"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.
The Binding meets The Vanishing Half in this extraordinary historical debut - perfect for readers who love gothic mysteries with books at the heart of them, as well as stories about people often overlooked by history.'Intriguingly and superbly plotted. Weaves race, identity, feminism, sexuality and class into a beguiling mystery' Woman & HomeSome secrets are too scandalous to conceal...Since they left Jamaica for England, Florence's father has tried to tame her - from hot-combing her unruly hair to training her in the art of bookbinding. But when Florence brings scandal to his door, he throws her onto the streets.Florence has nowhere to turn until, intercepting her father's commission to restore a private library, she talks her way into the remote, imposing Rose Hall. There, even the wonders of Lord Belfield's library can't distract Florence from the whisper of scandal around the late lady of the house and her black maid.Then one night, someone breaks into the library - yet strangely, they take none of the priceless tomes. Discovering a half-burned diary in the fireplace, Florence holds the key to a mystery that will reshape everything she knows about herself, and shake Rose Hall to its very foundations . . .'Swells with secrecy and intrigue' Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie'A love letter to the golden age of Du Maurier and Bronte. Lyrical, beguiling and powerfully relevant' Juno Dawson, author of Her Majesty's Royal Coven'If this book's a thief of anything - it was of my attention. I was hooked' Cari Thomas, author of Threadneedle'Powerful and wholly original' Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure'Gut-wrenchingly conveys a unique historical perspective on race, gender and sexuality. [For] fans of Sarah Waters and Bridget Collins' Library Journal'I was blown away' Stacey Thomas, author of The Revels'Atmospheric, compelling Victorian gothic with a fresh twist' Freya Berry, author of The Birdcage Library
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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The Binding meets The Vanishing Half in this extraordinary historical debut - perfect for readers who love gothic mysteries with books at the heart of them, as well as stories about people often overlooked by history.'Intriguingly and superbly plotted. Weaves race, identity, feminism, sexuality and class into a beguiling mystery' Woman & HomeSome secrets are too scandalous to conceal...Since they left Jamaica for England, Florence's father has tried to tame her - from hot-combing her unruly hair to training her in the art of bookbinding.
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. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Library Thief was written by Kuchenga Shenjé and published by Sphere an imprint of Little, Brown
The Library Thief has 392 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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