Devlin's steady, monotonous life working airport baggage claim is shattered when his thoughtful but mistaken birthday gift—a lost-and-found violin case—leads to a major blow-up with his girlfriend, Melissa, who was expecting an engagement ring. After their break-up, Devlin seeks refuge with his former history teacher, Walter Pickering, who is also struggling. The magnificent violin initiates an unexpected quest for the duo to determine its worth.

It turns out the instrument is far more than just valuable—it was stolen from Christie's, carries a vast history, and is infused with magic. A shadowy figure will stop at nothing to recover the artifact, forcing Devlin and Walter to rely on the help of a knowledgeable violin shop girl with her own mysterious past.

This was a highly addictive read! I loved learning about the violin's many histories and the found family bond that developed through the mystery. The combination of romance, intrigue, and the magical twists kept me completely hooked.

What really stood out was the story’s atmosphere: gentle but mysterious, ordinary yet touched by something magical. The mystery of the violin unfolds gradually, offering small but satisfying reveals that kept me turning pages. The writing balances hope, longing, and wonder — making the novel feel like a warm, comforting embrace with a bit of mystique.

Overall, The Violin Maker’s Secret resonates long after the final page. It’s the kind of story that reminds you that sometimes, magic can be found in the most unlikely places — and that even the most ordinary people can carry extraordinary stories.

I’ve loved Evie Woods ever since The Lost Bookshop, so I grabbed this one the second I could! It has that same magical and cozy mystery vibe that sneaks up on your heart. The story unfolds soft and emotional, but with these gorgeous little crescendos of connection. The mystery of the violin isn’t loud or dramatc, but lingers. The kind that stays with you after you close the book. If you love stories about fate, found family, and small magical touches in ordinary moments, this one is an easy add to your TBR. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins 360 for gifting me an ARC of this book. This review is my own. I am so excited that I received the ARC for this book!! Evie Woods is an absolute must-read author for me, as I’ve loved all of her books. The Violin Maker’s Secret is another brilliant and moving novel with an incredible amount of heart, engaging characters, and a masterfully woven story told in multiple timelines. Gabrielle is a former violin prodigy with a painful past and a hopelessly narrow existence. When Walter and Devlin show up on her doorstep with a violin seeking her services as an appraiser, Gabrielle has no idea that her whole life is about to change. The violin changes everyone it touches throughout the centuries as it seeks the fulfillment of its own destiny. Excellently written, lovely, and wonderful.

This was good!

I loved this author so I was so excited to receive an ARC!

This book was very well written

I enjoyed the characters and the premise

This story took me on a wild ride, and yes, in some ways it was like Mr. Toad’s. Theft, some laughs, and deep friendship.

I was worried I would not be able to sustain interest at first. I wasn’t keen on Devlin to begin with, and I could not find anything redeeming about his GF.

But he quickly grew on me as he stepped into community. As all three of the main characters stepped into community.

My heart ached for all of them- and for the violin itself. I wanted to curl into the story and not leave.

I do wish we had more ambiance with the antique store. I wish we got a better feel for it. I also wish I got to know the characters a little better. I felt they could use fleshing out.

Also I’m confused why she forgot his first name when he told her under Xanax over and over it was Lucas…

The Violin Maker’s Secret is a masterfully written story that lingers in the heart long after the last page. The author’s prose is exquisite, painting vivid images of a world filled with mystery, music, and deep emotion. The characters are richly developed, each carrying secrets and desires that draw you in and keep you turning pages. The plot is both compelling and intricate, with twists that are clever yet perfectly believable. I was completely captivated by the delicate balance of suspense, romance, and artistry woven throughout the story. This book is a true gem—elegant, moving, and unforgettable. I could not put this book down!!! Thank you to NetGalley and Hgarper360 for allowing me to read this book.

This is my third Evie Woods’ read, and this one did not disappoint! From the magical realism elements with the violin to the connecting threaded characters woven to its life, to the lessons learned about violins, I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the foreshadowing details describing Gabrielle as a fighter and how Devin turns to a former teacher for help when he needs a different kind of history lesson. Overall, this is a great read for anyone who wondered if there is a connection between an instrument and its owner, as well as the connection we have with one another. My favorite lessons in this book are that the person who makes you stumble over your speech and see stars in your eyes is worth fighting the bad days for, no matter how few days we get together. I adored the little snippets of love stories throughout the mystery to find the rightful owner of the violin.

4🌟

Thanks to Netgalley, Evie Woods, and Harper 360 for sending an Arc for me to review.

This is my 3rd book from this author (I also loved The Lost Bookshop and The Story Collector). And I loved this one all the same.

This whole book is about getting a stolen violin back to its rightful owner and how this particular violin touches each person it comes in contact with. On top of getting the point of view of the people trying to do that, but you also get the point of view of the violin themself. Getting to see the history of the violin on the way was a fun addition that I really enjoyed as well as the friendship formed between the main characters. All in all this was just a well written good story.

I really enjoyed The Violin Maker's Secret. The magical realism works well and is entirely believable. Evie Woods depiction of the growth of friendship kept me reading even when I should have been sleeping. The art vignettes, combined with talent and openness and love worked very well. Woods did a terrific job of integrating the people and history of the violin with the contemporary characters, who grow and change over the course of the novel. The Violin Maker's Secret is wonderfully told, with such incredible depictions of loneliness and talent, and neediness. It all works together so very well.

The Violin Maker's Secret is at its heart, a story of friendship, whether in the past or in the world of Devlin, Walter, and Gabrielle. The violin saved their lives and allowed the kind of emotional growth that all of the characters needed.. The violin seemed to open the hearts of those who played and those who witnessed and listened. The Violin Maker's Secret is a wonderfully written story, with I know I will want to read again.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to read and review. I loved The Violin Maker's Secret and I do recommend it. Woods' novel is the kind of book that stirs the soul and makes us smile.

5 stars

This book was so good!! It flowed from one characters story to another one's effortlessly while weaving in a story of an extraordinary violin. I loved the ending and could not stop reading till I got to the end!

If I'm being completely honest, I know that I was going to love this book before I even opened the eArc. Evie Woods 1s an "autobuy" author for me and I love the wild journeys of hope, love, adventure and mystery she always takes us on throughout her books. I an extremely grateful for the opportunity to read "The Violin Maker's Secret" early.

When airpot employee Devin buys a "forgotten" violin for his girlfriend’s' birthday, he could have never known the thrilling adventure he would soon be met with. The cast of characters is absolutely superb and the development of both the individual characters and the relationships
between them is phenomenal. This book is exciting, inspiring, uplifting and fun
I particularly loved the character Gabrielle.

This book reinforces the fact that if Evie Woods writes h, I'm buying it, devouring it, loving it and thinking about it forever. Grab this one when it comes out..-.

You can never go wrong with Evie Woods. I immediately requested this when I saw it on NetGalley. My little sister played the violin, and our family is full of musicians so the idea of a magical violin really spoke to me emotionally. This is my favorite Evie Woods book so far!

