The Violin Maker

by M Terrill

"An exquisite and finely tuned historical novel deserving of an encore." -Kirkus Reviews

In 1950s Manhattan, violin dealer Thomas Barlow receives an unexpected visit from an old friend and fellow WWII veteran Jonathan DeWitt, who is seeking his appraisal for an old Italian cello. The cello is purported to be the work of Andrea Guarneri, a famous luthier from Cremona. The deeper Barlow dives into the cello's past, the more certain he becomes that it is not the work of Andrea Guarneri. This revelation propels him unrelentingly toward the confrontation he has tried for years to avoid with DeWitt, with whom he shares a dangerous secret he thought remained buried in war-torn Europe.

In 1693 Italy, Pietro Guarneri emerges from an unspeakable personal tragedy to find himself ensnared in a treacherous political web due to the meddling of his employer, the Duchess Gonzaga of Mantua. With the sole aim of protecting his family and concealing the identity of Elena, the apprentice he smuggles into his workshop to teach, Pietro reluctantly begins constructing the only cello of his instrument-making career. The result will alter the foundations of Pietro's life and reverberate through the centuries, shrouding the truth of the cello's origins in secrecy.

Genres: New York

342 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2026

About the author

The Violin Maker is Molly Terrill’s debut novel. She holds an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College and serves on the faculty of the Wellness Department at Amherst College. Her creative work has appeared in publications and on stages in the US, Canada, and Ireland. Molly lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel provides a dual-timeline spanning 17th-century Italy and post-World War II Manhattan, integrating real-life figures into the story.

Our main protagonist, violin dealer Thomas Barlow, is asked to appraise a rare Italian cello that may have been crafted by Andrea Guarneri in the late 1600s. If this proves to be true, it could be worth a lot of money. But Barlow questions its authenticity, especially since it was brought to him by Jonathan DeWitt, a fellow WWII veteran whose history with Barlow brings vast tension.

As readers are taken across time, they begin to learn the actual history of the cello and the complex political web that surrounds it and the people involved.

Readers also sense pending danger for Barlow as his investigation gets closer to the truth – especially as it threatens to unravel some of the dealings that Barlow and DeWitt were involved in during the war.

How will truth, however destructive, be the only way to achieve genuine absolution from the past?

The author captures a beautifully atmospheric read, bringing the artistry of the instruments and physical settings of this historical mystery vividly to life. Her integration of the real Guarneri family adds another layer of authenticity to the fiction.

This page-turner is full of rich characters and tense, suspenseful moments that will keep readers on edge. A compelling historical mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Publication Day: October 13, 2026!

I was given a complimentary review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I want to thank the author and publisher, Koehlerbooks for this copy for our Little Free Library Shed. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy E Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and expansive tale. Molly Terrill’s debut novel, The Violin Maker, will be enjoyed by music and historical fiction lovers alike.

The Violin Maker employs dual timeline. First, it follows Thomas Barlow, a violin dealer living and working in Manhattan in the early 1950’s. A World War 2 veteran, he is caught in the middle of his past and a mysterious quest to uncover the maker of a cello that has landed in his shop.

Second, the reader is cast into 1693 Italy where musician and luthier, Pietro Guarneri is employed to make a cello by the Duchess of Gonzaga as part of a plot to assassinate King Charles II of Spain.

Both men are destined to become men of honor while embroiled in stories of loss and betrayal. How they get there and if they can survive the day is the question.

It took me some time to understand the complexity of Barlow, a man broken by war and to follow the culture of 1693 Italian courts, but once I did, I was deeply engaged. A lover of the symphony, the cello being my favorite instrument, I found the story personally engaging. Reading the authors note and discovering that most of the characters are historical was fascinating and makes me want to give the book another turn.

I definitely recommend The Violin Maker and hope Molly Terrill continues to write. She has a fan in me.

//
The Violin Maker by Molly Terrill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Mystery, secrets, intrigue, dual timeline, WW2, music history, espionage, Baroque era, Italian court life, love story, violin and cello making (luthier)
Format: E-Reader, ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Koehler Books, for the Advanced Reader Copy of the book. It was a privilege to read.

