Ray Ambler gets a call from a friend who is a librarian at Trinity College in the Bronx. Sam wants Ambler to evaluate his collection of mystery fiction in order to sell it to the NYPL's 42nd Street Library. With a hyper focus on New York authors, including some first editions of Chester Himes, some of the books are quite valuable. But when another professor is shot and killed, Sam has to go on the run because the police suspect him of the murder. Ray is once again dragged into a murder investigation. Unfortunately, he brings his son John into the investigation. John has just left prison after a manslaughter conviction and Ray is trying to give him something to do. Then, the student Ray suspects of being the real murderer is himself murdered and John is arrested for the murder, Ray really has to go deep into investigative mode. The best thing about this series is the discussion of mystery fiction. I wish I could be the librarian in charge of the mystery collection at the 42nd Street Library.

This is the fifth book in the 42nd Street Library mysteries series.

When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought of Oxford, and Colin Dexter's detective, Inspector Morse. I'm not sure why I made that comparison, as the setting for this book wasn't Oxford, but New York.

On first impressions, I felt the author set the scene cleverly by telling the reader what they needed to know and no more. There were some interesting and clever descriptions of some of the eccentric characters - in particular, Sam Abernathy was a character that came to life easily for me.

The protagonist was Raymond Ambler, and though he seemed an intelligent character, as a reader, I felt that I didn't really make friends with him. I also felt that the author gave a lot of background information about the characters, that wasn't totally relevant to what was happening at the time, and that had the strange effect of making me feel a little bit detached from the characters, almost like I was reading a biography instead of a story.

At times, I found the behaviour of the characters humorous, in a kooky sort of way, and the whole book did have an air of sophistication about it that I liked. If you do like murder mysteries with an academic feel, this may appeal to you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I can’t pinpoint exactly why this book didn’t really connect with me, but I found it hard to get through. The premise is interesting: a faculty member is killed at a college, and a librarian who has come in examine a collection of crime fiction begins to investigate when his friend is accused of the murder. There was a lot of dialogue—long passages that went on too long—and the pace was slow and plodding. The storyline was rather convoluted, and while that is not unusual in a mystery, it look a long time to gather the threads and make sense of the plot. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, but this was a miss for me.

Raymond Ambler, curator of the crime collection at the 42nd street library, New York, has been called to assess a crime collection at a private college library with a view to bidding for it. There follows Murder at the College Library with bodies dropping, college politics mayhem and a close relative suspected of the crime. Ambler is an amateur sleuth with previous experience in murder investigations, but the college milieu is very opaque to outsiders. Intrigue, violence and literary exposes. Great reading.

Murder at the College Library is the fifth 42nd St. Library mystery by Con Lehane. Released 5th March 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The main protagonist isn't young, tough, or wisecracking. He's a mild mannered librarian with a melancholy background, trying to live his life honorably with a very challenging life situation (previously estranged son recently out of prison, grandson in his immediate nuclear family, partner who is expecting a baby, etc). It's very refreshing that he isn't a superhero. The characters are well written, with well plotted motivations and, in some cases, agendas. There's a lot going on: murder on a local liberal arts college campus for which MC Ambler's friend is a prime suspect, theft of potentially valuable first edition classic mysteries, more tie-in subplots involving a secondary character (McNulty the bartender) from the other books. Despite so many subplots, the author handled the complex storyline well, and readers won't have trouble keeping the story straight. The murders are bloodless and off-scene. The denouement is tense, action filled and satisfying.

One of the main characters in this book (McNulty) is also the protagonist in his own series of 3 books, making this book a tie-in/crossover. It works fine as a standalone. One of the best parts of these books is the name-dropping classic mystery title and author trivia and recommendations. Book lovers will always find at least a few titles to chase down after finishing this one. It's lovely to see the classic mystery authors of the 19th-20th centuries getting some attention.

The language in this book is rough (R rated), there's is potentially triggering discussion of sexual infidelity and abuse/abandonment.

Four stars, entertaining, well written, and satisfying.

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

I love 42nd Street Library Mysteries and I think there's less instalment than I would love. This was an intriguing and fascinating one: academic politics, rivalries, betrayal.
Ambler is a great character, I love him and his complex family. There's a lot going on, there's some changes and a solid mystery.
Loved it, please let's hope there will be a new one soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the new installment in the 42nd Street Library Series, where we follow Ray Amber, an amateur sleuth and librarian adventures. Ray is in charge with the crime department of 42nd Street Library. I felt like it could be read as a standalone mystery since the story takes some time to develop and there are a lot of initial information to it.

The plot was interesting, and the pace was nice, but the writing style took me a little to get used to. It’s a good library mystery with a touch of academia, secrets, lies and drama. Ray finds himself quite deep in the politics that surrounds academia.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I missed the twists and turns, since there were none and the conclusion was a bit plausible. However, I still enjoyed reading this story.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Con Lehane’s amateur sleuth, Raymond Ambler, crime fiction curator at New York City’s 42nd Street Library, steps out of his comfort zone in the latest in the series, Murder at the College Library. There’s nothing gentle about academic politics, and when Ambler steps onto a college campus, he’s unexpectedly caught up in murder. Worst of all, he drags his son, John, into his latest investigation.