I just finished The Violin Maker's Secret and feel as if I should stand to offer an ovation yelling "Brava! Brava! Bravissima!!" for this tremendous symphony of a book! Evie Woods has, yet again, outdone herself!! What a fantastic experience reading this wonderful creation! The main characters are so dissimilar and still they become so wonderfully entwined in each other's lives. The star of the story, the beautiful violin, speaks throughout the story and draws you further into the lives of the main characters, Devlin, Walter, and Gabrielle, and the lives of all those she encountered throughout her journey since the early 1800s to modern day. This book has it all ... love, intrigue, music, danger, friendship, despair, strength, and perseverance. A truly wonderful read!

I've read the author's previous works and when I found this on NetGalley, I quickly requested it. Best one yet! I've been stingy with 5-star ratings in 2025, so I surprised myself when I thought this was clearly a 4.5 stars and while waffling between and 4 and a 5, I found myself leaning toward the higher number. The love imbued in the wood and strings of the violin magically carried into the pages and storyline. The different characters clinging to a reason for holding on to the violin were heartfelt. The stories of its previous owners were delightful, poignant, and complex. So many great parts to this book. Reminded me why Woods is becoming a quick "auto-yes" for new releases.

This book has so many layers that the pages will practically turn themselves. Devlin works at the airport as a baggage claim agent and purchases an old violin from the lost luggage collection. This violin has a deep and complex history which only comes to light as Devlin spends more time with the instrument. He partners with a retired teacher of his named Walter, and their paths cross with an appraiser named Gabrielle. They all become invested in uncovering the history of this violin while a gang of criminals is also hunting the violin for themselves. History of musical instruments, a little magical realism hearing from the violin itself, and the suspense of keeping the violin in safe hands lends to this engaging read.

Another Evie Woods masterpiece! I’ve absolutely adored every book of hers I’ve read, and The Violin Maker’s Secret is no exception.

Against all odds, a rare and powerful violin brings three strangers together and begins a tale of secrets, love, healing, strength, and so much more.

Airport baggage handler Devlin finds the violin in lost and found, and manages to buy it, thinking it would be the perfect gift for his girlfriend and somehow feeling its magic. Little did he know, thieves were after it as well.

Life without purpose isn’t suiting retired teacher Walter very well, until a former student shows up at just the right time and with just the right project.

Violin appraiser Gabrielle is also at a crossroads, taking over her father’s business, trying to sort some things out, and keeping secrets, when someone brings in the mysterious violin.

All three feel the violin’s magic as they try to figure out its history and origins, and stay a step ahead of the thieves (who have their own history and reasons for seeking the violin) and also figure out the family secrets and connections…

The writing and storytelling just blew me away! I was so invested in solving the mysteries and learning about the violin and the characters, and just loved being along for the ride. And maybe the best character of all? The violin! Yes, it’s actually a character too! Honestly, there’s not too much I can say without going too far—just enjoy the book!

The Violin Maker’s Secret is a heartfelt book that blends music, mystery, and human connection into a magical story. The plot is centered around a powerful violin that brings together unlikely strangers and explores themes of grief, hope, and love. The story is filled with warmth and wonder, which make ordinary moments feel touched with magic. This book was a captivating and uplifting read, which follows the same type of story setup as her other novels, jumping around from character to character in order to build a story and show connection.

hooked from the start and doesn't let you go!
Evie is a masterful writer and she hasn't missed yet/

This author was new for me, so I was excited to get this ARC from NetGalley. I finished the book in just a few days because it's just such a warm, lovely read. There are supernatural and unexplained elements but mostly it's a love story that pervades the entire story. Sweeping in nature and jumping back and forth in time, I came to care for the 3 main characters in the present day and of course the violin.

I felt very satisfied at the end and really appreciated the ending and resolution.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for approving my request for the advanced copy. I'm truly grateful for such a wonderful gift of a book.

The Violin Maker’s Secret is a fun book that keeps you thinking. We meet Devlin, who works in baggage claim in London, who comes to obtain an old violin. With help from his former teacher, Walter and an instrument appraiser, Gabrielle, they try to discover the violin’s story.

I enjoyed that the violin was a character in this novel. I loved hearing its story as it traveled from place to place.

I also enjoyed reading more about Devlin, Walter and especially Gabrielle’s back stories throughout the novel. I wish I knew a little bit more about Verity, especially at the end.

This was my second book written by Evie Woods. I look forward to reading more of her works. Thank you to Harper Collins for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a lovely, easy-to-enjoy story with a touch of magic. The idea of a special violin hidden in an airport lost and found is really interesting. The characters are kind and relatable, and their stories come together nicely. It’s heartfelt, gentle, and full of quiet emotion. A comforting read that stays with you after the last page. 🎻

Take a moment to look at the most lovely cover I’ve ever seen.

Devlin is searching for a gift for his girlfriend and buys a violin from lost and found at the airport where he works. He discovers that it is stolen and worth a fortune. He goes to Walter, his old history teacher, for advice. They end up taking it to Gabrielle, who has taken over her father’s violin appraisal shop. The three unlikely allies are in a race to discover the mystery of the violin maker before the people who stole it find them. William is the violin maker, who made it in the 1800s as a wedding gift for his fiancée, Clara. Unfortunately, Clara is pushed into the river by her jealous sister. William is able to catch her last breath, releasing it into the violin, and she lives on by making the violin sing when it is played. The violin/Clara takes us around the world as each owner gives her new life and audiences to enthrall. She witnesses several love stories that show the sacrifices people will make for love.

I was completely enthralled with this novel, the stories of characters past and present are intricately entwined. It was fascinating to learn about violin makers and the process of dating violins. The friendship between Devlin and Walter shines light into a time of darkness for them both. A slow-burn romance unravels for Gabrielle and Devlin. Gabrielle is finally able to overcome the past that has been weighing her down. This is my favorite Evie Woods’ book, and I recommend them all! I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook and experience the story all over again.

Thank you Evie Woods, Harper 360, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Evie Woods has written a surprisingly touching story about a three people who find a violin in a lost and found in a London airport. This violin was owned by a gang and they have accidentally have stolen it, and they will do anything in their power to get it back. This journey follow Devlin an airport baggage claims operator, his old teacher Walter, and Gabrielle a violin expert as they all try to figure out where this mysterious violin comes from and why this gang wants it back. They all feel drawn to this violin without understanding why.