The Violin Maker will be published on October 13, 2026.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid historical fiction novel merging two stories: the discovery of a rare Italian cello and its 17th C maker. Based on real people from the past as well as inspired by the author’s discovery of a cello. What I enjoyed most was the discovery of luthiery or the craft of making instruments.

The book starts off with Thomas Barlow’s discovery in 1950 of a rare cello he was asked to appraise. He believes it could be the creation of Andrea Guarneri from Cremona but is unable to verify this. The cello’s owner, Jonathan DeWitt, is a volatile man who is applying pressure for a quick. Soon Barlow begins an obsessive quest to find out who made the cello. Then we switch to “the golden age of violin making” and meet Pietro Guarneri who is in a bit of a quandary as he’s suffered a terrible loss and is now entrenched in political intrigue by his sinister employer, Anna Isabella Gonzaga, Duchess of Mantua. As a result Pietro smuggles in a woman, Elena, teaches his craft which results in the only cello he’s ever made.

The story is beautifully told over dual timelines that read almost like two stories, both thrillers of sorts but historical stories of great depth and interest. I loved the Italian scenes - its Renaissance flair, beautiful descriptions and historical accuracy. The music and craftsmanship aspects of the book are an extra bonus. Music lovers need to take heed of this book. Plus what the Duchess of Mantua is such a snake in the grass! The other part of the story is equally good - I just happened to like the Italian side better. But Barlow is an intriguing character, his grief is palpable but his love of truth and music is much appreciated - he just needs to lighten up on the drinking (I got worried a few times).

Don’t miss reading the quotes that start each chapter. These come from “Violin Making as It Was and Is by Ed Heron-Allen. They add to the adventure of the story - making an instrument - and its atmosphere. Kudos to the author for them.

This was a five star read for me for many of the reasons cited above but primarily for bringing to life a forgotten piece of history. I love books that do that. When we are transported back in time to feel, sense and experience a moment in time because it so wonderfully written, we can only thank the author and savor the read. Thank you Molly Terrill.

My thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for granting me access to this marvelous ARC.

[Patricia N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Violin Maker
by M. Terrill

Rated: 5 star rating

I just read The Violin Maker by M. Terrill, and it is such a great book. It is a mystery that jumps back and forth between 1950s New York and 1690s Italy. What makes it really unique is that the author's dad is actually a real-life violin maker, so when she describes the dusty workshops, the smells of wood, and how experts judge a cello, it becomes real and not made up. Each chapter even starts with real historical quotes about making instruments, which adds a touch to the whole story.

The main plot is about an old, mysterious cello that has a lot of dark secrets attached to it.
In the 1950s part, you follow a guy named Thomas Barlow. He fixes violins and is still really messed up from fighting in World War II. One day, his old army buddy Jonathan DeWitt shows up with a rare cello that people think was made by a famous guy named Andrea Guarneri. As Thomas looks closer, he realizes it is a fake, and this discovery forces him to face a terrifying secret he and Jonathan hid back in Europe during the war.

Then the book flips back to the 1600s to follow Pietro Guarneri, who is the real maker of the instrument. He is dealing with a family tragedy and gets forced into political games by his boss, Duchess Anna Isabella Gonzaga, including a crazy plot involving the King of Spain. To protect his family and a secret apprentice named Elena, he builds this exact cello, starting a giant chain of lies that lasts for hundreds of years.

Instead of just a basic historical fiction story, it feels more like a thriller. It really makes you think about guilt and if bystanders who just watch bad things happen are just as bad as the people doing them. If you want a quick, exciting read with a lot of cool historical details that you can tell came from real-life experience, you should definitely add this to your reading list.

Thank you, NetGalley, Köehler Books, and author M. Terrill, for providing me with a copy of this ebook for review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

#NetGalley
#KöehlerBooks
#MTerrill author
#TheViolinMaker

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[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

In The Violin Maker by M. Terrill, the craft of lutherie and the haunting resonance of string instruments are portrayed through a dual-timeline lens of war, secrecy, and meticulous artistry.

