3/5 Stars

Um, Lord of the flies on acid? But it takes place in a library? I understand what the author was going for and it is well written and an interesting read. But the ending left me feeling cheated, hallow, superficial for the trauma the rest of book puts a reader through. It is an interesting commentary on misinformation, persuasion and why one should not drop acid wrapped in (very) bloody mystery. It disgusted me with out any really justification.

Oh and I was given a digital copy of this book by NetGalley.

I had the opportunity to read and listen along to this locked room thriller but sadly it did not keep my attention. I did enjoy the narrator as she had a easy to listen voice. I just did not feel connected to the characters. I did enjoy the setting in the library.
Give it a chance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to read and listen
3/5 stars

Before I get into my review, I want to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of the story, dark academia vibes, and the cover art drew me to want to find out what was within the pages. However, I found many of the characters flat and undynamic. 7 students snuck into the basement of a college library the night before senior graduation in order to conduct a Greek ritual. Not all of them are seniors, one is just a drug dealer along for the ride, one is a girl who was asked only because they wanted 7, etc.

However, the book starts off promising if not a bit chaotic as the characters prepare for their night being shut in. I am confused by the fasting they needed to do beforehand because it seems no one brought food and water for their overnight, There are bits and pieces that didn't seem fully flushed out and I think another round of edits might have caught the inconsistencies and given us a more cohesive story.

Before I decided to write my review, I wanted to see what others were thinking and it seems many of them thought the same. The characters were trying to hard to be "cool" and it didn't work well for the story ,The plot itself wasn't as suspenseful as I hoped.

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. Four stars.

This is a locked-room mystery, set in the basement of a rare books library on a university campus. Seven students, on the night before graduation, sneak into the library basement to reenact an ancient Greek ritual. But suddenly one of them dies in a rather horrible way. Now they’re trapped with a killer, and the body count continues to rise. Their phones don’t work, and there ¡s no way out of the basement until 7 am, when the librarians return to work.
The pacing suffered a bit, and there weren’t any truly likeable characters. I did enjoy the twist at the end.

3.5 stars

Seven people, mostly university students including some who work in the library/archives, sneak into the basement of said library on their last night before graduation (those working there will no longer be except for one). Davey has a ritual planned and invited the others to come. In fact, they are locked in the basement for the night; they cannot get out. And when the lights go out, one of them dies. The others try to figure out who did it, while keeping themselves safe.

I like the idea of the story, and I am a librarian, so I liked the library and archives references. But none of the characters were likable, in my opinion. Maybe it’s because they all (except one) took acid at the beginning of the night (part of the ritual) that made them not likable. The POV shifted between a few different characters and I do think that worked well for the reader to see different sides of what was happening. But I did get some of the characters (who were “related” in some way) continually mixed up – there was a dating couple, one was a professor; there was a childhood friend; and a fourth person in that mix somewhere, but I kept getting mixed up as to who was who in that group of four. Overall, though, I’m rating it “good”.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Eva Jurczyk for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for That Night in the Library coming out June 11, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really wanted to love this book. The title is perfect. I thought it would be a really mysterious and fun story. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I won’t go into it. I think the plot was confusing. The characters said the oddest things out loud. Some characters felt too much and others weren’t as fleshed out. It was hard for me to see the motives behind their actions. I would check out another book by this author.

So I loved the concept of That Night in the Library and while I didn't really like any of the characters, I didn't mind that bit as a reader. It did make me slightly less invested in all of it though. There was no one I was cheering for to survive (or the be the murderer).

While I appreciate that Jurczyk gives readers chapters from the POV of each of the seven characters who agree to participate in the ritual, it does make the plot a big muddled. In fact, I lost the plot a few times once people started dying and those left alive began accusing each other. I thought that the reveal of how the first person dies was interesting and fit within the theme and location of this book... and it also wasn't what I was expecting.

This is a pretty quick read that was still enjoyable, even if it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.

First I want to thank NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Eva Jurczyk for my ARC of That Night In The Library.

I was so excited to read this book as the book description made it seem like something I’d read. Seven kids trespassing in a library doing a Greek ritual the night before graduation and there’s a murder a few minutes in! Sign me up. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book. The characters were not well developed at all and they just didn’t seem realistic to me. There were times in this book where I found myself confused. I was hoping that once they got to the ritual that would be the turning point for this book but that wasn’t even explained really. It was a great concept that had potential unfortunately it just fell short for me.

A fun story with engaging elements, but a few weak points in my opinion. Warning, this novel is a lot bloodier and violent than I had expected from the premise.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I thought it was interesting, I think the writing is where the novel shone the most. The writing was quite engaging and had me hooked in the events. However, I couldn't find myself caring for the characters except for maybe one, but then that didn't end well. After reading the story and having it all revealed in the end, I will say I was slightly confused over the entire setting? Like, it just felt disconnected to how the reason for them deciding to stay locked in the library didn't seem to play that big of a role?

I did kind of enjoy the way it derailed, but again, the way things ended up developing didn't make much sense to me. In terms of the way the characters developed, it didn't make much sense as to how that character all of a sudden developed to that point. I also will say the ending was disappointing, but in the sense that it didn't end the way I would have liked. So that could be a good thing? Personally not a fan though.

