I go into a book by Allen Eskens with high expectations, and this, his latest book, definitely lived up to my expectations. This dual timeline book grabbed me early on and never let go, despite the fact that at times it's a very difficult, heartbreaking read. The time switches between "now" and "then" - now being modern day in Minnesota, then being over 30 years ago. We watch Nura go from a young girl living with her family on a mountain farm in Yugoslavia in the 80s, to a teenaged Nura living on that same farm in what has become war-torn Bosnia. When she sees her family slaughtered before her eyes, her mission in life becomes to avenge their deaths. In the "now" - Nura is living a quiet life in Minnesota with a new name. When her past begins to catch up to her, she finds herself needing to resurrect her old life. It's well-paced, compelling, and heartbreaking - an excellent story of strength and resilience in the face of absolute horror. I tend to be stingy with 5-star reviews, but for me this one definitely earned that fifth star.
Thanks to Netgalley and Mulholland Books for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Allen Eskens, an award-winning storyteller, delivers another stellar historical novel with his book The Quiet Librarian.

Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants to remain unseen.

The protective anonymity she has carefully created shatters when a detective visits to inform her of her best friend's murder.
Hana is left to care for her best friend's eight-year-old grandson.

Suddenly Hana's chaotic past in war-torn Bosnia and the quiet life she has carefully constructed in the United States collide, and she once again puts on the mantle of her past identity and becomes Night Mora, a fearless warrior that Hana had hoped would remain in the country she left behind.

The past and present meld together in this story of a woman's previous identity, forged from the ashes of who she became after she witnessed the atrocities of war and the slaughter of her entire family.

Different from Allen Eskens other books but not different in a bad way... different in an amazing way that just shows the depth and talent this writer truly has!

The Quiet Librarian was not what I expected, and yet, I don't know what I expected because I went into this blindly. I am a fan of Allen Eskens because he is such a good storyteller. The jumping between time periods was seamless, and left a reader wanting more. I felt a great sense of empathy and compassion for Hana and all that she has endured. While I wouldn't quite put this in the thriller genre, it is a mystery nonetheless, and it is a slow burn. A slow burn that will have a reader captivated from the start!

This book was an intense. The switching back and forth between times made it even more suspenseful. Hana/Nura had a lot of split second decisions to make. The ironic title is perfect.

This is an incredibly well-written historical novel. I was instantly lost in the story of Hanna, a librarian, as she learns of the mysterious death of her best friend, Amina. The detective put on Amina's case requests Hana's help, but Hana has secrets from her past she has no intention of anyone learning. This story is mysterious, propulsive, and about a time and place in history I knew very little about. I came to love and admire Hana's quiet strength as we learn how a girl from Bosnia winds up as a librarian in Minnesota. Eskens does a great job of letting us into Hana's past bit-by-bit as we come to appreciate all she has been through to get where she is. We also are taken along with Hana as she picks up skills she once had to learn about Amina's death and seek justice for her dear friend. This is a tale of friendship, family, and love. I could not put this down until I found out how everything turned out in the end. If you are a historical fiction lover who is looking for something a bit different, this is an excellent book to pick up. I highly recommend it!

Being a Minnesotan, I am a huge Allen Eskens fan and always read what he writes. This book felt a little different from his past novels in that I kept forgetting that he wrote it. If it wasn’t for the Minnesota setting in the current point of view, I wouldn’t have been able to guess it was him.

Regardless, the story was written very well, had a depth of emotion, and I learned about a part in history I didn’t know a lot about.

It was also a good reminder that everyone has their own story and hardships in life. You never know what someone else has gone through or is capable of.

This was incredibly well done. Allen Eskens is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine and I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC. This has a little bit of everything but it’s not overly done and it’s displayed perfectly. The story is told in a dual timeline both as a thriller/crime drama told in modern day Minnesota and part historical fiction in the mid 90s in Bosnia during the Bosnia war for independence and the horrible genocide (Srebrenica massacre) which resulted in the death of 8,000 Muslim boys and men. These two stories are linked by Hana, a Middle Aged librarian with a very little life living in Minnesota. When a police detective finds her and reveals her only friend in the world has been murdered, she desperately tries to discover the truth that happened to her friend before her own very mysterious past is revealed. I truly sat and read this in one sitting it was that good, fast paced really well written thriller. I will always hands down recommend this author.

