The Mortal Word

By: Genevieve Cogman

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

In 1890s Paris, a librarian and a detective must track down a killer – before the city goes up in flames. The Mortal Word is the enthralling fifth instalment in the Invisible Library series from Genevieve Cogman.

A corrupt countess. A spy in danger. And an assassin.

Peace talks are always tricky – especially when a key diplomat gets stabbed. This murder rudely interrupts a top-secret summit between the warring dragons and Fae, so Librarian-spy Irene is summoned to investigate. With her detective friend Vale, she must track down the killer – as peace hangs by a thread.

Accusations fly thick and fast. Irene soon finds herself in the seedy depths of the Parisian underworld on the trail of a notoriously warlike Fae, the Blood Countess. However, the evidence against the Countess is only circumstantial. Could the assassin – or assassins – be closer than anyone suspects?

Continue the witty and wonderful series with The Secret Chapter.

Praise for the series:

'I absolutely loved this' – N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season

'Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one's fool' – The Guardian

'Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series!' – Charles Stross, author of the Merchant Princes series

Critic reviews

Cogman fills a captivating story with animated characters and propels the narrative at a cracking pace, planting perfectly timed plot twists and reversals of fortune along the way

I absolutely loved this . . . flavoured with truly unique mythology and a dash of the eldritch. Such clever, creepy, elaborate worldbuilding and snarky, sexy-smart characters! (N. K. Jemisin on The Invisible Library (Book One))

Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one’s fool, she has a wonderfully droll sense of humour – much like the novel itself (Guardian on The Masked City (Book Two))

Brilliant and so much fun. Skullduggery, Librarians, and Dragons - Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series! (Charles Stross on The Burning Page (Book Three))

Reminiscent of the works of Diana Wynne Jones . . . a true treat to read (Publishers Weekly on The Invisible Library (Book One))

Love Characters and Kristin Atherton

I did not happen upon reviews until after my 5th book in the series. I just came to these books recently. I was so concerned to see reviews of the 6th book bemoaning a new narrator - because I have been soooo enjoying Kristin Atherton’s narration. Her characters are so defined, I seldom have any question which character is speaking. (And if so, it’s occasionally a minor character). I was relieved to realize she is the 2nd narrator and amazed to read or others saying her characters are dull! (Having not heard the others narration). I wonder how much has to do with what you grow accustomed to. Anyhoo - very much enjoying the series as written, and as read by Atherton.

consistently entertaining

good pace, both logical and interesting twists, great narration, right length, good series set up

Love Kristen Atherton’s Narration!

I must have come into the series after the narrator was changed to Kristen Atherton. While I can’t say how good the previous narrator was I can say that Kristen Atherton’s narration has really impressed me and has kept me coming back.

Political Thriller in a Fantasy World

I love the Invisible Library series (some entries more than others) and this is one of the best. It has fantasy, magic, political thriller aspects, and a murder mystery all wrapped in an eloquent package. I highly recommend this series.

Once again very, very good

A good story and powerfully yet sensitively read.Fortunately I've already the bought the next one so I don't have to wait long for it.