This was such an interesting story and I appreciate it all the historical context around violins and the musical European history around them. I loved learning about luthiers and the history of violin making and how it actually changes; as I am not musically inclined, this was a great perspective and it makes me want to pick up a book on violin history to understand this topic better. It's been a long time since I read a book that brings in historical context that makes me even more interested in it and it's only the minor part of the story. [the violin's POV was very cute and done wonderfully in a way that this could have been very corny but the author pulls it off]

I thought the romance was ok, the chemistry was there but I don't think it's strongest part of the story. There is little to no spice in this. Honestly I liked the relationship bonds between all three, this really gives found family warm and fuzzes.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys listening to the violin, or likes rocking out to Bach, who doesn't like rocking out to Bach? While reading this I put on a violin playlist and I think it's the best way to read this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for a free copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is all about magical realism
A lost violin, turns up at Heathrow airport wind changes three lives dramatically. A fun premise for a plot and was thoroughly engaging to read.

The Violin Maker’s Secret
By Evie Woods
Pub date: February 24, 2026
Publisher: Harper 360

Heathrow Airport auctions off lost and found items to charity if unclaimed for 90 days. A special and very valuable violin is one of them. This violin can change their fortunes for good or bad by those who possess it! Devlin, who works at Heathrow, gifts this violin to his girlfriend for her birthday! When he finds out he bought a stolen violin, he is in a predicament! Will he get out of it before he is found out? Will this violin give him the good fortune he needs?

This book will take you on a journey of a stolen and very valuable violin! I loved the mystery, adventure, and history that surrounded this violin. A wildly fun and entertaining story of newly found friendships, love, and how to manage your enemies while trying to protect what is precious to you! This book will have you turning the pages to see who wins out in the end! A great book for book clubs as it will spark great conversations!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is wonderful in the way it captures love in so many different forms. I especially loved that Evie Woods gives the violin its own voice. The way she does this is fascinating and deeply moving. As someone who played the viola, I often wondered who held my instrument before me and whether they were able to make it sing. This story taps directly into that sense of curiosity and connection.

To truly appreciate this book, I think you need to love music or have played an instrument yourself. Evie Woods blends magic, history, and the present world so seamlessly, a signature of her storytelling. The result is a novel that feels intimate and alive, where music carries memory and emotion across time.

I didn’t want this book to end. It is thoughtful, imaginative, and full of heart. A beautiful five star read.

This is my fourth book by Evie Woods, and I think this is my favorite. I love the magical realism she adds to each of her stories. This book revolves around a violin. We meet three people - Devlin, Walter, and Gabrielle - and go on a journey with them and this special violin. Each one is carrying very heavy pain and baggage. Just a beautiful story of found family, forgiveness and healthy.

I LOVE how Evie wove the violin's history and throughout the story along with the actual history of the violin.

Thank you Harper 360, NetGalley and Evie Woods for the advanced copy of this book. I LOVED IT!!!

Devlin, a lost-and-found worker at Heathrow, discovers a priceless violin, a find that’s every dream—and nightmare—of anyone in his job. But the true star of the story is the violin itself, written with so much personality it practically breathes.

The book weaves back to Waterford, 1812, telling the love story of Clara and William, whose lives and choices are forever tied to the violin. Their story gives the instrument a history and heart, making it feel like a living witness to love, loss, and secrets across time.

Quiet, atmospheric, and deeply emotional, this is a story about music, memory, and the way objects carry history with them.

Finding another new author I will go back and read her books including The Lost Bookshop.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Declining who works at the airport finds a violin in the lost and found. He wants this as a birthday gift for his girlfriend. He buys it and when his girlfriend doesn’t like the gift and kicks him out of their apartment l, he goes to his old teacher’s apartment to ask for his help in finding out more about the violin. The violin has brought good luck to Devin and he can’t imagine being without it. Walter takes Devin to a music shop that Walter has gone to several times, only to find out his friend has passed away and the daughter Gabrielle now runs the shop, they ask for her help in finding out more about the violin. During all this running around their apartments all get broken into and the places ransacked. Someone wants the violin and they aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get the violin back.

This story was so good I could not put it down, I had to find out what was going to happen next. And I really loved the ending! What a great story about love, friendship, and what it means to live for yourself.

I would highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more by this author. Her writing style is so heart warming and easy to read.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper 360 for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest review of this book.

I’ve been excited to read this book since it was announced!

A lost violin brings together a trio of characters, each of whose paths are forever changed.

Told through multiple POVs (including that of the violin itself!), this story perfectly weaves historical fiction, romance, mystery, and magical realism.

Evie Woods has a remarkable gift for creating stories that feel cozy while leaving my heart full.

If you’re looking for a charming and captivating read, this book is for you.

A huge thank you to HarperCollins and Net Galley for the ARC!

Thank you, @Netgalley and Harper Collins, for the ARC of this book! What a charming tale; I had a difficult time putting this one down. I've always had a fond love of music, history, and antiques, which all made an appearance in this book. There was a bit of mystery in the process of learning the history of the violin, which kept me interested to the very end. Normally, I struggle with books that bounce from one timeline to another, but I found it fairly easy to follow along, and I was never bored. I feel there were a lot of lessons learned throughout the book, one being the importance of loving yourself. I also learned a lot about violins and how they are made, which is fascinating to me as my great-grandfather was a luthier. I would highly recommend this book!

There’s a sort of melancholy to this book. There’s a sadness that a woman’s soul is locked into a violin. It has mystery, romance, a bit of magic. The book kept taking the reader down different paths it’s an interesting book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Magical realism/historical fiction. A baggage handler takes a violin from the lost and found. The violin leads him along a path of meeting people who help him investigate the origins and history of the violin while we learn about their histories.

The writing in this novel is beautiful. The magical attraction to the violin, the life challenges each character faces, and the attention to detail bring everything to life. The book focuses on the origins of the violin, and I learned a lot about the history of music and qualities of a good violin. The weaving of the violin's story along with the contemporary story of three people who feel lost themselves is pitch perfect.

This was a fabulous blend of romance, magical realism, and the redemptive power of human connections. I could not put it down until the extremely satisfying end.

The novel starts with airport worker, Devlin, buying a violin from Heathrow Airport’s Lost and Found. It triggers a breakup with his girlfriend, but rekindles a friendship with his former history teacher and forges a new relationship with a violin expert. These three people, all nursing pain and loneliness, work together to uncover the story of the extraordinary found violin.

These three people writing is top notch, and the characters are well developed. The plot is unique, riveting, and a roller coaster ride for the reader as the the trio defeat bad guys and solve the violin’s mystery.

Devlin, a baggage claim agent at Heathrow Airport, stumbles upon an unclaimed violin in the lost and found. Remembering how his girlfriend, Mel, once dreamed of playing the violin, he impulsively purchases it as a birthday gift. Unfortunately, the gesture backfires—ending their relationship rather than strengthening it.
It doesn’t take long for Devlin to realize this violin is far from ordinary. Mysterious and increasingly threatening individuals seem determined to get their hands on it. Unsure where to turn, Devlin seeks guidance from his former history teacher, Walter, who brings in his friend Gabrielle, a knowledgeable violin appraiser. Together, this unlikely trio embarks on a fast paced quest to uncover the instrument’s origins and the stories of those who once owned it. Their search soon reveals that the violin was stolen, adding tension and danger to their pursuit of the truth.
The novel unfolds through a dual timeline, weaving present day discoveries with glimpses into the violin’s past and the life of its maker. The historical layers add richness and depth, making the mystery all the more compelling.
This is a delightful and intriguing story, though I personally felt the scattered profanity wasn’t necessary and detracted slightly from the overall charm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

My first Evie Woods book, thanks to a ARC from Netgalley.

