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Glass Library #5
Secrets of the Lost Ledgers
An invisible message from a dead man resurrects a decades-old mystery.
With her sharpened magical senses, Sylvia recognizes invisible writing while cataloging an obscure book for the library. She’s shocked to discover the message, written many years earlier, pleaded for help. She’s even more shocked to discover the author of the message was married to a paper magician. Could there be a connection to Sylvia’s father?
With a magical mystery on her hands, Sylvia engages the help of Gabe Glass, and together they follow the clues to the location of two hidden ledgers that implicate a very dangerous individual in an illegal bookmaking scheme. Although not named, Gabe is convinced he knows who the bookmaker is, and sets out to prove it.
The investigation draws them into the shady underbelly of the horseracing industry and uncovers a link to Gabe’s parents that takes everyone by surprise. As they unravel the mystery’s tangled threads, unexpected twists and turns lead them to the truth.
But the greatest twist of all is the danger no one saw coming.
With her sharpened magical senses, Sylvia recognizes invisible writing while cataloging an obscure book for the library. She’s shocked to discover the message, written many years earlier, pleaded for help. She’s even more shocked to discover the author of the message was married to a paper magician. Could there be a connection to Sylvia’s father?
With a magical mystery on her hands, Sylvia engages the help of Gabe Glass, and together they follow the clues to the location of two hidden ledgers that implicate a very dangerous individual in an illegal bookmaking scheme. Although not named, Gabe is convinced he knows who the bookmaker is, and sets out to prove it.
The investigation draws them into the shady underbelly of the horseracing industry and uncovers a link to Gabe’s parents that takes everyone by surprise. As they unravel the mystery’s tangled threads, unexpected twists and turns lead them to the truth.
But the greatest twist of all is the danger no one saw coming.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2024
892 people are currently reading
1875 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Archer
103 books5,474 followersC.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
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She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
January 9, 2025
As with most of the others in this series and its original Glass and Steele, as soon as I finished, I was itching for the next one (if only I could say the same of her other series...). Several FINALLY moments that felt like payoffs for me, though I won’t say more because that would give away some key spoilers. Apparently, I’ll have to wait until March of next year for that next installment. Shucks!
September 5, 2024
Could have been a 5 if it weren't for Willie!
Sylvia was trying to figure out her parentage more intensely this time. But when there's suspicion that her father was a bad magician, people began acting like she was bad by association and it got harder.
Sylvia and Gabe act like tweens when it comes to romance lol
Willie was SERIOUSLY getting on my NERVES! She consistently insists Sylvia stay away and for what?! It's always one excuse after another. First that his ex was "the one", now that her "connections" could put Gabe "in danger"....Gabe is a big boy! He can handle himself and he can pick who he wants. Willie treating them like pubescents is getting old and was especially annoying in this one. Idk why they LISTEN to her! 😒
At least Gabe FINALLY mans up and admits he likes Sylvia haha
Their investigation led to her finding family, if not her father. Hope the next one gets more romance and more answers 😁
Sylvia was trying to figure out her parentage more intensely this time. But when there's suspicion that her father was a bad magician, people began acting like she was bad by association and it got harder.
Sylvia and Gabe act like tweens when it comes to romance lol
Willie was SERIOUSLY getting on my NERVES! She consistently insists Sylvia stay away and for what?! It's always one excuse after another. First that his ex was "the one", now that her "connections" could put Gabe "in danger"....Gabe is a big boy! He can handle himself and he can pick who he wants. Willie treating them like pubescents is getting old and was especially annoying in this one. Idk why they LISTEN to her! 😒
At least Gabe FINALLY mans up and admits he likes Sylvia haha
Their investigation led to her finding family, if not her father. Hope the next one gets more romance and more answers 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
Willie - worst character ever. She’s shown NO growth or development in five books (in this series). It’s like she’s meant to be the cantankerous rootin’, tootin’ granny with the snappy one-liners but she’s literally the WORST. Nothing about her is funny, cute, charming, or even excusable. You can’t even say she loves Gabe; she just loves arguing and pushing her weight around in ever more obnoxious ways.
I also lost count of the times in this book where they all fight over who gets to go confront someone, visit someone, investigate, or even just go to parties or social events. Seriously, is this dialogue? Is this necessary? Do normal people have arguments all the time about who gets to go when there’s a potential plan? Because Alex, Gabe, Daisy, Sylvia, and Willie need to get their lives together.
Didn’t care about the mystery in this either but at least we got to see some forward motion with Sylvia’s family and her relationship with Gabe. Finally.
I also lost count of the times in this book where they all fight over who gets to go confront someone, visit someone, investigate, or even just go to parties or social events. Seriously, is this dialogue? Is this necessary? Do normal people have arguments all the time about who gets to go when there’s a potential plan? Because Alex, Gabe, Daisy, Sylvia, and Willie need to get their lives together.
Didn’t care about the mystery in this either but at least we got to see some forward motion with Sylvia’s family and her relationship with Gabe. Finally.
