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The Burning Library
Not yet published
Expected 29 Jan 26For over a century two rival organisations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure a precious scrap of fraying embroidery in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn.
There's the Order of St Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows in order to exercise covert control. And the Fellowship of the Larks: determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible... while making sure their methods never come to light.
When trailblazing paleographer Dr Anya Brown is headhunted by the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies at St Andrews, she's unaware that she is in grave danger - her new employers are the Larks, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve their mission.
As Dr Brown is drawn deeper into this ancient web, events spiral beyond her control. To uncover the truth, and escape with her life, she must summon all her expertise to decipher a series of messages that have lain hidden for centuries.
An exhilarating and page-turning race against time, The Burning Library whisks you from the hallowed cloisters of Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews to the stunning medieval Italian city of Verona.
There's the Order of St Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows in order to exercise covert control. And the Fellowship of the Larks: determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible... while making sure their methods never come to light.
When trailblazing paleographer Dr Anya Brown is headhunted by the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies at St Andrews, she's unaware that she is in grave danger - her new employers are the Larks, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve their mission.
As Dr Brown is drawn deeper into this ancient web, events spiral beyond her control. To uncover the truth, and escape with her life, she must summon all her expertise to decipher a series of messages that have lain hidden for centuries.
An exhilarating and page-turning race against time, The Burning Library whisks you from the hallowed cloisters of Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews to the stunning medieval Italian city of Verona.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2025
334 people are currently reading
43572 people want to read
About the author
Gilly Macmillan
18 books5,423 followersGilly Macmillan is the New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author of TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE NANNY, WHAT SHE KNEW (previously published as BURNT PAPER SKY in some territories), THE PERFECT GIRL, ODD CHILD OUT & I KNOW YOU KNOW.
Gilly is Edgar Award nominated and an ITW award finalist. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.
She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and also lived in Northern California. She studied History of Art at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Gilly lives in Bristol, UK with her family and writes full time. She’s currently working on her seventh novel.
Gilly is Edgar Award nominated and an ITW award finalist. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.
She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and also lived in Northern California. She studied History of Art at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Gilly lives in Bristol, UK with her family and writes full time. She’s currently working on her seventh novel.
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November 18, 2025
Gilly Macmillan offers up something very different from previous novels-similar in style to The Da Vinci Code.
This is dark-academia tale of the RUTHLESS ambition of two SECRET groups of women, which begins in remote St Andrews, Scotland.
It begins with the murder of Eleanor Bruton-the latest woman to be in possession of a scrap of fraying embroidery that would appear to be worthless at first glance, but might be the key to finding the elusive “Book of Wonders”-worth millions.
The Order of St Katherine, devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control and The Fellowship of the Larks, determined to amass positions of power for Women without using men to do so, will both go to ANY lengths to secure the artifact.
Each of the groups believe that the embroidery will lead them to the valuable manuscript, from which it was torn.
When a young graduate, Dr Anya Brown manages to translate the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Professor Diana Cornish, a high-ranking member of the Fellowship of the Larks, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St Andrews. But was she hired for her expertise, her naivety or something else?
Meanwhile at Scotland Yard, Detective Clio Spicer is briefed about this from her mentor, shortly before she dies-and she will begin a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton, which will lead her toward the others.
The book alternates between the first person POV of Anya Brown, (if hindsight were foresight!) and the third person POV’s of (too) many other characters including the Detective and the Professor amongst others.
Although I loved the vivid descriptions of the Scottish countryside, the architecture and the weather-I can’t say that I enjoyed this book-but that’s on me! Because I have read just about everything that the author has written-I automatically requested this without reading the book synopsis. Had I done so-I would NOT have added this to my TBR.
You MUST find the history of ancient artifacts like the embroidery and lost manuscripts fascinating and the history of book binding interesting or you might be as bored as I was. Just not my cup of tea.
But if those subjects do interest you, there is no doubt that this book was meticulously researched, and it is intricately plotted-so it could be a better fit for you. DO see the author’s acknowledgement page.
Now Available
Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
This is dark-academia tale of the RUTHLESS ambition of two SECRET groups of women, which begins in remote St Andrews, Scotland.
It begins with the murder of Eleanor Bruton-the latest woman to be in possession of a scrap of fraying embroidery that would appear to be worthless at first glance, but might be the key to finding the elusive “Book of Wonders”-worth millions.
The Order of St Katherine, devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control and The Fellowship of the Larks, determined to amass positions of power for Women without using men to do so, will both go to ANY lengths to secure the artifact.
Each of the groups believe that the embroidery will lead them to the valuable manuscript, from which it was torn.
When a young graduate, Dr Anya Brown manages to translate the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Professor Diana Cornish, a high-ranking member of the Fellowship of the Larks, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St Andrews. But was she hired for her expertise, her naivety or something else?
Meanwhile at Scotland Yard, Detective Clio Spicer is briefed about this from her mentor, shortly before she dies-and she will begin a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton, which will lead her toward the others.
The book alternates between the first person POV of Anya Brown, (if hindsight were foresight!) and the third person POV’s of (too) many other characters including the Detective and the Professor amongst others.
Although I loved the vivid descriptions of the Scottish countryside, the architecture and the weather-I can’t say that I enjoyed this book-but that’s on me! Because I have read just about everything that the author has written-I automatically requested this without reading the book synopsis. Had I done so-I would NOT have added this to my TBR.
You MUST find the history of ancient artifacts like the embroidery and lost manuscripts fascinating and the history of book binding interesting or you might be as bored as I was. Just not my cup of tea.
But if those subjects do interest you, there is no doubt that this book was meticulously researched, and it is intricately plotted-so it could be a better fit for you. DO see the author’s acknowledgement page.
Now Available
Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
December 5, 2025
I feel like an idiot every time I envy the brilliance of creative authors—miles ahead of me—crafting intricate twists while I’m here, straining my spidey senses to detect them!”
Gilly MacMillan’s latest thriller isn’t just smart—it’s wickedly clever, densely layered, and more taut than a celebrity face post-triple Botox. This isn’t a casual read—it’s an immersive journey that demands your attention and rewards it tenfold.
The novel opens with a slow burn, introducing readers to two powerful, ideologically opposed secret women's groups: The Larks and The Katherines (or Kats). It may take a moment to absorb their differences, but doing so is crucial to fully appreciate the scale and brilliance of this book.
The Kats, or the Order of St. Katherine, revere their namesake saint and gain power through traditional roles—as wives, mothers, and caretakers. Their strength lies in subtle manipulation and persuasion within domestic and political spheres. They work behind the scenes, pulling strings through family connections, often hiding in plain sight.
In contrast, The Larks represent the feminist modern woman. Named after the bird that sings at dawn, they symbolize the “new morning” for women—independent, unapologetic, and outwardly ambitious. They hold positions of power, create academic networks, and wear their influence on their sleeves. They are not hidden within families—they are the ones shaping institutions.
This elaborate backdrop sets the stage for a chilling opening: on the rugged shores of Scotland’s Western Hebrides, Eleanor Bruton, a seemingly ordinary middle-aged woman, is found dead after being attacked by campers. But what police don’t realize is that Eleanor was no ordinary woman—she was a high-ranking member of the Kats. And her murder? Not random. It was orchestrated by the Larks.
What follows is a high-stakes game between two covert factions locked in a century-long war over an ancient artifact known only as the “Book of Wonder.” Both sides are willing to deceive, manipulate, and kill to find it first. Their influence runs deep through academia, politics, and even law enforcement—no one is safe.
Enter Dr. Anya Brown, a 26-year-old Cambridge prodigy who gained international fame for decrypting Folio 9, a long-lost manuscript. Just as she begins receiving job offers—including one from Yale—her plans are derailed by her mother’s declining health and her strong bond with Sid, her brilliant, tech-savvy boyfriend.
Then comes a lifeline: a mysterious and enticing job offer from The Institute of Manuscript Studies at St. Andrews. The position includes a seaside cottage, a competitive salary, and a role for Sid in the university’s computer science department. The offer is perfect—maybe too perfect.
Anya accepts, unaware she’s stepping into a conspiracy far deeper than she could imagine—one that intertwines with her family’s past and may determine her future. Before her, two other female assistants vanished under mysterious circumstances. Now, Anya may be next.
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard detective Clio Spencer is drawn into the same dark web after witnessing the suspicious death of her mentor—an incident tied to the Kats and Larks. Her investigation into Eleanor Bruton’s murder leads her straight into the heart of an ancient, ideological war. As Clio uncovers the chilling truth, she realizes the Institute—and the Fellowship mission behind it—might not be what they seem.
Once the pieces fall into place, the story transforms into an unputdownable thriller. The pacing escalates dramatically, the tension mounts, and MacMillan’s signature multi-perspective storytelling hits full throttle. It’s a narrative masterclass—packed with secrets, betrayals, philosophical dilemmas, and shocking revelations.
From misty Hebridean shores to the final, haunting pages set in Verona, the setting itself becomes a character—rich, evocative, and deeply tied to the story’s emotional weight. The symbolic echo of the Capulets and Montagues looms large as the two rival factions spiral into destruction—showing us that, when ideology is weaponized, even the noblest causes can turn monstrous.
