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The Book Binder’s Secret
When a burned book falls into the hands of a young bookbinder, she uncovers a tale of forbidden love, a fortune lost … and murder – which puts her own life in jeopardy.
The Shadow of the Wind meets Enola Holmes in this thrilling historical novel, with an intriguing mystery, ideal for lovers of books about books.
'Original, exciting, beautifully written' M. W. Craven
‘I devoured this book! Totally immersive and highly atmospheric, this page-turning debut has a magical allure that is utterly captivating’ Evie Woods
‘With its irresistible premise and unfolding mystery, The Bookbinder’s Secret kept me hooked until the final page. A. D. Bell has brought surely every booklover's dream to life!’ Anita Frank
……………….
What danger could lie within a book?
‘I wish you had not killed him.’
Lilian Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life, caught between the oppressive walls of her father’s bookshop and the limitations of being a woman in a man’s profession. But when a burned book comes into her possession, she finds hidden beneath the binding a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune and murder.
Lily is drawn into the mystery, which hints at a forbidden romance between young lovers, and learns there are other books which conceal more of the story. Lily becomes obsessed with finding them, but she is not the only one looking, and what began as a simple intrigue quickly turns dangerous.
Her journey takes her across the country, to the eccentric booksellers of London, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, as she delves further into the heart of the secret. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything to obtain the books, Lily’s world begins to fall apart, and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth losing everything.
The Shadow of the Wind meets Enola Holmes in this thrilling historical novel, with an intriguing mystery, ideal for lovers of books about books.
'Original, exciting, beautifully written' M. W. Craven
‘I devoured this book! Totally immersive and highly atmospheric, this page-turning debut has a magical allure that is utterly captivating’ Evie Woods
‘With its irresistible premise and unfolding mystery, The Bookbinder’s Secret kept me hooked until the final page. A. D. Bell has brought surely every booklover's dream to life!’ Anita Frank
……………….
What danger could lie within a book?
‘I wish you had not killed him.’
Lilian Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life, caught between the oppressive walls of her father’s bookshop and the limitations of being a woman in a man’s profession. But when a burned book comes into her possession, she finds hidden beneath the binding a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune and murder.
Lily is drawn into the mystery, which hints at a forbidden romance between young lovers, and learns there are other books which conceal more of the story. Lily becomes obsessed with finding them, but she is not the only one looking, and what began as a simple intrigue quickly turns dangerous.
Her journey takes her across the country, to the eccentric booksellers of London, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, as she delves further into the heart of the secret. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything to obtain the books, Lily’s world begins to fall apart, and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth losing everything.
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Expected publication January 13, 2026
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About the author
A.D. Bell
1 book89 followersA. D. Bell lives in Oxford, haunting the city’s bookshops of a weekend, writing in their cafes and walking the winding paths of her characters. Their debut, The Bookbinder’s Secret, will be released in the UK by HQ in November 2025 and in the US by St Martin’s Press in January 2026.
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November 9, 2025
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This story takes place in Oxford in the year 1901. Bookbinder Lily feels disheartened by her job as a bookbinder because it is a male-dominated field, and then a mysteriously burned book ends up on her workbench. Under its binding, she finds a mysterious, fifty-year-old letter that shares a story of forbidden love, lost riches, and even a murder. This one clue has Lily obsessed with finding the series of scattered books that hold the rest of the story. As she races through the personal libraries of book collectors, she realizes that she isn't the only one searching, and maybe some secrets are meant to stay that way.
This book was a wonderfully enchanting read. I loved the way it blends historical fiction with a touch of magic effortlessly. The story sucked me in with its details, especially because books are at the forefront, and they hold more than just stories within their pages. The main mystery is very compelling and kept me turning the pages late into the night. There were a lot of descriptions about bookbinding itself as well.
What stood out the most to me was the atmosphere the author created—it's both cozy and suspenseful in equal measure. Because of the descriptive nature of the book, I will admit that the pacing felt slightly slow in a few places, but the beautifully crafted characters and the intriguing plot more than made up for it. It’s a very heartfelt story about the power of books and the secrets they can keep. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a captivating tale of magic and mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This story takes place in Oxford in the year 1901. Bookbinder Lily feels disheartened by her job as a bookbinder because it is a male-dominated field, and then a mysteriously burned book ends up on her workbench. Under its binding, she finds a mysterious, fifty-year-old letter that shares a story of forbidden love, lost riches, and even a murder. This one clue has Lily obsessed with finding the series of scattered books that hold the rest of the story. As she races through the personal libraries of book collectors, she realizes that she isn't the only one searching, and maybe some secrets are meant to stay that way.
This book was a wonderfully enchanting read. I loved the way it blends historical fiction with a touch of magic effortlessly. The story sucked me in with its details, especially because books are at the forefront, and they hold more than just stories within their pages. The main mystery is very compelling and kept me turning the pages late into the night. There were a lot of descriptions about bookbinding itself as well.
What stood out the most to me was the atmosphere the author created—it's both cozy and suspenseful in equal measure. Because of the descriptive nature of the book, I will admit that the pacing felt slightly slow in a few places, but the beautifully crafted characters and the intriguing plot more than made up for it. It’s a very heartfelt story about the power of books and the secrets they can keep. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a captivating tale of magic and mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 14, 2025
Thank you HQ for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Wow I can’t really put into words how much I enjoyed this book, it was simply stunning and very beautifully written. It has everything I look for in a book, mystery, suspense, romance, adventure, secrets and murder. This book set in Oxford 1901 is told from the point of view of Lilian Delaney who is an apprentice book binder, Lilian feels the struggle of being a woman in man’s world and profession. Lilian comes into possession of a badly burnt book when undergoing a commission. Hidden beneath the bindings of the book is the beginning of a mystery that others will kill to keep buried.
The beginning is slow to begin with but not for long, the author does a wonderful job of building the suspense up until the gripping conclusion. I really felt for Lilian she was truly put through the wringer in this book, she went all over the country and encountered many unique and interesting characters along the way. Ambrose Fane he was a rake but I loved him. I was truly gripped by this book, once I started reading I really did not want to put it down. It was a testament to the authors skill that this book had me hooked. There is romance in this book and I was kept guessing what would happen with Lilian and Harry and whether they would get past their differences, I was hoping they would. Overall a truly gripping, amazing book and one I would not hesitate to recommend. This book was one of the first Arc’s I ever read so it has a special place in my heart.
