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The Uncensored Memoirs of a Book Hunter #2
Bloodlines and Birthright
Lovers and loyalties are tested when scandals come to light.
Memoirist Professor Gavin Nash and his friend Oscar Barratt travel to the picturesque shores of Italy’s Lake Como in search of a rare book said to contain the spell for a magical tattoo. It’s been hidden for centuries in the scriptorium of an ancient abbey, so it’s dreadfully bad luck that they arrive just after it was given away. Worse still, their rivals turn up in the same idyllic village.
Perhaps luck has nothing to do with it.
The book’s new owner has no intention of parting with it easily. In exchange, he demands they recover a magic spell stolen by the local artless boatbuilder. But when Gavin and Oscar search the boatshed, the only thing they find is a dead body and signs of magic.
With the mysterious Miss Wheeler following them on orders from her ruthless employer, the trio becomes entangled in a deadly web of murder, espionage, and long-buried secrets that others will stop at nothing to protect.
Memoirist Professor Gavin Nash and his friend Oscar Barratt travel to the picturesque shores of Italy’s Lake Como in search of a rare book said to contain the spell for a magical tattoo. It’s been hidden for centuries in the scriptorium of an ancient abbey, so it’s dreadfully bad luck that they arrive just after it was given away. Worse still, their rivals turn up in the same idyllic village.
Perhaps luck has nothing to do with it.
The book’s new owner has no intention of parting with it easily. In exchange, he demands they recover a magic spell stolen by the local artless boatbuilder. But when Gavin and Oscar search the boatshed, the only thing they find is a dead body and signs of magic.
With the mysterious Miss Wheeler following them on orders from her ruthless employer, the trio becomes entangled in a deadly web of murder, espionage, and long-buried secrets that others will stop at nothing to protect.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
C.J. Archer
141 books5,990 followersC.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.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
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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.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 11, 2026
Great Improvement
Was disappointed in the first book hunter book but this one is approaching the quality of the other Glass Series. Hope book three will introduce some delightful and amusing characters like the assorted Glass relatives but also enjoyed the details and development of Miss Wheeler’s character. Interesting gay characters and significant roles. Recommend to those who enjoyed the two previous Glass series.
Was disappointed in the first book hunter book but this one is approaching the quality of the other Glass Series. Hope book three will introduce some delightful and amusing characters like the assorted Glass relatives but also enjoyed the details and development of Miss Wheeler’s character. Interesting gay characters and significant roles. Recommend to those who enjoyed the two previous Glass series.
September 23, 2026
Ughhhh I was so disappointed with this one. I listened to it on audiobook and the narrator was lovely as always but the number of times I just zoned out due to boredom or repetition and then had to backtrack was a lot.
The plot … meh.
The side characters … meh.
The mystery … meh.
Also this dumb conversation (paraphrased) came up way too many times, like … guys, can you be smarter or maybe just Oscar needs a cold shower or something.
Oscar / Gavin: Miss Wheeler why are you following us?
Miss Wheeler: it’s my job. Why are you mad that I lied to your face and then followed you?
And look… I’m as liberal and accepting as they come but my goodness the inner monologue of poor Professor Nash about whether he was gay or not was SO awkward and unnecessary. Not to mention, he only seemed to be questioning it because Oscar won’t fucking shut up about it.
I also got very tired of Oscar and to an extent Miss Wheeler doing whatever tf they wanted and making fun of Professor Nash for telling them to be more cautious, and then when Professor Nash did something THEY disapproved of, they were all “how COULD you?”
I’ve read the entire Glass and Steele series and the Glass Library series and this was just …. not anywhere even close to those. Sorry CJ, let’s try again with book 3, shall we?
The plot … meh.
The side characters … meh.
The mystery … meh.
Also this dumb conversation (paraphrased) came up way too many times, like … guys, can you be smarter or maybe just Oscar needs a cold shower or something.
Oscar / Gavin: Miss Wheeler why are you following us?
Miss Wheeler: it’s my job. Why are you mad that I lied to your face and then followed you?
And look… I’m as liberal and accepting as they come but my goodness the inner monologue of poor Professor Nash about whether he was gay or not was SO awkward and unnecessary. Not to mention, he only seemed to be questioning it because Oscar won’t fucking shut up about it.
I also got very tired of Oscar and to an extent Miss Wheeler doing whatever tf they wanted and making fun of Professor Nash for telling them to be more cautious, and then when Professor Nash did something THEY disapproved of, they were all “how COULD you?”
I’ve read the entire Glass and Steele series and the Glass Library series and this was just …. not anywhere even close to those. Sorry CJ, let’s try again with book 3, shall we?
September 15, 2026
The plot line in this one wasn’t the most original, but this is IMO CJ Archer’s best voice/character work yet in a single volume. What an excellent use of first person voice and example of characters making startling decisions without losing grasp of who they are. This trio has my heart, just like the original quad. :)
September 18, 2026
Not the best by this author. It grew tedious with all the up & down to the abbey & neighboring village. The is he/isn't he gay plot was also a bit over the top. Not enough likable characters. I hope #3 improves.
September 19, 2026
I love her books
I’ve read or listened to all the Glass & Steele books and am delighted that she’s continuing on with how the library got started. My only complaint is that they’re not coming out fast enough! Now I have to wait til next year….
I’ve read or listened to all the Glass & Steele books and am delighted that she’s continuing on with how the library got started. My only complaint is that they’re not coming out fast enough! Now I have to wait til next year….
September 24, 2026
Good story
I enjoyed reading another adventure with Gavin and Oscar. They are searching for the illusive book that contains a magic spell to make tattoos fly. Which means people with tattoos can fly. Interesting book.
I enjoyed reading another adventure with Gavin and Oscar. They are searching for the illusive book that contains a magic spell to make tattoos fly. Which means people with tattoos can fly. Interesting book.
September 30, 2026
Amazing!
I love this series so much....Now we get to see a little bit of Italy as they travel to find that darn book that keeps escaping them...Wonderful settings and delightful casts of characters are the things you will find in CJ Archer books..
I love this series so much....Now we get to see a little bit of Italy as they travel to find that darn book that keeps escaping them...Wonderful settings and delightful casts of characters are the things you will find in CJ Archer books..
September 5, 2026
Excellent!
September 13, 2026
Insipid. I won’t be reading anything else by this author. All of her characters are cliches and her handling of a gay romance is just cringe worthy.
September 15, 2026
It’s fine. But not my favorite story but we’ll see how it goes
September 18, 2026
Same author?
September 23, 2026
They went to travel to find some books and stumbled into another murder mystery to solve. Great characters and a faced paced who dun it.
September 28, 2026
2.75 ⭐️ This spin-off series is pretty dull so likely to leave it here
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews