The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people - though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes, it feels like she’s invisible.

All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend - her grandmother Zelda - who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda’s past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Audio | Narrator: Imogen Church | Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins  |  Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Source: Purchased | Rating: 3.5 Cups

Challenges Read For:  - 2019 Try Something New--New-to-me Author

 

I’ve been switching up my reading a bit as of late and this one caught my eye when I browsing on Audible (I was gifted a year’s membership for my birthday). The concept was interesting and how could I resist a book with a stack of books on the cover?

 

Here’s what’s going on. When Martha Storm, a librarian, discovers a mysterious package containing a book of fairy tales with a dedication to her from her grandmother dated three years after her grandmother’s mysterious death, she’s determined to discover if her grandmother’s still alive. Stepping out of her comfort zone, Martha embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.

 

I’m a bit on the fence about this one. I enjoyed the writing, the plot, and the narration but, at times, the characters were just a tad bit annoying and, sadly, the big reveal fell a bit flat considering everything leading up to it.

 

While I felt for Martha, I had a hard time relating to her. She’s a people pleaser always willing to put herself out to do for others and she never tells them no. This behavior has taken over her life and her home to the point she’s become a hoarder or sorts. She didn’t have the best home life growing up—her father was an overbearing wanker and her mother was willing to do any and everything to keep him happy—so I can see why Martha’s the way she is but I don’t really understand why she doesn’t tell most of the people in her life to kiss her arse.

 

Martha spends so much time in her own head complaining about always doing things for people yet she doesn’t speak up. At times, she’s also very juvenile in her actions. While I couldn’t really relate to her, I did find myself rooting for her, especially when she starts figuring out who she is.

 

The mystery with her grandmother, Zelda, was interesting. She was a constant source of encouragement and inspiration in Martha’s life until the time of her supposed death. Martha’s determined to figure out why her parents lied to about Zelda’s death.  There’s a lot of whys that I was expecting answers to, and while they did come, I just didn’t feel like they were substantial enough to carry a mystery of this magnitude.  

 

I really enjoyed how the book of fairy tales—most of which Martha penned when she was young—was the catalyst that helped Martha heal. Most of the tales were about Martha’s dysfunctional family and reconnecting to the tales and reading them aloud were rather cathartic for her. They allowed her to look back on her life and see that she needed to change going forward. They let her find her voice.

 

There were a few twists in the plot—most I spotted coming but it was still interesting seeing how Martha coped with them. What aggravated me the most with this one was that it felt like it was cut short; right when Marth’s character growth appeared, the book ended. I would have liked to known what came next for her.

 

This was my first time listening to Imogen Church and I found I really liked her style of narration. She has a way of making the boring bits sounds interesting and that’s always a plus.

 

Overall, I really liked this one—it was interesting and a bit different—but it had it’s share of problems. The ending felt too abrupt—I actually went back just to make sure my phone hadn’t skipped the ending. I still think this was a worthy read, though.   

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