"With layers of intrigue, this captivating debut historical novel ultimately focuses on the power of inclusivity, hope, and love."
With layers of intrigue, this captivating debut historical novel ultimately focuses on the power of inclusivity, hope, and love. Florence talks her way into a bookbinding commission at Rose Hall in 1896, on learning of the suspicious death of Lord Belfield’s wife, she determines to find answers.
Even though this is clearly a historical novel, there is a timelessness to the issues within and the way they have been written. Author Kuchenga Shenje has created a number of themes, some of them emotionally dark and challenging. She writes with compassion and empathy without shying away from the difficult times contained within.
Topics of friendship, love and hate, and inclusivity and prejudice, also sit alongside the main mystery. The library of books, bookbinding, and books mentioned helps to create a real sense of place. I connected with Florence as a narrator, it feels as though this is a coming of age story as she explores possibilities and her own potential.
She is full of kindness, with the levels of tenacity and self-assurance needed to make her own way in a world. The main mystery itself flows through the novel, creating waves of tension. From this, offshoots of secrets and lies slip and slide into place creating further twists within the story. As I read the final few chapters my emotions settled and I felt a sense of satisfaction.
With multiple themes and a central mystery, The Library Thief is a rewarding historical novel.
An extraordinary historical debut for any reader who loves gothic mysteries like Rebecca and Fingersmith, and fiction which shines a light on untold stories.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
An extraordinary historical debut for any reader who loves gothic mysteries like Rebecca and Fingersmith, and fiction which shines a light on untold stories. The library is under lock and key.
The Library Thief features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Crime and Mystery, Fiction, Recommendations, Debut Books of the Month, Sharing Diverse Voices, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Crime and mystery: women sleuths, LGBTQ+ Fiction, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Social issues, Later 19th century c 1850 to c 1899, Fiction: narrative themes, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, c 1500 onwards to present day, Time period qualifiers, Debuts
Paperback, Hardback. £15.29, down from the £16.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Library Thief was written by Kuchenga Shenjé and published by Sphere an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group
The Library Thief has 400 pages
£15.29, reduced from £16.99. In Stock.