Wow I can’t really put into words how much I enjoyed this book, it was simply stunning and very beautifully written. It has everything I look for in a book, mystery, suspense, romance, adventure, secrets and murder. This book set in Oxford 1901 is told from the point of view of Lilian Delaney who is an apprentice book binder, Lilian feels the struggle of being a woman in man’s world and profession. Lilian comes into possession of a badly burnt book when undergoing a commission. Hidden beneath the bindings of the book is the beginning of a mystery that others will kill to keep buried.
The beginning is slow to begin with but not for long, the author does a wonderful job of building the suspense up until the gripping conclusion. I really felt for Lilian she was truly put through the wringer in this book, she went all over the country and encountered many unique and interesting characters along the way. Ambrose Fane he was a rake but I loved him. I was truly gripped by this book, once I started reading I really did not want to put it down. It was a testament to the authors skill that this book had me hooked. There is romance in this book and I was kept guessing what would happen with Lilian and Harry and whether they would get past their differences, I was hoping they would. Overall a truly gripping, amazing book and one I would not hesitate to recommend. This book was one of the first Arc’s I ever read so it has a special place in my heart.
November 2, 2025
The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. Bell is wonderful period adventure.
This is the story of Lillian Delaney living in Oxford at the start of the 20th century - a bookbinder of excellence in world traditionally dominated by men- who finds herself trapped in world caring for her father in his bookshop whilst working as a bookbinder for the elderly Mr Caxton. Her life changes when she acquires a book that is burnt on its edges and within its endpapers she discovers fragments of a story- a love story of a couple who are separated from one another through the possibility of a murder.
This mysterious book is one of six each containing a piece of the story hidden within its cover. A puzzle to be solved.
From this moment Lily finds herself pulled into a world of danger as some people will go to any length to retrieve this book and the remaining five.
A story that moves between Lily's journey to track down the remaining novels and the tale of a couple whose love and lives are threatened fifty years earlier. Lily encounters a variety of book sellers and collectors- is everyone who they seem? And when tragedy strikes close to home, she knows that she must compete this challenge to find the truth and fight against the evil that wants to ruin her life.
A. D. Bell's research in to the process of book binding and restoration and the world of book collectors and the desire to acquire rare tomes is fascinating; in many senses this is the key to the book's enjoyment.
The pace is good and Lily is a strong and determined lead protagonist. Although set in 1901, it could easily have been earlier as it had a slight Dickensian feel. Not as gothic or dark in tone ( think Shadow of the Wind) as it could have been but certainly a great brooding read for an autumn evening ( with Lily's love life added into the plot for extra intrigue).
An enjoyable race against time adventure
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy
This is the story of Lillian Delaney living in Oxford at the start of the 20th century - a bookbinder of excellence in world traditionally dominated by men- who finds herself trapped in world caring for her father in his bookshop whilst working as a bookbinder for the elderly Mr Caxton. Her life changes when she acquires a book that is burnt on its edges and within its endpapers she discovers fragments of a story- a love story of a couple who are separated from one another through the possibility of a murder.
This mysterious book is one of six each containing a piece of the story hidden within its cover. A puzzle to be solved.
From this moment Lily finds herself pulled into a world of danger as some people will go to any length to retrieve this book and the remaining five.
A story that moves between Lily's journey to track down the remaining novels and the tale of a couple whose love and lives are threatened fifty years earlier. Lily encounters a variety of book sellers and collectors- is everyone who they seem? And when tragedy strikes close to home, she knows that she must compete this challenge to find the truth and fight against the evil that wants to ruin her life.
A. D. Bell's research in to the process of book binding and restoration and the world of book collectors and the desire to acquire rare tomes is fascinating; in many senses this is the key to the book's enjoyment.
The pace is good and Lily is a strong and determined lead protagonist. Although set in 1901, it could easily have been earlier as it had a slight Dickensian feel. Not as gothic or dark in tone ( think Shadow of the Wind) as it could have been but certainly a great brooding read for an autumn evening ( with Lily's love life added into the plot for extra intrigue).
An enjoyable race against time adventure
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy
July 14, 2025
✨ Book Review: The Bookbinder’s Secret ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
📚 Publish Date: January 13, 2026
Some books entertain. Some books enchant. This one bound me, heart, mind, and soul.
From the very first page, The Bookbinder’s Secret wrapped around me like a cherished story passed down through generations. This is not just a book, it’s an experience, a journey, and for me, an instant favorite. I will be thinking about this story forever. Set in 1901 Oxford, this novel brings to life the exquisite art of bookbinding through the eyes of a remarkable young woman, Lilian Delaney, an apprentice bookbinder with fire in her spirit and clarity in her convictions. Lilian is a main character I will never forget, strong, independent, intelligent, and deeply human.
What begins with the mystery of a burned book evolves into a rich, layered tale filled with romance, suspense, history, and literary passion. This is a story within a story and somehow, my own story attached itself to the pages.
I was hooked from the start. Fast paced yet lyrical, this novel read like poetry and danced like music. I savored every sentence. It thrilled me, moved me, and reminded me why I love reading so deeply.
As a craft lover, I adored the spotlight on the history and techniques of bookbinding, an art form I now want to explore myself. This book reminded me that the tools of a craft can also be tools of empowerment.
If you love books about books, strong heroines, historical mysteries, or stories that pull you into another time and place, you need The Bookbinder’s Secret on your shelf. I can’t wait to own a finished copy. Automatic buy from this author going forward.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this stunning novel early for an honest review.
#TheBookbindersSecret #BookReview #SMPEarlyReaders #HistoricalFiction #Bibliophile #BookLovers #BooksOfInstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #HistoricalMystery #BookTok #FictionAddict #StoryWithinAStory #CraftLoversRead #MustRead2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
📚 Publish Date: January 13, 2026
Some books entertain. Some books enchant. This one bound me, heart, mind, and soul.
From the very first page, The Bookbinder’s Secret wrapped around me like a cherished story passed down through generations. This is not just a book, it’s an experience, a journey, and for me, an instant favorite. I will be thinking about this story forever. Set in 1901 Oxford, this novel brings to life the exquisite art of bookbinding through the eyes of a remarkable young woman, Lilian Delaney, an apprentice bookbinder with fire in her spirit and clarity in her convictions. Lilian is a main character I will never forget, strong, independent, intelligent, and deeply human.
What begins with the mystery of a burned book evolves into a rich, layered tale filled with romance, suspense, history, and literary passion. This is a story within a story and somehow, my own story attached itself to the pages.