I didn't quite know what to expect from this ARC but was intrigued by the cover and title. I am glad I was able to read this in a few short sittings.

The book is part memoir, part history, part fantasy, part romance, bits of tragedy, a love story about music and emotion and part time travel. The fantasy portions of the book give ample creative license to imagination and emotional outreach by inanimate object(s) and are quite fun to read. The book strays from the central plot several times, sometimes just filling space. Toward the end, however, the fillers give way to plot closers, wrapping the story and characters with a tidy bow, completing the story. The tragic elements are short-lived and acceptable. The brief melodrama passes equally quickly. There are a few twists, again toward the end, but I didn't feel manipulated by the twists.

I think first-time readers (like me) of Evie's works will be pleasantly surprised at the style and storytelling. Characters are deep enough for the story being told.

I don't have to wait to write this review. I just finished reading it in one go. I couldn't put it down. What a fabulous new book by Evie Woods. Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins360 for providing me access to this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Violin Maker’s Secret is an enchanting blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and contemporary character study, and it may be my favorite Evie Woods novel to date. From the moment a forgotten violin resurfaces in Heathrow’s Lost & Found, this book drew me in with its warmth, its sense of mystery, and the unmistakable feeling that the instrument at its center has lived many lives. I especially loved the Violin's perspective as it made the story come to life and gave it so much more character.

The story unfolds across dual timelines. In the present day, three strangers find their paths crossing because of the violin: Devlin, a baggage handler who stumbles upon it by accident; Walter, his former history teacher, whose loneliness masks a deep reservoir of kindness; and Gabrielle, a violin appraiser carrying the weight of both personal loss and an unfinished relationship with music. None of them are looking for transformation, but the violin insists on it anyway.

Interwoven with their journey is the violin’s own past, tracing its creation and passage through centuries, borders, and hands. I truly loved how these historical chapters feel like lyrical interludes rather than interruptions, adding emotional texture and context without overwhelming the modern storyline. At several points, I stopped to research finer points and dig into a few facts. That, in my opinion, is the true test of a historical novel. The magical realism may have been out there a few times, but it never felt gimmicky. Instead, it reinforced the novel’s central idea: that objects can carry memory, grief, and love long after the people who shaped them are gone.

One thing I felt really made this book sing🎶 is its characters. Devlin’s awkward sincerity, Walter’s quiet wisdom, and Gabrielle’s guarded vulnerability form an unexpectedly tender trio. Their evolving friendship became the emotional anchor of the novel for me. I also appreciated how the story treats music not as decoration, but as a language of healing and connection, especially for those who feel stuck between who they were and who they might still become.

What did I love? At its heart, The Violin Maker's Secret is about music, memory, and the quiet ways people find belonging. Sometimes it is through chance encounters, sometimes through shared purpose, and sometimes it is through something as fragile and enduring as a violin. Once again, Ms. Woods has made magic come to life with her writing. I definitely recommend this one when it comes out in February 2026.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
#NetGalley #TheViolinMakersSecret @HarperCollins360 @Harper360

Follow along & like! All reviews posted on Goodreads, Fable, and Blogspot:
https://www.goodreads.com/1stlightdawnreads
https://1stlightdawnreads.blogspot.com/
https://fable.co/review/d1b4d524-8899-4837-a825-ea2d442d5a2f/share
Bookstagram and Booktok:
https://www.instagram.com/1stlight.dawnreads/
https://www.tiktok.com/@1stlight.dawnreads
Most reviews are also posted on Amazon and B&N

I enjoyed learning about the provenance and history of this particular violin who was passed through the centuries and ends up in the lost and found at Heathrow. 3 strangers end up working together to try to learn this history and secrets, while also making strong connections.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC. I enjoy Evie Woods books and was looking forward to this book's release. Gabrielle, Devlin, and Walter all become connected to a mysterious violin found in the Heathrow Airport Lost and Found. The beginning drew me right in. About 40% through the book, I struggled to connect fully with the characters and the story arc. I almost gave up on the book. Stopped reading for a couple of days and then tried again. I am glad I did. The last half of the book is magical. I enjoyed reading about the history of making violins, as well as the healing that takes place among the major characters.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys music, the history of instrument creation, fantasy and magic, and/or personal healing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*The Violin Maker’s Secret* by Evie Woods is a beautifully written, soul-stirring novel that lingers long after the final page. Rich with atmosphere and emotion, it weaves together music, history, and human connection in a way that feels both intimate and timeless.

Evie Woods has a rare gift for creating characters who feel achingly real flawed, hopeful, and deeply human. The story unfolds with a quiet magic, revealing its layers gradually, and the prose is lyrical without ever feeling heavy. Music isn’t just a theme here; it’s a living, breathing presence that shapes lives and carries secrets across generations.

This book is tender, haunting, and profoundly moving. It’s about love, loss, creativity, and the invisible threads that bind us together. If you enjoy emotionally rich stories with depth, heart, and a touch of mystery, *The Violin Maker’s Secret* is an absolute must-read.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. I have read a couple of previous books by this author and think this is her best so far. There is a hint of magic throughout the book as well as lots of knowledge about music. There are several different POV in different time periods focusing around one violin who everyone wants, but few can keep their hands on. There is a lot going on in the book, but it ties together pretty well. I dithered between 4 or 5 stars, but really I think it would be 4.5 for me if that was an option on GR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC. I was already a fan of Evie Woods and was thrilled for the opportunity to review this book.

The Violin Maker's Secret was an unlikely coming-of-age story, in the most unexpected way. Through multiple POVs, and multiple timelines, we were treated to subterfuge, magical realism, and a healthy dose of life's wisdom. The undercurrent of Clara and William's love story and how we conquer life's obstacles were conveyed in the most enchanting way!

A wonderful story of a mysterious violin. We learn the story of the violin and why it has such a wonderful “voice.” As well as the stories of how the violin was found by different people around the world and how their lives changed because of it. The violin changes lives and the main characters all learn important life lessons about what really is important. Highly recommend this book!

A lost violin becomes the quiet thread that brings together three unlikely strangers—and what unfolds is far more about people than the mystery itself.

When Devlin, a Heathrow baggage handler, discovers a rare violin in Lost and Found, he turns to his former history teacher, Walter, who introduces him to Gabrielle, a guarded violin appraiser with a complicated past. Their search for the violin’s origins unfolds across dual timelines, blending a gentle present-day mystery with lyrical glimpses into the instrument’s long, emotional history.