September 4, 2024
I absolutely love this series! The concept of different magicians for different materials is done so well here, and to add to it, the fact that each magician can only do one or two spells so the book isn’t filled with magic, but only sprinkled with it is refreshing. The characters are well drawn and lovable. I always eagerly anticipate the next installment so that I can find out what will happen with them next. This particular Addition continues the focus on figuring out who Sylvia’s family might be, which is fascinating to me. I can’t wait for the next one to see where the series goes from here.
September 5, 2024
I admit I am writing this 25% the way in. I like the idea and storyline, but there are two things I find annoying now that it is book five. One is Willie telling Gabe and Sylvia they can not be together. It's beating a dead horse over and over again! Its book 5 it should be settled in one direction or the other, and quite frankly, it makes me want to quit reading. The second is Daisy never figuring out her career. Again, it's book five... where is the character development? There are just a lot of repetitive aspects in this series, and I feel like it has been drawn out unnecessarily long.
November 7, 2024
There is nothing better than picking up a book that you know nothing about because the blurb intrigued you and then boom, 5 books in 6 days later you are caught up in a series you have never heard about.
I can't even tell you why I loved it so much. The characters, the writing, the easy yet enthralling storyline for each book.
Gabe and Sylvia have an underlying romance building, SLOWLY - ya'll I hate slow burns but I love them.
Willie, Daisy and Alex are great 2nd characters. The mystery about where Sylvia comes from, the light magical essence throughout and each books mystery about a book is so well done, especially if it kept my attention for 6 days.
I love when I'm surprised by something. But, now what do I read.
I can't even tell you why I loved it so much. The characters, the writing, the easy yet enthralling storyline for each book.
Gabe and Sylvia have an underlying romance building, SLOWLY - ya'll I hate slow burns but I love them.
Willie, Daisy and Alex are great 2nd characters. The mystery about where Sylvia comes from, the light magical essence throughout and each books mystery about a book is so well done, especially if it kept my attention for 6 days.
I love when I'm surprised by something. But, now what do I read.
September 12, 2024
Most of what they do in the book is interviews. There’s very little magic or romance. We hear much too much from Willie; can’t stand her. She’s become one-dimensional. Her only personality trait is blocking Gabe’s romance. Yet, all excuses for why Gabe and Sylvia shouldn’t be together are terribly feeble. Gabe needs to grow a spine and set some boundaries with Willie.
I’m not sure I’ll continue this series.
I’m not sure I’ll continue this series.
November 1, 2024
This was a kissing book!!!! I have to say, I while I like Willie on a representation level (no one carrying about her preferring women is GREAT) but her attitude towards the romance is DEEPLY annoying to me.
February 26, 2025
Audio books sure made it easy to crush this series. My British lady is so talented, I love hearing her narrate the adventures of my characters. The mysteries are fun and the romance is cute. I’m excited for the next installment! Highly recommend if you’re looking for something cozy and relaxing.
September 26, 2024
The ever so familiar formula wore thin on this book and I was a little bored waiting for what I knew was coming to happen. I will of course read what will be the last in the series when it comes out in March. I have enjoyed the majority of the 'Glass' novels, but it feels time to wind them up now as the repetition is getting stale. I hope we get a bit more action and excitement in the final installment. Willie deserves the chance of a fierce shootout and we need an epic battle of magic which showcases what India, Sylv, Gabe, Matt and the gang can do. They deserve more than they were given in this book.
September 20, 2024
3.5 ***
December 4, 2024
two words: cocaine magician
September 8, 2024
3.5/5
This book felt more like a filler than anything. The mystery felt all over the place compared to the other books. This one had one too many side stories. Sylvia’s journey to discover her family unfolded well. Hope we are very close to learning her paternity. And we finally got to see some real traction between Gabe and Sylvia’s embracing their romantic feelings. This wasn’t my favorite of the series, but the ending made me excited for the next installment. Can’t wait to see how India and Matt will be incorporated into the storyline.
This book felt more like a filler than anything. The mystery felt all over the place compared to the other books. This one had one too many side stories. Sylvia’s journey to discover her family unfolded well. Hope we are very close to learning her paternity. And we finally got to see some real traction between Gabe and Sylvia’s embracing their romantic feelings. This wasn’t my favorite of the series, but the ending made me excited for the next installment. Can’t wait to see how India and Matt will be incorporated into the storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYY.
Really excited to see how this wraps up in book 6.
I am really tired of Willie, but not only that I’m tired of the way she is downright awful to Sylvia and then everyone else is all “ha ha that’s just how she is” and nobody tells her to STFU. Would it be too much for her to get smacked a few times in book 6?
Really excited to see how this wraps up in book 6.
I am really tired of Willie, but not only that I’m tired of the way she is downright awful to Sylvia and then everyone else is all “ha ha that’s just how she is” and nobody tells her to STFU. Would it be too much for her to get smacked a few times in book 6?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2024
Another installment of Sylvia and Gabe
In this latest book of the Glass Library, Sylvia is afraid that she may be putting Gabe in danger, as does Willie, who uses lots of arguments why Gabe and Sylvia should not be alone together.