Final Thoughts:
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s an intellectual feast, a feminist mystery, a secret society drama, and a deeply emotional character study. Gilly MacMillan delivers her finest work to date—a dazzling, high-stakes novel that challenges, thrills, and devastates in equal measure.
I cannot imagine rating this anything less than five stars. It’s a flawless execution of concept, character, and craft.
Gilly MacMillan is, without a doubt, one of the most important thriller authors of our time—and one I will always auto-approve!
Enormous thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital review copy of this mesmerizing academic thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Gilly MacMillan’s latest thriller isn’t just smart—it’s wickedly clever, densely layered, and more taut than a celebrity face post-triple Botox. This isn’t a casual read—it’s an immersive journey that demands your attention and rewards it tenfold.
The novel opens with a slow burn, introducing readers to two powerful, ideologically opposed secret women's groups: The Larks and The Katherines (or Kats). It may take a moment to absorb their differences, but doing so is crucial to fully appreciate the scale and brilliance of this book.
The Kats, or the Order of St. Katherine, revere their namesake saint and gain power through traditional roles—as wives, mothers, and caretakers. Their strength lies in subtle manipulation and persuasion within domestic and political spheres. They work behind the scenes, pulling strings through family connections, often hiding in plain sight.
In contrast, The Larks represent the feminist modern woman. Named after the bird that sings at dawn, they symbolize the “new morning” for women—independent, unapologetic, and outwardly ambitious. They hold positions of power, create academic networks, and wear their influence on their sleeves. They are not hidden within families—they are the ones shaping institutions.
This elaborate backdrop sets the stage for a chilling opening: on the rugged shores of Scotland’s Western Hebrides, Eleanor Bruton, a seemingly ordinary middle-aged woman, is found dead after being attacked by campers. But what police don’t realize is that Eleanor was no ordinary woman—she was a high-ranking member of the Kats. And her murder? Not random. It was orchestrated by the Larks.
What follows is a high-stakes game between two covert factions locked in a century-long war over an ancient artifact known only as the “Book of Wonder.” Both sides are willing to deceive, manipulate, and kill to find it first. Their influence runs deep through academia, politics, and even law enforcement—no one is safe.
Enter Dr. Anya Brown, a 26-year-old Cambridge prodigy who gained international fame for decrypting Folio 9, a long-lost manuscript. Just as she begins receiving job offers—including one from Yale—her plans are derailed by her mother’s declining health and her strong bond with Sid, her brilliant, tech-savvy boyfriend.
Then comes a lifeline: a mysterious and enticing job offer from The Institute of Manuscript Studies at St. Andrews. The position includes a seaside cottage, a competitive salary, and a role for Sid in the university’s computer science department. The offer is perfect—maybe too perfect.
Anya accepts, unaware she’s stepping into a conspiracy far deeper than she could imagine—one that intertwines with her family’s past and may determine her future. Before her, two other female assistants vanished under mysterious circumstances. Now, Anya may be next.
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard detective Clio Spencer is drawn into the same dark web after witnessing the suspicious death of her mentor—an incident tied to the Kats and Larks. Her investigation into Eleanor Bruton’s murder leads her straight into the heart of an ancient, ideological war. As Clio uncovers the chilling truth, she realizes the Institute—and the Fellowship mission behind it—might not be what they seem.
Once the pieces fall into place, the story transforms into an unputdownable thriller. The pacing escalates dramatically, the tension mounts, and MacMillan’s signature multi-perspective storytelling hits full throttle. It’s a narrative masterclass—packed with secrets, betrayals, philosophical dilemmas, and shocking revelations.
From misty Hebridean shores to the final, haunting pages set in Verona, the setting itself becomes a character—rich, evocative, and deeply tied to the story’s emotional weight. The symbolic echo of the Capulets and Montagues looms large as the two rival factions spiral into destruction—showing us that, when ideology is weaponized, even the noblest causes can turn monstrous.
Final Thoughts:
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s an intellectual feast, a feminist mystery, a secret society drama, and a deeply emotional character study. Gilly MacMillan delivers her finest work to date—a dazzling, high-stakes novel that challenges, thrills, and devastates in equal measure.
I cannot imagine rating this anything less than five stars. It’s a flawless execution of concept, character, and craft.
Gilly MacMillan is, without a doubt, one of the most important thriller authors of our time—and one I will always auto-approve!
Enormous thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital review copy of this mesmerizing academic thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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November 1, 2025This DNF is completely on me. If I’d read the blurb more closely I would’ve noticed this is dark academia and conspiracy fiction revolving around a historical artifact and secret societies. It’s drawn comparisons to The Da Vinci Code, a story I didn’t love. My biggest issue, though, was that it revolves around a certain kind of female empowerment storyline that’s more irritating to me than inspiring.
Small soapbox moment, so bear with me. I get that women have historically gotten and still get a raw deal from unfair or outdated patriarchal ideas, but female characters resorting to murder, manipulation or unchecked ambition towards men or each other is quite literally emulating what they supposedly hate. The goal may be to illuminate the systems, but in the end it always seems to demonize men either explicitly or implicitly. How about we just elevate female characters and celebrate their good qualities? What a breath of fresh air that would be!
Please read others’ reviews to get a detailed description of the story. I don’t feel qualified to do so having read so little of it. I finished about 15% and to be quite honest, found the prologue and first couple chapters about as exciting as a piece of dry toast. Not even buttered. *sad*
This was my first try with Gilly Macmillan who I’ve heard such good things about from friends, so I do think it’s just the particular themes and content that weren’t a good match for my tastes. Her writing is quite descriptive and set the scene and atmosphere of the story very nicely. I trust that another book of hers would be a better fit!
I won’t rate this since it’s a DNF.
Thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley and author Gilly Macmillan for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out on November 18, 2025.
Small soapbox moment, so bear with me. I get that women have historically gotten and still get a raw deal from unfair or outdated patriarchal ideas, but female characters resorting to murder, manipulation or unchecked ambition towards men or each other is quite literally emulating what they supposedly hate. The goal may be to illuminate the systems, but in the end it always seems to demonize men either explicitly or implicitly. How about we just elevate female characters and celebrate their good qualities? What a breath of fresh air that would be!
Please read others’ reviews to get a detailed description of the story. I don’t feel qualified to do so having read so little of it. I finished about 15% and to be quite honest, found the prologue and first couple chapters about as exciting as a piece of dry toast. Not even buttered. *sad*
This was my first try with Gilly Macmillan who I’ve heard such good things about from friends, so I do think it’s just the particular themes and content that weren’t a good match for my tastes. Her writing is quite descriptive and set the scene and atmosphere of the story very nicely. I trust that another book of hers would be a better fit!
I won’t rate this since it’s a DNF.
Thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley and author Gilly Macmillan for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out on November 18, 2025.
November 15, 2025
I had high hopes for The Burning Library as I have read another book by this author, To Tell You the Truth and enjoyed it. But The Burning Library didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was intrigued by the synopsis of two groups of cunning and intelligent women going against each other to secure/obtain a valuable artifact. That they are willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goal, including murder, had me wanting to dive right into this book.
Eleanor Bruton’s body was found in Scotland’s Western Hebrides and Detective Clio Spicer will begin an investigation as to what happened to Eleanor. Her family thought she was an ordinary woman, but she had a dark secret! The Order of St Katherine and the Fellowship of the Larks are the two rival groups of women who wanted to get their eyes and hands on the piece of fabric that Eleanor had in possession.
Dr Anya Brown is approached and presented with a prestigious position at St Andrews. Anya is very smart and has an impressive memory. She is hesitant to start but can't refuse but soon she will begin to wonder why she was handpicked and to what end?????
Welp! This book felt much longer than it was to me. The beginning started out great, and I was instantly intrigued but as the book progressed, I found myself losing interest and turning to other books. I had a hard time staying engaged. There is quite a bit of characters between the two rival groups of women with differing motivations. There were also some slow sections which bogged the book down for me. What did work was Anya's connection to one of the characters in this book. I also enjoyed the tension and danger that flowed throughout the book. Dark academia books are a hit or miss for me, and this one just became a bit of a struggle for me. I was engaged enough to want to finish, but this book never quite wowed me. As I have enjoyed a previous book by this author, I will be reading more of this author's books in the future. We can't love them all and that is the case here!
While this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, it did dazzle other reviewers so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Eleanor Bruton’s body was found in Scotland’s Western Hebrides and Detective Clio Spicer will begin an investigation as to what happened to Eleanor. Her family thought she was an ordinary woman, but she had a dark secret! The Order of St Katherine and the Fellowship of the Larks are the two rival groups of women who wanted to get their eyes and hands on the piece of fabric that Eleanor had in possession.
Dr Anya Brown is approached and presented with a prestigious position at St Andrews. Anya is very smart and has an impressive memory. She is hesitant to start but can't refuse but soon she will begin to wonder why she was handpicked and to what end?????