I was hooked from the start. Fast paced yet lyrical, this novel read like poetry and danced like music. I savored every sentence. It thrilled me, moved me, and reminded me why I love reading so deeply.
As a craft lover, I adored the spotlight on the history and techniques of bookbinding, an art form I now want to explore myself. This book reminded me that the tools of a craft can also be tools of empowerment.
If you love books about books, strong heroines, historical mysteries, or stories that pull you into another time and place, you need The Bookbinder’s Secret on your shelf. I can’t wait to own a finished copy. Automatic buy from this author going forward.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this stunning novel early for an honest review.
#TheBookbindersSecret #BookReview #SMPEarlyReaders #HistoricalFiction #Bibliophile #BookLovers #BooksOfInstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #HistoricalMystery #BookTok #FictionAddict #StoryWithinAStory #CraftLoversRead #MustRead2026
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September 30, 2025
4.5/5 I received The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bell through a Goodreads giveaway, and as a newer fan of historical fiction—and a lifelong fan of mysteries—this book was right up my alley. It was beautifully written, it did not disappoint, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys those genres or is interested in stepping outside their usual reads for something truly engaging.
The writing was wonderful, and the pacing felt perfect. Right from the beginning, I was pulled in by the way the author meticulously describes the environment and draws you into the characters’ lives.
I also loved how much I learned about bookbinding—the care, patience, and diligence it requires. I’ve always enjoyed looking at old bound books, and since this was such a central subject in the story, it made me love the book even more.
In addition to everything else, this story comes with a gripping mystery that hooked me from the very first pages and kept me engaged all the way through. Much to my dismay (but really, delight), I never managed to figure it out—making the ending an even bigger treat!
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, historical fiction, or just books in general. Wonderfully written!
The writing was wonderful, and the pacing felt perfect. Right from the beginning, I was pulled in by the way the author meticulously describes the environment and draws you into the characters’ lives.
I also loved how much I learned about bookbinding—the care, patience, and diligence it requires. I’ve always enjoyed looking at old bound books, and since this was such a central subject in the story, it made me love the book even more.
In addition to everything else, this story comes with a gripping mystery that hooked me from the very first pages and kept me engaged all the way through. Much to my dismay (but really, delight), I never managed to figure it out—making the ending an even bigger treat!
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, historical fiction, or just books in general. Wonderfully written!
Review of advance copy
3.75 stars
November 8, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads’ Giveaway.
The mystery behind the hidden notes that were stored inside the books and the love story they told was bittersweet. Our main character, Lilian, was going through a love triangle romance, but within the letters, a forbidden romance was being told. Forbidden romances is my favorite trope, and I wasn’t expecting it in this book.
I found it interesting how the burnt book that Lilian gets fixated on in this story has the author name Abel Bell, and the author of this book is A.D. Bell. In the book, Lilian does find the author and Abel says that her quest of finding all the hidden letters would make a good story and asked her to return to tell them everything when she found them all. It was never shown to us Lilian returning to tell Abel the rest of her journey, but the idea that the author's name on this book was intentional is a fascinating detail.
The mystery behind the hidden notes that were stored inside the books and the love story they told was bittersweet. Our main character, Lilian, was going through a love triangle romance, but within the letters, a forbidden romance was being told. Forbidden romances is my favorite trope, and I wasn’t expecting it in this book.
I found it interesting how the burnt book that Lilian gets fixated on in this story has the author name Abel Bell, and the author of this book is A.D. Bell. In the book, Lilian does find the author and Abel says that her quest of finding all the hidden letters would make a good story and asked her to return to tell them everything when she found them all. It was never shown to us Lilian returning to tell Abel the rest of her journey, but the idea that the author's name on this book was intentional is a fascinating detail.
September 6, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC!
An Edwardian mystery for bibliophiles. Oxford, 1901. Lilian Delaney is a bookbinding apprentice who happens upon the trail of a fifty-year-old scandal tucked into the pages of a novel. What starts as a booklover’s curiosity becomes a breathless life-or-death race to the truth.
This book has lovely ingredients that I am sure many will enjoy: the twists and turns are well crafted, the period setting creates an aesthetic backdrop for a moody mystery, and the author’s genuine passion for bookbinding shines through! Unfortunately, the final recipe was not quite to my taste.
There were three areas of concerns for me: pacing, show vs. tell, and b-plots.
Pacing. The first hundred pages lack motivation. There are no clear stakes and the plot stagnates; had this not been an ARC, I likely would have DNF’d. This does resolve in the second half and once a sense of urgency kicks into gear, the story moves well– you just have to make it that far first.
Show vs. Tell. The narrative skews heavily towards “tell”, especially in the ‘mystery pages’. Without giving spoilers, the formatting choice feels like data dumping; keeping the reader at emotional arm’s-length from what should be the juiciest parts of the story.
B-Plots. Specifically, the love-triangle. It didn’t work for me. Neither of the male love interests were given enough scene time with Lilian to matter. Instead of interacting with them directly, she largely broods to herself then simply declares how she feels. From a reader’s perspective, I didn’t know either of them well enough to care.
Overall, I would rate this 2.5 out of 5. There were entertaining aspects to the story but personally, this book was not my cup of tea.
An Edwardian mystery for bibliophiles. Oxford, 1901. Lilian Delaney is a bookbinding apprentice who happens upon the trail of a fifty-year-old scandal tucked into the pages of a novel. What starts as a booklover’s curiosity becomes a breathless life-or-death race to the truth.
This book has lovely ingredients that I am sure many will enjoy: the twists and turns are well crafted, the period setting creates an aesthetic backdrop for a moody mystery, and the author’s genuine passion for bookbinding shines through! Unfortunately, the final recipe was not quite to my taste.
There were three areas of concerns for me: pacing, show vs. tell, and b-plots.
Pacing. The first hundred pages lack motivation. There are no clear stakes and the plot stagnates; had this not been an ARC, I likely would have DNF’d. This does resolve in the second half and once a sense of urgency kicks into gear, the story moves well– you just have to make it that far first.
Show vs. Tell. The narrative skews heavily towards “tell”, especially in the ‘mystery pages’. Without giving spoilers, the formatting choice feels like data dumping; keeping the reader at emotional arm’s-length from what should be the juiciest parts of the story.
B-Plots. Specifically, the love-triangle. It didn’t work for me. Neither of the male love interests were given enough scene time with Lilian to matter. Instead of interacting with them directly, she largely broods to herself then simply declares how she feels. From a reader’s perspective, I didn’t know either of them well enough to care.
