The Bookseller

by Lorena Franco, Justin Avoth (Narrator), Alex Tregear (Narrator)

YOUR SECRETS ARE SAFE WITH THE BOOKSELLER

I'm Daphne Wood, the bookseller of Castle Combe. My life was peaceful until the best-selling author Gill Holland moved to town. He bought the house next to mine, the late Bettie's place, and became my new neighbour. The girls from the book club envied my luck. I thought so too, until I started seeing the most disturbing things. They didn't know Gill Holland like I did.

Looking like a crazy person or a gossip wouldn't be good for my bookstore, so after making a bit of a scene, I decided to bite the bullet and keep what I'd seen to myself, just as my husband, Liam, advised.

However, it all blew up when Rose, my best friend, vanished from the face of the Earth. Her mother said she was on a trip, but once again, only I, the bookseller of Castle Combe with almost unlimited access inside the writer's house, knew the truth. And with my friend's life on the line, I wasn't about to stand by and do nothing.

Translated with help from AI, edited by Emma Lawson, Samson & Fritaud Text.

Audible Audio

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

Lorena Franco ha conseguido seducir a más de 300.000 lectores de todo el mundo. Con más de 20 títulos publicados, entre ellos sus conocidos thrillers con Editorial Planeta: “El último verano de Silvia Blanch”, cuyos derechos audiovisuales ha adquirido la productora Zeta Studio, “Todos buscan a Nora Roy”, “Los días que nos quedan” y “El lugar donde fuimos felices”, Lorena fue finalista en el Premio Literario de Amazon en 2016 con “La viajera del tiempo”, uno de los libros más vendidos en Amazon España, Estados Unidos y México, al que le siguieron más viajes en el tiempo como “Perdida en el tiempo”, “La memoria del tiempo” y “El club de medianoche”.

En 2022 vuelve a ser finalista en el Premio Literario Amazon Storyteller con la novela "El escondite de Greta", el 9 de noviembre de 2022 regresa Alex Duarte ("El último verano de Silvia Blanch") en "El vacío que dejas" y el 11 de enero de 2023 publica su vigésima quinta novela: "600 noches después", un thriller irresistible ambientado en Nueva York.

Instagram & Twitter: @bylorenafranco

Reviews

[Vanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bookseller was a freebie from audible and so very delicious! The main hook for me was the bookstore setting but I went in expecting nothing and was blown away.

This is fast paced popcorn thriller full of twists and turns. We follow Daphne Wood, the owner of the only bookshop in the town of Castle Combe. When the best-selling crime author Jill Holland moves to her neighbouring house and starts frequenting her bookshop for books on true-crime, she becomes obsessed with him. She suspects him of being a murderer and starts investigating him. Then it all goes sideways!

It has been long since a thriller took me completely by surprise but this was full of twists I never saw coming. When I started listening, I thought the things happening seemed laughably unbelievable but soon it all fell into place. Daphne and Jill both are interesting characters and the book is narrated by both of them. Super fun!

Recommended for people looking for a fast paced fun read. Not too disturbing but not cozy either.

[Nandini Reddy Dayal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overactive imagination of a bookseller leads to unnecessary complications.

Castle Combe's only bookseller, Daphne is thrilled to have a bestselling author, Gil Holland, become her neighbour. But strange going ons make Daphne suspicious of Gil and this starts a frenzy for Daphne who now believes that Gil is hiding a dark secret and she might be in danger.

So this book is POV based narration and it's unhinged. The bookseller does clearly come across as a mentally unstable from the beginning and after the first few pages it starts to grate. Of course, Jane E James was the ultimate master of unexpected over the top twists but this author also seems to take that path. It's an okay read that leaves you wondering if the author missed the chance at making a good story better.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t miss this complex and devious tale.
Hooked was I on “The Bookseller” by Lorena Franco, a wild ride that had me enthralled. Presented by a top-notch ensemble includes Kristin Atherton, Justin Avoth, Alex Tregear and Mark Meadows, this suspenseful novel features dark, creepy, bizarre and suspicious characters. Part One focuses on “The Bookseller.” Daphne Wood’s life in Castle Combe seems peaceful until bestselling author Gill Holland moves in next door, unleashing disturbing secrets and mysterious vanishing acts. With Daphne’s friend Rose missing and sensing danger lurking, she’s got a mystery to solve. She’s ready to take this on. I thought I had unraveled a subplot, but wrong! There’s oh, so much more and a shocker of an unexpected ending (jaw, meet the floor). Part two features “The Author.” Secrets and lies are about to get more complicated. Word of advice: Listen intently, you’ll be glad you did. I know I was. Grab this exquisite gem now from Audible Plus catalogue at no charge. Epic, indeed!

💥🎙️✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️🎙️💥

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's so easy for crime writers to get away with disturbing Internet searches, isn't it?"

This is the idea underpinning The Bookseller, which I downloaded from Audible to listen to while doing admin.

Is Daphne Wood, the eponymous bookseller?

Is her new neighbour, crime writer Gill Holland?

And to what extent do writers have to experience the things about which they write? Do they need to drive their neighbour crazy to write about crazy neighbours? Do they need to commit murder to write a murder mystery?

Terrifying, engaging and bonkers in the best possible way.

Three word review: crazy sibling reunion

[Nandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was quite the ride. It starts off dull and slow, following the mundane daily life of a bookseller in Wiltshire, but once the twists begin, they really pull you in. Beneath the surface, the story explores mental health, grief, and murder in a way that keeps you intrigued. I just wish the ending had been stronger, as it felt a little underwhelming compared to the build-up, but overall it was still an engaging read.

[Rayven · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 sides to every story.. what i loved about this book, is it was trying to seem so predictable, oh no shes write he is a murder but will she survive? hard to beleive any otherwise what it doesnt tell you is this story will be flipped on its head weather you see it coming or not it will leave you questioning to the end my opinion everyone is little bit mad.

[Sophie Butler]

Unexpectedly twisty, I enjoyed the latter half and the multiple character perspectives. You really empathise with Daphne despite it being quite obvious she is mentally ill. The narrator got neurotic but likable down to a tee.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Lucerne Firdows · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrative presents a series of unexpected developments and intricate plot points, culminating in a truly exceptional psychological story.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ this book wasn’t bad but it just became too much. I don’t know it just took a weird turn.

[Trevor Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little Audible gem 👍

[Rebecca Risjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I enjoyed the plot twists. Did not expect that ending. I enjoyed two points of view during this story.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook, narrated by Justin Avoth, Alex Tregear, Kristin Atherton, Mark Meadows.

3,5 stars but I can’t bring myself to upgrade to 4 because it’s not worthy of that. So, it’s a 3.

This book has everything you need in a murder/thriller. My feeling is that it’s just not gripping enough. It’s not boring but nothing stands out and truly blows you away with a wtf just happened moment. Not once… through all the twist and turns this book takes.