Welp! This book felt much longer than it was to me. The beginning started out great, and I was instantly intrigued but as the book progressed, I found myself losing interest and turning to other books. I had a hard time staying engaged. There is quite a bit of characters between the two rival groups of women with differing motivations. There were also some slow sections which bogged the book down for me. What did work was Anya's connection to one of the characters in this book. I also enjoyed the tension and danger that flowed throughout the book. Dark academia books are a hit or miss for me, and this one just became a bit of a struggle for me. I was engaged enough to want to finish, but this book never quite wowed me. As I have enjoyed a previous book by this author, I will be reading more of this author's books in the future. We can't love them all and that is the case here!
While this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, it did dazzle other reviewers so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
November 14, 2025
Confession time! I’m guilty… of choosing this book based simply on my enjoyment of this author’s previous works as well as the eye-catching cover art.
Did I read the description? No, I did not.
Should I have taken a moment to do so? Probably.💁🏻♀️
It was billed as dark academia that I’ve enjoyed in the past, so I assumed I’d have no issues here. But sadly, I did.
It was difficult to keep it all straight, but let me try.
Two opposing women’s groups have been involved in a bitter rivalry for years, more than a century in fact. Now they’re fighting over an ancient manuscript and will stop at nothing to gain control.
Dr. Anya Brown, a recent graduate, just received an incredible new job opportunity at St Andrew’s. This seems like the job of a lifetime. But did Anya just step into something much deeper?
We also have Detective Clio Spicer from Scotland Yard investigating the death of her mentor, and more.
Did I get all that correct? I hope so! There was just too much happening and I had difficulty connecting the pieces and following along. By 40% I felt a bit lost, but kept going hoping it would eventually come together and I’d a have an a-ha moment.😕
Lots of mixed reviews for this book. So make sure to take a look at the five-star reviews!
✍️ Gilly Macmillan
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Nov 18 2025
📈 3/5🌟🌟🌟
👉 Dark Academia, Mystery, Thriller
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow
Did I read the description? No, I did not.
Should I have taken a moment to do so? Probably.💁🏻♀️
It was billed as dark academia that I’ve enjoyed in the past, so I assumed I’d have no issues here. But sadly, I did.
It was difficult to keep it all straight, but let me try.
Two opposing women’s groups have been involved in a bitter rivalry for years, more than a century in fact. Now they’re fighting over an ancient manuscript and will stop at nothing to gain control.
Dr. Anya Brown, a recent graduate, just received an incredible new job opportunity at St Andrew’s. This seems like the job of a lifetime. But did Anya just step into something much deeper?
We also have Detective Clio Spicer from Scotland Yard investigating the death of her mentor, and more.
Did I get all that correct? I hope so! There was just too much happening and I had difficulty connecting the pieces and following along. By 40% I felt a bit lost, but kept going hoping it would eventually come together and I’d a have an a-ha moment.😕
Lots of mixed reviews for this book. So make sure to take a look at the five-star reviews!
✍️ Gilly Macmillan
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Nov 18 2025
📈 3/5🌟🌟🌟
👉 Dark Academia, Mystery, Thriller
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow
December 9, 2025
Evoking a Da Vinci Code-esque vibe, The Burning Library was the definition of genre-bending novel. Taking a complex mystery and adding a historical backstory to its thriller core, the plot had me trying to work out the literary clues all while keeping me on the edge of my seat. You see, it was a deft mix of Dan Brown and Ruth Ware. Twisty, propulsive, and intricately plotted, there was no chance of me possibly figuring this one out before the perfectly wrapped up conclusion. That being said, I would’ve loved for the adrenaline-soaked feel towards the end of the book to have started much sooner. After all, while it was always fast-paced, it wasn’t until halfway through that I had to stop myself from skimming as I raced to find out all of the whos, whats, and whys. With secret societies, devious schemes, and one heck of a game of cat-and-mouse, I couldn’t put this one down until I flipped the very last page.
All in all, I had a blast flying through this book in one single evening. With multiple POVs, an atmospheric setting, and a dark academia edge, the feminism-laced story was like nothing I’ve read by Macmillan before. And while I have wholeheartedly loved her earlier books, this one stood out above all of the others. A globe-hopping adventure that was heart-pounding in the extreme, it was a take-no-prisoners race to the end. And let me tell you, no one in these cliffhanger chapters could be trusted at all. After all, everyone was suspicious. But it was the action-packed plot with its heart-in-your-throat climax that sealed the deal for me completely. I mean, how can you not love a storyline where every twist comes with a price? All I know if that if you love multilayered mysteries paired with epic chase scenes as much as I do, you’re definitely going to inhale this book as fast as I did. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Isles, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. To her family Eleanor was an ordinary middle-aged woman. She did flower arrangements and plumped kneeler cushions at church. Little did they know she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret. A scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance.
For over a century, two rival organizations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure the valuable artifact in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. The Order of St. Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control. And the Fellowship of the Larks, determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible…so long as their methods of doing so never come to light.
When Dr. Anya Brown garners international attention for her translation of the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Diana Cornish, a professor and high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews. Unbeknownst to Anya she’s been recruited at great personal danger to translate ancient texts that the Fellowship believes critical to their mission.
Meanwhile at Scotland Yard, Detective Constable Clio Spicer begins a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton.
As all the women grow further entangled in this ancient web, circumstances spin wildly out of control and their lives may be in grave danger.
Thank you to Gilly Macmillan and William Morrow Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 18, 2025
Content warning: cancer, gun violence, kidnapping, mention of: fatal hit-and-run accident, suicide
All in all, I had a blast flying through this book in one single evening. With multiple POVs, an atmospheric setting, and a dark academia edge, the feminism-laced story was like nothing I’ve read by Macmillan before. And while I have wholeheartedly loved her earlier books, this one stood out above all of the others. A globe-hopping adventure that was heart-pounding in the extreme, it was a take-no-prisoners race to the end. And let me tell you, no one in these cliffhanger chapters could be trusted at all. After all, everyone was suspicious. But it was the action-packed plot with its heart-in-your-throat climax that sealed the deal for me completely. I mean, how can you not love a storyline where every twist comes with a price? All I know if that if you love multilayered mysteries paired with epic chase scenes as much as I do, you’re definitely going to inhale this book as fast as I did. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Isles, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. To her family Eleanor was an ordinary middle-aged woman. She did flower arrangements and plumped kneeler cushions at church. Little did they know she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret. A scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance.
For over a century, two rival organizations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure the valuable artifact in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. The Order of St. Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control. And the Fellowship of the Larks, determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible…so long as their methods of doing so never come to light.
When Dr. Anya Brown garners international attention for her translation of the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Diana Cornish, a professor and high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews. Unbeknownst to Anya she’s been recruited at great personal danger to translate ancient texts that the Fellowship believes critical to their mission.
Meanwhile at Scotland Yard, Detective Constable Clio Spicer begins a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton.
As all the women grow further entangled in this ancient web, circumstances spin wildly out of control and their lives may be in grave danger.
Thank you to Gilly Macmillan and William Morrow Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 18, 2025
Content warning: cancer, gun violence, kidnapping, mention of: fatal hit-and-run accident, suicide
November 8, 2025
This is the most intelligent thriller I have ever read!
The very compelling story of a woman with an eidetic memory (photographic) who is being courted by a secretive group of female academics with an anonymous benefactor to study ancient manuscripts.
This storyline is rich, deep and very suspenseful. There truly is not anywhere along my reading where this dipped, stalled or I was left wanting more or less. YES! A perfect read for me.
Let's talk characters…
We have whip smart women and definitely darker than morally grey characters that you still may want to root for. The protagonist Anya Brown was so well developed as the author let you climb into Anya's thinking process. The secondary characters were also extremely rich.
As a woman reading this I was so very intrigued about what drove each of the players in this novel. That being said I believe this makes for a great book for both male and female readers.
Macmillan seamlessly wrote us through to a smooth and proper ending.
Since I am so enamored with this book of course I am going to suggest you read it. Put it on your list of books to read and do read as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed.
The publication date for The Burning Library is November 18th.
A huge thank you to the extremely talented author Gilly Macmillan as well as her publishing house William Marrow for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this novel. As always, I appreciate NetGalley for facilitating the advanced copy of this book.
The very compelling story of a woman with an eidetic memory (photographic) who is being courted by a secretive group of female academics with an anonymous benefactor to study ancient manuscripts.
This storyline is rich, deep and very suspenseful. There truly is not anywhere along my reading where this dipped, stalled or I was left wanting more or less. YES! A perfect read for me.
Let's talk characters…
We have whip smart women and definitely darker than morally grey characters that you still may want to root for. The protagonist Anya Brown was so well developed as the author let you climb into Anya's thinking process. The secondary characters were also extremely rich.
As a woman reading this I was so very intrigued about what drove each of the players in this novel. That being said I believe this makes for a great book for both male and female readers.
Macmillan seamlessly wrote us through to a smooth and proper ending.
Since I am so enamored with this book of course I am going to suggest you read it. Put it on your list of books to read and do read as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed.
The publication date for The Burning Library is November 18th.
A huge thank you to the extremely talented author Gilly Macmillan as well as her publishing house William Marrow for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this novel. As always, I appreciate NetGalley for facilitating the advanced copy of this book.
