fantastically strong FMC, especially for that time period. She has taken on more than anyone should ever have to and manages to hold it together. The author does a great job showing the complexities of E’s relationship with her parents and the contrasting relationship with Annie. The friendships in the story don’t feel forced. They flow beautifully which doesn’t always happen in books. The setting of a dark academic town is beautifully written. Some things were pretty easily picked up on (like John’s true intentions) and somethings had me questioning my own sanity. There were many times I was convinced a character couldn’t be “it” only to have E’s internal monologue list reasons why they possibly could. Helena’s story is so tragic and it really leaves you wishing you got the perfect ending but sadly, that doesn’t always happen in real life. Annie and Leontine are everything in this book! I could read a hundred stories about them. Overall, a beautifully written (if sometimes slow) mystery set in a WW2 era college town.

Thank You Netgalley and Poisonedpenpress for allowing me to review this eARC.

The cover and description drew me into this dark,family drama. The story takes place in 1940's New York. Estella returns home after her Father's death and attempts to unravel the mystery of her Mother's death?
I did think the storyline was quite ambitious and difficult to follow given the various topics discussed; gender inequality, war, mental asylums, murder and romance. The book did not flow. I found it very difficult to follow.
I enjoyed the friendship between Estella and the housekeeper Annie. But, I did get lost with all of the extraneous characters and the various plot points.
The Author gets an "A" for the atmospheric, gothic descriptions of the town, house and turbulence of that era. Unfortunately, I was looking for a completely different book based on the description.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.