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The Library Murders
‘An immersive slow burn, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.’ – Morgan Cry
Alyssa Clark is about to find out that reading really can be murder.
She thought her new job in Thornhill Library would be safe and uneventful. Boring, even. But on her first day at work, a masked gunman storms into the building and blows away every member of staff on duty. Alyssa barely escapes with her life.
The police are satisfied they’ve got their man, but Davy, Alyssa’s colleague and the only other survivor of the massacre, is convinced the real killer is still at large. Alyssa – trying to move on with her life while dealing with traumatic flashbacks and the unwanted advances of an obsessive ex – is sceptical. However, when she stumbles across damning evidence of a cover-up, she agrees to join forces with Davy to help track down the real culprit.
But in her pursuit of the truth, will she find the closure she desperately craves… or provoke the wrath of a killer with unfinished business on his mind?
If you like twists, turns and compelling, conflicted characters, you’ll love this gripping new mystery from the McIlvanney Prize-nominated author of In the Silence.
Alyssa Clark is about to find out that reading really can be murder.
She thought her new job in Thornhill Library would be safe and uneventful. Boring, even. But on her first day at work, a masked gunman storms into the building and blows away every member of staff on duty. Alyssa barely escapes with her life.
The police are satisfied they’ve got their man, but Davy, Alyssa’s colleague and the only other survivor of the massacre, is convinced the real killer is still at large. Alyssa – trying to move on with her life while dealing with traumatic flashbacks and the unwanted advances of an obsessive ex – is sceptical. However, when she stumbles across damning evidence of a cover-up, she agrees to join forces with Davy to help track down the real culprit.
But in her pursuit of the truth, will she find the closure she desperately craves… or provoke the wrath of a killer with unfinished business on his mind?
If you like twists, turns and compelling, conflicted characters, you’ll love this gripping new mystery from the McIlvanney Prize-nominated author of In the Silence.
307 pages, ebook
First published August 20, 2020
60 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Mackenzie
11 books69 followersTo get the latest news and your FREE sample chapters from the McIlvanney Prize-nominated In the Silence, join the M.R. Mackenzie Readers’ Club:
https://www.mrmackenzieauthor.com/rea...
M.R. Mackenzie is the author of several gritty, character-driven crime fiction novels set mainly in his native Glasgow, including an ongoing series of mysteries featuring criminology lecturer Anna Scavolini.
The first book in the series, In the Silence, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019.
The sixth, The Secrets We Keep, featured in the Financial Times’ Best Summer Books of 2025 (Crime and Thrillers) and IngramSpark’s 2025 Editorial Selection (Mystery/Thriller).
PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE:
“One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.” — Financial Times
“Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald
“Writes with precision and passion.” — Caro Ramsay
“An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.” — Gordon J. Brown
“Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.” — NB Magazine
“Up there with the best contemporary authors working today.” — David B. Lyons
https://www.mrmackenzieauthor.com/rea...
M.R. Mackenzie is the author of several gritty, character-driven crime fiction novels set mainly in his native Glasgow, including an ongoing series of mysteries featuring criminology lecturer Anna Scavolini.
The first book in the series, In the Silence, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019.
The sixth, The Secrets We Keep, featured in the Financial Times’ Best Summer Books of 2025 (Crime and Thrillers) and IngramSpark’s 2025 Editorial Selection (Mystery/Thriller).
PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE:
“One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.” — Financial Times
“Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald
“Writes with precision and passion.” — Caro Ramsay
“An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.” — Gordon J. Brown
“Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.” — NB Magazine
“Up there with the best contemporary authors working today.” — David B. Lyons
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 26, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE LIBRARY MURDERS by M.R. Mackenzie is a murder mystery that begins with a graphic murder of librarians in a small satellite library in Glasgow and then becomes a twisted search for the murderer by two of the survivors. This is a new to me author who was able to immerse me in his narrative and I did not put it down until “The End”.
Alyssa Clark is late for her first day on her new job at the Thornhill Library. As she and her new colleagues are behind the main desk a masked man dressed all in black walks right up to the desk and proceeds to shoot everyone. Alyssa and one other, Davy survive the nightmare.