June 1, 2025
ARC for review. To be published November 18, 2025.
2 stars
For well over a century two societies of women with very different viewpoints, the Order of St. Katherine, who believe that women exert power and influence through their control of their husbands and other men and the Fellowship of the Larks who want women to have their own positions of power (there is no question which one I would be in, and I wonder if, in any way, this is meant to mirror our current political divide) have been battling for control of a manuscript, the Book of Wonders. Apparently it will…give power? Improve lives? This is not clear at all and really lessens by enjoyment of the book.
Dr. Anya Brown has just graduated from Oxford and has received much acclaim for translating an ancient folio; she has her pick of great jobs. She is intrigued by an offer from the Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews and going there would mean a job for her fiancé and allow her to stay close to her ailing mother.
Meanwhile, at Scotland Yard, Clio Spencer is looking into the death of her mentor, which she believes is linked to the two women’s organizations.
This book is rather like a beautifully gift wrapped package with nothing in it. Again, both groups are desperate for the manuscript, but why? Both groups claim to help women, but there is no indication that they do anything other than assist the moneyed, powerful women who are already members, and I’m assuming that’s what they will continue to do, but none of this is explained or really even touched on. It’s like the author thought that having secret societies and a quest was enough, nothing more necessary. So, the book was well-written, but there was no there there.
2 stars
For well over a century two societies of women with very different viewpoints, the Order of St. Katherine, who believe that women exert power and influence through their control of their husbands and other men and the Fellowship of the Larks who want women to have their own positions of power (there is no question which one I would be in, and I wonder if, in any way, this is meant to mirror our current political divide) have been battling for control of a manuscript, the Book of Wonders. Apparently it will…give power? Improve lives? This is not clear at all and really lessens by enjoyment of the book.
Dr. Anya Brown has just graduated from Oxford and has received much acclaim for translating an ancient folio; she has her pick of great jobs. She is intrigued by an offer from the Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews and going there would mean a job for her fiancé and allow her to stay close to her ailing mother.
Meanwhile, at Scotland Yard, Clio Spencer is looking into the death of her mentor, which she believes is linked to the two women’s organizations.
This book is rather like a beautifully gift wrapped package with nothing in it. Again, both groups are desperate for the manuscript, but why? Both groups claim to help women, but there is no indication that they do anything other than assist the moneyed, powerful women who are already members, and I’m assuming that’s what they will continue to do, but none of this is explained or really even touched on. It’s like the author thought that having secret societies and a quest was enough, nothing more necessary. So, the book was well-written, but there was no there there.
November 26, 2025
Sigh…
I went into this book hoping for the best. The setting of this book is, St. Andrews, Scotland, a place that is near and dear to my Scottish heart. I saw the polarizing reviews and was optimistic this would be a winner for me based on this alone.
Overall, this book was confusing and convoluted with so many characters, it was hard to keep track of them all.
I regret not writing down the characters; but even then I am not even sure I fully understood this book. It was similar to a Da Vinci Code treasure hunt. The treasure was a sought after book. This part reminded me of my visit to, The Book of Kells, in Dublin.
This just wasn’t for me. Unbelievable is some parts as well. Overall it was a bit weird, IMHO. A definite departure from what Gilly usually writes about. I hope if you decide to read it you have better luck. 🍀
Totally unrelated -but if you do go to St. Andrews, they have the best ice cream/gelato shop. 🥰🤣
I went into this book hoping for the best. The setting of this book is, St. Andrews, Scotland, a place that is near and dear to my Scottish heart. I saw the polarizing reviews and was optimistic this would be a winner for me based on this alone.
Overall, this book was confusing and convoluted with so many characters, it was hard to keep track of them all.
I regret not writing down the characters; but even then I am not even sure I fully understood this book. It was similar to a Da Vinci Code treasure hunt. The treasure was a sought after book. This part reminded me of my visit to, The Book of Kells, in Dublin.
This just wasn’t for me. Unbelievable is some parts as well. Overall it was a bit weird, IMHO. A definite departure from what Gilly usually writes about. I hope if you decide to read it you have better luck. 🍀
Totally unrelated -but if you do go to St. Andrews, they have the best ice cream/gelato shop. 🥰🤣
October 26, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Burning Library, by Gilly Macmillan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Eleanor Bruton is dead, was she murdered? People get obsessed with the strangest things. This was a an interesting read.
September 1, 2025
3.5 stars on this one. This could've really been a 4 if it didn't take me half the book to figure out all the main characters and side characters. There were a lot to leo straight. This mystery/dark academia with murdery vibes book had me fully engrossed though.Gilly MacMillan clearly put a lot of research info in while writing this book. It's packed with history and the history of acient places. Fun fact: the manuscript is real, too. You can such a detailed history of Scotland as well.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gilly Macmillan for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Expected release date November 18, 2025!
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gilly Macmillan for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Expected release date November 18, 2025!
November 18, 2025
The Burning Library from Gilly Macmillan is set in what I’ve seen referred to as dark academia. Action begins in the hallowed halls of Oxford and moves toward a small, very secretive college and manuscript center in St Andrew, Scotland. It involves centuries old texts and weavings, secret groups of women with opposing views of woman’s place in the world, one sought after relic that may offer the group that finds it superiority for the future. And into this occasionally deadly stew graduates Dr. Anya Brown, a specialist in translation of old texts. At this point there has already been a death, likely a murder, so my mystery antennae were ready to go.
And on this story does go, eventually involving Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Squad as well. I did enjoy much of the development and chase aspects of this novel. It’s escapist fun. But as the plot continued to become more complex, at times almost outrageous in its use of coincidence, my enjoyment became tempered with…what?…disappointment? Yes. As I finished this book, I realized I had enjoyed a 4* ride to a lesser conclusion which brought the whole experience down for me. The holes in the construction became that much more obvious, the coincidences and outrageous events even less passable. Well, I did enjoy the suspense during the ride. I only wish the whole had held together better.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
And on this story does go, eventually involving Scotland Yard’s Art and Antiques Squad as well. I did enjoy much of the development and chase aspects of this novel. It’s escapist fun. But as the plot continued to become more complex, at times almost outrageous in its use of coincidence, my enjoyment became tempered with…what?…disappointment? Yes. As I finished this book, I realized I had enjoyed a 4* ride to a lesser conclusion which brought the whole experience down for me. The holes in the construction became that much more obvious, the coincidences and outrageous events even less passable. Well, I did enjoy the suspense during the ride. I only wish the whole had held together better.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
December 4, 2025
DNF'd this book halfway through. It was just very dull and slow. content and the writing style didn't help matters. I'm sad as I have enjoyed this author's previous work, I just don't want to force myself to continue reading if I'm not feeling it.
November 15, 2025
Review to follow nearer publication date.
December 8, 2025
An absorbing, globe-trotting literary adventure that feels like a female spin on "The Da Vinci Code" - in the best possible way.
When rare book expert Anya Callaghan is hired to authenticate an ancient manuscript, she's drawn into a centuries-old mystery that stretches from St. Andrew's windswept shore and Oxford's dusty archives to sunlit villas on the Italian coast. What begins as a quiet scholarly pursuit quickly spirals into a deadly race between rival secret societies, both determined to uncover and control a long-lost treasure that could rewrite history.
I don't usually reach for adventure or treasure-hunt thrillers, but hear a lot of good things about "The Burning Library" that had me intrigued. The novel hooked me right away with everything I love in a good escapist read: gorgeous locations, ancient puzzles, shadowy allegiances, and the kind of high-stakes intrigue that keeps you flipping pages. Anya is a particularly likable heroine - smart, wry, and grounded amid all the chaos - and her chapters were easily my favorite.
A few quibbles: if I were part of a centuries-old secret order at war with another secret order, I’d probably skip wearing the organization’s logo in public. Also, there are a lot of side characters, many with their own points of view, which occasionally diluted the momentum.
Still, The Burning Library marks an exciting new direction for Gilly Macmillan — a smart, fast-paced, and immensely fun adventure that proves she can weave tension and atmosphere into any genre she chooses.
Many thanks to William Morrow for providing me with a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Burning Library was published on ovember 18, 2025, and is available now.
When rare book expert Anya Callaghan is hired to authenticate an ancient manuscript, she's drawn into a centuries-old mystery that stretches from St. Andrew's windswept shore and Oxford's dusty archives to sunlit villas on the Italian coast. What begins as a quiet scholarly pursuit quickly spirals into a deadly race between rival secret societies, both determined to uncover and control a long-lost treasure that could rewrite history.
I don't usually reach for adventure or treasure-hunt thrillers, but hear a lot of good things about "The Burning Library" that had me intrigued. The novel hooked me right away with everything I love in a good escapist read: gorgeous locations, ancient puzzles, shadowy allegiances, and the kind of high-stakes intrigue that keeps you flipping pages. Anya is a particularly likable heroine - smart, wry, and grounded amid all the chaos - and her chapters were easily my favorite.
A few quibbles: if I were part of a centuries-old secret order at war with another secret order, I’d probably skip wearing the organization’s logo in public. Also, there are a lot of side characters, many with their own points of view, which occasionally diluted the momentum.
