Much better than I thought it would be. Well written. Liked the author's other books too. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Completely different from the other books I've read by Allen Eskens. Historical fiction about the wars in Bosnia in 1995. I didn't know a lot about this war. This is a heartbreaking story about love and survival and the lengths people will go to for revenge and protection of their love ones. Hana Babic is a quiet, shy librarian in St Paul, but you should never judge a book by its cover. She is soooo much more than that. I love how Eskens wrote the book in dual POVs ... alternating present and past with each chapter. I recommend going into this book blind. Know that it isn't an easy read, but it is worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Allen Eskens, and Mulholland Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy an Allen Eskens story. This one gives you a front-row seat to what life was like during the Bosnian war. With narratives from the Bonian war and present day, Eskens weaves a tail of war crimes that keeps you moving through the story.

Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared.

Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head.

This book. Incredible. Looking at the cover and the title, you think of your local middle-aged librarian. Nice quiet life. This was a huge surprise to me, and I loved every second of it. I have many friends from that time and place in the world, and I know more about it than most Americans, but the crimes committed were horrendous. The courage and bravery it took for Nura as a teenager, the fact that she came to Minnesota and lived a relatively peaceful life there… Fantastic book. Pick this one up! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book that I have read by Alan Eskens. It was absolutely amazing. Set in both present day and in 1995 Bosnia, this story takes the reader on a journey through war and its effect on present day. I highly recommend this for grades 11 and up.
5 sters

Personally wasn’t for me. There seemed to be a lot of jumping in the story. Like the author was trying to fit a puzzle piece where it doesn’t go. Tried to force certain things into the plot so the ending made sense.

I have read all of Eskens' books and this one is the very best! His character development was fantastic as was the plot. I loved how he transitioned between present time and the past. He created a realistic struggle between good and evil in an unlikely character. This story reminded me somewhat of Hannah's "The Nightingale" which is a favorite of mine. I loved the strong female character and the friendship between her and the detective. 5 STARS!!!

The story was interesting but it felt contrived in places, like Allen Eskens was forcing the story to get to where they wanted it to end. There were some great twists and I liked the veneer of the main character being stripped away as the story unfolded. From drab, quiet librarian to the person she used to be.
I did find myself drifting over the ‘past’ sections and was much more invested in the US sections. That was where the writing felt easy. Maybe Eskens got bogged down in the historical elements of the story?
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Net Galley and Mulholland Books for the chance to read and review this book. Al l opinions expressed are my own.
Don't be fooled by the title of this book. I thought it was going to be an engrossing story about a librarian. Boy! Was I wrong! This is the story of Hana Babic, who is living the simple life of a librarian. This quiet life is somewhat of a disguise. 30 years ago, she was Nura Divjak, living in war torn Bosnia. Her family was killed by Serbian soldiers, and Nura had to escape. Now her friend who escaped with her has been murdered, and Hana must confront the life she escaped. I thought this book was good, although sometimes I had to stop and read something a little more lighthearted. The sadness and violence got to me. Even though this is a somewhat sad book, it ends on a hopeful note.

I discovered Allen Eskens this fall, and after reading seven of his novels, I was delighted to be approved for an ARC of The Quiet Librarian. This book has the Minnesota roots and the crime novel aspect that the author is known for, but it is also quite different from his other novels. The Quiet Librarian is about Hana, who escaped to Minnesota during the Bosnian War in the 1990’s. The timeline alternates between her time in Yugoslavia and the present in Minnesota where she works as a librarian. The book opens with the death of Hana’s best friend. Hana works with the police and on her own to figure out what happened to her friend. This was such an interesting book in both timelines. The description of war-torn Yugoslavia and the atrocities that the people experienced were raw and graphic, but necessary to fully understand Hana’s thoughts and choices now. I highly recommend it, especially for those of you that enjoy crime novels and historical fiction. The Quiet Librarian is a perfect blend of the genres. Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the ARC.

The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens ranks as the best book I have read by this author, and it's one of the best I've read this year. Even though I've read a few books by this author, this one felt very different, probably due to the historical aspect; our main character's backstory takes place in the 1995 Bosnian War, of which I had very little knowledge before reading the book. Thousands of people were killed during the Bosnian War, and I appreciate that fiction can teach us history by telling a compelling story.

Hana Babic is a librarian working in a small town in Minnesota who lives a quiet life until the day a detective arrives at her library to inform her of her close friend's murder. Hana knows that her friend's death is tied to her and is afraid that someone is coming for her next. This book was actually what I would call a historical thriller, and chapters alternate between present day and 1995 Bosnia. The plot was intense and gritty, and the writing was both moving and heartbreaking. The character of Hana was so completely drawn and we learn of the horrors she experienced, which led to her present state of mind. Parts of the book were hard to read but were so worth it. The resolution was satisfying, but I won't give any spoilers. I can't wait to read what Mr. Eskens writes next.

I will highly recommend this book to readers who like historical suspense with strong female characters.

Thank you to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The tragedy of war is that it uses man's best to do man's worst." (Harry Emerson Fosdick)

Many of us are setting sights on novels that we wish to read in the upcoming 2025. If I could recommend one for your perusal, it would be The Quiet Librarian. If you've never had the opportunity to read Allen Eskens, then tip this one to the top of the pile. Eskens is a truly gifted writer. He is a magnificent story teller. He can kick a stone from beginning to end. Each chapter connects to the next as if electrically charged.