As for the ending and the reveal, I personally wasn't a fan. I do think it's an ending that one can come to guess, like I had from the way the story was developing. The reason why I felt disappointed was because not only do I find those kinds of twists disappointing, but I also personally tend to expect more because of the disappointment I feel. Like yes, it ended that way and it was lackluster, but what else or how else should I look at the ending because it ended that way? And I don't think the novel really developed or ended with that in mind.

So overall, well-written and engaging writing, characters hard to care about, interesting plot but perhaps could have done more with the ending and the premise.

This story unfortunately was not for me. I do think others may enjoy it more.

Thank you for my gifted copy.

I am definitely a fan of locked room mysteries & this had an interesting sounding blurb. It feels like a more grown up Christopher Pike or R.L. Stine, so if you grew up reading those, this could be for you. My only real big issue is that none of the characters are very likeable. So you’re following a group of mostly obnoxious people. The paranoia & “cabin fever” of it all & how the characters turn one another was the best parts for me. I felt the premise was good but the execution left me wanting. However I did like the ending. Overall it was just ok for me but the author’s writing was strong, so I could see myself reading another one if the plot interested me.


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Read if you like:

* Christopher Pike
* R.L. Stine
* Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Seven students sneak into their university's rare books library the night before graduation to perform a Greek ritual believed to free them from the fear of death. The library is closed, but they choose it for its ideal setting. As they begin, the lights go out and one student suddenly dies. Trapped in the dark with a killer among them and nothing but books for protection, the group must unravel the mystery and find a way to survive the night before they can embark on their new lives.

When I first read the synopsis of this mystery thriller with academia vibes, I was immediately intrigued. The concept promised a perfect blend of suspense and intellectual intrigue. However, while the book had its strengths, the execution left a bit to be desired for me.
One of the main issues I encountered was with the characters. Differentiating between them proved to be challenging, as their points of view often blended together. In a genre where character distinction is vital, this was a significant drawback. I expected a diverse range of personalities typical of academia-themed stories—mean girl, rich kids, the poor but brilliant underdog—but these dynamics were noticeably absent. This felt like a missed opportunity, particularly for a book set in such an environment.

Despite this, the atmosphere was a definite highlight. The academia/horror blend created a chilling vibe reminiscent of "Scream" meets "The Secret History." The spooky ambiance was consistently well-crafted, keeping me engaged and on edge throughout.
There were some predictable moments, but one twist genuinely surprised me, which I loved! It's always a pleasure when a book can still catch me off guard, adding to the overall enjoyment. While the character development could have been stronger, the thrilling atmosphere and unexpected twists made for an enjoyable read. I had a great time and found myself vibing with the spooky, academic setting from start to finish.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

That Night in the Library was a gruesome tale about bored college students looking for a thrill and finding murder and death instead. Told in multiple points of view, the book was confusing at best and slow at worst. All of the characters bled into one another. There was not enough back story to make them likable, so when one died, the reader was not invested enough to care.

This is an adult book and contains mature language and situations.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.

Overall this was an okay read. 7 college students locked in a basement to preform a Greek ritual, WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

I really enjoyed the setting and the mystery aspect, as well as the multiple POVs

There were some pacing issues at some points it felt like everything was happening at once and at other like nothing was happening.

"One night locked in the library. What could go wrong?

On the night before graduation, seven students gather in the basement of their university's rare books library. They're not allowed in the library after closing time, but it's the perfect place for the ritual they want to perform - one borrowed from the Greeks, said to free those who take part in it from the fear of death. And what better time to seek the wisdom of ancient gods than in the hours before they'll scatter in different directions to start their real lives?

But just a few minutes into their celebration, the lights go out - and one of them drops dead. As the body count rises, with nothing but the books to protect them, the group must figure out how to survive the night while trapped with a murderer. That Night in the Library is a chilling literary mystery that transports readers to a world where secrets live in the dark, books breathe fears to life, and the only way out is to wait until morning."

As The Doctor would say when being hunted in a library and you're in need of weapons; "You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world."

On the night before graduation, 7 college grad students, lock themselves in the basement of the scholastic library in order to perform the Elysian Mysteries, hoping to be free of fear. But almost as soon as the ceremony begins, the lights go out and one of the students drops dead. But who killed him?
Possibly because they had been fasting and then dropped acid, the situation goes from bad to worse. And people keep dying. And the conclusion will leave you needing more of a conclusion.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this e-arc.*

This one was too all over the place. The cast of characters all have a voice and it's overwhelming. I had trouble keeping them straight. And it veered so far into suspended belief it was just too much. I felt like this book jumped genres and tried to be too many things at once.

Had a little more horror/occult vibes than I realized! I didn’t particularly like any of the characters which made it hard as well.

Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorite recent reads. I think it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the book #ThatNightInTheLibrary by #EvaJurczyk. Seven students, decide to do a Greek ritual the night before graduation. This ritual has to occur in the basement of the library. As the night goes on and the lights go out, one by one they start dying. Who will be left to survive and who is responsible. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.