Death stalks between the shelves. In a place where silence is golden, a killer is taking lives to make sure that nobody talks. Can she crack the case or will she be next?Lady Sarah loves to read, almost as much as she loves music. So when the opportunity to patronise one of the first public library in England arises, she cannot wait to seize her chance to be part of the London literary scene. But when the gala begins, a dark secret lurks between the stacked shelves of tomes.
When a body is discovered, quite by accident, it sets off a chain of murders that threatens everyone at the party. With the identity of the killer and their motives shrouded in mystery, the cunning heiress is not convinced that a ghost is stalking the reading rooms. She must find a way to work with an uncooperative detective and unmask the villain before the library becomes a tomb.
Can she find a way to shift the truth from the lies and discover what is truly cause Quiet in the Library?
If you like thrilling mysteries, exciting sub plots and eccentric characters, you’ll love C. S. Woolley’s enthralling Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow.
Grab your copy today to be swept away with this mystery.
C.S. Woolley (Caroline Sarah Woolley) was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire and raised in the nearby town of Wilmslow. From an early age she discovered she had a flair and passion for writing. This was fuelled by winning local poetry and short story competitions during her years at Mottram St. Andrews Primary School.
During high school, she continued to write and found her time split between acting, writing and her studies. At 14 she began writing novels. University did nothing to change her love of writing. C.S. spent a year reading Law at Manchester Metropolitan University before changing her mind and moving to read English at Hull University. After graduating she moved to Nottingham where she now lives and stays for the cricket at Trent Bridge.
In 2010, C.S published her first novel, Nicolette Mace – The Raven Siren: The Kevin Metis Saga. Since 2010 she has published books in five series – The Chronicles of Celadmore, The Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow, The Children of Ribe, The Children of Snotingas and Nicolette Mace: The Raven Siren.
More recently C.S has taken part in charity projects that include producing content for charity books such as Standing by the Watchtower: Volume 1. C.S has also acted in several plays and films including Weekend (2011).
Hobbies: horse riding, including show jumping and cross country, Formula 1, tennis, free climbing, singing, boxing, dancing, playing guitar, cricket and is also an avid PC and console gamer.
Favourite movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Chisum.
Favourite books: Sharpe’s Prey, Silverthorn and the Three Musketeers.
Favourite bands: Thin Lizzy, the Darkness and McBusted.
This is book 21 of The Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow. Here’s my review of book 20.
Genre: Historical cozy mystery Setting: Victorian England (May 1841), London Library Writing style: Multiple POV, third person, past tense Tone: Suspenseful Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Engaged couple
Sensitive aspect: Reference to murder victim having bedded someone he tutored
*There’s one quick reference to the Christian Bible.
My favorite aspect of this book is the appearance of some famous authors, including Charles Dickens, and the incorporation of real books into the mystery. Similar to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Die (book 7), this is a crime of revenge against multiple people modeled after (mostly) famous literary works. The subject matter of the background for the mystery is one of the darker ones of the series, including torture and kidnapping (not detailed). And of course, the library setting of the story is appealing to anyone who reads for their own enjoyment.
“‘If only the doctor or Richard had come with us, they could have examined the body and tell us how he died,’ Mr Hunter sighed, and Sylvia narrowed her eyes at the man. Mr Hunter had not directly said anything to Sylvia on the subject of Richard Hales, but he was more than aware of how infatuated the young man was with Sylvia.” Well that’s rather selfish or her! This has nothing to do with her. A man has been murdered, for goodness’ sake. She needs to try to get over herself sometimes.
Favorite quotations: • “All your secrets are spread around the city before they’ve finished falling from your lips.” • Lady Sarah had forged a reputation for solving mysteries and a man now wished to build his on a case that she would solve.
(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
A time when most of the public could not read, having an opportunity to borrow books from anywhere other than the British Library, was a dream come true for those who could read as well as those who would like to be able to do so. So it was with great enthusiasm that Lady Sarah lent her support to a library which would be accessible to the public but some books on offer were more fact than fiction.
Another exciting adventure for Lady Sarah and her team. Good read, as always with the books in this series. Much enjoyed!
I can't believe we are at book twenty-one in The Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow series. As an avid book reader/lover I was excited for the setting being in the library and I was not disappointed with the mystery either.