Thrillers are my favorite. This one delivers! Big time. Allen Eskens is quickly becoming a favorite thriller author of mine. Fast paced with some juicy shocking moments and twists.

Allen Eskens’ latest standalone novel, The Quiet Librarian is a gripping, dual-timeline thriller that explores war, survival, and the price of vengeance. The novel follows Hana Babic, a quiet librarian in Minnesota, who has spent decades hiding from her past as Nura Divjak, a teenage soldier-turned-legendary assassin during the Bosnian War. When her best friend is murdered, Hana realizes she’s being hunted, forcing her to resurrect the ruthless warrior she once was.

Eskens doesn’t hold back in his portrayal of war-torn Bosnia, detailing the horrors Nura endured and the choices that shaped her. The historical sections are the strongest, offering compelling storytelling and emotional depth. The present-day plot, however, struggles to keep up. The romance feels unnecessary, and the pacing stumbles with short chapters that don’t always flow smoothly. Some plot points—like why an enemy from decades ago would suddenly resurface—don’t quite add up.

Still, Hana is a fascinating character, and the novel raises thought-provoking questions about justice and morality. Fans of historical fiction mixed with intense, character-driven thrillers will find much to appreciate, even if the execution isn’t perfect. The Quiet Librarian earns 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

** Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.

"The Quiet Librarian" by Allen Eskens is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that masterfully weaves historical fiction with suspense and mystery. The story follows Hana Babic, a quiet Minnesota librarian whose life is turned upside down when her best friend is murdered, forcing her to confront a dark past as a legendary warrior known as Night Mora during the Bosnian War. Eskens skillfully navigates dual timelines, seamlessly transitioning between present-day Minnesota and war-torn Bosnia, creating a narrative that is both haunting and captivating. With strong character development and a plot that balances heavy themes with moments of quiet beauty, this book is a compelling read. While it may not be perfect, it resonated deeply, earning it a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Boy was this a heavy one. This is a historical fiction book that will have you on the edge of your seat. Hana was such a strong character. I loved the dual timeline and reading about her past as well as her present. This was a story of tragedy, hope, vengeance and so much more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. Hanna is a 47 yr old single woman living in Minnesota and living a quiet life as a librarian. Then one day a detective knocks on her door and lets her know that her best friend Amina has been murdered and has left Hanna as the legal guardian of her 8 yr old grandson. Hanna must now relive her past as she works with the detective to try and find out what happened to her friend. This was a heart wrenching story of love for your family, determination, survival and revenge and by the end of the story I literally gasped. Well written and beautifully told.....Enjoy!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

"The Quiet Librarian" by Allen Eskens is a compelling blend of historical fiction and suspense that delves into the harrowing impact of the Bosnian War and its lingering effects decades later. The narrative alternates between two timelines: the tranquil life of Hana Babic, a middle-aged librarian in Minnesota, and her traumatic past as Nura Divjak, a fierce teenage warrior known as the Night Mora during the Bosnian conflict.

Eskens masterfully intertwines these timelines, gradually revealing how Hana's concealed history resurfaces following the murder of her best friend, Amina. This tragedy not only forces Hana to confront her buried past but also compels her to protect Amina's eight-year-old grandson from impending danger. The portrayal of Hana/Nura is both resilient and deeply human, capturing the profound transformation from a quiet librarian to a formidable protector. Readers have praised the seamless transitions between the serene present-day setting and the brutal realities of 1990s Bosnia, highlighting the novel's ability to maintain suspense while addressing weighty themes. citeturn0search2

The novel has been lauded for shedding light on the often-overlooked atrocities of the Bosnian War, including ethnic cleansing and unimaginable loss, all handled with care and sensitivity. Eskens' meticulous research and compassionate storytelling offer readers an eye-opening perspective on this tragic period. The book has received critical acclaim, with Booklist awarding it a starred review and describing it as "an intense and emotional story about grief, loss, and the horrors of war." citeturn0search3

While the novel is predominantly a suspenseful mystery, it also explores themes of enduring friendship, sacrifice, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. The dual narrative structure enriches the storytelling, providing depth to Hana's character and the events that shaped her. Overall, "The Quiet Librarian" is a gripping and poignant tale that resonates with readers, offering a profound look into the scars of war and the resilience of the human spirit.

