Is This a Cry for Help?

In no way could this novel ever be described as a mystery. And yet it is chock full of mysteries, large and small, some poignant, others humorous, all deeply compelling. Darcy, a public librarian, has returned to her job after suffering through a nervous breakdown that was serious enough to have her institutionalized for a spell. Even though she’s queer, with a wife she loves, learning about the sudden death of her boyfriend from years back pushes her into despair, obsessed with understanding what could have killed him. When she returns to work (presented 100 percent accurately BTW), it’s with understandable trepidation. Patrons are still watching pornos, finding inventive ways to harass one another, protesting both for and against book banning, and expressing anger over DEI. In every way, Is This a Cry for Help? is hugely prescient as it demonstrates how community, colleagues, partners, spouses, humor, and especially libraries can come together to help us survive and thrive.