This dark, thought-provoking, mystery / thriller is a captivating read! Mary Anna Evans sets a tone of suspense and suspicion around E, or Estella, the main character who is trying to figure out her parents’ secrets and the hold they seem to have over the small, college town where they live. E comes back to her childhood home when tragedy strikes, leaving her father ill and her mother missing. Trying to make her own space in the academic community where her parents seem to hold so much power isn’t easy, and with the US involvement in WWII starting, keeping a large house going becomes another challenge that E is faced with. The cast of characters surrounding E keep you wondering who should be trusted throughout the book! I really enjoyed the slower pace of the story combined with the dark atmosphere and developing clues, it was hard to put this book down! I also enjoyed all of the other literary elements and connections to great works of literature woven throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a galley copy of this book!

Rave Review: The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans (Expected June 2025)

Mary Anna Evans has done it again—The Dark Library is a masterfully crafted literary mystery that ensnares you from the first haunting line and doesn’t let go until the very last page. This upcoming release is a rich, layered novel that blends history, academia, and suspense with the atmospheric tension of a gothic thriller.

Set in the shadowy corners of an old university library rumored to be cursed, Evans transports readers into a world where forgotten archives conceal more than just dusty manuscripts—they hold dangerous secrets. With her signature blend of vivid prose and meticulous research, Evans draws on her background as both a writer and academic to create a plot that is as intellectually satisfying as it is gripping.

The protagonist—a sharp, determined archivist with a past she’d rather forget—uncovers a chilling mystery that intertwines with her own history in ways she could never have imagined. What follows is a twisting narrative of lost books, secret societies, and a truth buried beneath decades of silence. The character development is stellar, particularly the lead’s journey through trauma, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption.

Evans balances psychological depth with a fast-paced plot that will keep readers turning pages well into the night. The Dark Library is not just a mystery—it’s a love letter to libraries, knowledge, and the courage it takes to uncover truth in a world built on shadows.

If you’re a fan of The Shadow of the Wind, The Historian, or Evans’ own Faye Longchamp series, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be spellbound.

5/5 stars – a triumph of literary suspense. Pre-order it now.