Book of the Month – February 2023
You can get in. But you can’t get out. Welcome to the library…
Twins Ana and Nan are lost after the death of their mother. Everyone knows who drove Elena, the renowned novelist, to suicide – her long-term literary critic, Eben. But the twins need proof if they’re going to get revenge.
Desperate to clear his name, Eben requests access to Elena’s diaries at the National Library where the twins work, and they see an opportunity. With careful planning, the twins lock down the labyrinthine building, trapping their colleagues, the public and most importantly Eben inside. But as a rogue security guard starts freeing hostages, the plan unravels. And what began as a single-minded act of revenge blooms into a complex unravelling of loyalties, motives and what it is that makes us who we are.
Hauntingly written by former Hay Festival international fellow Fflur Dafydd, The Library Suicides is an English-language reimagining of her award-winning novel Y Llyfrgell, available now to the delight of fans of high concept thrillers that break the mould, and books about books.
Read it? Let us know what you think on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #HBOTM.
Further reading
National Library takes a starring role in new thriller, Daily Post
About the author
Fflur Dafydd is an award winning novelist and screenwriter who writes in Welsh and English. She is the creator and writer of all 24 episodes of PARCH and the author of 14 episodes of BAFTA Cymru nominated thrillers 35 awr and 35 Diwrnod, for which she also received a best writer nomination in 2019. To date she has contributed over 40 hours of primetime drama to S4C and the BBC iPlayer, as well as writing on other shows. Her second novel Atyniad won the Prose Medal at the 2006 National Eisteddfod and her third novel Y Llyfrgell won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize in 2009. Her short story collection Awr y Locustiaid was adapted into a BBC Radio Cymru serial in 2016. Her novel Twenty Thousand Saints won the Emerging Writer award at the Hay Festival in 2009, and she became an International Fellow of the Hay Festival in 2013.
About Hay Festival's Book of the Month
Hay Festival's Book of the Month is our monthly recommendation of a book we love and think holds particular resonance. This is our chance to celebrate great works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry year-round.
Throughout the month, we'll share interesting links and articles relating to our selection on social media using #HBOTM and invite you all to get involved with your questions and comments.
If you'd like to recommend a book for consideration, please share on social media using #HBOTM.
Happy reading!