The touch of magical realism surrounding the violin feels subtle and meaningful, reinforcing themes of memory, grief, and the unseen connections that bind us. While the mystery hums quietly in the background, it’s the evolving friendship between Devlin, Walter, and Gabrielle that becomes the true heart of the story.

Thoughtful, warm, and quietly moving, The Violin Maker’s Secret is a beautiful meditation on loss, healing, and what it means to be truly found. I adore this book! It’s one of the very best I e this year. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s books!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper 360 for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This is an intriguing story about a mysterious violin and how it effects the life of several people. Devlin, a baggage claim agent at Heathrow Airport, finds a violin left in the Lost and Found. He buys it for his girlfriend, but his plans do not work out. He finds out the violin might be stolen. He turns to an old teacher, Walter, for help. With the help of Gabrielle, who is an appraiser, they start to discover secrets about the violin. I really liked how the author gave the violin a voice and used that voice to tell the story. I have read all of Evie Woods books, and I think this one is my favorite. The ending is outstanding. Highly recommend this book-sweet story with a little bit of magic!

A warm, gently magical story that celebrates chance, connection, and the hidden lives of ordinary people. The Heathrow Lost and Found setting is wonderfully atmospheric, and the violin at the heart of the story feels truly special. I enjoyed following the three unlikely characters as their lives quietly intertwine, and the mystery lingers in a satisfying way. Thoughtful, comforting, and full of heart.

I was lost in the soothing magic of each and every page of this book. Whether connecting with Gabrielle, feeling for Devlin or rooting for Walter, the page transformed me as the violin transformed them. Each are on their own journey, each are grappling with something personal and each are slowly opening to the idea that more might be possible for them. And that means that we have permission as readers to do the same. It’s enchanting in the best possible way.

The physical history of the violin and how many hands it passed through before getting to the current storyline made this book feel magical and special. There was a gentleness about the writing that made you empathize with both the characters on their mission to figure out the provenance of the violin and the violin itself, which was really interesting. I loved how these strangers came together on this seemingly impossible search, and the writer made their relationships feel real and inevitable.

I have not read prior books by Evie Woods, but based on this, I will definitely check out her back catalog.

I've been a fan of Evie Woods books and was so excited to receive this ARC! The Violin Maker's Secret did NOT disappoint. I enjoyed following along the individual story lines for all three of our main characters, as well as how they intersected. There are some heavy topics discussed in this book, but I think they were handled so well. I also really liked that one of our main characters was much older and in a different phase of life, then our two other characters. I also really enjoyed the violin's POV - what a great way to travel in time! Thank you, again, for a wonderful read!

I have read all of Evie Wood's books! Each book is like holding an old friend in your hands. You do not want to put them down, each one makes you feel good, and you just can't get enough of them!!!

This book is an adventure told by a violin. There are other characters of course, but the violin is the real story.
I loved how it told the story of love, friendship, and how to empower oneself.

I highly recommend you pick this book up today, and her other beautiful books!!!

I love all Evie woods books and I'm grateful to have received an ARC from Netgalley, Evie Woods and Harper 360 in exchange for my honest review

I found this book enjoyable to read from the first sentence, and once I started I couldn't stop reading. I especially loved reading about the violin's adventures. I found that the violin's story was an interesting way to complete the story. The characters were well developed and it was interesting to watch their relationships evolve. The writing was smart.

The Violin Maker's Secret
By Evie Woods

This is the story of three people, each living in despair, who meet, through a certain serendipity, with a violin that will change all their lives.

But first, meet the cast of characters: William, the luthier (violin maker); Clara, the great love of his life; Devlin, the airport baggage handler who buys the violin from the airport lost and found; Walter, Devlin's old teacher who is on the verge of suicide; and Gabrielle, the expert on tracking the provenance of violins, once a prodigy who lost her confidence. And the main character, whose voice as narrator of the interlude chapters of backstory, is the violin herself.

This is a lovely story of people losing and regaining their bearings and their will to put the past behind them and to build a better life for themselves. It is a "feel good" story, with a message for us all of how important it is to live life fully, one day at a time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Although The Violin Maker’s Secret seemed chaotic at times, I settled right into it and became drawn into the three very interesting central characters plus a violin. Each came into their relationships with a lot of baggage which needed sorting out. It was an engaging book which tackled the importance of music, friendships and timely topics. I enjoyed the journey of reading this book.

This author did a fantastic job at winding multiple POVs and stories across timelines into a very satisfying conclusion! I am a fan of this author’s previous works (especially the Lost Bookshop) and the Violin Maker’s Secret did not disappoint! The friendship between Devlin, Gabrielle, and Walter is very wholesome and it is fun following them on their mission to uncover the history of the violin.

Note: I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley.

#TheViolinMakersSecret #NetGalley @HarperCollins360

Title: The Violin Maker's Secret
Author: Evie Woods
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 1/2
Publication Date: February 24, 2026

The storyline alternates between the present and the past (1800s). Some of the chapters actually tell the story from the viloin's point of view, which I found both creative and frustrating.

The relationship that was built between Devlin and Gabrielle felt awkward, but it put a smile on my face. If I had to guess, I would say Gabrielle is definitely on the spectrum.

The author spent a TON of time on the history of violins.
If she had focused more on character development and building relationships, the book would have been more enjoyable.

I really, really wanted to like this book, but since it took me 6 days to read it, I know my heart just wasn't in it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

4⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! It was character-driven and told a heartwarming story of love, grief and healing. Historical fiction can be hit or miss for me so I loved that it was more of a novel/lit fic with a historical timeline.
I did predict the ending but it was still really nice along the way!

TROPES
Character-Driven
Dual Timelines
Historical Fiction
Magical Element
Coming of Age

There was a dual timeline - one of the present day, and one from the time in which the violin was created. This book made me think about the life of an instrument; how it changes hands over centuries and touches the hearts of so many people with music. Seeing small glimpses of where the violin went over time was really enjoyable.

THE CHARACTERS
Overall, I loved the characters and how they grew and changed over time. I especially related to Gabriella in her perfectionism and anxiety, and eventually learning to set boundaries and advocate for herself. While I do think she had more character development than Devlin and Walter, I think they both were important to the storytelling and had unique personalities and deep backgrounds.
There were smaller bits of characters that had owned the violin throughout the years. I loved these sections and found that the characters were deep despite not taking up many pages, and it added a lot to the violin’s life.
My personal favorite part was the violin. The violin as a character was so unexpected and I LOVED how everything was written in third-person but the violin wrote in first-person. It made it feel like the violin was the one telling the stories of our main characters along with the previous people who owned the violin.

THE ROMANCE
I didn’t expect romance here, but there were some smaller love stories nonetheless. I think the biggest love story here was the love of music more than the budding romances that are occasionally displayed. The writing just had that whimsy that added some romance to the story and the history of the violin.

QUOTES:

“I dunno. Guys like girls who don't take themselves too seriously.”
“Girls like guys who write them poetry
and then die in a war.”