Davy is not satisfied when the police arrest a down and out patron of the library. He has the gun when taken down weeks later, but he swears it is not his. When he tells Alyssa about his doubts, she finds it difficult to believe until she finds some damning evidence of a cover-up. The two begin to work to uncover the real murderer.
This book surprised me, not only with the revelation of the murderer, but also with the multiple revelations about Alyssa’s past and the reasons for her prickly and off-putting personality. Usually I have difficulty with a book which has a protagonist that I do not like, but Mr. Mackenzie deftly kept me interested in why she is the way she is as well as spinning the twists and turns of the murder mystery around her and Davy. This book is as much a study of human interactions with others and the repercussions as well as a deftly plotted murder mystery.
I highly recommend this mystery and look forward to more from this author!
THE LIBRARY MURDERS by M.R. Mackenzie is a murder mystery that begins with a graphic murder of librarians in a small satellite library in Glasgow and then becomes a twisted search for the murderer by two of the survivors. This is a new to me author who was able to immerse me in his narrative and I did not put it down until “The End”.
Alyssa Clark is late for her first day on her new job at the Thornhill Library. As she and her new colleagues are behind the main desk a masked man dressed all in black walks right up to the desk and proceeds to shoot everyone. Alyssa and one other, Davy survive the nightmare.
Davy is not satisfied when the police arrest a down and out patron of the library. He has the gun when taken down weeks later, but he swears it is not his. When he tells Alyssa about his doubts, she finds it difficult to believe until she finds some damning evidence of a cover-up. The two begin to work to uncover the real murderer.
This book surprised me, not only with the revelation of the murderer, but also with the multiple revelations about Alyssa’s past and the reasons for her prickly and off-putting personality. Usually I have difficulty with a book which has a protagonist that I do not like, but Mr. Mackenzie deftly kept me interested in why she is the way she is as well as spinning the twists and turns of the murder mystery around her and Davy. This book is as much a study of human interactions with others and the repercussions as well as a deftly plotted murder mystery.
I highly recommend this mystery and look forward to more from this author!
August 24, 2020
I do like a book set in or around a library and Mackenzie has written something here that should appeal to both library lovers and those who enjoy crime fiction.
What surprised me about this narrative was the lack of presence that the police force has. Unlike many pieces of crime fiction, the police fade into the background as Alyssa and Davy step-up to investigate the true perpetrator behind the library shootings. Despite the police arrest, Davy manages to convince Alyssa that this does not solve the case. Between the two of them, they decide to look closer at what happened that tragic morning in the library and find the right killer.
I was suspicious of Davy from the beginning – he just seemed too kind to be believable! I think that Mackenzie does this deliberately to have the reader start guessing the truth behind the library shootings. On the other hand, I applauded Alyssa’s tough exterior and how she does not take any rubbish from people. Indeed, her interactions with library and council management did make me chuckle; her dry humour and sarcasm made her an even more likeable character.
This was an interesting case to try and solve and I could not predict the outcome. I enjoyed the concept of police corruption and the concept that an arrest was made to suit management, rather than solving the crime. Alyssa grows more and more convinced of Davy’s theories and this reflected her increasing strength of coming to terms with her near-death experience. Indeed, when it is revealed that Alyssa has a more complicated background than we originally realised, this made me feel even more sympathy towards her.
At times I found that the story lacked pace and it struggled to maintain my interest. I don’t think the narrative was prolonged, but I was hoping for more exciting scenes – maybe this is intended to reflect the quiet scenes you would expect in the library! I even surprised myself by realising that I initially agreed with the killer’s motives that are revealed at the end. Of course, the extremes that are carried out (i.e. murder) are, naturally, despicable, but I did support the criminal when they explored their reasoning – who would have expected it?!
Something a little bit different, I enjoyed my first experience of Mackenzie’s writing. A series of shootings in a library opens the book with a bang and the reader continues on this explosive journey to the final conclusion.
