The title hooked me at first, and reading the blurb intrigued me more. Love the academia setting and especially the department itself which atmospherically captivating and unique, like an old small library that only having limited published books on its shelves with only pencil is allowed if you want to take notes.

The first few chapters of the book get me invested but along the way it gets too underwhelming. The idea of its mystery was compelling-- a missing most prized manuscript, a no show to work librarian and a boss on coma holding a secret to the lost manuscript or maybe manuscripts? It lacks in execution that even with its few riveting subplots (gender inequality, workplace discrimination, academia politics, mental health) the development did not weave or progress seemlessly to me. Too slow moving and scattered.

I also have problems with characters' exposition and their characterization. Weird how it says that Liesl has been working there for almost 40 years but still know too little about all those collection and that sudden love problems? What's up with that moment sitting on the bench with Francis, Liesl? I don't find the secondary as interesting too-- how they were being so disrespectful, and mostly having an unapproachable attitude really irks me so much. I feel bad that Miriam's story just wrapped in a total blame-- her psychological matter could be given more depth, or at least not abruptly settled in shame.

You might go for the setting for this one so I won't stop you if you already having this book inside your list, you'd probably love the book more than I do. Still find the central character's job as exciting (though it can be hectic too) and I appreciate that the author detailing those scope specifically into her narrative. Would go for 2 stars to this