-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
Summary | Discuss | Reviews | More Information | Read-Alikes
by Sherry Thomas
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.
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (3/19/2026)
I'm still listening to Skylark by Paula McLain and disappointed. I'm reading The Librarians by Sherry Thomas as ebook. And book almost finished with Under Two Flags by Janis Robinson Daly.
-Melinda_J
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (12/11/2025)
I'm reading "I Know How This Ends" by Holly Smale. Earlier this week I read "Lucky Seed" by Justinian Huang and "The Librarians" by Sherry Thomas.
-Sharon_G
"An irresistible ensemble and a raft of surprises as crime-solving librarians solve double murder mysteries while guarding their own secrets...This knockout mystery mixes the camaraderie of The Thursday Murder Club with the chic family and romantic drama of Crazy Rich Asians. Thomas' virtuosity shows in this fast-paced and intricate yet emotionally moving mystery." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Richly infused with a deliciously dry wit, graced with intriguingly nuanced characters, and enhanced with several subplots that will remind readers of just how good a romance writer Thomas is, this is a thoughtfully entertaining, stunningly satisfying treat." —Booklist (starred review)
"Thomas takes her time to introduce each of her characters and give them space to develop so that readers will root for each and every one. For fans of Richard Osman's "Thursday Murder Club" series and Tess Gerritsen's Martini Club." —Library Journal
"There's an undeniable thrill to watching librarians morph into kick-ass crime solvers..." —Publishers Weekly
"Riveting suspense + librarians + Sherry Thomas=one of the most engaging books you'll read this year. This novel proves once and for all there's nothing librarians can't do." —#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner
"The Librarians was so much fun! Sherry Thomas's cast of quirky bibliophiles leap off the page. This delicious murder mystery is a must-read for any library lover!" —New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt
This information about The Librarians was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
USA Today bestselling author Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today and a two-time RITA Award winner.
If you liked The Librarians, try these:
by Emily J.. Taylor
Published 2025
The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.
by Laura Sims
Published 2024
From the author of Looker comes this "compulsive and unforgettable novel" (Mona Awad) of razor-sharp suspense about two local librarians whose lives become dangerously intertwined.
by Freya Sampson
Published 2021
June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