With thanks to Overview Media for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What surprised me about this narrative was the lack of presence that the police force has. Unlike many pieces of crime fiction, the police fade into the background as Alyssa and Davy step-up to investigate the true perpetrator behind the library shootings. Despite the police arrest, Davy manages to convince Alyssa that this does not solve the case. Between the two of them, they decide to look closer at what happened that tragic morning in the library and find the right killer.
I was suspicious of Davy from the beginning – he just seemed too kind to be believable! I think that Mackenzie does this deliberately to have the reader start guessing the truth behind the library shootings. On the other hand, I applauded Alyssa’s tough exterior and how she does not take any rubbish from people. Indeed, her interactions with library and council management did make me chuckle; her dry humour and sarcasm made her an even more likeable character.
This was an interesting case to try and solve and I could not predict the outcome. I enjoyed the concept of police corruption and the concept that an arrest was made to suit management, rather than solving the crime. Alyssa grows more and more convinced of Davy’s theories and this reflected her increasing strength of coming to terms with her near-death experience. Indeed, when it is revealed that Alyssa has a more complicated background than we originally realised, this made me feel even more sympathy towards her.
At times I found that the story lacked pace and it struggled to maintain my interest. I don’t think the narrative was prolonged, but I was hoping for more exciting scenes – maybe this is intended to reflect the quiet scenes you would expect in the library! I even surprised myself by realising that I initially agreed with the killer’s motives that are revealed at the end. Of course, the extremes that are carried out (i.e. murder) are, naturally, despicable, but I did support the criminal when they explored their reasoning – who would have expected it?!
Something a little bit different, I enjoyed my first experience of Mackenzie’s writing. A series of shootings in a library opens the book with a bang and the reader continues on this explosive journey to the final conclusion.
With thanks to Overview Media for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2020
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S THE LIBRARY MURDERS ABOUT?
The book opens with a pleasant first chapter, almost enough to make you forget something horrible is promised by the title. I stress the almost because it reminds you something's coming. You could easily take that first chapter and put it into a General Fiction/Women's Commercial Fiction kind of thing.
And then the title happens. As murders go, they're pretty shocking, particularly when you put they happen in a small library.
Alyssa, fifteen minutes into her first shift when they occur, is one of two survivors. And while she survived, she definitely didn't come through unscathed. Neither did Davy, the outgoing man who had been trying to make her feel comfortable on her first day. While their recovery is never the focus of the the novel, it's present throughout, and I think the impact of their trauma is depicted realistically and sensitively.
Davy, from Day 1, thinks that the police aren't looking in the right direction for the culprit. Alyssa has no such concern—honestly, she does all she can to not think about, or care about, the investigation, or its result. But after some goading from Davy, she agrees to help him a little while he looks into things.
It's not long before she begins to share his doubts, and soon she's pursuing things on her own. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, and the dangerous situation they survived is just the beginning.
I was surprised at how little time we ended up spending with the detectives on the case, because early on it seems like they were going to be a real focus for the narrative. They do get some good moments, but they are mostly off-screen. On the one hand, the book didn't need them—it was compelling enough as is. But after the introduction we're given to them, I'd have welcomed a little more time with them throughout, getting their perspective on the investigation.
POOR CANADA?
(that works best if you sing it to the opening of the Canadian Anthem)
Poor Alyssa...time after time after time she's called an American. She's from a small town in Saskatchewan—and many of the people who make references to her being from the States are aware of that. But that doesn't stop them—and it, understandably, starts to get to her. It's a great running gag with a good pay off in a book that needs the occasional light touch to relieve the tension.
WHAT ONE THING WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE NOVEL?
Don't worry, I'm not going to give any plot spoilers. Give me a little credit. But the thing that came absolutely out of nowhere—and from a completely unexpected source—was a lengthy tribute to Library workers and the value of their service. It was unexpected, sincere, and heartfelt. I can just imagine if I worked in a library and came across this passage that I'd have an extra spring in my step the next time that I went to work.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY MURDERS?
I was riveted. I found myself invested almost from page one into what happened to Alyssa, Davy and the lead detective—not just as it regards the Library Murders, but beyond that.
