The 4th novel in The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman, and the sequel to The Burning Page.
Irene and Kai are sent to 1920s New York on the trail of a librarian who may have compromised the neutrality of the Library by getting involved in dragon politics. Two dragons are competing to find a rare book, the reward for the winner being a high position in a dragon queen's court. The loser will have to fall on their sword - literally.
With such high stakes, soon the entire world is at threat from the warring dragons. Irene and Kai have to find a way to avert the disaster, whilst dodging mobsters and a pack of wolves. Meanwhile, the case throws up uncomfortable truths about their own relationship and future as a partnership.
The Lost Plot is followed by The Mortal Word.
The Lost Plot contains examples of the following tropes:
- Conflicting Loyalty: A major theme throughout, particularly for Kai, Irene and Evariste.
- The Dragon: Hu is both a figurative dragon to Qing Song and a literal dragon.
- Draw Aggro: Irene's plan to help Kai and Evariste to steal the MacGuffin book is to go out on the streets of New York in as flashy a style as possible, leaning into her Jeanette Smith, Foreign Mob Boss alias as she does so.
- Dry Crusader: Irene runs into a Prohibition march comprised of pro-Prohibition women and ends up getting dragged into the middle of it while trying to ditch a pursuer.
- Empathy Pet: Qing Song's direwolves serve as a tell for his emotional state.
- Fakin' MacGuffin: Kai and Evariste use another Chinese book collection as a substitute for the copy of Journey to the West that everyone's looking for.
- Fantastic Racism: Evariste has a deep-seated distrust and dislike of dragons, though not without reason.
- Frame-Up: Hu frames Irene as notorious gangster Jeanette Smith to stop her from interfering with his and Qing Song's plans.
- Hostage for MacGuffin: The book's entire plot stems from Qing Song taking Evariste's daughter Miranda hostage to compel him to find a rare book that he needs to win.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Irene, insisting on pausing in the middle of the dramatic conclusion to drink not one, but two, brandies.
- Losing Is Worse Than Death: The Queen of the Southern Land's competition for a high office post comes with high expectations for all parties. Since failing to qualify for the post is considered a failing of honor, with all that entails in dragon society, failing her challenge is indeed a case where losing is worse than death.
- The Mafia: Many of the humans (and Fae) in this version of New York fit various American Mobster archetypes, while Irene ends up taking on the identity of a notorious London Gangster.
- The Man in Front of the Man: Although Qing Song gives the orders, his right-hand man Hu has been manipulating him into more and more dangerous gambits in order for both of them to reach higher office.
- Pimped-Out Dress: Irene picks up a particularly fashionable ensemble as part of her distraction gambit.
- Ransacked Room: In a rare protagonist instance of this trope, Irene and Kai trash Evariste's room to find evidence of his actions and motives that may have compromised the Library. As one might expect, they find nothing.
- Right-Hand Attack Dog: Qing Song keeps a pack of six direwolves at his feet at all times, even while walking around in 1920s America.
- Seppuku: Whoever loses the Queen's contest is expected to either kill themselves or accept exile (with most dragons preferring death to exile). When Hu's crimes come to light, Qing Song chooses ritual suicide to atone for his subordinate's actions and for taking Hu's advice. Incidentally, this means his opponent Jin Zhi wins by default.
- Sink or Swim Mentor: After several novels worrying about Kai's lack of input into planning, Irene sends him out on his own to stand on his own two feet.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Between Kai and Evariste. Kai doesn't trust Evariste not to screw things up, and Evariste doesn't trust Kai because Kai's a dragon.
- The Speechless: To prevent Irene from using The Language, she is given a poison that temporarily prevents her from speaking.
- Taking the Heat: At the end of everything, Kai claims responsibility for the entire conflict to smooth things over and to let Irene walk away unscathed by scandal.
- '20s Bob Haircut: Kai gives Irene a haircut to help her blend in. Irene protests because it took her years to grow out her hair long, but she quickly comes around.
- Will They or Won't They?: Irene and Kai, ramped up to almost painful levels throughout the novel, and a major source of narrative tension.