Overall, I would rate this 2.5 out of 5. There were entertaining aspects to the story but personally, this book was not my cup of tea.
November 10, 2025
3.4 stars
November 30, 2025
The Bookbinder's Secret has a number of elements I enjoy: a historical setting, a *bookish* mystery, a strong central female character, quirky secondary characters. Nonetheless, it just didn't work for me. Part of the reason was, I think, that it has a strong thread of romance in it, and I simply don't enjoy romance, especially straight romance, which I already get enough of from the world I live in. I don't want its heavy presence in my reading as well.
For me, what it boils down to is slow pacing, over-the-top-ness in terms of the mystery part of the novel, and a poorly developed love triangle (the romance thing). I'm an outlier here. This book has been receiving good pre-publication reviews, so look at some of the more enthusiastic reviews as well as mine. This books definitely has a constituency that will enjoy it—I'm just not part of that constituency.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
For me, what it boils down to is slow pacing, over-the-top-ness in terms of the mystery part of the novel, and a poorly developed love triangle (the romance thing). I'm an outlier here. This book has been receiving good pre-publication reviews, so look at some of the more enthusiastic reviews as well as mine. This books definitely has a constituency that will enjoy it—I'm just not part of that constituency.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
September 29, 2025
Thank you, Goodreads , the author and publisher for this book. Cute story. 3 stars
Stacey Bankey
Stacey Bankey
October 26, 2025
A CAPTIVATING STORY OF DETERMINATION
Lily Delaney is a bookbinder apprentice in Oxford in 1901, and feels confined by her father’s failing bookshop and her status as a woman in a man’s profession. During a visit to a collector, she finds a burned book with a hidden fifty-year-old love letter. She becomes obsessed with the mystery of the young lovers and finds more hidden pages in another book. As she searches through London’s booksellers, private libraries, and archives, a dangerous man pursues her. With her world falling apart and her life at risk, she must decide if the truth is worth the danger.
The Bookbinder’s Secret is a captivating story about a clever and determined woman well ahead of her time. I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of perseverance and persistence.
The writing was crisp and seamless. Author A. D. Bell weaves a tale of mystery, suspense, and danger, while creating a hopeful sense of anticipation. The characters are well-developed, and you can’t help but root for the intrepid Lily and her quest to uncover the story behind the letters and what happened to the young lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published January 13, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
Lily Delaney is a bookbinder apprentice in Oxford in 1901, and feels confined by her father’s failing bookshop and her status as a woman in a man’s profession. During a visit to a collector, she finds a burned book with a hidden fifty-year-old love letter. She becomes obsessed with the mystery of the young lovers and finds more hidden pages in another book. As she searches through London’s booksellers, private libraries, and archives, a dangerous man pursues her. With her world falling apart and her life at risk, she must decide if the truth is worth the danger.
The Bookbinder’s Secret is a captivating story about a clever and determined woman well ahead of her time. I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of perseverance and persistence.
The writing was crisp and seamless. Author A. D. Bell weaves a tale of mystery, suspense, and danger, while creating a hopeful sense of anticipation. The characters are well-developed, and you can’t help but root for the intrepid Lily and her quest to uncover the story behind the letters and what happened to the young lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published January 13, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
October 24, 2025
Lilian Delaney, willing apprentice to a master craftsman of the sacred art of book binding in Oxford, 1901, cannot help but feel trapped, increasingly chafing within the confines of her limited life, at one side caught between her father’s bookshop, along with the oppressive nature of being a woman daring to be a part of a man’s profession, the other she longs to be her own woman.
Yet her dreary life all changes inexplicably when a burned book falls into her possession, for hidden underneath the binding is a fifty-year-old letter that speaks of love, fortune, and murder…
Lily is instantly drawn into the mystery, which hints at forbidden romance between young lovers, and as she dives deeper she learns various volumes may conceal more of this thrilling story and soon finds herself obsessed with tracking down the next piece of the puzzle, however she is not alone in this endeavour and what begins as intrigue quickly turns ugly.
Journeying across the length and indeed breadth of the country, meeting eccentric booksellers, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors, and the dusty archives of society papers of yesteryear, as Lilian falls further into this fantastically impossible world.
Sinister forces are all around her, willing to do anything and everything to obtain these rare gems of books, and Lily’s world starts to crumble like ashes in her hands, she must weigh up if this obsession really is worth the cost before she loses it all, and what started as nothing more than a story could end in tragedy.
A thrilling, eclectic, mystery-filled romp of a novel, The Book Binder’s Secret is a standout for this year and one not to be missed!
Yet her dreary life all changes inexplicably when a burned book falls into her possession, for hidden underneath the binding is a fifty-year-old letter that speaks of love, fortune, and murder…
Lily is instantly drawn into the mystery, which hints at forbidden romance between young lovers, and as she dives deeper she learns various volumes may conceal more of this thrilling story and soon finds herself obsessed with tracking down the next piece of the puzzle, however she is not alone in this endeavour and what begins as intrigue quickly turns ugly.
Journeying across the length and indeed breadth of the country, meeting eccentric booksellers, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors, and the dusty archives of society papers of yesteryear, as Lilian falls further into this fantastically impossible world.
Sinister forces are all around her, willing to do anything and everything to obtain these rare gems of books, and Lily’s world starts to crumble like ashes in her hands, she must weigh up if this obsession really is worth the cost before she loses it all, and what started as nothing more than a story could end in tragedy.
A thrilling, eclectic, mystery-filled romp of a novel, The Book Binder’s Secret is a standout for this year and one not to be missed!
November 2, 2025
I did enjoy this book, and was compelled to find out the ‘truth’ behind the hidden tale. However, I couldn’t help but be bemused why those wanting to collect and so hide the story would pick on a young female bookbinder to do their dirty work – rather than just doing it themselves. And why the story was hidden as it was. It did need concealment – but why use that method!
There were a few too many coincidences, and too many helpful people appearing at just the right time. The characters were either very good – or irredeemably evil. The book was set in Victorian England, but the sentiments often seemed a bit too modern. Hence only a 4-star rating.
The obsession that the bookbinder, Lilian Delaney, had with the story, was understandable. Everyone who loves books has moments like that – you just HAVE to find out the conclusion. But, sometimes you did want to shake her out of her mania – as she put into danger everyone whom she had ever cared about, and all she had ever dreamt of achieving. Could anything be worth such a high price?
