The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections

Liesl returns from sabbatical when a health issue puts the boss out of commission. Closer to retirement than a burning desire to take the helm, Liesl immediately discovers a very rare and expensive Plantin Bible set has gone missing. Then a librarian goes missing, too. Discouraged by the university president and her colleagues from going to the police about either disappearance for fear of alienating donors, Liesl begins her own investigation to determine whether the two incidents are related. Eventually the police get involved at the behest of the missing librarian’s husband. The story has enough personal detail that the characters, their interactions, and their history are as intriguing as the mystery. The end result reveals the exciting life of librarians and is a study in leadership. Narrator Hannah Cabell does a great job conveying Liesl’s frustration, stress, and exhaustion. She also voices the other characters with equal aplomb.