In C.J. Archer's "The Librarian of Crooked Lane," the first book in her new Glass Library series, we meet Sylvia Ashe, a librarian who discovers hints of a magical lineage, and Gabe, a war hero working a peculiar theft case involving a magic-imbued painting. Their lives intertwine as they pursue the truths about Sylvia's past and the stolen artwork.

Archer presents an intriguing premise - Sylvia's quest to unravel her mysterious origins and potential ties to a powerful magical family makes for an engaging hook. The fantastical historical setting and concept of magic blending with the real world held appeal as well.
However, while Archer's writing flows smoothly, the overall execution of the storyline failed to fully engage me. The characters, though well-constructed on the surface, lacked layers that made me desperately care about their personal stakes and motivations. Key plot points felt protracted unnecessarily.

The mystery elements showed flashes of intrigue but didn't quite crescendo into una-put-down-able territory for me. I found myself occasionally struggling to maintain rapt attention amidst some pacing lulls.

All that said, "The Librarian of Crooked Lane" has its charms and serves as an adequate, if not electrifying, series opener for patient fantasy fans. While it didn't wholly captivate me, the world shows potential to deepen its magical grip in subsequent installments.

For now, I'm rating it 3 stars—a decent, atmospheric read, but one that hasn't yet compelled me to be first in line for the next Glass Library adventure. Your mileage may vary based on your affinity for slower-paced historical fantasy mysteries.