I did love the passages about the art of bookbinding. Anyone who loves books cannot help but be smitten by a beautifully bound volume. The idea that you could go to a bookbinder, and have your favourite book rebound in a unique personal binding, is only a dream for many of us bibliophiles without limitless wealth. In the UK, we have the Folio Society, but their works – while stunning – are not personal treasures.
The book is an action filled romp through the Victorian book world, with some very capable female characters, and a couple of gentle, patient, reliable males. Setting aside my comments above, it is well worth a read, and I would recommend it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
There were a few too many coincidences, and too many helpful people appearing at just the right time. The characters were either very good – or irredeemably evil. The book was set in Victorian England, but the sentiments often seemed a bit too modern. Hence only a 4-star rating.
The obsession that the bookbinder, Lilian Delaney, had with the story, was understandable. Everyone who loves books has moments like that – you just HAVE to find out the conclusion. But, sometimes you did want to shake her out of her mania – as she put into danger everyone whom she had ever cared about, and all she had ever dreamt of achieving. Could anything be worth such a high price?
I did love the passages about the art of bookbinding. Anyone who loves books cannot help but be smitten by a beautifully bound volume. The idea that you could go to a bookbinder, and have your favourite book rebound in a unique personal binding, is only a dream for many of us bibliophiles without limitless wealth. In the UK, we have the Folio Society, but their works – while stunning – are not personal treasures.
The book is an action filled romp through the Victorian book world, with some very capable female characters, and a couple of gentle, patient, reliable males. Setting aside my comments above, it is well worth a read, and I would recommend it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
November 17, 2025
If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s books about books. I adore stories that have a story within and The Bookbinder’s Secret does this so, so well.
From start to finish, I was enthralled. I just could not put this book down. The writing style is utterly beautiful and so captivating. I got lost between the pages and did not want to be found.
This story was such an adventure. It captured my heart and made me emotional. I was so protective of the characters. Lily was so headstrong and I admired her so much, and I adored Mr. Caxton. Every side character was beautifully crafted and fit the story so well.
Not only is this a cozy read, because we learn all about bookbinding and the setting (Oxford) is perfect, but it’s also suspenseful. Believe me when I say this: this book had me in its grip. I just had to know how the story would end.
This book definitely captured my heart. It’s an enchanting read about the power of books and the stories that lie within. Books bring people together and this story definitely confirms that. I’m still sad about reaching the end, because I truly did not want this story to end.
I definitely recommend this to people that love books about books. I hope you will love this story just as much as I did.
Massive thank you to the publisher or this proof copy.
From start to finish, I was enthralled. I just could not put this book down. The writing style is utterly beautiful and so captivating. I got lost between the pages and did not want to be found.
This story was such an adventure. It captured my heart and made me emotional. I was so protective of the characters. Lily was so headstrong and I admired her so much, and I adored Mr. Caxton. Every side character was beautifully crafted and fit the story so well.
Not only is this a cozy read, because we learn all about bookbinding and the setting (Oxford) is perfect, but it’s also suspenseful. Believe me when I say this: this book had me in its grip. I just had to know how the story would end.
This book definitely captured my heart. It’s an enchanting read about the power of books and the stories that lie within. Books bring people together and this story definitely confirms that. I’m still sad about reaching the end, because I truly did not want this story to end.
I definitely recommend this to people that love books about books. I hope you will love this story just as much as I did.
Massive thank you to the publisher or this proof copy.
July 19, 2025
The Bookbinders Secret
3.5 ⭐️
A bookbinder, a hidden secret inside of a book, a murder (or several) and a story that will change one woman’s life.
I really enjoyed this book. As a hobbyist bookbinder I loved the quiet moments of binding in the story and felt very pleased with how accurate the descriptions of binding were, the author is either a binder or did a great job researching, kudos!
I loved the story as well, the multiple narratives within the narrative was done very well.
Lilian is a lonely, despondent girl whose only joy in life is in her bookbinding, when one day she finds a hidden letter inside the bindings of a book saved from a fire. I like her character arc, her decision to let others in and trust those around her as the pages turned. Her love interest was a bit lack luster imo but I’m glad he loved her (I just liked the idea of the romance with Charlie I guess)
I wish we had gotten some moments of tenderness between Lilian and her father because I think it would have made the emotional moments later in the novel hit a lot harder and would have really made us empathize with Lilian a bit more.
My favorite characters were without a doubt Mr. Caxton and Ambrose Fane. I kept picturing Sam Reid as Ambrose and he was just such a complex, somewhat silly and intriguing character i could read a novel about him alone.
I think the structure of the narrative was very well done as it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what the next hidden pages contained much like Lily. The pacing was good, and the interconnected storylines felt like a good payoff after meeting so many characters. Also I loved Dotty, she was awesome.
Overall I enjoyed this but felt the romance could have been done in a way to be more intriguing since it was basically an open and shut case from the beginning, I would have loved a little more conflict or yearning and feel like it was set up for that with Charlie but was then abandoned.
Thanks NetGalley and St Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
3.5 ⭐️
A bookbinder, a hidden secret inside of a book, a murder (or several) and a story that will change one woman’s life.
I really enjoyed this book. As a hobbyist bookbinder I loved the quiet moments of binding in the story and felt very pleased with how accurate the descriptions of binding were, the author is either a binder or did a great job researching, kudos!
I loved the story as well, the multiple narratives within the narrative was done very well.
Lilian is a lonely, despondent girl whose only joy in life is in her bookbinding, when one day she finds a hidden letter inside the bindings of a book saved from a fire. I like her character arc, her decision to let others in and trust those around her as the pages turned. Her love interest was a bit lack luster imo but I’m glad he loved her (I just liked the idea of the romance with Charlie I guess)
I wish we had gotten some moments of tenderness between Lilian and her father because I think it would have made the emotional moments later in the novel hit a lot harder and would have really made us empathize with Lilian a bit more.
My favorite characters were without a doubt Mr. Caxton and Ambrose Fane. I kept picturing Sam Reid as Ambrose and he was just such a complex, somewhat silly and intriguing character i could read a novel about him alone.
I think the structure of the narrative was very well done as it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what the next hidden pages contained much like Lily. The pacing was good, and the interconnected storylines felt like a good payoff after meeting so many characters. Also I loved Dotty, she was awesome.
Overall I enjoyed this but felt the romance could have been done in a way to be more intriguing since it was basically an open and shut case from the beginning, I would have loved a little more conflict or yearning and feel like it was set up for that with Charlie but was then abandoned.
Thanks NetGalley and St Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
July 18, 2025
"Anyone who loves books knows that smell. Breathes it. That particular perfume that invades and stays. The aroma of imagination, of knowledge waiting."