'Nature has such an exquisite way of reminding us how beautiful life can be, doesn't she? If only we could remember to value the simple things. They are the true miracles'

‘They say that paper will take any ink, but I've never found that to be true of history books and the achievements of women'

‘What a fleeting thing love was. And yet we would each of us sacrifice an eternity to spend just one moment longer in the arms of the one person who possessed the key to our heart.’

‘It finally struck him that it didn't really matter what you did or didn't do in this life. The point was just to experience it, to witness it all through your own unique perspective.’

‘How many of them felt as though they were in the wrong life, struggling against their reality for a childhood dream that promised a happy ever after? How many of them were blind to the wonderful life they'd created, their gaze permanently caught in the rear-view mirror?’

I was excited to read this book after I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Bookshop, the previous book written by the author. I was thrilled to be able to get an ARC copy on NetGalley. This book was extremely well written, and the authors skill of weaving a story around all of the characters made this a book that held many surprises and kept my attention all the way to the end. I thought it was brilliant how some chapters were written from the violin’s perspective. Who knew a violin found in the Lost and Found at the airport could provide such a heart warming story full of twists and turns.

Deep within Heathrow Airport’s vast Lost and Found, thousands of forgotten belongings quietly gather dust. Hidden among them is an extraordinary violin—an object of rare craftsmanship with an uncanny ability to change the lives of those who come into possession of it.

By chance, the violin finds its way into the hands of three very different people: Devlin, a baggage claim worker; Walter, a retired schoolteacher; and Gabrielle, a precise and thoughtful appraiser. Bound together by the instrument, these unlikely caretakers sense that the violin holds far more than music within it. As their lives intertwine, they are drawn into uncovering its origins and confronting the question of whether its power is a blessing, a test, or something far more dangerous.

The story is told through multiple perspectives, allowing the reader to experience the history and emotional depth of each key character—including the violin itself. Yes, the violin is a character, and its narration shifts into first person, while the human characters are written in third person. This creative choice works beautifully and adds an unexpected layer of intimacy and insight.

The magic of the violin is not just part of the story—it is the story.

There’s also a delightful Easter egg with a brief appearance by Agatha Christie, which readers will appreciate.

At its heart, this is a love story—of many kinds of love, and of love lost. It is far richer and more layered than the synopsis suggests: a story about self-preservation, relationships, and the secrets we keep to protect both ourselves and the people we care about.

Thoughtful, imaginative, and quietly powerful, this book lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers Inc. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I will be moderating a discussion of this title for the BookBrowse Online Book Club, and I requested it to help me prepare for that conversation.

Our group has been fortunate enough to have been selected to receive each of Evie Woods' books as they've been published. I've enjoyed them all, but I've got to say that The Violin Maker's Secret is my favorite to date. The single word I'd use to describe it is "charming." True, it was relatively predictable, but I loved the spell the author wove around the enchanted violin. The characters were great, the romance was perfect, and the plot was entertaining. A fast, feel-good read.

This is a lovely adventure with two perspectives - one following the violin through time and one in the present, with both having insight into the inner thoughts of all the characters, adding depth without adding a ton of separate points of view. It was a journey of new friendships and love and overcoming trauma of the past that left me feeling cozy and content.

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley. It is my second book by Evie Woods, and I throughly enjoyed them both. If you haven’t read one of her books yet you should give this one a try!

Evie Woods gives us a beautiful and mystical story about a lost object and its hidden stories. We meet a magical violin imbued with a soul that has ended up in Heathrow’s Lost and Abandoned Department and will now continue a journey that began in Ireland two hundred years ago — a voyage that needs to come full circle back to where its wood was first harvested and carved.

Aiding in the journey are three people/POVs who become fascinated with the instrument’s provenance:
Luke Devlin: a baggage handler, feels an immediate connection with the unusual instrument and decides to buy it (as handlers are allowed) as a birthday present for his girlfriend, who was really expecting an engagement ring (hey, she got a special manicure).
Walter Pickering: retired school teacher, contacted by the now jilted Devlin, to assist in the return of the violin back to a rightful owner — an idea now complicated as they realize auction house Christie’s has just announced the theft of a rare violin.
And Gabrielle Wilding, daughter and successor of the late master violin maker/appraiser Gregory Wilding (who was once a friend of Walter’s).

Determining the origin and maker of the violin (a true character/narrator who narrates her centuries-long travels through the arms of virtuoso musicians, pawnshops, esoteric collectors, and dusty attics), is also fraught with the interference of the hired criminals who liberated the violin prior to the planned auction. Another mysterious person will spare no expense to possess the instrument.

Woods unfolds a romantic and suspenseful plot that travels across historical Europe and uniquely gives us the perspective of the violin. Cameos by famous people and a side quest for some mysterious missing music added to my utter enjoyment. I loved this! 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Gabrielle has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But we learn about the “Musical Woods” of an Italian mountain valley where Stradivarius sourced the spruce for his best instruments.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods. I received this copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First off, how have I made it without having read anything by Evie Woods? I loved everything about this book! Such a fun journey from Heathrow Airport to discovering the story behind the violin found in the Lost & Found.

The characters, including the violin were well written. The plot flowed nicely, even with the jump in time. The settings all worked very well. The little bit of intrigue was just enough to keep the story moving and to keep me wanting to read more.

I will definitely be checking out Evie Wood's other books.

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me so happy. I loved the characters- all of them (except Verity, but even she became marginally better in the end). I loved the backstory of the violin, and her narration of experiences through time and various owners. I think I read the last 20 pages with a smile on my face. Definitely a heart-warmer!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this story. Highly recommended to pick this up!

The mystery, the intrigue, the music, the characters. This book was so good. I enjoyed all the elements of this book. Following Devlin after he finds the violin and his life begins to change, was thrilling. Watching the mystery of the violin unfold was so good. Gabrielle and Walter were the best of side kicks. Their travels were exciting. I enjoyed everything about this book.

Wow! Just wow such an amazing read! I loved the story from page one to the last page. I honestly wanted more to the story because it was so good.

Evie Wood is a very talented author and one of my favorite from Net Galley. Her first book The Lost Bookshop was a absolute delight. This book is so charming and heart warming this reader found it enriching and lovely. Thank you for the opportunity to the author, the publisher and Net Galley. My review opinions are my own.

This is a utterly beautiful story of a violin found at a airport and the three people who join together to research it's history. Each character is unique and invested in it's history. As the story proceeds throughout different time periods the author masterfully describes the meaning of the instrument to each of its owners.

A beautiful story that is both charming and heartwarming to the reader. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

I love Evie Wood’s books but this is so far my favorite! An unlikely trio suddenly put together on an adventure with a magic violin with villains chasing them—what’s not to love? But my favorite?? The POV from the violin! LOVED this! When a violin is held by a master, it feels alive. As someone who finds violin music almost transcendent—capable of stirring grief, hope, and nostalgia as my dad was a concert violinist—this story swept me away.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this lovely ARC!

