Many thanks to NetGalley , Mary Anna Evans and the publishers for offering me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.

This one was not at all what I expected based on the blurb but I was pleasantly surprised. A mystery with many layers unfolds in this novel. When E is summoned home unexpectedly under the alarming circumstances that her mother is missing and her father is seriously ill , it is up to her to solve the mysteries around her parents, face her own past, balance a household & life all while a war takes place . 


The layers of mystery are slowly revealed throughout the book in a way that keeps you hungry for more information . Mary Anna Evans did a stupendous job balancing the plot line & connecting you to the characters while building the realistic world of 1940s New York . The imagery was so captivating. The characters were so real you were ready to cheer them on like a dear friend and in some instances ready to fight those with ill intentions.  While I thought it was going to be more focused on the books in the library throughout , it was a wonderful storyline and tied all together wonderfully in the end. 

If you like a touch of historical fiction with layers of mystery and dark academia vibes this would be a great fit !