The Book of Secrets

The Last Oracle, Book 1

By: Melissa McShane

Narrated by: Stephanie Spicer

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Helena Davies just wants a job that will get her out of her parents’ basement. Abernathy’s Bookstore is disorganized, out of the way, and smells funny, but it pays well and promises to be interesting. She has no idea how interesting. By the end of the first day, Helena has a dead boss in the basement, an unexpected promotion, and the news that she is now a part of an endless war against creatures from another reality.
 

As Abernathy’s newest custodian, Helena is responsible for its secrets, including the most important one: Abernathy’s isn’t just a bookstore. It’s the world’s only living oracle, producing prophecies to help fight the war against alien invaders bent on draining this world of its magic. Helena’s job is to find books to answer questions put to the oracle by the Wardens, fighters in the Long War. It seems simple enough, but Helena’s new job is anything but.
 

Without training, without any knowledge of the magical world, and facing the hostility of those who’d wanted someone else to be Abernathy’s custodian, Helena must navigate the treacherous waters of her new world and find a place for herself within it. But there’s still a murderer on the loose, someone who intended to control Abernathy’s by killing its custodian - and Helena might be next on his list.

©2018 Melissa McShane (P)2020 Melissa McShane

Unique Story

A unique story and a novel introduction into the realm of magic. I enjoyed meeting these fascinating characters, The narration however, was disappointing. I was surprised to learn she’s a seasoned narrator. No real voice inflection or effort at character portrayal. I bumped up the narration speed to 1.2 and it made all difference.

Definitely worth your credit ...

I was very happily surprised at the quality of the plotting, characters, mystery, and, may I say, the ethics of the author, who presented a straightforward paranormal urban contemporary mystery without relying on snark or sex as plot filler. There's mystery, action, monsters, magic, a completely fabulous book store of a type I haven't experienced before, and human characters with personalities we've all met, some we like, some we'd rather avoid. This is actually the real deal, and a fine start to a series. I'm actually interested to discover how it goes forward. I'm not going to recount it or explain it, suffice it to say, if you like urban paranormal, I expect you'll like this book. And, Audible will give you your credit back if you don't, so, you're covered, give it a try, it's worth your time and attention.