
Member Reviews

The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans
Thank You NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy of this novel! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This novel takes place around the time of World War II in New York. Estella Ecker is called by Annie, their longtime housekeeper to return home to Rockfall House. Her mother is missing and her father has suffered a possible stroke. A few days after Estella arrives home, her father dies and her mother is presumed to have committed suicide, but Estella is doubtful. Estella, with a PhD in Literature, finds work at a local college doing low level work. But when the head of her division jumps off the balcony of the school and dies of an apparent suicide not long after talking with Estella, things begin to take a dive. Estella’s father once held a top position at the college, and he was known to have a heavy hand at home. Then Estella notices a man watching her house as he’s sitting on a boat in the water near their house. She begins to discover secrets her father kept, along with a button belonging to a woman dead 15 years ago. She finds $500 in a secret drawer and photos of unfamiliar people throughout her father’s library books. What could all this mean? This is a historical fiction novel with a Gothic vibe to it. It is full of secrets, mystery and suspense! Don’t miss it when it comes out June 24, 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is a historical fiction that takes place during WWII. These are usually a dime a dozen but this one was different and more centered around the life of one woman whose father just passed away and her mother has gone missing. The war is just a backdrop and not really the point of the story. It’s not even mentioned very much. I found the story interesting and it was a good read.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Dark Library releases June 24, 2025
A young woman with a doctorate in English literature returns home, determined to find her missing mother after her father’s death just eight months prior takes her whereabouts with him to the grave.
What I loved most about this historical mystery aside from the setting and the endurance of women navigating male-dominated spaces, was seeing the characters make the most of their dwindling provisions by getting creative with meals and altering their clothes.
By the time the library of E’s father became a prominent plot point, my enjoyment waned.
Please note that this story is centered around Nazi and KKK members, blackmail, suicide/murder, and implied SA.

This historical fiction/mystery thriller kept my attention and kept my mind working trying to see what was coming next. This book takes place in an era of Pearl Harbor where women were looked down on and couldn't do a "man's job". Dr Ecker is forced to return to her small town that she grew up in when her father falls ill and her mother goes missing. She has to take on a job as basically a professor's assistant, even though she has gone to Yale and has her doctrine (because god forbid a woman be a professor). With huge debt left to her and a house to manage, she's struggling to make it in a man's world on top of everything else. Unsettling is a very good way to describe this story but I could not put it down. I do wish the ending was a little more, as it fell a little flat for me but overall, I enjoyed it.

This was kind of a slow moving book, maybe a little too slow for my liking. I’m not sure if I agree with others on it having a gothic feel to it. It does have some surprises.
If you enjoy slow evolving mysteries, check this one out.

The Dark Library will slowly lure you to its enclosure but you won't want others to find out why! 💫💫💫💫💫
Estella Emily Ecker aka E has returned to Rockfall House even though she never wanted to return. Annie, her dear housekeeper, nanny and confidente has informed her that her father suffered a stroke and her mother is missing. While taking care of her father and his passing and looking for her mother, she has a teaching job which always overlooks her. After having a conversation about her future with the dean, moments later he commits suicide.
This event unravels another missing/murdered woman's case, findinf her mother in a mental institution against her will and the revealing of the dark secrets that her evil fathwr kept hidden in his magnificent and deadly Library.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this delightful ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Set during the shadowed days of World War II, The Dark Library is a haunting and heartfelt mystery that blends historical fiction with literary intrigue. Mary Anna Evans crafts a richly atmospheric tale, where danger lurks in forgotten books and secrets echo through the shelves. The story explores the power of words, resilience in the face of war, and the courage to confront buried truths. With vivid characters and emotional depth, this novel is both gripping and beautifully told. A must-read for fans of historical thrillers!

Readers who like mysteries will probably enjoy this novel. Set in the early 1940’s, E returns home when she finds out that her father has died from a stroke and her mother is missing. This slow moving story has many secrets to reveal as she searches for her mother. E has had many issues with her parents but readers will definitely be surprised by the reasons behind father’s despicable behavior. A little too slow for me.

n The Dark Library, Mary Anna Evans crafts a layered historical mystery anchored by powerful, complex women who navigate a world not built for them—then go ahead and build their own anyway.
At the heart of the story is Estella “E” Ecker, a Yale-educated scholar who returns to her crumbling family estate in wartime New York. Far from a damsel in distress, E is a quietly tenacious force. She balances academia, grief, and the weight of family secrets while refusing to let anyone, be it a suspicious faculty member or the legacy of her domineering father, define her boundaries. Her resilience, intellect, and refusal to be underestimated make her a standout protagonist.
E isn't alone in her strength. The women surrounding her, from the sharp-tongued locals to fellow academics, each carry their own kind of fire. Together, they reflect the untold stories of women in the 1940s who defied convention not with dramatic flair, but with consistent courage and competence. Evans shines in showing how female empowerment isn’t always loud—sometimes it’s a whisper behind a locked door, a keen observation, a decision to stay and fight.
While the pacing may feel slow at first, it mirrors E’s process of peeling back layers of both mystery and herself. The payoff is deeply satisfying, especially for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and subtle rebellion woven through historical fiction.
Ultimately, The Dark Library is a beautifully haunting testament to the strength of women. Those women who endure, question, and quietly reshape the world around them.

