Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

September 2025

• ISBN: 9781761347016
• Imprint: Penguin

RRP: $19.99

What super fun it was to re-visit the Blackmoor-upon-Wyvern Public Library, which is in the capable hands of the 113th librarian, Oliver Wormwood, ably assisted by his new friend, Agatha, sometimes girl/more often nine cats.

After his initial reluctance at having the librarian’s role thrust upon him, Oliver has become not only quite used to his new life, but really enjoys it – well, except for those odd occasions when the books get dangerous, and there’s a giant spider crab to wrassle back into pages or the usual minor issues with the bookworms, bats, flying returns and difficult patrons. He proudly wears his librarian’s bandolier and has familiarised himself with his equipment and knows how to use it – in almost any given situation.

Now he’s facing another highly unusual circumstance. A bibliomaniac has died and left his huge collection to the library, which is all well and good. Right up to when Agatha discovers alternative passages in two of the books, one of which could cause an international incident, if not a war with their neighbouring country, the Shrouded Alps.

It certainly puts the puzzle of an invisible intruder on the backburner. When a bullying local politician with a nasty attitude (think Pauline Pantsdown) is determined to get her hands on the book before Oliver and Agatha can either prove or disprove the passage in question, Oliver must attend a court ruling because of this odious woman’s attempts to bypass his librarian stance.

Fortunately, the magistrate agrees that Bully Ms Clowritch must wait on a verdict from the expert body who are responsible for a final decision on fraud or legitimate copy. But bullying Ms Clowritch is not taking that delay lightly, and she’s gung-ho to go check out the border and claim the land for Hallarum. Actually, she’s more concerned with gathering glory to herself than benefiting the country.

So it’s up to Oliver and Agathat to thwart her and to do so, they use one of the library’s most powerful, and potentially dangerous, books to transport themselves to the geographical location in question to get ahead of her.

All this against the backdrop of Agatha’s worsening condition due to garnet band sickness – and that mysterious invisible intruder. Once again, it’s an adventure like no other and filled with humour, surprises, and the successful victory of the underdogs. AND it’s all to do with libraries and books, and the librarians who take their guardianship with all due seriousness.

And also, once again, I loved it and greedily read it in two sittings. Those who have read the first will be eager for this one and though this could be read as a stand-alone, it will be infinitely enhanced by reading the preceding book first. It gets my stamp of approval with a 5 📚📚📚📚📚rating for readers around middle-upper primary.