Oh, what a glorious book! The Bookbinder's Secret quickly immerses the reader into Victorian England and the lost art of creating a new binding for a treasured book. Some of us are fortunate to have a few old books, beautifully bound in leather with exquisite paper, that have been passed down to us as a legacy, but imagine a world where that is the norm. In this story, Lilian Delaney is a gifted apprentice, learning the art of bookbinding in Oxford, a profession dominated by men. Unmarried at the age of 25, an anomaly for a woman, she's not interested in marriage or children, but has her sights set on a career in bookbinding. I was completely consumed by both the mystery of the missing books and the slowly revealed love story hidden in their bindings.
Throughout the story, as Lilian searches for the missing books all over England, she's helped in random ways by other women. These women were strangers of different ages and backgrounds, but didn't hesitate to help her because they knew how difficult the business world was for any woman. Lilians's employer, Mr. Caxton, a generous soul with a dry wit, was my favorite character by far. He was a patient teacher, as proud of her accomplishments as a father, a guardian angel when she desperately needed one, and by the end, a friend. I'm happy to say that I didn't figure out the mystery before it was revealed and was delighted by the intriguing ending. If you are passionate about books, The Bookbinder's Secret is a rare treasure.
"Books were so much more than paper and words; they held magic within them and every hand they passed through was touched by that magic, forever changed, even if they did not know it."
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read the ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.
Oh, what a glorious book! The Bookbinder's Secret quickly immerses the reader into Victorian England and the lost art of creating a new binding for a treasured book. Some of us are fortunate to have a few old books, beautifully bound in leather with exquisite paper, that have been passed down to us as a legacy, but imagine a world where that is the norm. In this story, Lilian Delaney is a gifted apprentice, learning the art of bookbinding in Oxford, a profession dominated by men. Unmarried at the age of 25, an anomaly for a woman, she's not interested in marriage or children, but has her sights set on a career in bookbinding. I was completely consumed by both the mystery of the missing books and the slowly revealed love story hidden in their bindings.
Throughout the story, as Lilian searches for the missing books all over England, she's helped in random ways by other women. These women were strangers of different ages and backgrounds, but didn't hesitate to help her because they knew how difficult the business world was for any woman. Lilians's employer, Mr. Caxton, a generous soul with a dry wit, was my favorite character by far. He was a patient teacher, as proud of her accomplishments as a father, a guardian angel when she desperately needed one, and by the end, a friend. I'm happy to say that I didn't figure out the mystery before it was revealed and was delighted by the intriguing ending. If you are passionate about books, The Bookbinder's Secret is a rare treasure.
"Books were so much more than paper and words; they held magic within them and every hand they passed through was touched by that magic, forever changed, even if they did not know it."
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read the ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.
September 10, 2025
I was excited about the premise of this book and it drew me in right from the beginning. While I don't know anything about bookbinding, it was fascinating to hear the details about how it was done in the early 1900s.
I felt like the story dragged on a little and there were parts of the second half of the book that didn't quite fit into the feel of the book. I also didn't like that they made one character a homosexual (not a big part of the story) and another character had strange and devilish artifacts and was part of something weird (while not told what it was, it happened at night and included screaming and laughing).
I had high hopes for this book but it didn't maintain that high through the end.
** Cautionary content: innuendo, debauchery, reference to devil worship, stalker, violence, abortion, homosexual couple, death of a parent
*** Favorite quote:
For what is a book but a collection of stories? The story inside the pages, the story of its author, its journey from ink on a page, through a publisher, into the hands of its owners, its binders, its restorers, and readers. I was a small part of this book's story, and the stories of every book I'd worked on, and that gave me an invisible immortality. Books will outlast us all and I was content to be but a footnote in their lives.
I felt like the story dragged on a little and there were parts of the second half of the book that didn't quite fit into the feel of the book. I also didn't like that they made one character a homosexual (not a big part of the story) and another character had strange and devilish artifacts and was part of something weird (while not told what it was, it happened at night and included screaming and laughing).
I had high hopes for this book but it didn't maintain that high through the end.
** Cautionary content: innuendo, debauchery, reference to devil worship, stalker, violence, abortion, homosexual couple, death of a parent
*** Favorite quote:
For what is a book but a collection of stories? The story inside the pages, the story of its author, its journey from ink on a page, through a publisher, into the hands of its owners, its binders, its restorers, and readers. I was a small part of this book's story, and the stories of every book I'd worked on, and that gave me an invisible immortality. Books will outlast us all and I was content to be but a footnote in their lives.
November 5, 2025
The blurb:
Lilian Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life, caught between the oppressive walls of her father’s bookshop and the limitations of being a woman in a man’s profession. But when a burned book comes into her possession, she finds hidden beneath the binding a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune and murder.
Lily is drawn into the mystery, which hints at a forbidden romance between young lovers, and learns there are other books which conceal more of the story. Lily becomes obsessed with finding them, but she is not the only one looking, and what began as a simple intrigue quickly turns dangerous.
Her journey takes her across the country, to the eccentric booksellers of London, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, as she delves further into the heart of the secret. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything to obtain the books, Lily’s world begins to fall apart, and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth losing everything.
My thoughts:
Wow, I was drawn into this book and was keen to follow Lillian’s story and discover the mystery of the books! The storytelling was beautiful and I was lost in the story, so much so that I struggled to put the book down.
Lillian was incredibly brave and headstrong and there were points that I really feared for her safety! Such an incredible tale and I am so thankful to HQ stories publishers for the opportunity to read this ahead of its release.
A book about books, what’s not to love?
Opinions expressed here are my own
Lilian Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life, caught between the oppressive walls of her father’s bookshop and the limitations of being a woman in a man’s profession. But when a burned book comes into her possession, she finds hidden beneath the binding a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune and murder.
Lily is drawn into the mystery, which hints at a forbidden romance between young lovers, and learns there are other books which conceal more of the story. Lily becomes obsessed with finding them, but she is not the only one looking, and what began as a simple intrigue quickly turns dangerous.
Her journey takes her across the country, to the eccentric booksellers of London, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, as she delves further into the heart of the secret. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything to obtain the books, Lily’s world begins to fall apart, and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth losing everything.
My thoughts:
Wow, I was drawn into this book and was keen to follow Lillian’s story and discover the mystery of the books! The storytelling was beautiful and I was lost in the story, so much so that I struggled to put the book down.
