The Quiet Librarian

A Novel

By: Allen Eskens

Narrated by: Ilvana Muratovic

After the murder of her best friend, a librarian’s search for answers leads back to her own dark secrets in this "searing and timely" novel about a woman transformed by war, family, vengeance, and love, from the author of the beloved bestseller The Life We Bury (Kristin Harmel, author of The Paris Daughter).

"Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale or Kate Quinn’s books will be caught up in this story of a courageous woman."―Library Journal (starred review)

"Exquisitely written, profoundly affecting, and undoubtedly one of the best books I will read this year.”―Louise Fein, author of The London Bookshop Affair

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.

Now, someone is hunting Hana, and her friend has paid the price, leaving her eight-year-old grandson in Hana’s care. To protect the child without revealing her secret, Hana must again become the Night Mora—and hope she can find the killer before the past comes for them, too.©2025 Allen Eskens (P)2025 Mulholland Books

Critic reviews

"The Quiet Librarian is a devastating and engrossing novel, a breathtaking thriller that gets to the complex heart of grief, regret, and re-invention. Hana Babic is an absolutely unforgettable main character."—Lou Berney, USA Today bestselling author of DARK RIDE

“Rich in detail and perfectly paced, Allen Esken’s The Quiet Librarian immerses readers in an often forgotten war, but also takes us on an emotional journey with a gutsy protagonist who is suddenly forced to step out of the shadows to settle an old score when her past unexpectedly comes calling. Mystery, history, and a kick-ass female lead—what’s not to love!?”—Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books

“This book has it all—a fast-paced, spellbinding mystery, a terrifying war tale, a truly fascinating, heroic protagonist that confronts her past trauma and sets it right. Just terrific.”—Christina Kovac, Author of The Cutaway

"A searing novel of one woman's ferocious courage during a bloody conflict the world has tried to forget; a story of enduring friendship between two women, sacrifice and secrets held for decades, and one final, desperate act to save an innocent child."
—Kathleen Kent, author of BLACK WOLF

True Justice

It’s hard to say you like a book that deals with so much injustice, death and suffering as this book does. What I like about the book is how the author tells this story through the perspective of a young girl orphaned in a brutal war. This young girl loved her family deeply and that beautiful love alongside the brutality of the Bosnian War and how it all played out is a beautiful story of the triumph of love, honor and commitment.

The twists and turns

It’s not an easy read but definitely a historical event that hasn’t had much coverage

Good story, good book.

I wasn't enthused about this book, because it didn't sound interesting to me. But because I love the author, I bought it. Not my favorite storyline, but it is the characters in Eskens books that draw you in, not necessarily the story. And this was the same. A very good listen, even if not my favorite storyline.

Excellent as always

I love his books. This one is not at all like his others . This book really gets at the in justice of war without giving a play by play. It shows without telling what happens when we judge our neighbors because we are told to hate them. How people become really horrible people in the name of ethnic cleansing. Also, how women and girls suffer as well. It’s worth reading. You’ll be hooked in seconds.

So good

A story of war and revenge. Well written, crime thriller that was both suspenseful and engrossing. Hard to stop listening.

Eskens does it again!

This was an excellent read with a gripping plot, great mix of current events, and the past ones that brought us to the present, and wonderful narration. Highly recommend

Captivating

Another captivating masterpiece from Eskens. This story draws you in, makes your heart break, shed a tear, and root for the heroic woman who endured so much. Truly enjoyed listening to this book.

Excellent story

Loved this story! Extremely informative! Did not want to stop listening! Eskens is in my top three favorite authors!!! Very talented!

Narration wasn’t always good.

I will read anything by Allen Eskens, which is why I chose this title. While the accent of the narrator was good, some of the pronunciations made me grit my teeth. (Saying Lie-berry instead of Lie-brary was especially annoying.) Otherwise the storyline was quite interesting, albeit brutal at times.

fav author, disappointed in this book

not very gripping as Eskens usually writes. the narrator didn't have much inflection in tone, so it dragged at times. I did like the historical part of the book. Hopefully his next book is outstanding as his previous works