The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods is the fourth book by this author that I have read and it is now my favorite. I remember being totally amazed at her first book, The Lost Bookshop, with it's elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, and magical realism. Magical realism was a genre that was new to me at the time and while I thought it a bit strange I was still charmed by it. In Evie Woods latest novel, The Violin Maker's Secret, we once again are treated to the same multi-faceted writing styles incorporated into an utterly spellbinding story. The story has unique characters who are unlikely to be friends with each other yet need to come together to solve a mystery involving a violin. The violin, itself, is a living character in this book as it takes turns with the others in narrating chapters to give us both present day and historical scenarios to either move the story forward or provide insight in past actions that have led to the present. Having studied violin myself for years and being a lover of classical music, I can say that the musical history provided (nothing long or boring) to move us through different time periods was very interesting, and the many references to the way music was so emotional for the different human characters touched me as I felt I could definitely relate to them. I absolutely loved this and highly recommend it for fans of Evie Woods and others who enjoy this type of intriguing combination of writing styles. I received an ARC from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

“The Violin Maker’s Secret” by Evie Woods is a richly told 4-star historical fiction read! Devlin, Walter, and Gabrielle are an unlikely trio who team up to uncover the history of a rare and mysterious violin. Meanwhile, another group is determined to reclaim the instrument they once lost, no matter the cost.

This story offers a unique take on the dual timeline format. The present-day narrative follows the trio and V, while the past is told primarily from the perspective of the violin itself, adding a creative and unexpected layer to the storytelling. Some sections move more slowly than others, but for me the pacing felt intentional and well suited to the way the story unfolds.

The author does a great job of making you feel connected to the characters. Each of them carries personal struggles that develop naturally as the plot progresses. I have never played an instrument and know almost nothing about violins, but that was never an issue. The musical elements are explained clearly and seamlessly, without distracting from the story.

This is my second book by Evie Woods, and I have enjoyed both. I am looking forward to seeing what she writes next.

Thanks to Harper 360, Evie Woods, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Another amazing book! She knocked this out of the park! I’ve throughly enjoyed reading her work and have already been telling everyone that her newest one is coming soon! I hate that I’ll have to wait again for another one.

This is the third book I've read by Evie Woods and just like the others, I found The Violin Maker's Secret utterly delightful.

Woods is a master of weaving stories from multiple timelines together and in this case we get the story of a violin and its various owners over time from its maker, to its current owner, Devlin. He recruits his former teacher Walter, and an appraiser, Gabrielle, to help unlock the origins of the violin and along the way, they learn about themselves and discover more than any of them could have imagined.

It was easy to get cheer for Devlin, Walter and Gabrielle. I found myself worrying about them and hoping everything would work out in their favor as new twists and turns threw obstacles in their path and placed them in danger. I enjoyed the narrative shifts in the chapters as the main characters - and others - took turns explaining what was happening at any specific point in time. This is a beautiful example of magical realism and is a great book to escape into on a snowy weekend or on weekend at the beach.

Fans of magical realism, found family, and anyone who has enjoyed Woods' other books is sure to enjoy this novel.

The Violin Maker's Secret will be published on February 24, 2026. Thank you to Harper 360, NetGalley and Evie Woods for the advanced reader copy.

The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods is yet another one of her charming tales. I have read and genuinely enjoyed several of her other books, and this one also did not disappoint.
The adventure starts when Devlin, a baggage claim agent, discovers an antique violin in an abandoned airport locker. Fate connects him with Walter, a retired teacher, and Gabrielle, an appraiser, forming an unlikely trio of friends, who become acquaintances through their shared interest in the instrument. The violin is very mystical, and this story will weave through the past and the present to bring you unexpected events, wonderful storytelling, and memorable characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystical tale and I know you will too. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for this ARC.

This charming story centers around a “magic” violin and the theme of found family, exploring the journey of discovering one’s voice and true self. It weaves in themes of women’s oppression and the pursuit of freedom and clarity through self-determination, rather than conforming to others’ expectations.

“A martyr to other people’s perception, that’s what Roger once said. ‘Why do you care what people think?’ he’d asked, in the blithely unaware way that men sometimes do. As if her entire worth as a person wasn’t tied up in what people thought of her. As if her childhood had not been built on the four words, be a good girl.'"

Although the story wraps up quite suddenly towards the end—which isn’t to my taste—it remains a fun and engaging read overall.

Very enjoyable read! Soft, sweet and sentimental which is a perfect combination for a rainy day read or a quiet afternoon. The violin's story is the main attraction rather than the present-day owner's story. The author did a fine job in relating the many paths that the violin had taken to get where it ended up! So many times, when you look at an antique, you wonder what it has seen or what perils it had to endure to get to the shelf that you see it displayed on. We were given that story and it was fascinating!
A very solid four star read! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

A nice easy read! I loved the mysterious aspect of it. I think it’s a wonderful book for anyone, especially music lovers!

Working at Heathrow Airport’s baggage handling and looking for a birthday present for his girlfriend, Devlin buys an old violin that’s been sitting in the lost luggage section. Unbeknownst to him, the violin dates from the early 1800’s, made by a young luthier just home from his violin making apprenticeship to find for his betrothed drowned in river by her jealous sister. In her memory, he constructs a special violin to mimic her gorgeous singing voice.

Devlin feels a deep attachment to the violin he has bought but comes to realize it may have actually been stolen from a Christie’s auction in New York. Devlin seeks out his retired high school history teacher for help learning about whether this is the stolen violin. When Devlin arrives at Walter’s doorstop, he stumbles in to realize that his old professor had been about to commit suicide with pills. Turns out that Walter has been intensely lonely and feeling without purpose since his recent retirement from teaching. Spending time with Devlin and on a historical research quest to identify the violin reengages Walter into life.

Walter in turn take Devlin to a reputable violin repair shop whose owner he knows, only to find out that his friend has died and his daughter Gabrielle has taken over the business. Gabrielle, also intensely lonely and in a protective shell since her prodigy career as a premier violinist got suddenly cut off by a mysterious pain in her wrist. Gabrielle becomes mesmerized, as they all do, with the violin and who the luthier is behind its creation. But most importantly, the quests take each character on a road to get over past traumas that have stymied their lives.

Devlin, Walter and Gabrielle all join forces to figure out who created the violin and whether it matches the valuable one stolen from the auction house. Adventures, and misadventures ensue as thugs try to kill Devlin and Walter to get the violin back. The Canadian woman Verity behind the thugs and the violin stealing gets in touch with Gabrielle to both bribe and threaten her in getting the violin back.

On top of all this, the violin herself has a strong first-person narrative voice as the luthier’s dead beloved whose soul and voice lives on within the violin. She traces her experiences with all the owners of the violin that takes us through centuries of violin stories and intrigue.

