From the Library of Jurgen Leitner

A banner featuring a 3D mock-up of From the Library of Jurgen Leitner, a novel by Premee Mohamed with Jonathan Sims. Text on the banner reads: Enter the library. 27th October 2026. Pre-order now.

A Magnus novel by Premee Mohamed with Jonathan Sims

FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER is the first in a multi-book deal between Rusty Quill and Random House Worlds, part of Penguin Random House, for The Magnus Archives podcast.

A 3D mock-up of a book named "From the library of Jurgen Leitner" by Premee Mohamed with Jonathan Sims. The cover features a green coloured illustration of a man with wings strapped to his arms. He is upside down on the book cover, as if he is falling.

The book explores an infamous organisation from the Magnusverse for the first time – the perilous private library of the enigmatic collector Jurgen Leitner, where occult books are guarded and researched at a fatal cost.

This novel, which is set before the events in the podcast, is written by the creator of The Magnus Archives, Jonathan Sims and Nebula award-winning author Premee Mohamed.

FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER will be published on October 27, 2026, and is available for pre-order wherever books are sold and the links below. The novel will be published in a hardcover print edition, an ebook, and audiobook versions.

Where to order

Pre-order FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER from your local bookshop, or at the links below:

Description

Return to the world of The Magnus Archives with this official prequel novel written by Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora award-winning author Premee Mohamed with the help of the Archives’ own Jonathan Sims.

In the winding, perilous halls of Jurgen Leitner’s library, you never know what you’ll find. A starving cookbook. An ancient scroll that casts cool, predatory breezes. A cloth-bound hardback that compels you to DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG.

Free, these books are more than simply unnerving—they’re deadly. But the library keeps their dangers in check and their would-be readers safe…Or so Leitner claims.

For two of his employees, the risks are worth it. For Hugh Franklin, research assistant, the library is a place to belong, where his skill in translation is valued, even if his employer is a bit odd. For Sebastian Everett, acquisitions specialist, the library is an opportunity to indulge arcane ambitions, even if it means pretending to care about the mission.

Though their tenures at the library were years apart, Hugh and Sebastian’s stories unfold in parallel, and their footsteps echo down the same eerie aisles, caught in a web spun long before either ever heard the name “Jurgen Leitner.”

Will they find a way out… or will the library consume them before it’s too late?

Special pre-order offers

Penguin and Rusty Quill have partnered with a few bookshops in the UK and the US to offer exclusive extras for pre-orders of the novels made at these stores.

The Poisoned Pen

An image showcasing The Poisoned Pen’s offer for From the Library of Jurgen Leitner. Text reads: Jurgen Leitner preorder campaign. Order a copy from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore to receive a free glow in the dark pen (while supplies last). In the centre of the image is a 3D mockup of From the Library of Jurgen Leitner, and a neon green ballpoint pen. The Poisoned Pen in the US are offering a glow-in-the-dark pen with all pre-orders made via their site, while stocks last! International orders are available, please see their website for their policies!

Pre-order from The Poisoned Pen

Queen’s Park Books

An image showcasing Queen’s Park Books’ offer for From the Library of Jurgen Leitner. From left to right: A 3D mock-up of a book, From the Library of Jurgen Leitner; A blurred art print labelled “Jurgen Leitner art print (final artwork TBC)”; A blurred letter with photographs of Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall, labelled “Signed letter from Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall”.

Available exclusively from Queen’s Park Books, pre-order now for an edition with a signed bookplate that also comes with a commemorative double-sided A5 art print featuring new art inspired by the novel, with a signed letter from The Magnus Archives creators Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall on the reverse.

Queen’s Park Books is based in the UK but can ship internationally – please see their website for their policies.

Pre-order from Queen's Park Books

New to Magnus?

The Magnus Archives is a horror fiction podcast currently celebrating its tenth anniversary. When Jonathan Sims is appointed Head Archivist of The Magnus Institute, a London-based organisation that researches the occult, he is determined to do a good job. His predecessor has left the Archives in a disorganised mess and the Head of the Institute has chosen John to rectify this.

Contained within the Archives are statements that document terrifying supernatural experiences. As John continues to file them, it becomes increasingly clear that they begin to form a picture that is truly horrifying.

As you look into the depths of the archives, something starts to look back…

Intrigued? You can listen to The Magnus Archives wherever you find podcasts, or check out the first episode below.