Dark academia and a secret. I love these types of novels so much but the plot was a little all over the place and some aspects seemed underdeveloped.

oh dear i was expecting this one to be a lot better than it actually was. tysm for the arc. 2 stars.

That Night in the Library was unfortunately not for me. I think it had a lot of potential, but unfortunately tried to do too much.

DNF.
I. just could not get into this and was so bored. No idea what was going on, did not care and reading reviews I am glad I decided to DNF now.

I didn’t get to finish this book, I got a new Amazon prime account and my kindle deleted everything associated with my previous account including all of my downloads and I only just figured out why it wasn’t appearing whenI tried re-sending to my kindle multiple times. Now I’ve finally found the source of my problem and changed/updated the kindle email and can now download books again. It really messed up my reviews for all of the books I’d requested over the past few months, I apologize. I liked what I was able to read so that’s what I’m rating.

Faye has always been bullied and ignored by her peers, so when Davey asks her to an all night party of Commencement Eve, she apprehensively agrees. The party is to take place after hours in the rare books library on campus, where a few of the even attendees work as a part of their graduate studies.
Faye worries that she has been invited as the focus of the graduation ritual Davey has planned, but a small part of her hopes Davey wants to be friends, or more.
As the party begins, most of the group drops acid to enhance the experience. Within a couple of hours, one person is dead and the others are beginning to look at each other with suspicion.
Who is the killer and who will make it out alive in this locked room murder mystery?

Thank you to NetGalley, Eva Jurczyk and Poisoned Pen Press for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This starts off kind of strange in my opinion and then it doesn’t really improve for me. It’s twisted and you are wondering what is happening the entire time and end the ending is the best part. The shock of that was the best part of the entire book and I reread it just to confirm that’s exactly what happened.

I was intrigued by the premises of the book. A locked room mystery set in a library with rare books and a ritual rooted in Greek myths.
The narative is shared from multiple point of views and moves quickly enough but none of the characters was interesting.
I struggled to finish this book, but it could be your favorite.

That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk is an atmospheric mystery that combines the charm of libraries with the tension of hidden secrets. As a lover of books and libraries, I was drawn in by the setting, which Jurczyk captures beautifully—the library itself feels like a character, full of history and intrigue. However, the novel falls short in some areas. While the premise is promising, the pacing can feel uneven, with certain parts dragging. The characters are interesting, but I found myself wanting deeper development and stronger emotional connections. The mystery itself has some satisfying twists, but not all of them hit the mark, and the resolution felt a bit rushed. Overall, while That Night in the Library has its strengths—especially for book lovers—the execution left me wanting more in terms of both depth and narrative drive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others. Great mystery.

Eva Jurczyk’s That Night in the Library is a novel with a lot of potential, but unfortunately, it falls short in several areas. At first glance, it appears to be a promising addition to the dark academia genre, drawing readers in with its intriguing premise and a touch of Greek mythology. However, as the story progresses, it loses its grip, lacking the cohesion and depth needed to fully realize its ambition.

The story begins well, sparking interest with its mystery and setting, but the plot soon becomes disjointed. The pacing feels uneven, and the structure lacks the tightness required for a suspenseful, atmospheric narrative. The Greek mythology references, which could have been a unique and enriching element, are only briefly touched upon and fail to deliver the thematic weight they deserve. These underexplored aspects leave the reader wanting more, as they had the potential to add richness and complexity to the story.

As for the characters, they feel underdeveloped. There are glimpses of intrigue, but the emotional depth and growth needed to make them memorable are missing. In a genre that thrives on strong, enigmatic personalities and intellectual tension, this lack of character development is a significant flaw. While the book tries to evoke the dark, brooding atmosphere of dark academia, it doesn’t quite manage to capture that elusive quality—something essential feels absent.

In conclusion, That Night in the Library is an average read, if not slightly below average. It offers a few sparks of creativity and potential, especially with the incorporation of mythology, but ultimately it doesn’t live up to expectations. Fans of dark academia may find themselves disappointed by its lack of depth and the missed opportunities throughout the narrative.

