ARC Review: The Librarians by Sherry Thomas

The Librarians
Author: Sherry Thomas
Publication: Berkley (September 30, 2025)

Description: "This delicious murder mystery is a must-read for any library lover!”—New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt

Murder disrupts four quirky librarians' lives when they try to hide among books to keep their secrets.

Sometimes a workplace isn’t just a workplace but a place of safety, understanding, and acceptance. And sometimes murder threatens the sanctity of that beloved refuge....

In the leafy suburbs of Austin, Texas, a small branch library welcomes the public every day of the week. But the patrons who love the helpful, unobtrusive staff and leave rave reviews on Yelp don’t always realize that their librarians are human, too.

Hazel flees halfway across the world for what she hopes will be a new beginning. Jonathan, a six-foot-four former college football player, has never fit in anywhere else. Astrid tries to forget her heartbreak by immersing herself in work, but the man who ghosted her six months ago is back, promising trouble. And Sophie, who has the most to lose, maintains a careful and respectful distance from her coworkers, but soon that won't be enough anymore.

When two patrons turn up dead after the library’s inaugural murder mystery–themed game night, the librarians’ quiet routines come crashing down. Something sinister has stirred, something that threatens every single one of them. And the only way the librarians can save the library—and themselves—is to let go of their secrets, trust one another, and band together....

All in a day’s work.

My Thoughts: THE LIBRARIANS takes place in a small Austin, Texas, public library. It is the workplace of four quirky librarians. Astrid has faked a Swedish accent since she was a college student, Sophie is the head librarian. She's gay and raising a teenage daughter on her own. Jonathan is gay, a former football player, and a former Navy SEAL. Hazel is a game designer and heiress. 

Astrid had had a relationship with a guy who ghosted her but who has now reappeared in her life and is found dead of an apparent fentanyl overdose near the library after a successful game night. One of the participants threatened to expose Sophie's secret and then she, too, is found dead of an apparent overdose.

With the police hovering, the librarians are all trying to keep their secrets and still find out what happened to the two victims. All sorts of relationships are exposed. Hazel's dream lover whom she hasn't seen for years turns out to be Astrid's crush's business partner. Hazel's dream lover is also the roommate of the guy Jonathan has been crushing on since high school. 

The story was filled with twists and turns and told from multiple viewpoints. I enjoyed the story once I got used to the shifts in viewpoints. I liked the characters and the ways they built friendships. I didn't really care for the non-linear storytelling until I began to pay closer attention to the chapter titles. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.