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. 🎻