The Lost Plot

Time-traveling librarian Irene and her apprentice, the dragon prince Kai, become embroiled in the machinations of draconic nobility in this enjoyable fourth Invisible Library fantasy adventure (after The Burning Page). Minister Zhao of the court of the dragon queen of the Southern Lands has been assassinated. In order to fill his post, the queen sets a series of challenges for the two candidates, Qing Song and Jin Zhi. Irene confers with Kai after Jin Zhi approaches her for help and decides that she must proceed with the utmost caution. When it becomes apparent that another agent of the interdimensional library is already involved, Library Security has no choice but to assign Irene to investigate in order to maintain the library’s strict neutrality. Irene travels to a version of 1920s New York where mobsters and police have their own dangerous agendas, as do the two powerful dragons in human form competing for the ministerial post. Irene has the difficult task of deducing what is truly happening while evading capture by the various factions. Cogman nicely balances the political intrigue and action with the complex relationship between Irene and Kai. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Jan.)