When a burned book falls into the hands of a young bookbinder, she uncovers a tale of forbidden love, a fortune lost … and murder – which puts her own life in jeopardy.

Fans of The Shadow of the Wind and The Thirteenth Tale will love this thrilling historical novel, with an intriguing mystery, which is perfect for lovers of books about books.

‘Thoroughly immersive and atmospheric … This book has everything; adventure, intrigue, romance and a lead character you can really root for’ YOURS BOOK CLUB, Book Editor’s Pick

'A hypnotic novel with fine writing and a skillful ability to discover the culture and society of the past … as it is a really first-rate debut novel, I have selected it as the best book actually published in 2025' THE CRITIC

'Original, exciting, beautifully written' M. W. CRAVEN

‘I devoured this book! Totally immersive and highly atmospheric’ EVIE WOODS

……………….

What danger could lie within a book?

‘I wish you had not killed him.’

Lilian Delaney, apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901, chafes at the confines of her life, caught between the oppressive walls of her father’s bookshop and the limitations of being a woman in a man’s profession. But when a burned book comes into her possession, she finds hidden beneath the binding a fifty-year-old letter speaking of love, fortune and murder.

Lily is drawn into the mystery, which hints at a forbidden romance between young lovers, and learns there are other books which conceal more of the story. Lily becomes obsessed with finding them, but she is not the only one looking, and what began as a simple intrigue quickly turns dangerous.

Her journey takes her across the country, to the eccentric booksellers of London, private libraries of unscrupulous collectors and the dusty archives of society papers, as she delves further into the heart of the secret. But with sinister forces closing in, willing to do anything to obtain the books, Lily’s world begins to fall apart, and she must decide if uncovering the truth is worth losing everything.

Praise for The Bookbinder's Secret:

‘Has brought every booklover's dream to life!’ ANITA FRANK

'A delicious mystery, superbly plotted' HESTER MUSSON

'Totally unputdownable … I loved every moment' LOUISE HARE

Readers give five stars to The Bookbinder's Secret:

'An incredible read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A truly gripping, amazing book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It’s what book readers and collectors dream of' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A mixture of romance, death, sheer willpower and so much more… I never wanted to put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This is a must read … I honestly can't explain how much I enjoyed this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Wow. What an intriguing book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book throws twists at you constantly. It's brilliant' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A plot that will keep you reading way past bedtime' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Perfect for fans of:

📚Books about books

📜Historical fiction

🔍Hidden mysteries

💗Forbidden romance

🕵🏻‍♀️Strong FMCs

😱Twists, turns, and jaw-dropping secrets

Books by A. D. Bell