Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.
Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.
Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.
Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.
Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks-the man so many people fear-is actually everything her heart believes him to be.
Whispers in the Reading Room features the most exciting characters I’ve met in a long time! Lydia isn’t your typical library lady. She’s not shy or demure, and while she’s not exactly led an adventurous life, she’s not sheltered from life’s harsh realities, either. She’s brave and gutsy and willing to face new experiences, except she’s never met a man like Sebastian Marks.
Sebastian is the very best kind of leading man. He’s strong, dangerous, and protective. He cares for those around him but has no trouble making tough decisions. He’s the kind of man you want guarding your family or leading troops into battle. Despite that roughness, he’s nothing but gentle with those he loves, and that’s what makes him so much fun to read about.
The characterization is what makes Gray’s novel stand out. Sebastian and Lydia are exciting to read about, and she puts them in suspenseful situations. They also grow throughout the story, both emotionally and spiritually, and that’s rewarding to watch.
I liked the way that Lydia and Sebastian were aware of societal norms but didn’t necessarily follow them. They behaved well, for the most part, but they didn’t worry about the silly rules that governed class structures. I admire the people who didn’t let other people’s expectations hold them back, and both main leads broke free of typical limits.
Besides that? The plot is suspenseful and the setting colorful. The contrast between the Hartman and the Silver Grotto is vivid and highlights the differences between Lydia, Sebastian, and the lives that they want to lead.
I enjoyed reading Whispers in the Reading Room. It’s an excellent read and a fun historical story. Gray’s books keep getting better and better.
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Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.
Connect with Shelley: website, Twitter, Facebook
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