Whilst cataloguing books in the library, Sylvia discovers a book with a message written by a relative of Oscars. She takes the book to Houn, his nephew, who can read the invisible writing. What happens then is the usual chases around London and its environs, trying to find the people mentioned without getting hurt themselves. There's also information for Sylvia about her family. This is a great read for a wat day, or indeed, any day!
As always, C.J. leaves you wanting more and I eagerly await book 6, which is the final chapter in this series.
In this latest book of the Glass Library, Sylvia is afraid that she may be putting Gabe in danger, as does Willie, who uses lots of arguments why Gabe and Sylvia should not be alone together.
Whilst cataloguing books in the library, Sylvia discovers a book with a message written by a relative of Oscars. She takes the book to Houn, his nephew, who can read the invisible writing. What happens then is the usual chases around London and its environs, trying to find the people mentioned without getting hurt themselves. There's also information for Sylvia about her family. This is a great read for a wat day, or indeed, any day!
As always, C.J. leaves you wanting more and I eagerly await book 6, which is the final chapter in this series.
September 7, 2024
5/5 stars - I’m such a fan of these books!
If you are looking for a book series that is equal parts mystery, history, fantasy, and romance (not spicy) - this is the series for you!
This 5th installment in the Glass Library series is possibly my favorite so far! I loved the development and how much tied into the prequel series - Glass & Steel!
Absolutely loved it and cannot wait to continue the series!
If you are looking for a book series that is equal parts mystery, history, fantasy, and romance (not spicy) - this is the series for you!
This 5th installment in the Glass Library series is possibly my favorite so far! I loved the development and how much tied into the prequel series - Glass & Steel!
Absolutely loved it and cannot wait to continue the series!
September 4, 2024
I can't wait for the next book!!!
It should be impossible for this series to get any better when it already is brilliant in every way. But it each book it just gets better.
I also love that none of the books ends on a massive cliffhanger but instead curiosity at the unanswered questions and at what will happen next in Silvias life. So I can't wait for the next book, but never feel annoyed or irritated at how the book ended.
It should be impossible for this series to get any better when it already is brilliant in every way. But it each book it just gets better.
I also love that none of the books ends on a massive cliffhanger but instead curiosity at the unanswered questions and at what will happen next in Silvias life. So I can't wait for the next book, but never feel annoyed or irritated at how the book ended.
November 8, 2024
Cannot wait for the next book, which I think will be the finale. I love that Sylvia is finding more out about her past and love that her and Gabe are finally going for it. Great worldbuild these past couple of books.
October 4, 2024
Love this series! Thanks for moving Sylvia and Gabe’s relationship along. I can continue reading. Killing off Willie would be a welcome addition too! LOL
November 11, 2024
I always enjoy these popcorn books . Easily digestible and delightful
February 12, 2025
If everyone in my house wasn’t asleep I would be squealing
April 12, 2025
my favorite in the series
May 4, 2025
Loved this book! So wholesome and fun. Can’t wait to read the sixth and final book in this series.
September 6, 2024
Willie's behavior in this one really grated on my nerves. But I loved the interaction between the main characters.
September 6, 2024
I truly enjoy these books,but!
This one was not up to the standards I’m used to in this series. What happened to the excitement that usually is involved. Too much attention to the poor quasi love story. If I wanted a romance I’d buy one! This particular book seemed nothing but filler!
This one was not up to the standards I’m used to in this series. What happened to the excitement that usually is involved. Too much attention to the poor quasi love story. If I wanted a romance I’d buy one! This particular book seemed nothing but filler!
July 21, 2025
4.75/5 ⭐ Hurrah! We finally get a kiss!! I found the horse racing / veterinary magic aspect to this one interesting. I'm glad Sylvia has found some kind family. My favorite of the series so far.
April 7, 2025
Too feminist for my taste
September 9, 2024
I find it rather tiresome to constantly have a villain be someone no one suspects till the very end. And then Sylvia figures it out due to some tiny detail. And the resons for murder are always stupid. Basically entire book is them tapping in the dark and then stumble on a killer by pure chance.
September 22, 2024
Sadly this book was a complete mess. The plot was ridiculous and boring. This series continues to go further downhill which is really disappointing. There was very little of interest in the overall story of Sylvia’s identity or her relationship with Gabe. The author did try to pair off neatly other characters but is keeping the main couple from any progression. There are far too many random characters thrown in and old plots like the boots and awful Hobsons who should be done with by now. There is a lot of references to Coyle as a villain which I think would be uninteresting to readers not familiar with him from the original series. I read that series and still felt the references to him and his family was unnecessary. As is the idea that Sylvia’s potential father is something that she should be blamed for, which is especially ironic from Willie who is constantly the progressive pushing for female empowerment but very much judges her on this. As always Willie continues to be grating and unnecessary. From the description of the next book the author is planning on a lot for what could be the final book. I wish she had built up to it more in this one and the sudden appearance in that description (definitely don’t read that blurb first as very much a spoiler) sounds very much like a large redo from the first series. I’m invested in the series so I ordered the next book which will hopefully be better than this. I do hope it’s the end of the series so I can be done with this author. She really ruins these series by having the writing fall off so dramatically so I won’t bother with anymore from her after this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews