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The Library Thief

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The Library Thief

By: Kuchenga Shenjé
Narrated by: Cora Kirk
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About this listen

 An extraordinary historical debut for any reader who loves gothic mysteries like Rebecca and Fingersmith, and fiction which shines a light on untold stories.

'Intriguingly and superbly plotted . . . Shenjé weaves race, identity, feminism, sexuality and class into a beguiling mystery' WOMAN & HOME

The library is under lock and key. But its secrets can't be contained.

After he brought her home from Jamaica as a baby, Florence's father had her hair hot-combed to make her look like the other girls. But as a young woman, Florence is not so easy to tame - and when she brings scandal to his door, the bookbinder throws her onto the streets of Manchester.

Intercepting her father's latest commission, Florence talks her way into the remote, forbidding Rose Hall to restore its collection of rare books. Lord Francis Belfield's library is old and full of secrets - but none so intriguing as the whispers about his late wife.

Then one night, the library is broken into. Strangely, all the priceless tomes remain untouched. Florence is puzzled, until she discovers a half-burned book in the fireplace. She realises with horror that someone has found and set fire to the secret diary of Lord Belfield's wife - which may hold the clue to her fate . . .

'A tantalising 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 skilfully written debut'
CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS, author of Queenie

'This debut gut-wrenchingly conveys a unique historical perspective on race, gender, and sexuality . . . Fans of Sarah Waters and Bridget Collins might have in Shenjé a new author to add to their TBR lists'
LIBRARY JOURNAL

'Powerful, gorgeously absorbing and wholly original'
JOANNE BURN, author of The Hemlock Cure

'Threads in themes of identity, sexuality and a woman's impossible choices into an intricate web of mysteries that would not let me go'
CARI THOMAS, author of Threadneedle

'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

'I was swept up with the mystery. A beautifully crafted story full of nuanced characters, gothic undertones and plenty of heart'
STACEY THOMAS, author of The Revels

'Atmospheric and compelling. Victorian gothic with a fresh twist'
FREYA BERRY, author of The Birdcage Library©2024 Kuchenga Shenjé (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Historical Mystery Romance Victorian Fiction Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns in the plot. The care in relationships. The historical context in which the story is written.

Intriguing novel with unexpected twists

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I generally listen to Audible books in the car. Many times with this offering I sat at my destination wanting to hear the end of a Chapter. A very interesting history.

Compelling storyline

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Absolutely LOVED this! Best audiobook I’ve listened to in a long while. Written as historical fiction this story denotes historical facts while taking the listener on a journey into the past experiences of rejection to acceptance and redemption. A story looking at gender & race inequality to sexual identity & the social class system. So many secrets & much more….FABULOUS.

Griots tell stories in remembrance of their Ancestors. Thank you, Kuchenga I salute you 💜

An ode to our African Ancestors

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A beautiful book narrated beautifully. I loved this book a lot. Thank you for such a beautiful creation. The protagonist is really remarkably impressive.

A beautiful story

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So many terms and phrases are used that are not of the times, ' Knocked up' 'Conked out' and ' Cross dresser' for example. Poor story saved by the excellent narrative .

Author must do better

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