The novel depicts the Guarneri dynasty—founded by Andrea Guarneri in Cremona, carrying through his sons Pietro in Mantua and Giuseppe in Cremona—as masters caught between artistic devotion and the political turmoil of 17th-century Italy. They entered lutherie not merely as a trade but as an obsessive pursuit of acoustic perfection and legacy. Pietro’s work in Mantua, driven by the secretive crafting of a unique cello for Duchess Gonzaga, highlights the dangerous intersection of high-stakes royal patronage and workshop survival.

​The narrative contextualizes the Guarneris alongside legendary contemporaries like the Amatis (their ancestral mentors), Stradivari, and Bergonzi. While Stradivari is noted for refined elegance and brilliance, the Guarneris are portrayed as bold innovators whose instruments possess a raw, dark, and profoundly emotive voice. Their violins and cellos are prized and hyper-valuable because authentic masterpieces from this era are vanishingly rare, structurally distinct, and unmatched in tonal depth.

Being a luthier requires supreme woodworking precision, acoustic intuition, and secrecy. Clients ranged from wealthy nobility, duchesses, and church patrons to elite musicians seeking instruments capable of capturing the human soul.

String instruments in the novel transcend physical wood and strings to act as emotional vaults and historical anchors. To characters like Thomas Barlow, Jonathan DeWitt, and Pietro Guarneri, a cello or violin represents truth, hidden trauma, and survival. They serve as silent witnesses to war, political betrayal, and personal tragedy, bearing secrets across centuries that modern appraisal can either unearth or destroy.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Violin Maker is an evocative blend of art, history, and human frailty, weaving two timelines together with remarkable grace.

In 1950s Manhattan, Thomas Barlow’s quiet life is disrupted when an old friend arrives with a rare Italian cello—and an even rarer secret. His investigation into the instrument’s origins is wonderfully immersive, pulling you into the world of luthiers, collectors, and the shadows left by war. The tension between Barlow and DeWitt feels lived‑in and complex, and the mystery surrounding their shared past unfolds with a steady, compelling rhythm.

The parallel storyline in 1693 Italy is equally captivating. Pietro Guarneri, grieving and vulnerable, becomes entangled in political intrigue while trying to protect his family and an apprentice he shouldn’t have. These chapters are rich with atmosphere—Cremona’s workshops, courtly pressures, and the emotional weight of creation. The single cello he builds becomes a thread connecting centuries, secrets, and lives in a way that feels both intimate and sweeping.

The novel shines in its attention to craft—both musical and narrative. The writing is elegant without being overwrought, and the dual timelines complement each other beautifully, each revealing pieces of a mystery that spans generations.

A thoughtful, resonant debut that blends historical fiction with a quiet, compelling sense of suspense. Perfect for readers who love stories where art, history, and human emotion intertwine.

With thanks to M Terrill, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Melanie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Violin Maker moves between 1950s Manhattan and seventeenth-century Italy, with a mysterious cello connecting the two timelines. In Manhattan, violin dealer and WWII veteran Thomas Barlow is asked to authenticate an instrument supposedly made by Andrea Guarneri. His investigation convinces him the cello is not what it appears to be and begins pulling him back toward a secret he shares with the friend who brought it to him.

The historical timeline interested me even more. In 1693, Pietro Guarneri is caught in political intrigue while secretly teaching Elena, a female apprentice whose identity he needs to protect. His decision to build the only cello of his career creates the mystery that survives for centuries.

I liked the combination of art, craftsmanship, history, and hidden provenance. The instrument is not simply a device connecting two stories. Questions about who made it, who receives credit, and what people are willing to conceal give the mystery real weight. At times I found one timeline more compelling than the other, but the gradual connection between them kept me invested.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Violin Maker is an historical fiction novel telling two the stories of 2 men in two different time periods intertwined with a mysterious cello. Post WWII, Thomas Barlow is appraising a cello believed to be made from a classic violin make, Pietro Guarneri from the 1690s, but has suspicions. The book follows Thomas’ search for answers, while exploring his own demons from the war. The book tells a parallel story of the intrigue and secrets of the Italian court from Pietro’s life and how the cello comes to be. A beautifully written book with great attention to details of the craftsmanship of the violin. The stories of the two men, dealing with the struggles in the lives, kept me engaged and the story was rich with suspense as well. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sarah Buonocore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rekindled my enthusiasm for historical fiction. What a powerful debut from M. Terrill—I can’t wait to see what they write next!