I thought this was a really good story. It focuses on the academic world set during WWII and women's struggles during this time. This book centers on Estella Ecker as she tries to unravel the mystery of her mother's disappearance and the sudden death of her father. I enjoyed following the characters as the story progressed and how each had some small but meaningful role in the events that transpired. The mystery of the Dark Library was so ingenious and original and I just loved how it unfolded. Definitely worth the read!!

A phenomenal historical fiction thriller! The WWII setting in a small college town was an interesting wartime perspective to read about. While it hit on a lot of what life would be like for the civilians at home during the war, it also highlighted the struggles women had to be respected, with some mystery tied in as well! Highly recommend! 4.5 rounded down

I wanted so badly to like this one and while it was good, it definitely could have been better. The title and description drew me to it, as a former librarian who loves mysteries/thrillers. The pace was a little slow for me, but once I got into it, it did get better. I won't say it kept me guessing, but I was intrigued enough to finish it.

I'm always up for a historical fiction or gothic novel, combine the two and I'm sold. I enjoyed this book and found the story line to be one I haven't read much before. If you are looking for a novel that will capture you and keep you reading think about THE DARK LIBRARY

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this little mystery novel. The setting felt well-researched and immersive, and I loved how the author wove in just enough period detail without making it feel like a history lesson. There were plenty of intriguing puzzle pieces to work through along the way, which kept me guessing and engaged.
The female main character was a standout for me. Strong, intelligent, and holding her own in an academic field dominated by men. That dynamic felt true to the time period and added emotional depth to the story. I found myself really rooting for her, especially during moments when she had to fight harder just to be heard or taken seriously. It gave the story some weight that went beyond the mystery itself.
My only real complaint was with the pacing. At times, the narrative dragged a bit and felt unnecessarily stretched out. A tighter edit could’ve made the momentum a little stronger, especially in the middle chapters.
Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read with an engaging mystery and a satisfying historical backdrop. I’d definitely check out more from this author in the future.

The Dark Library
by Mary Anna Evans
Pub Date: Jun 24 2025
The Dark Library is a historical fiction novel about a 1940s gothic era story and a woman who discovers her family secrets in a very unexpected place. It was slow paced but I did enjoy the story and would describe it as a great gothic read!
Synopsis: Estella Ecker has returned to Rockfall House, the last place on earth she wants to be. Years after she ran away from her overbearing father, she has been forced back home to walk in his footsteps, teaching at the college he dominated and living in the fabulous home where he entertained artists and scholars for decades―and perhaps she owns it now, because her mercurial mother has disappeared. At the center of everything―the whispers, the rumors, the secrets―is her father's library of rare books, which she had been forbidden to touch while he was alive to stop her.
Many thanks to #PoisonedPennPress #NetGalley & #TheDarkLibrary for providing me an E-ARC of this book.

The Dark Library reached around my neck and yanked me in. In the World War II era, women were considered second-class citizens and, therefore, relegated to menial tasks and were expected to take care of the household. Females with occupations... especially professional ones requiring degrees...were still considered intrepid and daring. Estella, E to her friends, held a doctorate but her smaller office, minuscule paycheck, and tedious tasks spoke volumes.
After boy's club colleague Dean landed in a heap from a window, Estella reflected on their last conversation. Her mind went to her past, too. Secrets swirled like mist and her parents' disappearances were unresolved. They had been intelligent and Estella's father's library at Rockfall House was renowned. Her mother was a writer. Annie was housekeeper, mentor and friend to Estella. and the two tried to make ends meet on E's meager paychecks.
Snippets of the war in including rationing, being innovative with clothing, code breaking, and secrets appeared in this novel. I really liked Estella, bright yet flawed, and her sweet romantic interest. The slow pace ensured solid characterization and details such as food and fashion enthralled me. Elements of mystery added to the suspenseful atmosphere.
This novel uplifted my spirits and was a refreshing change from a few recent mediocre book choices. The writing is immersive and compelling, devoid of marshmallow fluff. Just what my heart needed!

This was a solid mystery read. It definitely had some gothic fiction vibes with the setting of a literally crumbling mansion housing a family that can no longer afford it. I enjoyed the 1940's setting and the cast of characters who found themselves removed from active combat. A more medium paced read than most of the thriller/mysteries I pick up but still enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this book! It was an interesting way to talk WWII subject matter without being depressing and heavy-handed.
I will say the first half of the book is slooooooooooooow. There is a lot of time spent on learning about E and her life - which is interesting, so that’s what kept me going. When the plot cranks up in the second half, it really gets going.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! I would say it’s Gothic-adjacent, much to E’s chagrin I’m sure.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Anna Evans, and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Estella Ecker has returned to Rockfall House and this is not the place she really wants to be. But with plenty of family secrets and town gossip will she find the answers she wants and needs about her family. This is one of those books that reels you in from the start with a great storyline but also with the intrigue and suspense that are tangled in the pages of this book.
This is a dark, well thought-out and well written book with characters that seems so real. It has twists and turns to keep you on your toes. With plenty of atmosphere, it builds throughout keeping you interested and in suspense. A great read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A dark Gothic set during WWII. Estella, known as E, has come home to the college town where her father dominated life because he's died of a stroke and her mother is missing. She's the only one who is concerned about her mother but she's not sure why everyone is so hostile to her. She's fully qualified to work as a professor but has been stuck as a research assistant to others. All in all, a mess. So now she's trying to untangle the web of her father's life and lies. This one has a few good twists so no spoilers. It's nicely atmospheric and well paced. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.