Rousing page-turner “The Darwin Affair” ebook and audiobook now available from public libraries for reading and discussion with global audience

 

 

CLEVELAND – August 3, 2020 – Millions of readers around the globe join together with a historical fiction thriller ebook and audiobook during Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club. From August 3-17, Tim Mason’s “intellectually stimulating and viscerally exciting” ebook and audiobook The Darwin Affair can be borrowed and enjoyed from the public library. Readers can solve the mystery from home – with a valid library card and no waiting – by downloading the Libby app. They can then discuss online at https://discuss.biglibraryread.com/.

Big Library Read is available in over 22,000 libraries around the world, including more than 90 percent of public libraries in North America, which has resulted in extensive online conversations during past programs. The program is facilitated by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for popular ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

“Isolated as we are by the pandemic, OverDrive’s Big Library Read is re-creating an almost theatrical community of readers, all experiencing this story at once, and connecting with one another as they do.” said author Tim Mason. “We’re not alone!”

Historical fiction novel The Darwin Affair takes place in London during June 1860. When an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria, and a petty thief is gruesomely murdered moments later, Detective Inspector Charles Field quickly surmises that these crimes are connected to an even more sinister plot. Soon, Field’s investigation exposes a shocking conspiracy in which the publication of Charles Darwin’s controversial On the Origin of Species sets off a string of murders, arson, kidnapping, and the pursuit of a madman named the Chorister. As he edges closer to the Chorister, Field uncovers dark secrets that were meant to remain forever hidden.

Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects millions of readers around the world with an ebook through public libraries. The Darwin Affair is the 22nd selection of this program which began in 2013 and takes place three times per year. Readers can join an online discussion about the book at https://discuss.biglibraryread.com/. This free program runs for two weeks and only requires a library card to get started.

The Darwin Affair was published by Algonquin Books and can be read on all major computers and devices through Libby or libbyapp.com, including iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phones and tablets and Chromebook™ without waitlists or holds. Through Libby, readers can also “send to Kindle®” [US libraries only]. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.

To join the discussion, learn about past Big Library Read titles and download Libby, visit biglibraryread.com.

 

About OverDrive

OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. We strive to create “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and other digital media to a growing network of 50,000 libraries and schools in 78 countries. Our popular reading apps provide best-in-class user experience and tools for staff management: the Libby app for libraries is one of PCMag’s Best Free Software of 2019 and Popular Mechanics’ 20 Best Apps of the 2010s, while the student reading app Sora is one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2019. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA and was named a Certified B Corp in 2017. OverDrive was acquired by funds affiliated with global investment firm KKR in 2020. www.overdrive.com

 

Contact:
David Burleigh

OverDrive
Director of Brand Marketing & Communication
dburleigh@overdrive.com

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