The Bookbinder’s Secret is an absolute gem that took me completely by surprise. What began as a richly atmospheric story rooted in history and character development quickly shifted into an unexpected cloak-and-dagger drama. The layers of intrigue and deception were woven so skillfully that I found myself second-guessing every character, never quite sure who could be trusted until the very end.

The author masterfully balances lyrical storytelling with nail-biting suspense, creating a narrative that is both elegant and edge-of-your-seat compelling. Each twist revealed another secret hidden in the shadows, and I was utterly captivated by how seamlessly the plot deepened into espionage and betrayal.

This is one of those rare reads that lingers after the final page, leaving you both satisfied and craving more. I can’t recommend The Bookbinder’s Secret highly enough to fans of historical fiction, thrillers, or anyone who enjoys a story that surprises you when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Bookbinder's Secret is a charming and highly readable story, set at the turn of the 20th century The characters are well developed and the plot is engaging. Even the supporting characters are described in a way that imbues them with humanity and humility, whether a loving husband of a dear friend or a casual fling, A.D. Bell brings these characters to life.

The main character, Lillian, is a gifted bookbinder, working as an apprentice. She has a love of physical books, as well as the stories they contain. Lillian was raised by her widowed father, a bookseller who is also a distant man whose inability to show Lillian love or affection affects her emotionally. When she receives a book that conceals an intriguing letter about a secret romance fraught with danger that took place mid-19th century, she cannot turn away from the challenge of finding out what happened to the lovers described in the secret letter, even though pursuing that answer brings great risk to her, as well as those she loves.

With the mystery within the story, the author cleverly draws in both Lillian and her readers to find out what happened to the ill-fated lovers and why their story has been so carefully concealed. It was interesting to learn more about the bookbinding trade during this time period. What I most enjoyed, however, is the boldly independent Lillian who engages with life as she wishes, challenging the norms and expectations for women of her day.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and A.D. Bell for gifting me an ARC of The Bookbinder's Secret in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

So much fun!
Lillian’s curiosity and love of books starts her on a journey she will regret - but we won’t. When she finds part of a secret letter hidden in the binding of a book, she soon learns that others, with more nefarious reasons than her own, are also on a quest for the book and the other 5 that will complete the story.
As she does (or doesn’t) find each book, the story of the letter writer becomes more and more compelling. Lillian, the good and bad people around her, and we can’t wait to put all 6 pieces of the story together.
There are many tragic bumps along the way for our young heroine. But, after growing up rather sheltered, she certainly learns the ways of the world (more than she would have liked to, I’m sure) and understands what is important to her.
In addition to the story, we get a real insight into the art of bookbinding which, for me, was a true bonus. I will not look at a beautifully bound book in the same way again. I will appreciate each part of its construction and the thought and skill that it took.
This was a page turner.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that does not just entertain but completely consumes you. The Bookbinder’s Secret did exactly that. It is, without hesitation, my new favorite book of all time.

From the very first scene, I was swept into a labyrinth of stories within stories: hidden manuscripts, coded names, secret letters tucked inside bindings, and confessions written into the very fibers of books. The author captures the reverence of literature with prose so poetic it often felt Shakespearean. Lines such as “every stolen kiss all the sweeter for the deception” and the lush sensory descriptions of books like the smell of leather, ink, and glue, pulled me into a world where books are not just objects but vessels of memory, love, betrayal, and even danger.

And while every thread of the narrative was compelling, Ambrose was by far my favorite character. His presence leapt off the page, charismatic, sharp, and unorthodox, yet deeply sincere in his own way. He embodied the tension between reputation and truth, appearance and authenticity, and I found myself looking forward to every scene he was in.

I also adored Mr. Caxton. His kindness, wit, and graciousness shone through every interaction, and his unwavering ability to be the light she needed made him unforgettable. He carried a genuineness that grounded the story, balancing the darker secrets with warmth and integrity. His presence was a quiet reminder of how compassion can illuminate even the heaviest of narratives.

The novel beautifully intertwines history with human longing. I was enthralled by the complexity of characters like Isabel, William, Julia, and Isaac, lives bound together across generations, their stories revealed piece by piece, hidden in plain sight. The puzzles, acrostics, and layered secrets made the reading experience feel like solving a riddle alongside the narrator. At the same time, the emotional weight such as grief, rage, devotion, and the ache of lost opportunities kept me deeply invested. By the end, I was not just following a mystery, I was carrying their heartbreaks and triumphs in my own chest.

What sets this book apart is how seamlessly it marries the craftsmanship of bookbinding with the artistry of storytelling. The narrator’s reflections on turning something weak and dull into something lasting and beautiful resonated as a perfect metaphor for the novel itself: an act of preservation, of giving forgotten stories a second life.

By the final pages, I sat in awe of how everything connected, the codes, the legacies, the hidden truths. This story is not only about books; it is about resilience, love that outlives generations, and the power of stories to endure in every form they take.

I was utterly enthralled, and I will be pressing this book into the hands of every reader I know. The Bookbinder’s Secret is a love letter to books, a mystery that will keep you turning pages deep into the night, and an unforgettable journey that lingers long after the last line. And if you can choose to be anything in this world, be like a Mr. Caxton.

A mystery full of twists, threats, and forbidden truths you won’t see coming

The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bell may begin quietly, but its impact grows page by page until it’s impossible to look away. On the surface, it’s a suspenseful mystery: hidden manuscripts, dangerous secrets, and twists that strike just when the reader feels steady. Beneath that, though, runs a sharper current, a story about women’s voices, the violence of silencing them, and the fight to reclaim space in a world that would rather erase them.

