Kristin's Bookshelf

The Library After Dark
by Ande Pliego
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I may have just read my favorite book of the year. The Library After Dark was So. Damn. Good.

I legitimately could not put this book down. From Pliego’s writing style to the intricate, layered storyline to the cast of characters … there was very little I didn’t love.

The Deadulus Library? Obsessed. What a wildly cool concept. I would absolutely live there, no questions asked.

I also loved the subtle nods to the Winchester House. Ever since my first visit, I’ve been down that rabbit hole – reading books about its history, learning about Sarah Winchester, so seeing that influence woven in made this even better.

And the twists? Constant. Every chapter, no, page, had me rethinking everything. There were always new theories, new suspects, new questions. I never felt settled, and I loved that.

My only critique? I almost needed to take notes. There is so much happening (in a very intentional, subtle way) that I found myself wanting a full corkboard moment (photos, red string, timelines) just to keep track of how everyone might be connected. But honestly, that kind of mental engagement is part of what made this so fun.

Even the intro stood out. The map and guestbook pulled me in immediately and set the tone perfectly. I referenced the guestbook regularly, just so I remembered.

Everything just clicked with this one. The way the storylines overlapped, how the characters connected, and the slow reveal of why they were all brought to the library in the first place.

This is 100% getting a permanent spot on my bookshelf … and honestly, I’m already tempted to reread it to see what I missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ande Pliego for the ARC. I was completely mesmerized.