The Book of the Most Precious Substance

A Novel

By: Sara Gran

Narrated by: Carol Monda

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The highly anticipated thriller from internationally renowned author Sara Gran, author of Come Closer and the Claire DeWitt series.

A mysterious book that promises unlimited power and unrivaled sexual pleasure. A down-on-her-luck book dealer hoping for the sale of a lifetime. And a twist so shocking, no one will come out unscathed.

After a tragedy too painful to bear, former novelist Lily Albrecht has resigned herself to a dull, sexless life as a rare-book dealer—until she gets a lead on a book that just might turn everything around. The Book of the Most Precious Substance is a 17th-century manual on sex magic, rumored to be the most powerful occult book ever written—if it really exists at all. And some of the wealthiest people in the world are willing to pay Lily a fortune to find it, if she can.

Her search for the book takes her from New York to New Orleans to Munich to Paris, searching the dark corners of power where the world’s wealthiest people use black magic to fulfill their desires. Will Lily fulfill her own desires and join them? Or will she lose it all searching for a ghost?

The Book of the Most Precious Substance is an addictive, erotic thriller about the lengths we will go to get what we need—and what we want.

©2021 Sara Gran (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Loved this book

This is a wonderful book. I enjoyed the narration, and appreciated the intelligence, wit and sauciness of this story. It's refreshing to read a book featuring occult shenanigans from an author who has spent some time immersed in contemplation of it, rather than grabbing at surface assumptions. I love her unsentimental viewpoint.

This is a great GenX spiritual journey, and it sparks me like much of the great music of this (occult in itself, skipped over and hidden in plain sight) The mordant wit of PJ Harvey - the erotic and pagan poetry of Bjork. Many of this author's fears and fascinations rhyme with what I experienced in this generation, although it's in sync with bohemian exploration through the recent decades. I am not trying to pigeonhole the author, but her cultural references hit every time with me in a way that Jo Nesbo often does, and I realize the joy I feel hearing a brilliant voice from someone close to such similar experiences and touchstones.

It also reminds me a bit of the wonderful raw honesty in Viv Albertine's recent memoirs.
It's fun, erotic, eerie, passionate, and in many cases subtle (again, refreshing.) Wise in a fun way.

I would recommend it those who enjoy a book that integrates a modern bohemian look at self-discovery - kinks, emotional dark zones, horror, helpful substances, and all. Not for those who don't like horror, darkness, or sex in their books. Strongly character-driven, great feminine viewpoint.

I have found a new author to place among my favorites!

Excellent, thrilling, curious

About ten minutes in, I remembered how much I love Sara Gran. Natural intuitive writing that feels like your own thoughts and a fascinating story to follow. I enjoy how women centered this was, female grief and power and pleasure.

It was fine

I picked this one up because Sara Gran is a capable writer and I've enjoyed several of her books. With the always wonderful Carol Monda narrating I figured this would be a winner. Unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. In picking it blind, the sex magic caught me by surprise. That's not a problem, but it was oddly reserved for being a book about sexual fluids. It didn't need a blazing level of spice, I like taco bell mild just fine. But it felt like she was embarrassed to be writing about the sex. All euphemisms and closed doors. If your "most precious substance" is female ejaculate (not a spoiler) then own that and call a squirt a squirt. Smut can still be classy if you do it right. The story itself was fine, if a bit pedantic, and the main characters were interesting enough. Although the side characters never graduated beyond one dimension. Strong ninth gate vibes overall. A perfectly fine book but not great or especially memorable. I'll probably see it in my library in six months and think "did I read that? I don't remember."

Couldn’t stop listening

I listened to this all night until it was finished. It was fantastic.This is the first time I have read this author and it won’t be my last. I loved this book! it is a well written, thrilling, and intelligent read. Also the narrator was great and did not detract from the story but enhanced it as a good narrator should. It was well worth the Audible credit.

I finished it

So it gets at least a 3 star. Beach read. It’s a story. I didn’t think a great one, but I Did finish it

À tad predictable, but great fun! Worth a credit.

I love books about books. I love books about rare book hunters. (Please suggest more, if you know any!) When I read the description of this book, I knew it was for me. And it didn’t disappoint- most of the time. I liked the atmosphere and the world this book took place in. Narration is excellent!

It reminded me of The Club Dumas (or the ninth gate, for the johnny depp fans). Hints of “The Shadow of the wind” with some “Eyes wide Shut”-vibes. A bit of “Night Film” too.
If any of these books or movies pleased you, you’ll probably like this book, so don’t hesitate, its worth a credit.

But in hindsight: the story is quite predictable. Once you know what the “table of contents” of the “Book of the most precious substance is” - you know how it will all pan out. And I was a little let-down by the climax of the story. Just a tad too predictable, I guess.

The last chapter, however… kinda touched me and DID surprise me.

It’s not great literature. But it’s great fun.

Pretty good

It held my interest but has a few too many loose ends that need to be addressed.

great Read

I enjoyed the book and the author very much! the occult and taboo world of sex Magic is always exciting to tie it in with real life was done masterfully

Fast read different story

This book is very well written subject. Reminds me of the club, Dumas by Arturo Reverte. But different as well

Another excellent effort from Sara Gran.

"Sometimes in life we need to be born again..."

I love books about books. Especially books about nasty obscure occult books.

There is a lot of sex in this one, which strangely enough is a turn off for me reading wise, but Sara Gran manages to make it both integral to the story line and even entertaining in a weird sex magick sticky kind of way. (Insert joke here about the climax of the book being a climax.)

No joke though is the excellent writing that I fully expected from a Gran book. Definitely a must read author for me. 4+ Stars

Great book

Really enjoyed the journey. I loved the way the characters are written. Don’t want to give too much away but its dark and witchy so if thats your vibe give it a go.

Abit disappointing

Not really what I was expecting, and a lot of quite dull chapters where not much happened.