The Bookbinder's Secret

A Novel

De: A. D. Bell

Narrado por: Olivia Vinall

Every book tells a story. This one tells a secret.

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.

Lilian ("Lily") Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life. She is trapped between the oppressiveness of her father’s failing bookshop and still being an apprentice in a man’s profession. But when she’s given a burned book during a visit to a collector, she finds, hidden beneath the binding, a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder.

Lily is pulled into the mystery of the young lovers, a story of forbidden love, and discovers there are more books and more hidden pages telling their story. Lilian becomes obsessed with the story but she is not the only one looking for the remaining books and what began as a diverting intrigue quickly becomes a very dangerous pursuit.

Lily's search leads her from the eccentric booksellers of London to the private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, deep into the heart of the mystery. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything for the books, Lilian’s world begins to fall apart and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth the risk to her own life.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Reseñas de la Crítica

"What a gem! The Bookbinder's Secret is a novel for any reader who has experienced the life-changing power of stories. A.D. Bell has crafted a spellbinding tale within a tale—a mystery within a mystery, in fact—in which romance, crime, and obsession each play a crucial role as apprentice bookbinder Lily Delaney races to unravel the historical secret at the book's core." —Marie Benedict, bestselling author of The Queens of Crime

"You’ll want to read The Bookbinder's Secret one sitting; every chapter stirs up new intrigue, sending Lillian – a book lover with a past—looking for trouble in delightfully unlikely places: bookstores, the libraries of collectors, and the workshops of bookbinders where secrets are tucked away under end papers and false covers. This is a novel so vivid, so spirited, and full of twists and a little romance, that you fall under its spell in its first pages." —Timothy Schaffert, bestselling author of The Titanic Survivors Bookclub

"A deliciously twisty and vibrantly plotted historical mystery set in the world of rare books in turn-of-the-century England, The Bookbinder's Secret is a must for booklovers everywhere." —Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names and The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau

"For all who cherish the magic of books, reading The Bookbinder’s Secret is like falling into another world, one made of vintage books and secret libraries, of cobblestone streets and richly told tales in secret rooms. The novel is as immersive as the scent of old paper and bound leather in an antique bookstore. Sewn together with the threads of mystery, romance, and a fiercely determined woman, The Bookbinder’s Secret is impossible to put down.” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

"Atmospheric and propulsive, The Book Binder's Secret chronicles a passion for books and the cost of obsession. Lilian Delany learns that love and loss are bound as tightly as the pages of a novel while she tries to solve a mystery (and possibly murder) with clues hidden inside a rare book. Perfect for fans of Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale." —Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times and International Bestselling Author of The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade

"Superlative...Bell expertly ratchets up the unsettling suspense as her captivating protagonist slowly assembles the clues she needs to solve a 50-year-old tale of love and murder...a scrumptious literary treat." —Library Journal (starred review)

"Stellar...Bell exhibits a superior gift for crafting an engrossing puzzle and a complex, sympathetic protagonist." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Stupendous!!

I can’t encourage you enough to read this book. I read mostly historical fiction, no mystery, but was intrigued by the blurb on the back of the book. I was immediately drawn in by the plot, the characters, everything. It is truly lovely. I typically can solve the mystery fairly early on but I was 3/4 of the way through (OK, maybe 2/3) when it finally struck me and even then I wasn’t 100% right. I really loved Lillian—she is refreshingly modern without being anachronistic. I love how the author (the mysterious A.D. Bell — look out for clues to their identity) seems to understand the Victorian/Edwardian periods and the fact that life was a bit more scandalous than many historians would have us believe. In short—this was a perfect read and apparently the first in a series featuring Lillian so I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

Absolutely spellbinding.

I was entranced from the first page. This story has it all, intrigue, mystery, romance, greed and surprises. Many of the typical storylines, jealousy and greed mixed in with amazing writing and a roller coaster ride to the finish. I couldn’t stop listening and was so disappointed when it ended. I wanted more even though the ending was deeply satisfying.

A story in a story!

Two stories in one! I loved this so much! It had everything, but fantasy. Drama, romance, history, mystery, murder and secrets.

An Unexpected Surprise

I truly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The characters kept me mesmerized, and I was fully embroiled in the book. I felt as though I was there, I could see what the author was painting as the narrator read the story. I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I hope there's a part 2!

Spellbinding

This book caught me from the very beginning. Mystery, love, twists and turns. I looked for anything else this author might have done so I could devour it but no luck. Highly recommend