Description
The past year of Melanie Tallebois’s life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can’t understand why life isn’t going to plan. So when she’s offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation’s princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn’t hurt, either.
The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he’s spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma’s disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he’s studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed.
The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She’s brash, annoying, forthright…and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can’t ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom.
When the long-lost queen’s mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they’re willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own.
Katie Fitzgerald –
What a beautiful conclusion to this trilogy! Not only do we fill in the final clues surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Lethersby’s beloved queen Alma and spend more cozy hours working in the amazing castle library, but we also get a wonderfully suspenseful conversion story and a heartfelt romance to boot. Every page of this book boldly proclaims the Gospel and wrestles with the doubts and skepticism that sometimes creep into the minds of believers and those who want to believe. It’s a cozy, sweet story, but with lots of depth and much to ponder. I also loved checking in on my favorite characters from the previous books. Melanie and Eddie’s story brings everything full circle to a satisfying, consummate ending.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary review copy.
Katie S –
I have adored this series, and this final book was the perfect ending. While I hate to say goodbye to the castle library, it will always be one of my favorite places that I visited through books.
I connected with this final story, and Eddie in particular, in a unique way. His spiritual journey was similar to mine in many ways, and the author was spot on in her Biblical views and his path through establishing with his relationship with Jesus and his Christian walk. Surrounded by family and friends who care, he comes out the other side better for his struggles. Familiar characters return to solve the rest of the puzzle of the former queen, with Mel taking the spotlight and receiving a redemption story of her own.
What a wonderful time I have had going through these books and getting to know characters that have become friends. I will absolutely read anything this talented author writes in the future.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher through Band of Booksters. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Margaret Nelson –
This is the third and last book in Swindell’s Castle Library series. If you have not yet read the first two books, Christmas in the Castle Library and Love in the Castle Library, I highly recommend you do. That will introduce you to the wonderful little imagined country of Lethersby, its past and current royal family, and the mysteries that have already been solved.
Book 3 starts up right after the end of Book 2. The two main characters were supporting characters in books 1 and 2, so I enjoyed getting to know Melanie and Eddie better. Swindell does a great job with plot twists (I hit a big one right when I should have gone to bed, and ended up reading until If inished the book!)
There are good insights in finding one’s identity, what it means to truly surrender to Christ, and how grow in one’s relationship with Jesus. I really enjoyed the book and wish there were more (second generation stories??!!).
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
LeAnn –
This is a faith filled, mystery romance. The third book in the series brings us to the end in a beautiful way. Melanie is best friends with the new princess Ellie. She also just earned a position at University of Leathersby as an assistant professor of US history. She was instrumental in helping with the research of Queen Alma. Eddie is a. Lethersbyrian historian on the team that was searching for evidence of what happened to Queen Alma. His annoyance with Mel was so obvious.” She was so American. So brash and loud and disregarding of formalities”. But he did respect her intelligence. Which is why when she wanted to continue trying to finish cracking the code,, he could not completely disregard her. This was a fun enemies to lovers trope. The story was entertaining, it roused your curiosity, and the stilted banter kept you engaged. The Christian, faith in God influence was very strong in this story. I appreciate the influence and believing that Christ is in our daily thoughts and deeds. The romance was a slow burn, but a breath of fresh air. The mystery was the perfect ending to this series. I would highly reading these books in order as written to get the full experience. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Melissa Glor –
This is truly one of my favorite series of all time. No notes. The characters, the mystery of Queen Alma’s disappearance, the setting, the faith threads, all come together to form a chef’s kiss for me. These stories are beautifully written. Melanie’s story in this third book of the series, was perfection. Her desire to solve the last bits of the mystery of Alama’s disappearance as well as Melanie’s faith journey made this a story I absolutely devoured. All the feels, some tears and a perfect ending. This series is going to be a yearly reread for me. I love it that much!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and also pre-ordered my own paperback and audiobook copies. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are mine.
Lettie –
Ann Swindell has done it again. The third book in the In The Castle Library series was incredible. Like its two predecessors, I think this one will be in my top ten for the year. Honestly, the beginning was a bit slow for me; I had trouble getting invested (But I also started a new job at the time of starting this book so that definitely may have been a factor). The end though! The end of this book had me through and through. There’s something about a book that leads you to a spiritual epiphany of your own, and this one did that for me. There were several moments that I had to pause reading to pray and have a conversation with God and I love when that happens with a book. All and all it was a definite five stars.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the launch team. All opinions are my own.
lcisson –
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This third and final book in the In the Castle Library series was a thrilling finish. Not only did the missing queen’s story conclude, but there were some unexpected twists that caught me off guard and added to the journey of discovery, both for Melanie and the queen.
Melanie’s friends are faithful and true, much like the Savior she encounters throughout the book. And, oh, the library!! The setting is a character of its own. There’s also another celebratory event that takes place that is so lovely and magical. Don’t we all wish we could live in Lethersby?
Thank you to WhiteCrown Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Kathryn Pfeifer –
Ann Swindell is simply an outstanding author. All of her books in the Castle Library Series have been excellent. This final book, Secrets in the Castle Library, was a resounding way to end the series. Within this book, Swindell has created a mesmerizing plot, perfectly relatable characters, and a poignant message of faith that resonated deeply. This message of faith, in my opinion, is the hallmark of Swindell’s writing. Never pushy, it simply flows through every page and invites you to encounter a God who deeply loves you and desires a relationship with you.
I cannot wait to see what Swindell writes next. She has made an enduring fan out of me!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Talita –
Secrets in the Castle Library is an excellent story and the perfect ending to the In the Castle Library series. Not that I will complain if a Christmas novella shows up a few years down the royal line.
What I love about this book, and this series, is that each female character has a unique personality. Each has their own flaws, struggles, and talents, and through it all you get the royal thread of the mystery of Queen Alma.
I love Eddie and Melanie, and how their relationship grows. I love the culture and heritage of Lethersby, and the best part is that the story continues across the three books, with characters from Christmas in the Castle Library and Love in the Castle Library still featuring prominently. And of course we finally get Queen Alma’s full story.
My favourite part of this entire series is the deep spiritual truths woven through each story. Ann Swindell doesn’t hold back, and the Holy Spirit has spoken to me through her beautiful stories.
This entire series is a must-read for any Christian fiction reader who enjoys romance, mystery, royalty, and God’s love shining through the pages.
And of course…the cover is gorgeous.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own.