Trinity College of the Bronx has a small collection of crime fiction, with an emphasis on New York mystery writers. Ambler knows the curator, and he’s reluctant to evaluate his colleague’s collection, but Ambler’s boss is insistent, and the college president wants the New York Public Library to buy the collection. Although he meets with Sam Abernathy at the college, Ambler isn’t impressed, and doesn’t want to spend the money. While he’s there, though, he witnesses Sam arguing with another professor. When that man is shot, and Sam is the primary suspect because of his background as an army sniper, Sam’s lawyer drags Raymond and John into the case. He wants them to nose around on campus, and find some other suspects.

As always, Ambler is a reluctant sleuth, but John is eager to help. John was imprisoned for years for a shooting, and he’s willing to question some adult students. But, Raymond becomes a target, and John, an ex-con, finds himself in trouble.

The college politics and investigation are a departure for Ambler. As always, he struggles with his personal relations with his son, grandson, and the expectant mother of his future baby. He’s also struggling with his lack of knowledge of the campus itself. Although the latest book doesn’t concentrate on the collection at the 42nd Street Library, Lehane brings back favorite characters, including Ambler and his bartender friend, Brian McNulty.

Murder at the College Library is a little slow as Ambler struggles with his lack of knowledge of the faculty, administration, and college students. But, fans of academic mysteries should appreciate this latest addition to the subgenre.

Ray finds himself deep in the toxic politics of academia when his old pal Sam is accused of murder. Backing up- Ray is meant to acquire a treasure trove of books from the college where Sam works and though Sam opposes the sale, he's not angry enough to kill. Or is he? Ray and his son Jon investigate to a conclusion that's not entirely surprising. That said, I've been a fan of this series and it's always nice to spend time with Ray. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Will also be a good read as a standalone.

This is the fifth title in the 42nd Street Library series. Ray Ambler, Curator of the NYPL's crime fiction collection is approached by a local liberal arts college offering him their crime and mystery collection. When Ray visits the college and sees the collection he's not especially impressed. While checking the catalog against what's on the shelf he discovers that several potentially valuable books ar missing. Missing books become the least of his problems when a sniper kills a professor and later takes a shot at Ray. Since the crime is out of his police department buddy's jurisdiction it's up to Ray to unravel the multi-faceted crime that involves dodgy bookkeeping, academic rivalries and intrigue. He's highly motivated since his son is a suspect in an associated murder.
The absence of police detective Mike in this title is a loss. Ray seems to spend lots of time trying to find motives and then bluffing suspects. There are lots of long confrontational conversations rehashing earlier incidents. He's better with Mike by his side.
Thanks to Netgalley and Severn for the ARC.

Nicely Woven..
The fifth outing in the 42nd Street Library mystery series and an unexpected but welcome offer takes Raymond Ambler, the library crime fiction curator, by surprise. The offer is not as welcome to others, it seems, and a bizarre series of events is to lead to murder. A nicely threaded mystery, skilfully woven, with an engaging and credible cast and a propulsive plot. Not so much a bibliomystery as a suspense with an engaging setting, a firm sense of place and much apt social commentary.

I struggled with this one, and I'm not sure if it's because of the pacing, the worldbuilding and a case of white room syndrome, the character, or if it just started in the wrong place. I also didn't know this was a series, so there was some call backs that I didn't really care for.

I struggled with this one and I will be honest I have not read any of the rest of this series which may have added to me disliking it. I didn’t find any of the characters lovable and felt that information was repeated a lot.

Murder at the College Library is a welcome new installment in Con Lehane’s 42nd Street Public Library series. In this outing, NYPL flagship crime fiction collection curator Raymond Ambler is pulled into a bizarre set of circumstances at a small Bronx college apparently seeking to monetize its own collection of mysteries. Along the way, Lehane spoofs various peculiarities of higher education and its cast of characters, though he does grant a faculty senate more power (and money) than one is ever likely to wield. The plot is a little far-fetched at times, including a completely blasé response by all when Ambler is injured on the job (his PI job, not his library job). This book also has more social commentary than I recall in others, with topics including campus shootings, domestic violence, and PTSD. But for fans of the series or those who will enjoy a mystery focused on the world of rare book collecting with scenic journeys through Manhattan (and now, the Bronx), it will be a pleasant excursion.

mystery, crime-fiction, murder, attempted-murder, academia, NYPL, curator, library, librarian, family-dynamics, family-expectations, family-drama, divorced, investigations, friends, frustration, secrets, lies, infidelities, suspense, suspicion*****

Patience and Fortitude (the stone lions in front of the main NYPL) approve of this book.
A nice lazy whodunit involving NYPL curator of crime fiction Ray Ambler as he gets roped into continuing as an amateur sleuth following the sniper murder of a librarian/professor at a small local college. Things get so tangled in the secrets and lies that it is less of a surprise than it might be when Ambler himself is unexpectedly shot while traversing the quadrangle. I found it to be a good read on a very cloudy day.
I requested and received an EARC from Severn House via NetGalley. Thank you!
number five in the 42nd Street Library mysteries

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Con Lehane, and Severn House for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Eager to get my hands on Con Lehane’s latest novel, I devoured the book in short order. Lehane returns to New York’s fabled 42nd Street Library, where librarian Raymond Ambler finds himself in the middle of a mystery tied to the crime fiction collection he oversees. A reluctant sleuth, his skills are called upon when someone at a local college is shot in an act apparently tied to the procurement of a collection of books for the library. As Ambler delves deeper, he learns a great deal about life on campus and the treachery that comes with it. Lehane impresses and adds to a wonderful collection for the reader to explore.

