A young bookbinder begins a hunt for the truth when a confession hidden beneath the binding of a burned book reveals a story of forbidden love, lost fortune, and murder.
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| January 2025; Macmillan Audio; 9781250433862 audio (12h 10m), ebook, print; historical fiction |
I think I missed in the summary that the book is set in 1901. I thought the mention of a burned book and a secret message hidden in the binding would have something to do with World War II. I realized that was wrong when I started reading the book, and I wondered what it would be about instead.
Though the turn of the 20th century is not something I read a lot about, and I don't usually care for anything in the 1850s, I really enjoyed this book.
It is a story within a story.
First, we have Lily Delaney, who is a bookbinder apprentice. While bookbinding, given its artistic leanings, was an acceptable skill for a woman in 1901, it is unusual for a woman to take on a career. But then again, as the daughter (and only child) of a bookshop owner, perhaps it was thought she would bring the skill to her father's shop to expand the business. Even so, Lily isn't so sure she wants a husband and family. What she does know is that she wants freedom and appreciation as an individual.
Then we have the story that Lily finds under the binding in a book that has been partially burned. It is the story of another young woman who feels confined by her life. Her father only sees her as property - he even says at one point that she is only good for breeding. While she wants to marry for love, her father only desires what is socially advantageous for him in the pairing.
This hidden story is sought by another who will stop at nothing to get it. As it turns out, it isn't just one book that has secret pages, and Lily is forced to find the other books, or her friends and family will pay the price.
Both stories are compelling, and I found myself consuming large chunks of the story at a time.
I found it interesting that Lily wasn't partnered with someone in her search for the books. In other stories with book mysteries that I've read, there is usually someone else who is invested in discovering the secrets. Lily has others who could help her, and in small ways, they do, but she isn't open with them about the whole story. It goes along with her independent nature and the freedom she desires.
In many ways, Lily reminded me of Miss Scarlet from the television show on PBS.
While I read it for the adventure and mystery, this book has something for every reader. There is a little bit of romance, there are aspects of women's fiction, and of course, the historical bits.
If you are looking for a story to get lost in, I highly recommend this book.
I listened to the audiobook, and it is wonderful. Olivia Vinall does such a good job. The cast is relatively small, and I don't think it is supposed to be a mystery that the reader is to solve, so you don't have to keep track of clues which makes it easy to listen to and follow.
Buy The Bookbinder's Secret at Amazon
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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