Mackenzie keeps things well-paced and times the reveals along the way deftly.
I was thoroughly satisfied with this and definitely recommend The Library Murders as a compelling way to spend a few hours.
My thanks to Overview Media for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the novel) they provided.
---
WHAT'S THE LIBRARY MURDERS ABOUT?
The book opens with a pleasant first chapter, almost enough to make you forget something horrible is promised by the title. I stress the almost because it reminds you something's coming. You could easily take that first chapter and put it into a General Fiction/Women's Commercial Fiction kind of thing.
And then the title happens. As murders go, they're pretty shocking, particularly when you put they happen in a small library.
Alyssa, fifteen minutes into her first shift when they occur, is one of two survivors. And while she survived, she definitely didn't come through unscathed. Neither did Davy, the outgoing man who had been trying to make her feel comfortable on her first day. While their recovery is never the focus of the the novel, it's present throughout, and I think the impact of their trauma is depicted realistically and sensitively.
Davy, from Day 1, thinks that the police aren't looking in the right direction for the culprit. Alyssa has no such concern—honestly, she does all she can to not think about, or care about, the investigation, or its result. But after some goading from Davy, she agrees to help him a little while he looks into things.
It's not long before she begins to share his doubts, and soon she's pursuing things on her own. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, and the dangerous situation they survived is just the beginning.
I was surprised at how little time we ended up spending with the detectives on the case, because early on it seems like they were going to be a real focus for the narrative. They do get some good moments, but they are mostly off-screen. On the one hand, the book didn't need them—it was compelling enough as is. But after the introduction we're given to them, I'd have welcomed a little more time with them throughout, getting their perspective on the investigation.
POOR CANADA?
(that works best if you sing it to the opening of the Canadian Anthem)
Poor Alyssa...time after time after time she's called an American. She's from a small town in Saskatchewan—and many of the people who make references to her being from the States are aware of that. But that doesn't stop them—and it, understandably, starts to get to her. It's a great running gag with a good pay off in a book that needs the occasional light touch to relieve the tension.
WHAT ONE THING WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE NOVEL?
Don't worry, I'm not going to give any plot spoilers. Give me a little credit. But the thing that came absolutely out of nowhere—and from a completely unexpected source—was a lengthy tribute to Library workers and the value of their service. It was unexpected, sincere, and heartfelt. I can just imagine if I worked in a library and came across this passage that I'd have an extra spring in my step the next time that I went to work.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY MURDERS?
I was riveted. I found myself invested almost from page one into what happened to Alyssa, Davy and the lead detective—not just as it regards the Library Murders, but beyond that.
Mackenzie keeps things well-paced and times the reveals along the way deftly.
I was thoroughly satisfied with this and definitely recommend The Library Murders as a compelling way to spend a few hours.
My thanks to Overview Media for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including a copy of the novel) they provided.
August 26, 2020
Libraries have always been amazing places for me. Add in a mystery or a murder, and I'm an eager reader. The Thornhill library should have been dull, but instead, Alyssa finds herself involved in a struggle for her life. Davy also survived and seems to be her new friend, but what is going on is deeper than your average who-done-it read.
Is the killer who the police think it is? Why have such staggering murders in a library? How unsafe can a gal from Canada be? Of course, if the police are missing the mark then they need help.
This book is action-packed. It carries a good bit of momentum that isn't always seen in a book of this type. It has a strong pace that carries you through the pages briskly. I did solve the crime, but I totally enjoyed reading the few twists I could have missed otherwise.
This was my first book by this author and it will definitely give you a pause to think the next visit to the library, but on the other hand, I loved the beautiful light shown on those who work in such institutions.
Thanks to Overview Media for my copy of this book. This review contains my thoughts and opinions of this book. A positive review was not required.
Is the killer who the police think it is? Why have such staggering murders in a library? How unsafe can a gal from Canada be? Of course, if the police are missing the mark then they need help.