Still, The Burning Library marks an exciting new direction for Gilly Macmillan — a smart, fast-paced, and immensely fun adventure that proves she can weave tension and atmosphere into any genre she chooses.
Many thanks to William Morrow for providing me with a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Burning Library was published on ovember 18, 2025, and is available now.
June 29, 2025
I devoured this book in a few days🤩🤯
It had the elements of mystery, historical fiction, suspense all rolled into one. It definitely kept me on my toes. The chapters are a bit long (which I am not a fan of). There was also side character POVs throughout the book (makes it a bit difficult to track), overall it was mostly the main characters’ POVs. I really enjoyed the plot, historical backstory, and the beautiful descriptions of Scotland!
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the digital ARC.
It had the elements of mystery, historical fiction, suspense all rolled into one. It definitely kept me on my toes. The chapters are a bit long (which I am not a fan of). There was also side character POVs throughout the book (makes it a bit difficult to track), overall it was mostly the main characters’ POVs. I really enjoyed the plot, historical backstory, and the beautiful descriptions of Scotland!
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the digital ARC.
November 13, 2025
This is the first Gilly Macmillan book I have read. I have been assured that The Burning Library is not a good representation of her usual books. That being the case, and as promising as this book was, I will read more of her work.
Two rival organizations, both formed to advance women to powerful positions, are after an ancient artifact known as The Book of Wonder. One organization, the Larks, seeks to advance women directly. At the same time, the other —the Order of St. Katherine —believes a woman's power lies in being the one in the shadows, manipulating powerful men. Neither organization is above murder to achieve its goals.
Enter Anya Brown, a newly minted PhD student whose paper on solving the puzzling Folio 9 document gained her international attention. The Larks, thinking that Anya is the key to finding the missing artifact, give her an offer she can't refuse. Not suspecting the danger she is putting herself and her family in, Anya accepts the position and begins solving the puzzles related to the manuscript. It doesn't take long before Anya must decide between family and career. The decision has life-or-death consequences.
I liked the book's premise —advancing women to positions of power —but not so much the methods both groups used to achieve their goals. I also liked the descriptions of the puzzles Anya solved to try to find The Book of Wonder. They reminded me of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, only without the one-paragraph chapters. What I didn't like was the ending. As it approached, I checked whether this was the first book in a series because there was so much to wrap up. Instead, Macmillan rushed the ending with broad explanations that weren't particularly satisfying. The Burning Library is a thought-provoking book; it just needed a better ending. 3/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 18, 2025.
Two rival organizations, both formed to advance women to powerful positions, are after an ancient artifact known as The Book of Wonder. One organization, the Larks, seeks to advance women directly. At the same time, the other —the Order of St. Katherine —believes a woman's power lies in being the one in the shadows, manipulating powerful men. Neither organization is above murder to achieve its goals.
Enter Anya Brown, a newly minted PhD student whose paper on solving the puzzling Folio 9 document gained her international attention. The Larks, thinking that Anya is the key to finding the missing artifact, give her an offer she can't refuse. Not suspecting the danger she is putting herself and her family in, Anya accepts the position and begins solving the puzzles related to the manuscript. It doesn't take long before Anya must decide between family and career. The decision has life-or-death consequences.
I liked the book's premise —advancing women to positions of power —but not so much the methods both groups used to achieve their goals. I also liked the descriptions of the puzzles Anya solved to try to find The Book of Wonder. They reminded me of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, only without the one-paragraph chapters. What I didn't like was the ending. As it approached, I checked whether this was the first book in a series because there was so much to wrap up. Instead, Macmillan rushed the ending with broad explanations that weren't particularly satisfying. The Burning Library is a thought-provoking book; it just needed a better ending. 3/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 18, 2025.
November 6, 2025
Who knew the world of rare, ancient artifacts was filled with such unsavory characters? A woman who is found murdered on a beach sets off a whole slew of reactions, all related to one rare object. Multiple narrators each have their own agendas and their lives each become intertwined with the mystery.
This has a Da Vinci Code flavor to it and was certainly eye opening. I liked the frenetic pace and how all the loose threads connected in the end. For fans of Ruth Ware and Clare Mackintosh.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, William Morrow and Gilly Macmillan for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This has a Da Vinci Code flavor to it and was certainly eye opening. I liked the frenetic pace and how all the loose threads connected in the end. For fans of Ruth Ware and Clare Mackintosh.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, William Morrow and Gilly Macmillan for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
This was such a different book from thriller writer Gilly Macmillan. It took a little while to fully become engaged in the story but once I did I struggled to stop reading it.
It has a Da Vinci Code vibe, with ancient secret societies, missing manuscripts, historical documents and artefacts. There is a lot to take in, lots of characters and names but it was so interesting and different from what usually read. It was intense and dark and so clever, fully of fabulous details on the history and the settings. It was difficult to know who to trust with plenty of evil villains.
Thanks to William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. I wish I had read it sooner. Published on November 18th.
It has a Da Vinci Code vibe, with ancient secret societies, missing manuscripts, historical documents and artefacts. There is a lot to take in, lots of characters and names but it was so interesting and different from what usually read. It was intense and dark and so clever, fully of fabulous details on the history and the settings. It was difficult to know who to trust with plenty of evil villains.
Thanks to William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. I wish I had read it sooner. Published on November 18th.
November 24, 2025
This started off well-enough, but then it just felt too removed from reality. It also has a very Dan Brown feel to all of it, with concealed women's societies and secrets born down and hidden through centuries. Thankfully, the characters and character development was better than what Dan Brown usually manages. All in all, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for though.
October 23, 2025
Set against the stark beauty of Scotland’s Western Hebrides, The Burning Library begins with the discovery of Eleanor Bruton’s body on a cold, windswept shore. To her family, Eleanor was an unremarkable woman; quiet, helpful at church, fond of flowers but she carried a dark secret: a scrap of medieval embroidery linked to a centuries-old battle between two rival female societies, The Order of St. Katherine and The Fellowship of the Larks. As modern scholars, detectives, and academics including Dr. Anya Brown and Detective Clio Spicer become entangled in this shadowy history, the race to uncover the truth about “The Book of Wonders” turns deadly.
Phew. There’s a lot going on in this one. It’s got big Da Vinci Code energy: secret societies, lost manuscripts, and centuries of power struggles hidden behind academia. I liked the overall concept and thought Anya and her boyfriend were refreshingly sensible for main characters (no cliché “running into danger” moments). The writing is solid and clearly well-researched, but I found it difficult to keep track of all the clues and secondary characters; there was just ALOT to process and keep straight which made it hard to focus on the storyline. It also lacked any clear understanding around who The Katherines and The Larks are. I would have liked to know more about their origins, motivations, and what “The Book of Wonders” truly meant. Having that would have helped me to feel more invested in the overall story.
That said, the semi–dark academia vibes were spot-on, and Macmillan’s prose carries a sophisticated tension that kept me turning the pages. Ultimately, The Burning Library is a richly imagined story that just tries to do a little too much but still manages to intrigue until the end. Definitely great for lovers of historical conspiracies, academic thrillers, and secret societies with strong feminist undertones.
The Burning Library comes out November 18, 2025. Huge thank you to William Morrow for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
Website: SPEAKINGOF.ORG
Phew. There’s a lot going on in this one. It’s got big Da Vinci Code energy: secret societies, lost manuscripts, and centuries of power struggles hidden behind academia. I liked the overall concept and thought Anya and her boyfriend were refreshingly sensible for main characters (no cliché “running into danger” moments). The writing is solid and clearly well-researched, but I found it difficult to keep track of all the clues and secondary characters; there was just ALOT to process and keep straight which made it hard to focus on the storyline. It also lacked any clear understanding around who The Katherines and The Larks are. I would have liked to know more about their origins, motivations, and what “The Book of Wonders” truly meant. Having that would have helped me to feel more invested in the overall story.
That said, the semi–dark academia vibes were spot-on, and Macmillan’s prose carries a sophisticated tension that kept me turning the pages. Ultimately, The Burning Library is a richly imagined story that just tries to do a little too much but still manages to intrigue until the end. Definitely great for lovers of historical conspiracies, academic thrillers, and secret societies with strong feminist undertones.
The Burning Library comes out November 18, 2025. Huge thank you to William Morrow for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
Website: SPEAKINGOF.ORG
November 9, 2025
2 stars. Gilly Macmillan is such a fantastic storyteller. I love her books - told in a unique style all her own. This sounded way different than her previous novels and I was ecstatic to receive an eARC, thanks William Morrow! Unfortunately I had to put this aside. Keeping the many characters straight was one thing, but misunderstanding as to what the Book of Wonders actually does? Well.. that’s the main point of the book. Luckily this is my reading groups December pick and will gain more insight then. Pub. 11/18/25
November 12, 2025
This book is categorized as a thriller. I would call it an intelligent thriller.
How many secret societies exist in the world? And would you know the members ifthey weren't looking for you? Dr. Anya Brown is just trying to make a name forherself. When she solves the mystery of Folio 9, she's sought out by a group purporting to be an elite academicuniversity. But soon she's caught in the crosshairs between two female-ledsocieties, with opposing philosophies. And they want what Anya holds the key to.