A very well done historical mystery! Eskens isone of my favorite authors and while I think I do still prefer his crime fiction books, this was a breath of fresh air from him.

I went into this mostly blind, and was very pleasantly surprised! I enjoy historical fiction but am not at all familiar with the Bosnian War, and I loved learning about it through the MC’s flashbacks. This book was such a great mix of a thrilling storyline with historical fiction. I was equally invested in both timelines and loved the way it wrapped up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a heavy read. The topics of war, revenge, justice, and family are deep waters, but what struck me the most was not only that the events portrayed in The Quiet Librarian happened in my lifetime, but that they are still happening in multiple places around the globe as I was reading this story. It was a lot to process and think through. There are elements of history and mystery in this story, but it seems to be a narrative exploration of justice more than anything else. A worthwhile read, but more for quiet, thoughtful evenings than a day at the beach.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for a free eARC of this book!

SYNOPSIS
- Hana Babic, a 47-year-old librarian in Minnesota, lives a quiet, solitary life until Detective David Claypool delivers devastating news—her closest friend has been murdered.
- The crime forces Hana to confront a dark past she buried decades ago, one that began in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia thirty years earlier.
- Set across dual timelines—modern-day Minnesota and war-ravaged Bosnia—this haunting story explores trauma, survival, and the lengths we go to for those we love.

MY THOUGHTS
- Genre-Bending: Eskens masterfully blends historical fiction with suspense and mystery, creating a page-turner that kept me hooked until the end.
- Dual Timeline: The seamless transitions between present-day Minnesota and the brutal realities of 1990s Bosnia add depth and tension without disrupting the flow.
- Eye-Opening History: This book offered my first glimpse into the Bosnian War. Eskens highlights its atrocities—ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and unimaginable loss—while handling these brutal truths with care and sensitivity.
- Complex Themes: The story tackles how war turns neighbors into enemies, how trauma lingers long after the violence ends, and how revenge can consume us. It also beautifully explores female friendship, survival, and the burden of dark secrets.
- Strong Female Lead: Hana/Nura stands out as a resilient, complex, and deeply human protagonist. Watching her transform from a quiet librarian into a fierce protector felt both heartbreaking and empowering.
- Beautifully Written: Eskens crafts haunting yet elegant prose, balancing heavy topics with moments of quiet beauty and human connection.
- Gripping & Fast-Paced: Despite its weighty themes, the plot moves quickly. The suspense kept me turning pages, while the emotional stakes made it impossible to stop.
- Satisfying Ending: The conclusion felt complete and well-earned—a rare achievement in stories this complex.
- Delicately Handled Darkness: Eskens addresses graphic and traumatic moments with care, making the horrors real without relying on gratuitous detail.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A gripping, haunting, and beautifully written story about the ghosts of war, the strength of women, and the inescapable pull of the past. With a resilient female lead, fast-paced suspense, and thoughtful handling of heavy themes, this novel is as powerful as it is unforgettable. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery.

Thanks to Mulholland Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now.

This was so dark and twisted and I loved every moment of the ride. I had genuinely no idea what was going on until it came together at the end.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This book is excellent and intense. It focuses on a young Bosnian woman who finds herself deeply affected by and entrenched in the Bosnian-Serbian war. This woman is strong and determined and not afraid to die. This book sheds a light on how evil some people can be in these situations. The atrocities and inhumane treatment of the Bosnians is shocking. This war happened in the 1990s, and yet until now, I only knew what was in the American news, which did not come close to depicting all that was going on. This book portrays human strength, survival and feelings in the context of this horrible war happening. There’s love, friendship, trauma, survival, coming-of-age, duty, responsibility, fear, suspense and more. I will be thinking about The Quiet Librarian for a long time. 5+ stars! Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the digital ARC.