This book is action-packed. It carries a good bit of momentum that isn't always seen in a book of this type. It has a strong pace that carries you through the pages briskly. I did solve the crime, but I totally enjoyed reading the few twists I could have missed otherwise.
This was my first book by this author and it will definitely give you a pause to think the next visit to the library, but on the other hand, I loved the beautiful light shown on those who work in such institutions.
Thanks to Overview Media for my copy of this book. This review contains my thoughts and opinions of this book. A positive review was not required.
August 11, 2020
The Library Murders starts off with a BANG! As Alyssa starts her first day at the library, her world is shook to the core when an armed man comes into the library and shots her and all her new colleagues. As paramedics and police ascend the scene, it becomes clear that Alyssa may have been the only survivor... Before this incident had occurred, Alyssa and her colleagues has been threatened by a local man for indecent behaviour, and my suspicion was on this individual being the murderer.
As Alyssa was recovering from the event, I felt as though the plot was going down the route of Alyssa being either a apart of the attack or knew something about it. She had received an unsigned card with an iris in it, and she was jumping going to and fro to work, thinking that there was someone following her with sandy hair. This is when we started to find out about Alyssa's past. Could her past be catching up with her? I honestly did as some points believe it was, and that who ever the sandy haired guy was, hated Alyssa enough to destroy her.... I was wrong!
Overall, the plot line was brilliant - you were given just enough information to make you think about what is going on; the character development was awesome, the difference from the beginning Alyssa and the end Alyssa is astonishing, and you can't help but love Davy!
As Alyssa was recovering from the event, I felt as though the plot was going down the route of Alyssa being either a apart of the attack or knew something about it. She had received an unsigned card with an iris in it, and she was jumping going to and fro to work, thinking that there was someone following her with sandy hair. This is when we started to find out about Alyssa's past. Could her past be catching up with her? I honestly did as some points believe it was, and that who ever the sandy haired guy was, hated Alyssa enough to destroy her.... I was wrong!
Overall, the plot line was brilliant - you were given just enough information to make you think about what is going on; the character development was awesome, the difference from the beginning Alyssa and the end Alyssa is astonishing, and you can't help but love Davy!
August 31, 2020
I was lucky enough to get an early read of this and knew then it was a winner. A recent re-read confirmed that, and the few changes that have been made have only improved it. This is a standalone which sees Mackenzie taking a break from his Anna Scavolini series but for Anna fans she makes the briefest blink-and-you-miss-it cameo here, and will be back properly in Mackenzie's next book, The Shadow Men. The Library Murders sounds like it should be a cosy mystery and there are elements of that here - the amateur sleuth and sidekick, the library setting - but it doesn't read as cosy crime, which for my personal taste is a good thing.
Alyssa Clark, a young Canadian living in Glasgow, turns up late and hungover for her first shift at Thornhill Library. Fifteen minutes after she arrives a gunman enters the library and shoots all the members of staff, Alyssa included. She survives, and together with colleague Davy, seeks the truth behind the event, convinced that the police are looking in the wrong direction.
Alyssa is not an easy woman to like! She's prickly, brash, abrupt and selfish. But 'The Event' helps her look at things a little differently as she struggles with previously absent anxiety and paranoia in the aftermath of the shooting. We also learn where much of her anger and guilt come from later in the book. But whilst she's not easy to like, at least initially, she is a fabulously written character. Mackenzie seemingly writes young women (see also Anna and Zoe in previous books) with such ease it's slightly alarming! 😂 Alyssa comes across as completely authentic, beautifully drawn and described. The author has had some fun with her dialogue too, a favourite of mine being 'my dude'. She goes on a bit of a journey (sorry!) in this book, and by the end of it she was someone I'd happily go for a beer with.
But Alyssa is not the only player here. There is a cast of colourful characters here, mainly, but certainly not all, library employees and customers. All different, individual but all rounded and whole. Davy and Metcalfe deserve a mention as does Benny, the latter being a more minor character but one who really stood out for me. Mackenzie has clearly enjoyed himself creating these characters with one or two being larger than life, but we'll all recognise someone we've known, lived next door to, worked with or whatever amongst them. The dialogue between them all is fantastic - lots of Glasgow banter and slang here, all very natural.