Lillian was incredibly brave and headstrong and there were points that I really feared for her safety! Such an incredible tale and I am so thankful to HQ stories publishers for the opportunity to read this ahead of its release.
A book about books, what’s not to love?
Opinions expressed here are my own
November 19, 2025
4.5 Stars
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of The Bookbinder's Secret through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Bookbinder's Secret is a fantastic mix of historical fiction and mystery that draws you into the world of books, and how some of them have held dangerous secrets for the past fifty years. I really loved the way Bell combined Lily's love of books and her determination with unraveling the mystery of the letters she discovered hidden in a book collection written by a mysterious and reclusive author.
There is a lot of great suspense, once Lily realizes the danger her discovery has put her in, and I thought Bell did a great job with the slow burn of revealing the person behind the threats. I also really enjoyed seeing Lily's growth and how her search took her out of her small life and comfort zone and gave her the confidence to feel powerful in her own abilities. The side characters also worked really well in the story, and I found Ambrose and his eccentricities to be my favorite.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Violence toward Women
* Early 1900's
* Book Collecting & Bookshops
* Romantic Mystery
* Woman in a "Man's Profession"
* Secrets & Betrayals
* Complicated Family
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you love books about books with a historical setting, and unexpected twists and turns, then I would highly recommend The Bookbinder's Secret.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of The Bookbinder's Secret through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Bookbinder's Secret is a fantastic mix of historical fiction and mystery that draws you into the world of books, and how some of them have held dangerous secrets for the past fifty years. I really loved the way Bell combined Lily's love of books and her determination with unraveling the mystery of the letters she discovered hidden in a book collection written by a mysterious and reclusive author.
There is a lot of great suspense, once Lily realizes the danger her discovery has put her in, and I thought Bell did a great job with the slow burn of revealing the person behind the threats. I also really enjoyed seeing Lily's growth and how her search took her out of her small life and comfort zone and gave her the confidence to feel powerful in her own abilities. The side characters also worked really well in the story, and I found Ambrose and his eccentricities to be my favorite.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* CW: Violence toward Women
* Early 1900's
* Book Collecting & Bookshops
* Romantic Mystery
* Woman in a "Man's Profession"
* Secrets & Betrayals
* Complicated Family
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you love books about books with a historical setting, and unexpected twists and turns, then I would highly recommend The Bookbinder's Secret.
November 5, 2025
What an absolute ride this book was! We all love a book about a book, this one is about multiple books, murder, mystery, high stakes and at the heart of it a story that reminded me of an old family saga.
Lilian is a great character, her personality and tenacity is such a breath of fresh air in a genre that is usually full of downtrodden and stifled young women. I’m not sure how historically accurate her gallivanting around the country in search of mysterious books would have been with no money and no chaperone but it made for a compelling story.
Every character has their place and brings something to this book, with some heartwarming relationships that made me completely invested.
The writing is wonderful, the pacing spot on, and the ending hugely satisfying. This was a brilliant book to curl up with and I can’t wait to see what A D Bell brings us next.
Lilian is a great character, her personality and tenacity is such a breath of fresh air in a genre that is usually full of downtrodden and stifled young women. I’m not sure how historically accurate her gallivanting around the country in search of mysterious books would have been with no money and no chaperone but it made for a compelling story.
Every character has their place and brings something to this book, with some heartwarming relationships that made me completely invested.
The writing is wonderful, the pacing spot on, and the ending hugely satisfying. This was a brilliant book to curl up with and I can’t wait to see what A D Bell brings us next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a very intriguing mystery. The storyline began at a somewhat slow pace, but after approximately the first third of the book, it accelerated considerably and concluded with an amazing ending, and I truly enjoyed the overall premise.
My sincere thanks to #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this advanced reader copy.
My sincere thanks to #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this advanced reader copy.
September 12, 2025
Lily is a skilled apprentice bookbinder in the early 1900s. Bookbinding had always been a field dominated by men yet Lily has established a reputation as one of the best. One of the damaged books, given to her by a collector, holds a 50 old letter that hints at love and murder. The book is part of a set of six with each book containing a piece of the puzzle. As Lily sets out to find the remaining books, she puts herself at risk. Lily is not the only one in search of these books. Seems this is a debut novel. It was well paced and draws the reader in from the start. I look forward to reading other books by A D Bell. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
October 21, 2025
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy that I won on Goodreads!
I really enjoyed the concept and the premise behind the book! it kept me on my toes and surprised me several times! I'd say the only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because I wanted a little bit more from the romance intention of the Romantic triangle. Plus I wish there was a little bit more character building for the main character and her father, possibly the family dynamic.
However, overall, this book is full of adventure, mystery, genuinely fun and eccentric characters, and a woman finding herself in a world that is not always gentle to women with ambition.
I really enjoyed the concept and the premise behind the book! it kept me on my toes and surprised me several times! I'd say the only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because I wanted a little bit more from the romance intention of the Romantic triangle. Plus I wish there was a little bit more character building for the main character and her father, possibly the family dynamic.
However, overall, this book is full of adventure, mystery, genuinely fun and eccentric characters, and a woman finding herself in a world that is not always gentle to women with ambition.
October 20, 2025
thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC!
love a historical fiction so the premise of this really pulled me in. The setting was gorgeously crafted and it was lovely to read a “bookish” book - very cosy! At times, the writing felt slightly choppy which keeps me from giving it a full 5 stars, but an excellent read nonetheless and the story of this is well worth a read
love a historical fiction so the premise of this really pulled me in. The setting was gorgeously crafted and it was lovely to read a “bookish” book - very cosy! At times, the writing felt slightly choppy which keeps me from giving it a full 5 stars, but an excellent read nonetheless and the story of this is well worth a read
August 4, 2025
Wow! This was such an incredible book! The writing was fantastic and it was from the first page until the last a wild roller coaster of intrigue and romance and a nail biting saga.
I won this book on Goodreads and im so glad I got to read it and enjoy it early.
I won this book on Goodreads and im so glad I got to read it and enjoy it early.
July 28, 2025
The writing felt choppy but the story was enthralling. Well-constructed, believable characters, much book-love,and lots of adventure. Look forward to the next book!
November 9, 2025
Lily lives in Oxford, England in the early 1900's. She lives with her father above his long time bookshop. She is an apprentice bookbinder for a Mr. Caxton. He is very pleased with her work. So much so when a request for her services are made, he send her on a long journey to see the client at his home. The journey is long on the train ride for her, taking most of her day. The client has a book he wants her to rebind for his wife.. It is to be a surprise gift. But while there he gives her another book he no longer wishes to keep. While traveling back Lily is curious about the bookbinding, but she finds something amiss with the book. When she arrives home she investigates, and finds something hidden in the book. She finds a love letter of long, long ago.