I had high hopes for this book after reading the synopsis. A library is the perfect place to host a murder mystery and I don't feel like it is used enough...but I digress. The characters and the plot felt scattered to me. It was hard to keep up with the who's and what's. For some, this may be the perfect read. It just wasn't for me. I gave 2 stars because the premise was original to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a wild ride. College-aged adults locked in a rare book section of a library in a murder mystery!? Yes, please. There were multiple deaths and multiple pov's which really added to the suspense. I was on the edge of my seat and it's under 300 pages, so felt like a quicker read which i appreciated. Overall, very immersive storyline and plot but the character development fell a little flat for me, I didn't feel that connection with anyone.

That Night in the Library is a dark academia/mystery thriller by Eva Jurczyk. Released 11th June 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

It's a neat premise: a locked room mystery in a creepy closed library with a group of graduating students who are doing stuff they really shouldn't do (recreating an ancient Greek ritual to free themselves from the fear of Death). Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

The characters are mostly archetypes, flat, and feel sketched in. Additionally, they're just about universally unpleasant (drug addicted, whiny, arrogant, and/or desperate). Most of the action happens when they're under the influence and much of it is hazy and unclear. The ending is a bit of a mish-mash and very little is conclusively resolved by the last page.

Three stars. Difficult, disjointed, and would have benefited from another round of editing/polishing.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A suspenseful locked room mystery with an intriguing premise. However the pacing is a little uneven and the characters feel under developed so I did not fully engage with any of them. Still there was suspense and an eerie atmosphere. A good read.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This starts as a slow burn introducing each of the students and setting the scene prior to being locked in the library basement for the night. From about 25% on things escalate quickly with deaths, hallucinations and no one knows what's real anymore.

This was a fun ride and takes place in a library. What more could you want?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

The book had an intriguing concept and technically had everything that I am drawn to when reading a book. The library as a setting and the haunting nature of the library was extremely spooky and such a great environment for this story.

I had high hopes for this "thriller", but was sorely disappointed. An inordinate amount of time is spent on the set-up and the individual issues of each character. The murder (that was obviously going to happen) finally occurs 1/3 of the way into the book. By that time, I was just bored. I understand there is an ending with a "shocking" twist, but I just can't bear to continue. I have so many other books that sound more compelling.

Giving this book 3 stars because the author's writing is clear and well done, she just seems to take way too long to get to the point. For readers who are very interested in the inner working of a university library and the young people who work there, but don't look for page-turning action.

Eva Jurczyk's That Night in the Library masterfully blends elements of classic whodunits with the allure of dark academia, creating a gripping mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel centers around a group of seven students who find themselves locked in their university's rare books library on the night before graduation. Their intention to perform an ancient Greek ritual to conquer the fear of death takes a harrowing turn when one of them suddenly dies, and what follows is a night filled with tension, suspicion, and survival.

Jurczyk's prose is both elegant and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie ambiance of a library cloaked in darkness. The rare books library, with its labyrinthine aisles and the weight of centuries-old knowledge, becomes a character in itself, adding layers of intrigue and dread to the unfolding drama. As the body count rises, the sense of claustrophobia and urgency is palpable, making it impossible to put the book down.

The characters are well-drawn and complex, each harboring secrets that are gradually revealed as the night progresses. Jurczyk skillfully delves into their psyches, exploring themes of fear, ambition, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. The dynamic between the characters, filled with mistrust and shifting alliances, adds a psychological depth to the narrative that elevates it beyond a typical murder mystery.

One of the novel’s standout features is its exploration of the power of books and knowledge. Jurczyk infuses the story with literary references and philosophical musings, creating a rich tapestry that appeals to bibliophiles and mystery enthusiasts alike. The ancient Greek ritual at the heart of the story adds a unique twist, blending mythology with modern-day suspense in a way that feels fresh and original.

While the pacing is generally tight and the tension high, there are moments where the narrative slows down, particularly during detailed descriptions of the library and its contents. However, these moments also serve to deepen the reader’s immersion in the setting, making the eventual revelations all the more impactful.

In conclusion, That Night in the Library is a chilling, intelligent mystery that will captivate readers from start to finish. Eva Jurczyk has crafted a novel that is not only a thrilling page-turner but also a thoughtful meditation on fear, knowledge, and the dark corners of the human mind. Whether you are a fan of literary mysteries, dark academia, or simply love a well-told tale of suspense, this book is sure to satisfy.