This book starts out slowly while it establishes the background, but it's worth sticking with! Ifyou enjoy Dan Brown-style books or Katherine Neville's The Eight, fiction basedon historical facts, and Scottish settings, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance reader's copy.
How many secret societies exist in the world? And would you know the members ifthey weren't looking for you? Dr. Anya Brown is just trying to make a name forherself. When she solves the mystery of Folio 9, she's sought out by a group purporting to be an elite academicuniversity. But soon she's caught in the crosshairs between two female-ledsocieties, with opposing philosophies. And they want what Anya holds the key to.
This book starts out slowly while it establishes the background, but it's worth sticking with! Ifyou enjoy Dan Brown-style books or Katherine Neville's The Eight, fiction basedon historical facts, and Scottish settings, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance reader's copy.
May 17, 2025
I think I'm the outlier on not enjoying this book, but here it is. I've read and loved this author before and this book was just not it for me.
A PhD student/newly graduated doctor is given the chance of a lifetime to study special manuscripts and work in a very select company of academics. She even gets to bring along her boyfriend for the ride!
But! Two groups of women are watching her every move. The groups of women are at war with each other because- gasp- one of the groups thinks women should stay at home and raise families and the other thinks women should focus on their careers! Even though they both agree women should have more control over men, this is the line they can't agree on!
Anyway, there's also a police officer who just found all this out and is trying to figure out what it means.
People are willing to kill to get THE elusive manuscript- that only this woman can find.
Twists? Sure, but, meh.
1,009 viewpoints? You betcha.
I finished it, but... maybe next time I'll skip this author.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
A PhD student/newly graduated doctor is given the chance of a lifetime to study special manuscripts and work in a very select company of academics. She even gets to bring along her boyfriend for the ride!
But! Two groups of women are watching her every move. The groups of women are at war with each other because- gasp- one of the groups thinks women should stay at home and raise families and the other thinks women should focus on their careers! Even though they both agree women should have more control over men, this is the line they can't agree on!
Anyway, there's also a police officer who just found all this out and is trying to figure out what it means.
People are willing to kill to get THE elusive manuscript- that only this woman can find.
Twists? Sure, but, meh.
1,009 viewpoints? You betcha.
I finished it, but... maybe next time I'll skip this author.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
August 8, 2025
I debated on 3.5 or 4 ⭐️ and decided on 4, because the story did hold my attention to the very end.
I won’t go through what it’s about as many other reviewers have, but I will reiterate the frustration in not knowing what The Book of Wonders actually held. Why was it so significant that there are 2 orders of powerful women going back at least a century, fighting and killing for it?
I’ll never know. 😥
Despite the entire point of the story not having a resolved answer to the question, “What’s in THE BOOK, DAMNIT?!”… I did enjoy the mystery, the high-powered women out doing whatever it took, and I also really enjoyed Anya, poor woman. All she wanted was some recognition, to go through manuscripts, and her father’s love. What she got was betrayal and murder around every corner.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!
I won’t go through what it’s about as many other reviewers have, but I will reiterate the frustration in not knowing what The Book of Wonders actually held. Why was it so significant that there are 2 orders of powerful women going back at least a century, fighting and killing for it?
I’ll never know. 😥
Despite the entire point of the story not having a resolved answer to the question, “What’s in THE BOOK, DAMNIT?!”… I did enjoy the mystery, the high-powered women out doing whatever it took, and I also really enjoyed Anya, poor woman. All she wanted was some recognition, to go through manuscripts, and her father’s love. What she got was betrayal and murder around every corner.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!
December 8, 2025
I was drawn in by the cover, so I just had to pick it up! What an incredible journey it turned out to be! This book reminds me of stories like The DaVinci Code or the National Treasure movie. It invites you to help solve mysteries while learning fascinating facts along the way, many of which are based on real historical figures, places, and artworks.
In St Andrews, Scotland, Eleanor Bruton is found dead, keeping secrets about a valuable fraying embroidery. Two rival organizations, The Order of St Katherine and the Fellowship of the Larks, seek it for power. Dr. Anya Brown, recognized for her manuscript translation, is invited to the Institute of Manuscript Studies by Fellowship member Diana Cornish. As Detective Clio Spicer investigates Bruton’s death, danger intensifies for all involved.
We begin with Anya’s point of view and gradually meet Sid, Diana, Clio, and Olivia. As the plot unfolds, everything flies by, making it hard to set the book down. The characters are introduced at a comfortable pace, and it’s easy to tell them apart. The combination of historical context and the unfolding mystery is truly gripping, allowing readers to feel like detectives peeling back the layers of the story. I appreciated the strong female leads, whose cleverness, courage, and determination were truly admirable.
Knowing the story takes place in Scotland made me eager to listen to the audiobook. I was not disappointed; I loved the accents and the energy the narrators brought to the tale. It felt so authentic, as if I were right in the thick of it.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys atmospheric, dark academia vibes alongside strong female protagonists. It’s the kind of read that lingers in your mind long after finishing, making you want to do some research or reflect on its themes. It would also be an excellent choice for book clubs, sparking discussions about history, mystery, complex dynamics, and women’s issues throughout the ages.
Thank you, William Morrow and Harper Audio, for the digital ARC copies. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In St Andrews, Scotland, Eleanor Bruton is found dead, keeping secrets about a valuable fraying embroidery. Two rival organizations, The Order of St Katherine and the Fellowship of the Larks, seek it for power. Dr. Anya Brown, recognized for her manuscript translation, is invited to the Institute of Manuscript Studies by Fellowship member Diana Cornish. As Detective Clio Spicer investigates Bruton’s death, danger intensifies for all involved.
We begin with Anya’s point of view and gradually meet Sid, Diana, Clio, and Olivia. As the plot unfolds, everything flies by, making it hard to set the book down. The characters are introduced at a comfortable pace, and it’s easy to tell them apart. The combination of historical context and the unfolding mystery is truly gripping, allowing readers to feel like detectives peeling back the layers of the story. I appreciated the strong female leads, whose cleverness, courage, and determination were truly admirable.
Knowing the story takes place in Scotland made me eager to listen to the audiobook. I was not disappointed; I loved the accents and the energy the narrators brought to the tale. It felt so authentic, as if I were right in the thick of it.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys atmospheric, dark academia vibes alongside strong female protagonists. It’s the kind of read that lingers in your mind long after finishing, making you want to do some research or reflect on its themes. It would also be an excellent choice for book clubs, sparking discussions about history, mystery, complex dynamics, and women’s issues throughout the ages.
Thank you, William Morrow and Harper Audio, for the digital ARC copies. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2025
The Burning Library offered an intriguing premise, but it was weighed down by slow pacing and predictable twists. While I’ve loved Macmillan’s earlier novels (What She Knew, The Manor House, and To Tell You the Truth), this one didn’t capture me in the same way. Still, her trademark atmosphere and layered themes reminded me why I continue to pick up her work, even if this latest fell short of my expectations.
In The Burning Library, the body of Eleanor Bruton washed up on a remote Hebrides shore, sparking questions about the quiet woman’s hidden life. A torn piece of embroidery led to a powerful medieval manuscript, coveted by two rival secret societies of women. Dr. Anya Brown, a scholar whose translation attracted dangerous attention, and Detective Clio Spicer, who investigated Eleanor’s death, found their paths collided in a dark world of manuscripts, power, and secrecy where the past threatened to consume them all.
While I found the concept fascinating, parts of The Burning Library felt a little uneven. The story moved slowly in places, weighed down by dense historical detail and academic passages that sometimes pulled me out of the suspense. With so many threads—secret societies, manuscripts, Eleanor’s death, and the dual investigations—it occasionally felt overstuffed, and I wished for tighter pacing and clearer focus on the main mystery. Some of the side characters blurred together, and a few of the twists were more predictable than I hoped for in a dark academia thriller.
Despite some flaws, The Burning Library showed Macmillan’s gift for atmosphere and ambition, and I’m still eager to see what she writes next.
Thank you Net Galley and William Morrow for an advance copy in return for my feedback.
In The Burning Library, the body of Eleanor Bruton washed up on a remote Hebrides shore, sparking questions about the quiet woman’s hidden life. A torn piece of embroidery led to a powerful medieval manuscript, coveted by two rival secret societies of women. Dr. Anya Brown, a scholar whose translation attracted dangerous attention, and Detective Clio Spicer, who investigated Eleanor’s death, found their paths collided in a dark world of manuscripts, power, and secrecy where the past threatened to consume them all.
While I found the concept fascinating, parts of The Burning Library felt a little uneven. The story moved slowly in places, weighed down by dense historical detail and academic passages that sometimes pulled me out of the suspense. With so many threads—secret societies, manuscripts, Eleanor’s death, and the dual investigations—it occasionally felt overstuffed, and I wished for tighter pacing and clearer focus on the main mystery. Some of the side characters blurred together, and a few of the twists were more predictable than I hoped for in a dark academia thriller.
Despite some flaws, The Burning Library showed Macmillan’s gift for atmosphere and ambition, and I’m still eager to see what she writes next.