Knowing not much about violins, the craftsmanship, the superstitions, the historical lore, and the prodigy players all became illuminated. That violins have been engineered to sound like human vowels and thus a human voice is astonishing. Loved this line from the novel, “It is said that making a violin is the marriage of mathematics and nature.” I emerged from the novel both enlightened and mesmerized!

Thanks to Harper 360 and Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
Title: The Violin Maker’s Secret
Author: Evie Woods
Format: ARC
Pub Date: 2/24/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A forgotten violin in Heathrow’s Lost & Found quietly reshapes three lives—proof that some objects don’t just carry history… they choose their people.

Devlin, a weary baggage-claim agent; Walter, a retired teacher carrying quiet grief; and Gabrielle, an appraiser with a sharp eye and a guarded heart, are unexpectedly connected by a rare violin hidden in Heathrow’s Lost and Found. As the instrument passes through their hands, each of them is nudged toward healing, truth, and the possibility of second chances. What begins as a simple found object becomes a catalyst for change, weaving their lives together in ways none of them could have predicted.

The Violin Maker’s Secret is one of those gentle, quietly magical stories that sneaks up on you. Evie Woods blends mystery, fate, and emotional introspection into a narrative that feels both whimsical and grounded. I loved how the violin isn’t just an object but a subtle guiding presence, revealing what each character has been avoiding.

The pacing is calm and the atmosphere warm. The characters feel like people you might meet in an airport on a long layover—tired, hopeful, and carrying more than they show. The story unfolds patiently, allowing emotion and connection to build naturally. It’s less about dramatic twists and more about how people are changed by what they hold close, even briefly. At its heart, this is a story about timing, connection, and the unexpected ways life hands us exactly what we need.

⸻
💛 WHAT WORKED
• Found-object magic — that subtle, almost spiritual sense of fate
• The violin as a haunting, elegant symbol
• Three POVs that genuinely complement each other
• A cozy, cinematic setting (airports, workshops, quiet London corners)
• Thoughtful themes of loss, legacy, and second chances

⚠️ WHAT DIDN’T WORK
• The intentionally slow pacing may not work for readers seeking high tension
• I wanted more depth in Gabrielle’s arc — she’s fascinating but slightly underexplored
• The ending wraps up quickly; a few extra pages would have helped it linger

Thank you to @netgalley, @harper360, and @eviewoods for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was beautifully written, with the trademark combination of a thrilling mystery and a touch of whimsy that I've come to expect from Evie Woods' books. This is a story for those that believe in fate, redemption, romance, knowledge, have a love for folklore, and -sure- also have a bit of a fascination with the history and raw beauty of the violin (because you will learn <i>a lot</i> about the violin) 😉. Characters are brought together in awfully perfect moments and villains follow hopeful characters in a chase that feels much like the movie National Treasure. I think everyone should pick up an Evie Woods book, and I'd highly recommend The Lost Bookshop, or of course this one, The Violin Maker's Secret. You will not regret escaping into this story for a bit, I promise (and if you do regret it, what is wrong with you?!🤗).

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC!

Some favorite words:
<i>"When we grow up without boundaries, we never learn how to protect ourselves, or that we even have permission to do so."</i>

Magical realism at its best. Told mostly from the perspective of a beautiful and rare violin that was made by an unknown violin maker and has been played and coveted by the best violinists in the world through the centuries. The relationship among the 3 main characters who are drawn together almost by accident and set off to find the violin and the healing that each of them experiences as they search for the violin is magical and makes this story work.

I didn’t really know what to expect going into this book, other than knowing that I have enjoyed other books by Evie Woods. The more I read this book the more I enjoyed every moment. The relationships, the voice of the violin, the adventure and intrigue around the value of this instrument and what carries that value for the different people involved. It was all so engaging, with unexpected twists and sweet moments mixed in. I highly recommend this book for any readers who enjoy sweet relationships, intrigue, unique narration voices, and storyline connections between past and present.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Really cute book! Easy to read, started strong, it did get a little slow for me in the middle but it picked right back up at the last 30% or so. Love how Evie Woods incorporates this magical realism into her stories seamlessly. I mean how fun is a sentient violin. Cmon.

Review on Goodreads, fable, and storygraph

"Perhaps the rhyme is tugging at the back of your mind. It sounds like something you may have heard before but cannot recall when or where. That is how the truth is passed down, in echoes that at once feel both real and imagined. Do you want to know how it ends?"

This book was lovely. It had mystery and a bit of romance. It has found family and some history. I'm excited to read more of Evie Woods' books.

Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the eGalley (ARC).

I read this in one sitting!! The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods is a beautifully layered novel that lingers long after the final page. Woods masterfully weaves complex, deeply human characters across shifting timelines, creating a story that feels both intimate and expansive. Each perspective adds another strand to the narrative, and together they form a rich tapestry of love, loss, artistry, and resilience.
What truly sets this book apart is the way it explores the journey of inanimate objects—particularly the violin itself—and how they quietly witness, absorb, and connect generations of lives. The instrument becomes more than wood and strings; it is a keeper of memory, a bridge between past and present, and a reminder that stories live on through the things we create and cherish. The transitions between timelines are handled with elegance, rewarding the reader with emotional depth and a growing sense of interconnectedness.
Evie Woods writes with sensitivity and purpose, inviting readers to reflect on how history, craft, and human connection are forever intertwined. This is a novel to savor, especially for readers who love character-driven stories infused with mystery and heart.
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Evie Woods for this advanced reader’s copy! I loved Evie Wood’s “The Lost Bookshop” so I was very excited to dive into another story of hers. In “The Violin Maker’s Secret”, we adventure into different timelines and owners of the violin. Devlin finds a violin within the lost and found of Heathrow airport and we are transported into a story with Walter and Gabrielle as well. They all try to chase down the history of the violin and end up discovering more about themselves along the way.

Gabrielle and Devlin’s relationship was very sweet and made you cheer them on throughout the story. I also loved how we learn about the importance of forgotten histories and how they shape us into the person we become. The beauty of music was translated through the pages. I adored how she compared music to being magical because even though it’s invisible, you can feel it. Each and every one of us has been touched by a song or lyrics within our lives. This book was about the beauty of second chances, holding onto what grasps at our heartstrings, and finding our own ikigai.

“What a fleeting thing love was. And yet we would each of us sacrifice an eternity to spend just one moment longer in the arms of the one person who possessed the key to our heart.”

The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods took me on a journey I wasn't expecting — and honestly? That's the best kind of read. 🎻 A magical violin hidden in the Heathrow lost and found, three unlikely strangers, and a mystery that weaves them all together in the most unexpected ways. If you loved The Lost Bookshop, this one absolutely delivers that same sense of wonder and heart. ARC provided by Harper 360 via NetGalley.
#TheViolinMakersSecret #NetGalley #EviéWoods #WomensFiction #BookReview

Evie Woods knows how to write a book!

The way she blends historical fiction and magical realism in this title is a work of art.

Did I find this book fascinating? Yes. Did I find myself intrigued? Yes. Did I find myself captivated by the magic. You know it!