10 novels set at museums Archives

The Macabre

by Kosoko Jackson

Brigid says: “Something is very, very wrong in the British museum.” I liked how this contemporary horror wastes no time dropping right into action. Lewis, a struggling artist dealing with the sudden loss of his mom, accepts a rare opportunity to showcase his art at the famed museum. But when Lewis arrives, he is offered an intense magical quest to hunt and destroy a creepy collection of post-impressionist art created by his great-grandfather. Having read and enjoyed romance titles by Jackson, I was intrigued by both his foray into a different genre and the book’s fascinating magical system. Plus, when I realized the audiobook is performed by a favorite narrator of mine, Kevin R. Free, I knew it was a sign to give it a listen. While there are indeed intense and gruesome parts, it reminded me more of a dark fantasy than horror. Perfect for fans of the often dangerous spells in The Magicians series and the alternate Londontowns in A Darker Shade of Magic. Content warnings apply.

Her Knight at the Museum

by Bryn Donovan

Brigid says: I am a huge fan of a BONKERS premise and this rom-com set at The Art Institute of Chicago delivers in spades. When Emily, an art museum conservator, is tasked with restoring a statue of Sir Griffin de Beauford, she can’t help but notice his good looks. But surprise, surprise, Griffin isn’t a statue at all but instead a centuries-old knight cursed to stone by an evil apprentice to Merlin. (Yes, that Merlin!) Luckily, a kiss from Emily breaks him out of his shell which leads to some wacky fish-out-of-water situations. Think Enchanted and Kate & Leopold meet Hot Frosty. The humor is campy but the story has lovely tender parts, too. The audiobook narrated by Brittany Pressley really makes all the sweet, silly, and steamy bits shine. (Open door.)

It Had to Be You

by Eliza Jane Brazier

Brigid says: My favorite book of summer 2024! I couldn’t get enough of this twisty globetrotting thriller with Mr & Mrs. Smith and Killing Eve vibes. Eva and Jonathan are contract killers who cross paths on a sleeper train, spending one passionate night together. Things get wild when they both are tasked with taking each other out but can’t deny their mutual attraction. The powder keg of emotions leads to a couple of very high stakes and steamy situations, including a memorable one in the Palace of Versailles. The pages fly by in this ultimate cat-and-mouse chase. Content warnings apply. (Open door.)

And Only to Deceive (Lady Emily Mysteries, Book 1)

by Tasha Alexander

Emily didn’t love her husband; theirs was a marriage of convenience, or so she thought. Upon his death, Emily reads his journals and discovers a new, scholarly side to him--and a deep, abiding love for her. Intrigued, she decides to study all things Greco-Roman as a way to connect with the man she lost. After countless trips to the British Museum and hours of studying, Emily discovers a dark secret involving stolen artifacts. She trades her intellectual pursuits for sleuthing, and learns more about herself along the way.

Portrait of a Thief

by Grace D. Li

Five Chinese American college students become justice-driven international art thieves in this Ocean’s Eleven-ish heist novel. When he’s made an offer he can’t refuse, MIT student Will Chen recruits four brilliant accomplices—all with looming midterms—to fulfill an audacious goal: to break into art museums in five countries, in order to steal back artifacts that were once wrongfully stolen from China. If they succeed, they’ll receive a life-changing $50 million payout. The heist storyline pops and fizzes, but Li crams in plenty of substance alongside her flashy plot: an exploration of identity and belonging, crushing familial expectations, desires, love, and calling, plus meaningful LGBTQ representation and the seamless integration of pandemic realities. Word to the wise: This reads more Hollywood than real life but you’ll enjoy the ride. For fans of Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Daniel Silva’s The Cellist.

The Personal Librarian

by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

Confession: I haven't been to New York City's renowned Morgan Library (yet), and before this book's publicity campaign I knew nothing of the woman crucial to its existence and current collection. Belle da Costa Greene was born Belle Marion Greener to a prominent African American family; her father was Harvard's first Black graduate and a noted attorney and activist. When her parents separated, Belle's mother Genevieve moved Belle and her siblings to New York City, where the family decided to pass as white and changed their last name to Greene. (Belle added “de Costa” to her professional name, to substantiate the family's claim that they were of Portuguese ancestry.) This was the backdrop for Morgan's hiring Belle as his "personal librarian," where she enjoyed great and nearly unprecedented power as curator of his precious personal art collection, which became the public Pierpont Morgan Library in 1924. (Belle served as Director until 1948.) This is gripping, fast-paced biographical fiction, narrated by Robin Miles (which definitely influenced my opting for the audiobook). This is our February 2024 selection for MMD Book Club; its flight pick is Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre.

The Stolen Queen

by Fiona Davis

Brigid says: If you love archeology, fashion, and The Mummy, this historical novel about a stolen Egyptian artifact is for you. Beginning in New York City in the 1970s, Charlotte, an associate curator for the Department of Egyptian Art at The Met, and Annie, a young assistant for the museum’s annual Gala, make an unlikely duo when they team up to recover a stolen artifact. Then they realize Charlotte’s fateful time working a dig in the Valley of the Kings forty years earlier is at the heart of the mystery. While sad in parts, I appreciated the story feeling less heavy than most of the other historical fiction I have read. If you are a seasonal reader, this would be a fantastic book to pick up around the first Monday in May to enjoy all the behind-the-scenes peeks into fashion’s biggest night. (Content warnings apply.)

The Wright 3

by Blue Balliett

Brigid says: A puzzle-y middle grade title that is entertaining for readers of any age, especially those interested in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. When strange stuff starts happening at the Robie House in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago, students Petra, Calder, and Tommy are on the case. Filled with clever easter eggs, sleuthing adventures, and interactive games, the story has an extra layer built in thanks to illustrator Brett Helquist’s beautiful drawings. Not long after reading this, I visited Chicago and made sure to visit the historic house museum.

Double Exposure

by Rien Gray

Brigid says: I am so glad team member Leigh put this F/NB romantic suspense on my radar. Jillian and Sloane are art thieves that spent a steamy night together years ago. Unfortunately, that night ended in miscommunication, causing them to despise one another. But sparks quickly start to fly again when they both get rival gigs to steal a never-before-seen contemporary photography exhibit from The Art Institute of Chicago. Cue all The Thomas Crown Affair feels. At around 175 pages, this novella packs a banter-filled and action-packed punch! (Open door.)

Best Hex Ever

by Nadia El-Fassi

Brigid says: A magical romance with the ambience of drinking a mug of spicy hot chocolate while listening to an enchanting Olivia Dean album. Dina, a kitchen witch, and Scott, a curator at the British Museum, have a chance meeting at Dina’s cozy London cafe and now they can’t stop thinking about each other. As luck would have it, their best friends are getting married, giving Dina and Scott a whole wedding weekend to fall instantly in love. The chemistry between them is seriously steamy! But they are going to need all the luck they can get because Dina’s romantic life was hexed by her ex-girlfriend, putting Scott in danger. Fortunately Scott’s upcoming exhibit collects good luck charms from all over the world. I really enjoyed listening to the audio format by dual narrators Ferne Marks and Owen Hall. As a superstitious person, I couldn’t help but be swept off my feet by this spicy romance. (Open door.)

10 novels set at museums

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