Thank you Net Galley and William Morrow for an advance copy in return for my feedback.
May 15, 2025
Book Review: The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan
The Burning Library is a dark academia thriller that weaves together obsession, secrets, and the haunting power of knowledge. Gilly Macmillan, known for her twist-laden narratives, delivers a gripping tale set against the backdrop of an elite institution where a fire in the library uncovers more than charred pages—it ignites a hunt for truth.
Plot & Atmosphere
When a prestigious university’s rare book collection goes up in flames, the protagonist [unnamed to prevent spoilers] is drawn into a labyrinth of academic rivalry and buried scandals. The pacing is masterful, with slow-burn tension erupting into shocking reveals. Macmillan excels at claustrophobic settings—the soot-stained library and shadowy campus corridors feel like characters themselves.
Characters & Relationships
The morally ambiguous cast, from ambitious scholars to enigmatic archivists, is richly drawn. The central relationship—a blend of intellectual sparring and dangerous attraction—anchors the emotional core. Some secondary characters could benefit from deeper development, but the protagonist’s voice is compellingly unreliable.
Themes & Execution
The novel interrogates the cost of preserving truth versus controlling narratives, with nods to The Secret History’s thematic weight. While the dark academia tropes are familiar (isolated setting, toxic mentorship), Macmillan subverts expectations with fresh twists. The finale ties threads neatly but leaves room for lingering unease.
Writing Style
Lyrical yet razor-sharp, Macmillan’s prose balances academic pretension with visceral urgency. Flashbacks are deftly woven, though some transitions jar. The use of literary quotes and manuscript excerpts adds texture without gimmickry.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Familiar genre beats elevated by execution.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Methodical build to an explosive third act.
-Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Complex leads, some thin side roles.
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immersive and chilling.
-Thematic Resonance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Smart but not groundbreaking.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A must-read for dark academia fans, blending intellectual thrills with page-turning suspense.
Perfect For Readers Who Love:
-Atmospheric campus mysteries
-Unreliable narrators
-Slow-burn psychological tension
-The Maidens or Babel
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Gilly Macmillan for providing an advance review copy of The Burning Library in exchange for an honest review.
The Burning Library is a dark academia thriller that weaves together obsession, secrets, and the haunting power of knowledge. Gilly Macmillan, known for her twist-laden narratives, delivers a gripping tale set against the backdrop of an elite institution where a fire in the library uncovers more than charred pages—it ignites a hunt for truth.
Plot & Atmosphere
When a prestigious university’s rare book collection goes up in flames, the protagonist [unnamed to prevent spoilers] is drawn into a labyrinth of academic rivalry and buried scandals. The pacing is masterful, with slow-burn tension erupting into shocking reveals. Macmillan excels at claustrophobic settings—the soot-stained library and shadowy campus corridors feel like characters themselves.
Characters & Relationships
The morally ambiguous cast, from ambitious scholars to enigmatic archivists, is richly drawn. The central relationship—a blend of intellectual sparring and dangerous attraction—anchors the emotional core. Some secondary characters could benefit from deeper development, but the protagonist’s voice is compellingly unreliable.
Themes & Execution
The novel interrogates the cost of preserving truth versus controlling narratives, with nods to The Secret History’s thematic weight. While the dark academia tropes are familiar (isolated setting, toxic mentorship), Macmillan subverts expectations with fresh twists. The finale ties threads neatly but leaves room for lingering unease.
Writing Style
Lyrical yet razor-sharp, Macmillan’s prose balances academic pretension with visceral urgency. Flashbacks are deftly woven, though some transitions jar. The use of literary quotes and manuscript excerpts adds texture without gimmickry.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Familiar genre beats elevated by execution.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Methodical build to an explosive third act.
-Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Complex leads, some thin side roles.
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immersive and chilling.
-Thematic Resonance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Smart but not groundbreaking.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A must-read for dark academia fans, blending intellectual thrills with page-turning suspense.
Perfect For Readers Who Love:
-Atmospheric campus mysteries
-Unreliable narrators
-Slow-burn psychological tension
-The Maidens or Babel
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Gilly Macmillan for providing an advance review copy of The Burning Library in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2025
Gilly Macmillan trades her usual domestic suspense territory for the shadowy corridors of dark academia in The Burning Library, a thriller that weaves together medieval manuscripts, secret societies, and ruthless ambition against the atmospheric backdrop of St Andrews, Scotland, and the ancient streets of Verona. The result is an ambitious literary puzzle that captivates as much as it occasionally overwhelms, earning its place among the more intellectually engaging thrillers of recent years while stumbling under the weight of its own complexity.
The novel opens with a striking image: Eleanor Bruton's body discovered on a remote Scottish island, clutching secrets that will unravel a centuries-old conspiracy. This middle-aged woman who spent her days arranging flowers and plumping church cushions harbored a dangerous obsession with a fragment of medieval embroidery—a seemingly worthless scrap of fabric that two rival organizations of women have spent over a century killing to possess.
The Scholar at the Center of the Storm
Dr. Anya Brown becomes Macmillan's most intellectually formidable protagonist to date. A brilliant young scholar blessed—or perhaps cursed—with an eidetic memory, Anya has just achieved international recognition for translating the cryptic Folio 9 manuscript. Her exceptional ability to recall visual details with perfect clarity makes her uniquely qualified for the work that Diana Cornish, a charismatic professor at St Andrews' exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies, desperately needs her to perform.
What Macmillan does exceptionally well here is portraying Anya's internal conflict. The character never simply relies on her photographic memory as a convenient plot device; instead, the author explores how this gift isolates her, creates imposter syndrome, and complicates her relationships. Anya's vulnerability—particularly regarding her seriously ill mother and her relationship with boyfriend Sid—adds necessary humanity to what could have been a one-dimensional genius character. Her determination to leverage her discoveries to protect those she loves drives the narrative's emotional core, even as the intellectual puzzle-solving propels the plot forward.
A Web of Women's Warfare
The novel's most provocative element lies in its depiction of two secret societies locked in ideological warfare. The Order of St. Katherine believes women must exercise power from the shadows, pulling strings behind the scenes, embracing traditional roles while secretly controlling outcomes. The Fellowship of the Larks fights to place women in overt positions of power, though their methods remain hidden. Both organizations claim to champion women's advancement; both will kill to achieve their goals.
Macmillan deserves credit for refusing to paint either group as purely heroic or villainous. The moral ambiguity feels genuine and uncomfortable in the best way. Diana Cornish, brilliant and passionate about helping women, nevertheless manipulates Anya ruthlessly and maintains an affair with a married judge to influence legislation. These women operate in shades of grey that force readers to question whether the ends justify increasingly violent means.
However, this central conflict occasionally feels more theoretical than visceral. While individual scenes crackle with tension, the broader ideological battle between the two groups sometimes reads as contrived, with their century-long rivalry feeling more like a convenient thriller framework than an organic historical development.
The Voynich Manuscript Mystery
The real treasure at the heart of The Burning Library is the legendary Voynich manuscript—a real-world medieval text that has baffled scholars for centuries with its indecipherable script and mysterious illustrations. Macmillan's fictional solution to this historical enigma proves genuinely creative: the manuscript was created by five educated women from 15th-century Verona, encoding the location of an even more valuable text called The Book of Wonder.
The author clearly conducted extensive research, and her passion for manuscripts, medieval history, and the art of translation shines through. The sections where Anya pieces together clues hidden in embroidery fragments, heraldic symbols, and cryptic Latin poetry showcase Macmillan's ability to make intellectual detective work as thrilling as a car chase. The journey to Verona, where Anya races to decode references to churches, frescoes, and the Nogarola family's country villa, succeeds in making historical scholarship feel urgent and vital.
Detective Work and Dual Narratives
Running parallel to Anya's academic quest is Detective Clio Spicer's investigation into Eleanor Bruton's death. Clio provides a grounded, procedural perspective that helps anchor the novel's more fantastical elements. Her determination to uncover the truth about her mentor's suspicious death adds weight to the stakes, reminding readers that real people are dying for these manuscripts.
The multiple perspective structure generally serves the story well, though Macmillan occasionally struggles with pacing. The frequent shifts between Anya, Clio, Diana, and various members of the rival organizations can feel choppy, particularly in the middle section where the plot juggles surveillance, academic research, ancient letters, and shadowy organizational machinations simultaneously.
Atmospheric Settings and Prose
Macmillan's evocative prose brings both St Andrews and Verona to vivid life. The descriptions of Scotland's windswept coastline, remote islands, and the medieval university town create a appropriately gothic atmosphere for this dark academic tale. The Verona sequences, where Anya traces connections between the Voynich manuscript and actual frescoes, churches, and architectural details, blend historical richness with thriller urgency effectively.
The author's style has matured considerably since her earlier domestic thrillers like What She Knew and The Nanny. While those books excelled at claustrophobic psychological tension, The Burning Library demonstrates her ability to work on a larger canvas, incorporating historical research, international settings, and more complex thematic concerns.