This is a completely different vein for Allen Eskens. He's going to take us to a little discussed war between the Serbs and the Bosnians that took place between 1990 - 1995. Tens of thousands were brutalized and killed within a sea of hatred. That hatred seeps into minds even through today.

Now before you back away with eyes glazed over, know that Eskens takes his story to the pulse of humanity. His characters are richly defined and they draw life and breath here. There are facts and nuggets of truism as we settle ourselves into the telling.

A police detective searches out a woman librarian in St. Paul, Minnesota. He must deliver the weight of tragic news to her. Hana Babic is at the receiving end. Her best friend, Amina, has died under horrendous circumstances. The police believe it to be suicide after Amina throws herself over the balcony of her apartment. Hana knows far better. Someone has finally found them. Hana knows that it is only a matter of time before she is the next victim.

And with that, Allen Eskens will introduce us to alternating chapters from present day Minnesota to 1995 in Bosnia. We will learn more about the connection between Hana and Amina and what fate has in store for them. Eskens interviewed many Bosnian individuals who found refuge in Minnesota during and after this war as a source for this book. Although a work of fiction, you can only imagine the travesties of this war on these people.

The Quiet Librarian is fast-paced and riveting. I read it in one day. That's how good it is. It's due to publish 2/18/25. Be sure to search this one out. It will certainly be one of your most memorable reads of 2025.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mulholland Books and to the talented Allen Eskens for the opportunity.

Allen Eskens is hit or miss for me. I have loved several of his books. Unfortunately, The Quiet Librarian as just mediocre. It's a sad and informative topic. But it didn't really ever get off the ground. The story told in the present wasn't that suspenseful. And while sad, the story from the 90s felt a little stilted to me. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

The Quiet Librarian
by Allen Eskens
Pub Date: FEb. 18th 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opini0n.
After the murder of her best friend, a librarian’s search for answers leads back to her own dark secrets in this sweeping novel about a woman transformed by war, family, vengeance, and love, from award-winning writer Allen Eskens.
This is a new author for me and it won't be my last read! Incredibly well done! I highly recommend it!
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.

This was so good. Eye opening, fast paced, shocking..

Don’t let the title or cozy cover fool you—this is a gripping and emotional thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish. Hana Babic, a librarian in Minnesota known for her quiet demeanor, hides a dark and harrowing past from the Bosnian War. When her best friend Amina dies under suspicious circumstances, Hana is drawn into a dangerous investigation, uncovering buried secrets and confronting the horrors she thought she’d left behind. Told in dual timelines—Hana’s peaceful yet unraveling present and her haunting memories of war—the story is as heart-wrenching as it is thrilling. Eskens masterfully balances the brutal realities of the Bosnian War with a compelling crime mystery, creating a deeply human tale of resilience and justice. Hana is a complex, unforgettable character whose strength and vulnerability make her easy to root for. This book isn’t just a page-turner—it’s a story that lingers with you, shining a light on a tragic history while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was suspenseful and full of twists, some predictable but also had some that shocked me! This was a page turner and always kept me guessing. It has a lot of deeper themes and motifs compared to other mystery/thriller novels which I enjoyed. Would definitely recommend!

All I can say is WOW…..the quiet librarian has led anything but a quiet past. In 1995, Hana Banić, a young Muslim woman escaped the atrocities inflicted on her family by the Serbs during the Bosnian War. Making her way to St. Paul, Minnesota, Hana becomes a librarian and now thirty years later is living a quiet and isolated life until her best friend, Amina, is found dead following a vicious attack. As Hana gets close to the detective working the case, she is withholding her true identity from him, instead trying to find Amina’s killer and at the same time, seek revenge for the murders of her family and friend. This intense yet captivating piece of historical fiction brought to life the atrocious imagery of this brutal war. Warning…..acts of wartime violence against men, women and children.

Mr. Eskens delivered a story so well written that it inspired me to do some additional research about this time in history. My gratitude to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the privilege of receiving an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Allen Esken is such an incredible writer and he knows how to deliver elite story after elite story. This one is no different. I can’t wait until February when this one is on my bookshelf. I’ll be recommending it to anyone and everyone I know. Thank you NetGalley and Mr. Eskens team for the advanced copy.

This is a very engrossing dual timeline story. In the present day, Hana is a librarian when the police tell her that her best friend has been murdered and she knows that an evil from her past has returned. In the past, Hana had survived the horrors of Bosnian war in the early 1990s. The details of this war were interesting to learn. I thought the character development was well written. Highly Recommend!! Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the ARC and a chance to give my honest review this book.

I honestly don't think Allen Eskens can write a bad book! This book was phenomenal. The story is told with alternating chapters- present day Minnesota, and past 1990's Bosnia during wartime.
I thought the story was told perfectly, there was nothing overdone, the pacing was great and the alternating chapters kept me engaged throughout. It was really hard to put down. I feel this book has some really complex themes, and is a story that will stay with me for a long time.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and early copy and provide my thoughts. Thank you NetGalley, and the publisher!