The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections

Librarians at their worst and best

This story feels like the author really knows libraries, loves the world of books and letters, but also knows their dark side. Sexism, the academic library's role in institutional fundraising taken to extremes, jostling for power among a group of people who all need to work together for the collective good, there is much here that rings true. And even though I wouldn't call this a true genre mystery, there also is a missing priceless multivolume Bible set, and a missing coworker worth some major guilt points. A thoughtful portrayal of a woman at the end of her career with the power to take the lead for the first time.