"Entertaining. the best part of the book is the unexpected twist at the end that ties up the murder mystery. Kudos to Shenjé for that surprise ending."--NPR "An intriguing premise, an old library and long-kept secret . this arresting saga has it all." -- Woman's World "Powerful, sagacious and warm, The Library Thief is both a gripping, multi-layered mystery and a gorgeously absorbing novel that demanded I return to its pages whenever I had the audacity to set it down. Without a doubt, Shenjé's wholly original debut has bestseller written all over it."--Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure "A compelling novel that starts as a mystery and grows into a coming-of-age story, examining identity, belonging, loneliness and friendship within the restrictive and stifling world of late Victorian society.
The Library Thief is filled with fantastically drawn characters and with a love of books that shines through the prose."--Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall "A tantalizing read that swells with secrecy and intrigue. It's hard to believe that Kuchenga Shenjé writes of the past, and not of the present. A beautifully and skillfully written debut."--Candice Carty-Williams, bestselling author of Queenie A love letter to the golden age of Du Maurier and Bronte, The Library Thief is lyrical, beguiling and powerfully relevant." -- Juno Dawson, author of Her Majesty's Royal Coven "If this book's a thief of anything--it was my attention. I was hooked, the story opening with the tantalizing traditions of a gothic mystery and then unfurling in unexpected directions, threading themes of identity, sexuality and a woman's impossible choices into an intricate web of mysteries that would not let me go."--Cari Thomas, international bestselling author of Threadneedle "Fans of Kate Morton's books and Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale will devour this novel .
Shenjé rightfully joins a distinguished line of authors who love books and secrets and know exactly how to combine the two." --Booklist "Fans of Sarah Waters and Bridget Collins might have in Shenjé a new author to add to their TBR lists." --Library Journal.