Set in early 20th-century Oxford, it immerses the reader in the tactile world of bookbinding, bookselling, and publishing, describing the processes of creating and repairing books with remarkable authenticity. The writing is highly sensory, with descriptions that allow a skilled reader to see, smell, and hear the surroundings as if standing in the workshop or walking the city streets. It is a book that celebrates the physical presence of books themselves, contrasting the care and artistry of deluxe editions with the mass-produced works of later eras.

The tension in the novel works on multiple levels. There’s the immediate thrill of the mystery — betrayals, rising danger, and revelations that hit hard. At the same time, Bell creates an atmosphere thick with unease, where every discovery feels risky and every silence is suspect. The story is immersive without ever feeling overdone; dust, shadows, and secrecy make the story tighter, not slower. What sets the novel apart is how it blends suspense with deeper themes. The fear isn’t only about who will survive or what secrets will come to light, but about whether those truths will be heard at all. Even small details reinforce this idea. The parallel between the author’s name and the mystery writer in the story is a clever touch in a book so focused on who gets to tell history and who is left out.

The feminist dimension of this novel is impossible to overlook. It doesn’t present itself as a manifesto, but rather as a lived reality for women pushing against the confines of their time. Through its characters and setting, the book quietly but powerfully dismantles expectations placed on women, whether it’s the right to choose not to be a mother, the audacity to pursue a career, or the scandal of claiming ownership over one’s own sexuality. The plot also shines a light on overlooked histories, like women bookbinders slowly gaining recognition in a male-dominated trade. All of these details are blended into the story with subtlety, yet together they create a bold portrait of resistance. What could easily have been a conventional mystery becomes a meditation on women carving space for themselves in a world that insists they remain invisible.

Equally striking is the novel’s treatment of queer characters. They are written not as spectacles or side notes, but as people who simply exist within the community, their identities written easily into the story without fanfare. The main character’s acceptance of them feels refreshingly natural, never framed as an act of defiance or rebellion, but as the most ordinary thing in the world. This understated approach gives the book authenticity, showing diversity not as a point to prove, but as a reflection of reality. In a genre that often leans on stereotypes or dramatization, this matter-of-fact portrayal feels both modern and deeply respectful.

For readers who want more than just a clever puzzle, this novel offers layers of history, atmosphere, and cultural commentary that keep the pages turning long after the mystery itself unfolds. Highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries with depth, daring, and diversity.

Tropes and Vibes in The Bookbinder’s Secret

Historical mystery set in early 20th-century Oxford
Hidden letters and secret manuscripts
Bookbinding and rare book obsession
Female protagonist challenging societal norms
Feminist themes and bodily autonomy
Forbidden knowledge and dangerous secrets
Threats, violence, and escalating suspense
Twists, revelations, and clever plot construction
Quiet, matter-of-fact inclusivity and queer representation
Personal agency vs. societal constraints
Immersive sensory details

This book gripped me from the beginning, and I didn't want to put it down when it was time to go be an adult again! The layers of intrigue were captivating, and I wish I could read it again for the first time. If you enjoy tales of high society, being surrounded by books, and cheering for the underdog, you will enjoy this book!

This book did not take long at all too pull me right in. A beautifully written story for anyone who loves books, books about books, mystery and historical fiction.
Lilian, a young female bookbinder and loves what she does. She soon finds herself with a partially burned book that will turn her life upside down and throws her into a very dangerous adventure that threatens all she has and her very own life. Travelling across the country following many leads to find the other 5 books to save herself from the man in the bowler hat who wants whatever it is she finds. Her journeys are dangerous, but she must succeed to survive.
Wow! This is a book that I will stay with me forever. The more I read, the more deeply I became attached to it. I could visualize each and every character and every place that Lilian travelled to. I will definitely be picking up a physical copy when it’s released and enjoy reading through it a second time.
Thank you @stmartinspress and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I received this book as an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. This review is my own. Lilian Delaney is a bookbinder living and working in Oxford in 1901. Her father is a bookseller, and she lives a somewhat solitary existence. While visiting a wealthy client, Lilian is given a partially burned book that leads her into a dangerous mystery, complete with intrigue, murder, and a race to solve a puzzle. The characters were very well crafted, and i absolutely loved this story. I cannot believe this is a debut novel. I hope the author has more books to write because this was truly excellent. Highly recommend!!!

The secret itself is SO good - a treasure hunt of life-and-death, throughout England.

For anyone who loves slices of life and a view into family and work and class clashes in historic England, this book is a page turner. It's like multi-generational sagas of Ken Follett's Century trilogy meets the dramatic flashbacks of Discovery of Witches.

Couldn't put this down!

I absolutely enjoyed this book! After reading the first twenty pages, I found it a challenge to put down. The author does a brilliant job of detailing the workings of a bookbinder. Every event in this book was well paced, well thought out, and completely added to the story. There were close to a dozen characters in the story and each added weight and value. Ambrose being my favorite. The complicated father daughter relationship was easy to feel sorry for. The love triangle was well played out. I don't think the main character thinking back too much on her transgressions took away from the plot or the character. I couldn't help but notice how the two main romances mirrored one another. The ending wasn't what I wanted, but I think the author gave the characters and the readers justice. This for sure has is one of my top fiction reads for 2025.

I don't know where to start - I guess I could just start with that I absolutely loved this book. It was a book that had my attention from the start and held it until the very end (which I needed after being sick for so long). I enjoyed everything about this book - from the FMC, Lillian, to the plot and all it's twists and turns. The pacing of the story was fast enough to make it hard to stop, but not so fast you felt lost as to what was going on. This was the first book I read by this author, but I will absolutely be keeping an eye on any of their other works to read in the future.