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its considerable strengths, the book occasionally groans under the weight of its own ambition. The plot grows unwieldy as it attempts to juggle:
The mystery of Eleanor Bruton's death
Anya's translation work and family complications
The rivalry between two secret societies
Diana Cornish's manipulation and eventual murder
The hunt for The Book of Wonder
Multiple subplots involving surveillance, academic politics, and hidden manuscripts
Some readers may find themselves wishing for a more streamlined narrative that fully explores fewer elements rather than superficially addressing many. The resolution, while providing answers, feels somewhat rushed given the elaborate setup, and certain character arcs—particularly Sid's cyber-security expertise—don't receive the development they deserve.
Themes Worth Pondering
At its core, The Burning Library asks difficult questions about women's advancement and the cost of power. Must women compromise their ethics to succeed in systems designed by men? Can secret organizations claiming to help women be trusted when they employ manipulation, surveillance, and murder? The novel refuses to provide easy answers, leaving readers to grapple with these moral complexities long after the final page.
The book also examines how knowledge itself can be both power and curse, how history preserves some voices while silencing others, and how women's intellectual contributions have been systematically erased or attributed to men throughout history.
Final Verdict
The Burning Library represents Gilly Macmillan's most ambitious work to date—a sprawling, intellectually engaging thriller that mostly succeeds in its aims despite occasional structural wobbles. Readers who enjoyed academic mysteries like The Shadow of the Wind or the historical intrigue of Kate Mosse's Languedoc trilogy will find much to appreciate here. Those seeking the tight psychological suspense of Macmillan's earlier novels like The Perfect Girl or The Long Weekend may find this more diffuse and cerebral than expected.
The novel rewards patient readers willing to invest in its complex mythology and trust that the scattered pieces will eventually coalesce. While not flawless, it demonstrates a thriller writer expanding her range and tackling weightier themes without sacrificing entertainment value. For anyone fascinated by medieval manuscripts, the mysteries of the Voynich, or the shadowy ways women have sought power throughout history, this literary treasure hunt offers a compelling, if imperfect, journey.
The novel opens with a striking image: Eleanor Bruton's body discovered on a remote Scottish island, clutching secrets that will unravel a centuries-old conspiracy. This middle-aged woman who spent her days arranging flowers and plumping church cushions harbored a dangerous obsession with a fragment of medieval embroidery—a seemingly worthless scrap of fabric that two rival organizations of women have spent over a century killing to possess.
The Scholar at the Center of the Storm
Dr. Anya Brown becomes Macmillan's most intellectually formidable protagonist to date. A brilliant young scholar blessed—or perhaps cursed—with an eidetic memory, Anya has just achieved international recognition for translating the cryptic Folio 9 manuscript. Her exceptional ability to recall visual details with perfect clarity makes her uniquely qualified for the work that Diana Cornish, a charismatic professor at St Andrews' exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies, desperately needs her to perform.
What Macmillan does exceptionally well here is portraying Anya's internal conflict. The character never simply relies on her photographic memory as a convenient plot device; instead, the author explores how this gift isolates her, creates imposter syndrome, and complicates her relationships. Anya's vulnerability—particularly regarding her seriously ill mother and her relationship with boyfriend Sid—adds necessary humanity to what could have been a one-dimensional genius character. Her determination to leverage her discoveries to protect those she loves drives the narrative's emotional core, even as the intellectual puzzle-solving propels the plot forward.
A Web of Women's Warfare
The novel's most provocative element lies in its depiction of two secret societies locked in ideological warfare. The Order of St. Katherine believes women must exercise power from the shadows, pulling strings behind the scenes, embracing traditional roles while secretly controlling outcomes. The Fellowship of the Larks fights to place women in overt positions of power, though their methods remain hidden. Both organizations claim to champion women's advancement; both will kill to achieve their goals.
Macmillan deserves credit for refusing to paint either group as purely heroic or villainous. The moral ambiguity feels genuine and uncomfortable in the best way. Diana Cornish, brilliant and passionate about helping women, nevertheless manipulates Anya ruthlessly and maintains an affair with a married judge to influence legislation. These women operate in shades of grey that force readers to question whether the ends justify increasingly violent means.
However, this central conflict occasionally feels more theoretical than visceral. While individual scenes crackle with tension, the broader ideological battle between the two groups sometimes reads as contrived, with their century-long rivalry feeling more like a convenient thriller framework than an organic historical development.
The Voynich Manuscript Mystery
The real treasure at the heart of The Burning Library is the legendary Voynich manuscript—a real-world medieval text that has baffled scholars for centuries with its indecipherable script and mysterious illustrations. Macmillan's fictional solution to this historical enigma proves genuinely creative: the manuscript was created by five educated women from 15th-century Verona, encoding the location of an even more valuable text called The Book of Wonder.
The author clearly conducted extensive research, and her passion for manuscripts, medieval history, and the art of translation shines through. The sections where Anya pieces together clues hidden in embroidery fragments, heraldic symbols, and cryptic Latin poetry showcase Macmillan's ability to make intellectual detective work as thrilling as a car chase. The journey to Verona, where Anya races to decode references to churches, frescoes, and the Nogarola family's country villa, succeeds in making historical scholarship feel urgent and vital.
Detective Work and Dual Narratives
Running parallel to Anya's academic quest is Detective Clio Spicer's investigation into Eleanor Bruton's death. Clio provides a grounded, procedural perspective that helps anchor the novel's more fantastical elements. Her determination to uncover the truth about her mentor's suspicious death adds weight to the stakes, reminding readers that real people are dying for these manuscripts.
The multiple perspective structure generally serves the story well, though Macmillan occasionally struggles with pacing. The frequent shifts between Anya, Clio, Diana, and various members of the rival organizations can feel choppy, particularly in the middle section where the plot juggles surveillance, academic research, ancient letters, and shadowy organizational machinations simultaneously.
Atmospheric Settings and Prose
Macmillan's evocative prose brings both St Andrews and Verona to vivid life. The descriptions of Scotland's windswept coastline, remote islands, and the medieval university town create a appropriately gothic atmosphere for this dark academic tale. The Verona sequences, where Anya traces connections between the Voynich manuscript and actual frescoes, churches, and architectural details, blend historical richness with thriller urgency effectively.
The author's style has matured considerably since her earlier domestic thrillers like What She Knew and The Nanny. While those books excelled at claustrophobic psychological tension, The Burning Library demonstrates her ability to work on a larger canvas, incorporating historical research, international settings, and more complex thematic concerns.
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its considerable strengths, the book occasionally groans under the weight of its own ambition. The plot grows unwieldy as it attempts to juggle:
The mystery of Eleanor Bruton's death
Anya's translation work and family complications
The rivalry between two secret societies
Diana Cornish's manipulation and eventual murder
The hunt for The Book of Wonder
Multiple subplots involving surveillance, academic politics, and hidden manuscripts
Some readers may find themselves wishing for a more streamlined narrative that fully explores fewer elements rather than superficially addressing many. The resolution, while providing answers, feels somewhat rushed given the elaborate setup, and certain character arcs—particularly Sid's cyber-security expertise—don't receive the development they deserve.
Themes Worth Pondering
At its core, The Burning Library asks difficult questions about women's advancement and the cost of power. Must women compromise their ethics to succeed in systems designed by men? Can secret organizations claiming to help women be trusted when they employ manipulation, surveillance, and murder? The novel refuses to provide easy answers, leaving readers to grapple with these moral complexities long after the final page.
The book also examines how knowledge itself can be both power and curse, how history preserves some voices while silencing others, and how women's intellectual contributions have been systematically erased or attributed to men throughout history.
Final Verdict
The Burning Library represents Gilly Macmillan's most ambitious work to date—a sprawling, intellectually engaging thriller that mostly succeeds in its aims despite occasional structural wobbles. Readers who enjoyed academic mysteries like The Shadow of the Wind or the historical intrigue of Kate Mosse's Languedoc trilogy will find much to appreciate here. Those seeking the tight psychological suspense of Macmillan's earlier novels like The Perfect Girl or The Long Weekend may find this more diffuse and cerebral than expected.
The novel rewards patient readers willing to invest in its complex mythology and trust that the scattered pieces will eventually coalesce. While not flawless, it demonstrates a thriller writer expanding her range and tackling weightier themes without sacrificing entertainment value. For anyone fascinated by medieval manuscripts, the mysteries of the Voynich, or the shadowy ways women have sought power throughout history, this literary treasure hunt offers a compelling, if imperfect, journey.
June 23, 2025
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy and opportunity to review The Burning Library.
The story is very well written and the distinction between characters was easy to follow. It's a story where you don't know how all the pieces and characters fit together at first, but there's a clear understanding you won't be in the fog long.
I enjoyed the mystery and the relationships between the characters. The downfall for me was not understanding the Latin words and historical content. You don't need to understand to enjoy the story, but with all entanglement of riddles it would have enhanced the story if I did.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy and opportunity to review The Burning Library.
The story is very well written and the distinction between characters was easy to follow. It's a story where you don't know how all the pieces and characters fit together at first, but there's a clear understanding you won't be in the fog long.
I enjoyed the mystery and the relationships between the characters. The downfall for me was not understanding the Latin words and historical content. You don't need to understand to enjoy the story, but with all entanglement of riddles it would have enhanced the story if I did.
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