The Boxcar Librarian

A Novel

De: Brianna Labuskes

Narrado por: Amy Melissa Bentley

Inspired by true events, a thrilling Depression-era novel from the author of The Librarian of Burned Books about a woman’s quest to uncover a mystery surrounding a local librarian and the Boxcar Library—a converted mining train that brought books to isolated rural towns in Montana.

When Works Progress Administration (WPA) editor Millie Lang finds herself on the wrong end of a potential political scandal, she’s shipped off to Montana to work on the state’s American Guide Series—travel books intended to put the nation’s destitute writers to work.

Millie arrives to an eclectic staff claiming their missed deadlines are due to sabotage, possibly from the state’s powerful Copper Kings who don’t want their long and bloody history with union organizers aired for the rest of the country to read. But Millie begins to suspect that the answer might instead lie with the town’s mysterious librarian, Alice Monroe.

More than a decade earlier, Alice Monroe created the Boxcar Library in order to deliver books to isolated mining towns where men longed for entertainment and connection. Alice thought she found the perfect librarian to staff the train car in Colette Durand, a miner’s daughter with a shotgun and too many secrets behind her eyes.

Now, no one in Missoula will tell Millie why both Alice and Colette went out on the inaugural journey of the Boxcar Library, but only Alice returned.

The three women’s stories dramatically converge in the search to uncover what someone is so desperately trying to hide: what happened to Colette Durand.

Inspired by the fascinating, true history of Missoula’s Boxcar Library, the novel blends the story of the strong, courageous women who survived and thrived in the rough and rowdy West with that of the power of standing together to fight for workers’ lives. And through it all shines the capacity of books to provide connection and light to those who need it most.

©2025 Brianna Labuskes (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting party of history

I liked this book. It’s an interesting part of history. Sometimes the three storylines were hard to follow and the verbiage sometimes didn’t fit with the era which for some reason was annoying to me.

Strong female protagonists

The author weaves a lot of true history into this complex and interesting novel. The ending is very satisfying. The performance in the audio book is perfect. I recommend this book.

Great story!

This is a very educational and interesting read! I loved the characters and story! So fun to learn about these strong women of the past!

Enjoyable historical fiction

I liked listening to this historical fiction that was based on some real events in Montana, and I liked the mystery of who and why there was a murder in the story. I liked all three women and their stories, especially once they all intertwined. Of course, the difference references to books and libraries throughout was also enjoyable!

Historic

Well written , told. Authors thoughts were enlightening. Great description of the early state of Montana, unions , and the troubled men returning from war. Well Done!

Courage of women to step into new challenges

I found this an Interesting story of spreading literacy and love of books and the courage of the women who were willing to take on the daunting task of getting books into camps of men.
The men were mostly living in distant regions harvesting trees for lumber or working mines of copper. Some of the visitors to library were not strangers to books and anxious to get their hands on some, while others were shy non readers who were introduced to reading and adventures by Alice and Collette.
Millie, a women desiring to be an editor of books found herself assigned to Montana in late1920’s. Millie became an encourager to other women hoping to fulfill their dreams writing and publishing their work.

Great story and great narration.

I loved this story and it had a twist that I wasn’t expecting. The only thing I didn’t like was that it went back and forth in time which was a little confusing, but the storyline was very good. The characters were strong independent women and I really liked that. I will definitely look for more books by this author.

Another view of western history

I enjoyed the tale of providing reading/book access to remote areas, and the dual timeline of its development. Sometimes that got a bit confusing, but overall it was a good read.

An unrushed finish.

I needed this book now. A story of human hardship told in a way that made me feel that I really knew the characters in their strengths and weaknesses. Also a sign of hope of overcoming even the worst things. Something I need right now.

Great story based in some real history

Loved the story of that time period and the power of reading to help people move forward during so difficult times. Books are magical!