As I hinted earlier the story is not cosy. The after effects of the opening incident for Alyssa are vividly described, as are the murders themselves. As in every good mystery there are a few red herrings and dead ends and the whole story is shot through with a wry humour. Mackenzie's writing is beautiful, almost lyrical in places, although my personal highlight is a little more low brow! 😂 He contracts 'For f**k's sake' into 'F**ksake' and then uses it as a verb which I just loved! Genius! But believe me when I say the writing is superb.
The Library Murders is a joy to read - an intelligent, often humorous, well crafted crime thriller which will keep you turning the pages. And it touches on some serious issues such as loneliness, anxiety and guilt. But murder, blood and shattered glasses aside, it's a bit of a love letter to libraries and librarians, which given that the author was one himself until recently perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise. And we all need reminded of the importance of libraries. This book comes highly recommended - go get it!
Alyssa Clark, a young Canadian living in Glasgow, turns up late and hungover for her first shift at Thornhill Library. Fifteen minutes after she arrives a gunman enters the library and shoots all the members of staff, Alyssa included. She survives, and together with colleague Davy, seeks the truth behind the event, convinced that the police are looking in the wrong direction.
Alyssa is not an easy woman to like! She's prickly, brash, abrupt and selfish. But 'The Event' helps her look at things a little differently as she struggles with previously absent anxiety and paranoia in the aftermath of the shooting. We also learn where much of her anger and guilt come from later in the book. But whilst she's not easy to like, at least initially, she is a fabulously written character. Mackenzie seemingly writes young women (see also Anna and Zoe in previous books) with such ease it's slightly alarming! 😂 Alyssa comes across as completely authentic, beautifully drawn and described. The author has had some fun with her dialogue too, a favourite of mine being 'my dude'. She goes on a bit of a journey (sorry!) in this book, and by the end of it she was someone I'd happily go for a beer with.
But Alyssa is not the only player here. There is a cast of colourful characters here, mainly, but certainly not all, library employees and customers. All different, individual but all rounded and whole. Davy and Metcalfe deserve a mention as does Benny, the latter being a more minor character but one who really stood out for me. Mackenzie has clearly enjoyed himself creating these characters with one or two being larger than life, but we'll all recognise someone we've known, lived next door to, worked with or whatever amongst them. The dialogue between them all is fantastic - lots of Glasgow banter and slang here, all very natural.
As I hinted earlier the story is not cosy. The after effects of the opening incident for Alyssa are vividly described, as are the murders themselves. As in every good mystery there are a few red herrings and dead ends and the whole story is shot through with a wry humour. Mackenzie's writing is beautiful, almost lyrical in places, although my personal highlight is a little more low brow! 😂 He contracts 'For f**k's sake' into 'F**ksake' and then uses it as a verb which I just loved! Genius! But believe me when I say the writing is superb.
The Library Murders is a joy to read - an intelligent, often humorous, well crafted crime thriller which will keep you turning the pages. And it touches on some serious issues such as loneliness, anxiety and guilt. But murder, blood and shattered glasses aside, it's a bit of a love letter to libraries and librarians, which given that the author was one himself until recently perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise. And we all need reminded of the importance of libraries. This book comes highly recommended - go get it!