Raymond Ambler loves is job as curator of the crime-fiction collection at New York’s 42nd Stree Library. He has amassed quite the collection and become well-known in his field, helping many discover the wonders of mystery. When he is invited to view the collection of a small liberal arts colllege in the Bronx, he jumps at the chance, but not the politics with which he is met upon arrival.

The faculty is close-knit, mostly because there are few rather than the connection one might expect. The collection, a mix of obscure authors and less than renowned books, is not what Ambler might have expected, but it is something worth exploring. When, over the next week, one of the professors is shot by a sniper, a particular member of the faculty is accused. Sam Abernathy happens to be a friend Ambler has known for years and is strongly against selling the collection to the Library. While nothing is for sure, the evidence points to Abernathy, which has Ambler a tad nervous, but also worried. When Abernathy goes on the lam, things take a significant turn and his guilt is apparently solidified in the eyes of many.

Ever the reluctant amateur sleuth, Ambler agrees to try piecing things together, while balancing his work and personal lives in a precarious manner. Truths emerge that no one could have expected and Abernathy remains the primary suspect. The faculty are keen to turn on one another, and Ambler soon feels that backstabbing is an Olympic sport for these academics. With Abernathy proclaiming his innocence, Ambler will have to explore all avenues.

After Ambler’s son, John, begins helping, things take a significant turn for the worse. John is a reformed criminal who has connections in the darker and seedier side of New York. Discovering the likely sniper, John tries to bring the intel to his father, but things go awry.

Fuelled by his desire to help two people in his life, Raymond Ambler will have to parse through th evidence and try to lure a killer or someone responsible for ordering it out of the shadows before the police lock things don and throw away the proverbial key. Ambler may be a librarian, but his feisty side will not rest until truth comes out and answers reveal themselves. Lehane does a masterful job with this piece, offering up another winner.

I stumbled onto the work of Con Lehane with the series debut and have not looked back. While I love a good mystery, I am always looking for the unique perspective to keep things exciting. Lehane develops a strong narrative once more, using Ambler’s abilities as a crime-fiction aficionado and uses key elements to crime solving. The momentum develops and is soon clipping along, with a thickening plot and characters who emerge from the shadows. Lehane keeps them on the path as all the elements fall into place for a great mystery.

Plot points emerge and twits take over through this book. As the piece gains interest, there is a sub-plot or two worth exploring, but the reader is left with enticing morsels, rather than a full exposition of all that is taking place. Lehane does well to keep the reader hooked and has me wondering when the next in the series might emerge, as I enjoy this unique perspective to crime fighting.

Kudos, Mr. Lehane, for keeping me intrigued until the final page turn.

Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the eARC in return for my unbiased review.

This is number five in the 42nd Street Library collection featuring amateur sleuth and librarian Ray Ambler. Ray is in charge of the crime fiction department of New York's famous 42nd Street Library. He's approached by a liberal arts college to appraise their crime fiction holdings with a view to possibly purchasing the holdings for his library. Upon arriving to do the appraisal, Ray is met by an angry crowd including an old friend Sam Abernathy. Sam is the curator of the college's collection and he and his supporters are adamant the collection will not be sold. Within a couple of weeks someone is shot from the college rooftop and Abernathy is charged with the crime. Ray, along with his son Jon, agree to look into the crime. It's not long before they find secrets and scandals amongst the college staff.

I love a good library mystery and this book didn't disappoint. I prefer a few more twists and turns in my books, and felt the book took a little time to get into the heart of the story. Thanks to the slow start and initial information, it could easily be read as a stand-alone. I give it 3 out of 5 stars, and wouldn't hesitate to read this author again.

Whilst being part of a series, this novel works perfectly well as a standalone mystery. Whilst this wasn;t my usual sort of read, it was enjoyable none the less.

The writing style takes a little bit of getting used to, as it begins with a lot more telling than showing, but becomes more familiar and successful the further you get through the book.

The plot itself was interesting, although the final resolution did end up feeling a little overly convoluted and contrived. The investgative work undertaken was entertaining to read, and it was heartwarming to see ex-cons and their rehabilitation being treated so sensitively.

Overall, this was a pretty enjoyable read. It was well-paced, and well expalined throughout, and whilst there were no real twists in the book, it felt plausible.

I did not know that this book was the fifth in a series. I feel like this did not help me really enjoy this book, but it did not make the reading experience impossible.
At first it was hard to get through, but slowly it began more easier to vibe with the story and the investigation.
The writing style left me indifferent, but the story was well written.
The problem for me here is that I felt like I really did not know the protagonist, because I should have read the four book before.