A curated collection of magic...and murder. When a set of bound manuscripts written on magician-made paper is brought to the Glass Library, Sylvia and the professor send the owner away. After all, the library collects books about magic, not containing it. But the murder of the bookbinder who bound them sees the books returned to the library, along with Gabe in his role as consultant for Scotland Yard. When his investigation uncovers a link to Sylvia's past, they're even more determined to find the murderer. But they're not the only ones searching for answers. Someone has gone to great lengths to find the truth behind the binding of the books. The hunt for the killer leads them to dark corners of London and unscrupulous players with much to gain by owning the collection. It also leads to the discovery of long-buried secrets, and staggering revelations that shed light on Sylvia's past.
C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
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Of course I enjoyed it again. The only problem I have is just with the whole "will they, wont they". I am just not a big fan of that kind of trope. I don't know how authors can write a little bit more about the mystery or the magic. I just wish I could read a book where you know it's going to happen, but its not a huge focus.
Muahahahahaha Audible jumped the gun by over a week!!! Muahahahahaha!!! Made my freakin MONTH. I've never clicked Buy so fast.
Excellent as always! A little disappointed that Sylvia's magic isn't more rare/special; hopefully Archer has a cool and creative use for it down the line.
This is a cute story. I have enjoyed the series, but after each one’s ends I find myself unsatisfied with the endings. Talk about slow burn, the relationship between Silvia and Gabe is soooo slow it’s obnoxious. I feel after 3 books their relationship should have several progressions, but with the ending of the last book “The Untitles Books” it’s no where closer then when they started. I’m frustrated by it. Again, the story and plot is fun and an easy read. The narrator is fabulous, but the relationship between the 2 main characters leaves you very unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Meh. These books could be so good, but they’re not quite. Problem number 1: the cover art makes them look like fantasy magic books, but these are firmly set in the period right after WWI in London, heading into the 20s, in a London still reeling from the Great War. Even the magic is not portrayed as something fantastical. It’s far more practical and almost industrial, and we don’t actually know much about magic even after 3 books. Problem number 2: the pacing. Each book should really just be a section of a larger story. One mystery gets solved in each book, but the over-arching mystery of who Sylvia is develops very slowly, and the romance is slow too. I guess the reality of publishing may be that this is the only format that works to get these stories out there, but I would love to read this as one well edited novel. I think some of the over-explaining could be edited out. In the book’s timeline I think Sylvia and Gabe have known each other less than a month. Sylvia only learned certain important things last week or two weeks ago but they’re so detailed (granular?) that they feel slow. I like the setting, I like most of the characters, I will probably continue reading these books, but they are a little frustrating.
This series, y'all. I love the way the characters/story line is developing across the volumes - and I really love the narrator. Like *yes*. Probably the best installment of the series so far, and it even threw me for a doubletake or two.
This series might be my new favorite as I continue to read each book in the series! It’s like Sherlock Holmes mixed with the slow relationship build of Jim and Pam from the office with a magic society! Literally couldn’t be a better mix for me. Love it!! Hoping to add these to my physical book collection soon so I can reread these 😍
Love this series so much. C.J Archer's writing pulls me in. I adore the new cast of characters. An interesting mystery. The story weaving and the storytelling. It just keeps me wanting to flip through the pages. The slow romance between Sylvia and Gabe gives me all kinds of fuzzies. I love the way Archer writes those little stolen moments. I love the magic system of this world and everything. It is just a well-done series. Last year the first series sucked me in and I binged most of the books back to back.
All my experience with middle-grades/YA series has me ill prepared for a series like this. I should NOT read them in such close succession. The storyline doesn't continue, it repeats. I don't dislike it. But, the enthusiasm has waned. Or maybe it's because whatever I read after Harry Potter is just a let down because of the Harry-sized whole in my heart.
4 stars for a papery mystery! This was another excellent installment in the Glass Library series! I'm annoyed that I have to wait another 3 months for the next book to come out. I want to learn more about Sylvia and see what adventures await her in the next volume. I think I might read the original series Glass and Steele while I wait.
This is book three in the Glass Library Series, and I am SO glad Silvia is starting to have feelings for Mr. Gabe. I am pretty sure he is also gaining feelings for her as well from some of the subtle things he does. ♥️
Silvia FINALLY finds out she has magical power while trying to solve a crime. It's super cool that she made that discovery.
In this book, we also find out some fun magical things about Gabe as well! I don't want to tell you what it is, but it's SUPER cool! I will say his magic helped him save all five of his friends at one point during a high-speed chase!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I do find myself anxious to get to the kissing that will definitely be coming, but I am enjoying the slow burn of it all. This is an aggressively not the point observation, but I find the covers of these books fascinating? They almost look medieval to me, but they're set in an alternative 1920s and the Jazz age is still happening, so the wardrobe styling in particular seems off to me. But I do love the heck out of these and am probably going to go backwards in time to read about Gabe's parents now.
I thoroughly enjoyable third installment in The Glass Library series! The story continues to deepen and evolve alongside its characters—especially Sylvia, who is really coming into her own with growing confidence and strength. The story remains rich, and the plot moves with a satisfying blend of mystery, magic, and emotional growth. It’s always a pleasure to watch characters mature with each book, and this one did not disappoint. Fully immersed and looking forward to what comes next!
This series is so much fun. Really liking forward to the next one, but it looks like it’ll be a while before any of my libraries get a copy. In the meantime, I’ll be starting the series on the Glass family that make up half the characters in this one. Willie is my favorite character. I really hope the Glass and Steele books tell me more about her!
Again another enjoyable addition to the series. This one involved a little more about the ‘magic’ some characters have. Again enjoying the post World War One setting in the early 20’s. Nice attention to detail, getting to know more about the characters as we go and enjoying the mysteries in each book. Again narration superb.
you know,, I keep saying these books aren't anything to write home about, but I keep reading them so they're definitely doing SOMETHING. I will say I'm quite liking the development of the story.. it feels very naturally paced, not rushed. that goes for both the investigation and the relationship between Sylvia and all the other characters, including Gabe <3 I can honestly say that I care for almost every character, which is something. the author doesn't go into great detail about them unfortunately, and I wish she did (what they like, hobbies, more about their family backgrounds) but I still feel attached to them nonetheless. once again, a very cozy read for autumn weather.
Wonderful addition to the Glass Library series. Always love spending time with this bunch of characters. The mystery was satisfying, the larger series mysteries are progressing and the writing is superb, as usual. I love the relationship between Sylvia and Gabe. It’s a kind and wholesome partnership based on mutual respect (off topic rant…as opposed to the stalker/beaten, lost puppy ‘heroine’ of Archer’s other ongoing series, Cleo and her weird obsession with the ex-hotel employee who clearly wishes she’d go tf away)
Plus, TGL#3 proffered a new words for my lexicon, the informal British adjective, shambolic.