August 25, 2020
This story begins with 24-year-old Alyssa Clark’s first morning in a new job. It’s the first real job she’s had since drifting around after coming to Scotland from a very small town in Canada, so this posting as a librarian at Thornhill Public Library in Glasgow means a significant change. And she is already late, having been drinking with her friends far too late the previous night. Dashing in, she meets her new colleagues at the counter, Jason, Eva, Laura and Davy. Before she can even begin to make friends, there is an altercation between the other staff and a man they believe is looking at porn on the internet, and within minutes a masked man has rushed up to the desk and cold bloodedly fired a shot from a handgun at each and every staff member. Jason, Eva and Laura lie dead. As the nearest senior police officer, DCI Claire Metcalfe picks up the case and when the building is declared safe, paramedics find Alyssa alive. Alyssa wakes in hospital to find she had only a glancing wound and gets sent home very quickly. In a visit from the detectives, they reveal they have a suspect and also give her the good news that Davy Grogan also survived, although with life changing injuries. She visits him and he starts to reveal to Alyssa that he believes the police have it all wrong, but it is only when he finally returns to work that he confirms his theory that the police have arrested the wrong man entirely. Alyssa is loath to believe him at first but after meeting the man in question she starts to come around to Davy’s way of thinking. From there the odd pair of amateur sleuths embark on an investigation of their own, believing that a killer is still at large and has already struck again more than once. Their journey takes them into some strange places and with help from very unlikely sources as they wonder if it was a random act, a grudge against the library or a just a coincidence that it happened on the very first day Alyssa was there. After all, Alyssa has secrets of her own and is definitely afraid of something. However what they uncover is a far cry from their initial suspicions and leads them into an explosive ending that comes as a massive shock to all. A couple of things niggled, like the author calling Alyssa’s spectacles "Wayfarers" all the time, not a term some older people might be familiar with. I also found it odd and sad that she was released from hospital and pretty much left to stew on her own. With only a couple of official visits and no family in the same country, no one seemed to be concerned about her welfare and mental state. Even her friends took a couple of weeks to knock on her door. I also found it odd behaviour from her in not being even slightly curious about how the investigation to catch the gunman was going and she seemed strangely devoid of much emotion in general, although the reasons for that became a bit more apparent as the story progressed. It is a highly engrossing and original story which kept my interest throughout although for lots of reasons I’m not sure I'd want to ever visit a library again!! 4.5*
Don’t forget to download your free copy of the novella “The Library Murders: Origin” to read about the weeks leading up to the start of the story and learn more about the killer, available by clicking https://subscribepage.com/libraryorigin
Don’t forget to download your free copy of the novella “The Library Murders: Origin” to read about the weeks leading up to the start of the story and learn more about the killer, available by clicking https://subscribepage.com/libraryorigin
August 20, 2020
From start to finish this was a great read.
As the title says there are murders in a library.Alyssa is caught up in the shootings. Although the police believe they’ve got the killer Alyssas colleague isn’t so sure. With Davy her colleague she tries to track down the killer but she gets more than she bargained for.
Great read. Really enjoyed it. Am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
As the title says there are murders in a library.Alyssa is caught up in the shootings. Although the police believe they’ve got the killer Alyssas colleague isn’t so sure. With Davy her colleague she tries to track down the killer but she gets more than she bargained for.
Great read. Really enjoyed it. Am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
January 5, 2021
The most fun reading I've had in a while
This novel was the most fun I've had reading in a long time. Extremely well written, well plotted, great characters, and a delightful Scottish environment, all work together to make this one of the most delightful reads you can imagine. That it is all wrapped around a murder mystery makes it all the more fun to read. I highly recommend this novel.
This novel was the most fun I've had reading in a long time. Extremely well written, well plotted, great characters, and a delightful Scottish environment, all work together to make this one of the most delightful reads you can imagine. That it is all wrapped around a murder mystery makes it all the more fun to read. I highly recommend this novel.
September 16, 2020
A relevant book for me - I started working in a Glasgow library 5 weeks before lockdown - so I could definitely identify with what was going on. Apart from the personal relevance, I enjoyed this. I do have to say that library staff are a wee bit nicer than they are portrayed here though :)
January 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this. So much that I did nothing else but read and finished it in one day.
June 23, 2022
I love reading books about libraries or book stores so was looking forward to reading this. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alyssa and Davy band together to look for a murderer. They both work in a library and Alyssa's first day at work is one she will never forget. Well written, interesting and not obvious who the killer is, at least to me.
November 21, 2023
Easy to get into, difficult to get through. A lot of characters and story lines to keep track of throughout the entirety of the book. I kept forgetting parts of the story because it was typically not relevant anyway. Didn’t really understand why the author chose to end the book the way that they did. 2 ⭐️⭐️
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