She soon discovers there is more than one book that is like this. So she goes on a search for them and find there is another interested in the books as well. But this person is not so kind, he attacks her on the streets. But then there is another unfortunate attack on her father that makes it her quest to find the other books important.. Even searching for the publishers, the bookbinder and eventually seeks out the author. So many train trips she takes during her search. The search is long and tasking, but she succeeds.
I love historical fiction and it made it all the more interesting for me to read this book. As I too have a love for reading. I want to thank St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing novel of books and it is a mystery as well. Also thank you to NetGalley for all they do in encouraging us readers by connecting us to the publishers. A.D Bell I would love to read another of your books you have penned.
She soon discovers there is more than one book that is like this. So she goes on a search for them and find there is another interested in the books as well. But this person is not so kind, he attacks her on the streets. But then there is another unfortunate attack on her father that makes it her quest to find the other books important.. Even searching for the publishers, the bookbinder and eventually seeks out the author. So many train trips she takes during her search. The search is long and tasking, but she succeeds.
I love historical fiction and it made it all the more interesting for me to read this book. As I too have a love for reading. I want to thank St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing novel of books and it is a mystery as well. Also thank you to NetGalley for all they do in encouraging us readers by connecting us to the publishers. A.D Bell I would love to read another of your books you have penned.
November 10, 2025
Well what an absolutely wonderful book this was! It was one of those reads where I had the digital ARC but as soon as the book was published, I went and bought the hard copy as I loved it so so much and wanted it on my shelf.
Lilian is a bookbinder apprentice to the lovely Mr Caxton (whose character I just adored!!) in Victorian Oxford. It is when Lilian goes to one of their customers’ homes for a commission that she comes across a partially burned book hiding a fifty year old letter, talking of forbidden love, rightful inheritance and even murder. Lilian is drawn into the mystery and is determined to find who the letter refers to. And when she learns that there are more books, which hide further letters, she travels the length and breadth of the country to try and piece together the full story. Her journey is perilous, for there is someone who does not want this secret coming to light and Lilian must decide whether the truth is worth risking her whole life and people she holds dear.
I genuinely didn’t want to put this book down. Lilian was such a determined and brave character and I loved the description of Victorian England, from bookshops to railway journeys and scrupulous characters hiding in dark corners. There were so many sentences I could have made a note of as lovely quotations. This book had a bit of everything: adventure, romance, so many different types of characters, mystery and lots of bookish elements: it will be one of favourite reads of the year.
Lilian is a bookbinder apprentice to the lovely Mr Caxton (whose character I just adored!!) in Victorian Oxford. It is when Lilian goes to one of their customers’ homes for a commission that she comes across a partially burned book hiding a fifty year old letter, talking of forbidden love, rightful inheritance and even murder. Lilian is drawn into the mystery and is determined to find who the letter refers to. And when she learns that there are more books, which hide further letters, she travels the length and breadth of the country to try and piece together the full story. Her journey is perilous, for there is someone who does not want this secret coming to light and Lilian must decide whether the truth is worth risking her whole life and people she holds dear.
I genuinely didn’t want to put this book down. Lilian was such a determined and brave character and I loved the description of Victorian England, from bookshops to railway journeys and scrupulous characters hiding in dark corners. There were so many sentences I could have made a note of as lovely quotations. This book had a bit of everything: adventure, romance, so many different types of characters, mystery and lots of bookish elements: it will be one of favourite reads of the year.
December 3, 2025
Books were so much more than paper and words; they held magic within them and every hand they passed through was touched by magic, forever changed, even if they did not know it.
Books will outlast us all and I was content to be but a footnote in their lives.
An unfinished story is an unfinished meal: one feels forever hungry until it is complete.
The Book Binder’s Secret swept me into its world from the very first chapter, as if the covers themselves opened into a hidden passageway. A.D Bell threads mystery, emotion, and atmosphere with the precision of someone stitching a cherished spine, and the result is a story that holds tight until the final page.
The mystery is wonderfully orchestrated, each twist arrives like a quiet door suddenly swinging open, revealing something you didn’t realize you were desperate to see. Nothing feels contrived; everything locks into place in a way that’s deeply satisfying.
And woven through all of it is a romance that glows with its own lantern light: the letters, the blooming real world connection, the graceful dance between heartbreak and hope. It has the enchanted aura of a modern fairy tale, yet grounded in human longing. That’s what real love is, seeing the heart behind the mistake and loving it still.
Bell’swriting style is a marvel. Her descriptions feel almost tactile, like textured paper under your fingertips. I didn’t just read the story, I stepped into it. The scenes unfurled with such clarity that I felt myself drifting through them, buoyed by her lush attention to detail.
One of the most luminous elements is the bond between Lilian and Mr. Carxton. Their connection hums with affection, loyalty, and something more elusive, a sense of shared wonder. That triad of friendship, love, and mystery just creates a beautiful cadence that carries the story forward.
Books will outlast us all and I was content to be but a footnote in their lives.
An unfinished story is an unfinished meal: one feels forever hungry until it is complete.
The Book Binder’s Secret swept me into its world from the very first chapter, as if the covers themselves opened into a hidden passageway. A.D Bell threads mystery, emotion, and atmosphere with the precision of someone stitching a cherished spine, and the result is a story that holds tight until the final page.
The mystery is wonderfully orchestrated, each twist arrives like a quiet door suddenly swinging open, revealing something you didn’t realize you were desperate to see. Nothing feels contrived; everything locks into place in a way that’s deeply satisfying.
And woven through all of it is a romance that glows with its own lantern light: the letters, the blooming real world connection, the graceful dance between heartbreak and hope. It has the enchanted aura of a modern fairy tale, yet grounded in human longing. That’s what real love is, seeing the heart behind the mistake and loving it still.
Bell’swriting style is a marvel. Her descriptions feel almost tactile, like textured paper under your fingertips. I didn’t just read the story, I stepped into it. The scenes unfurled with such clarity that I felt myself drifting through them, buoyed by her lush attention to detail.
One of the most luminous elements is the bond between Lilian and Mr. Carxton. Their connection hums with affection, loyalty, and something more elusive, a sense of shared wonder. That triad of friendship, love, and mystery just creates a beautiful cadence that carries the story forward.
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