Set in 1901 this is the story of Lilian Delaney

Lily is working as an apprentice book binder, she is also caring for her elderly father

When she finds a badly burned book she uncovers a secret. The secret is both a love story but also incredibly dangerous and she is tasked with dicovering the facts.

This is an incredible read and one I really enjoyed. It is a superb tale and Lily is a character I warmed to. Her job is unusual of the times as it is seen as mans job and she works well within the confines of her workspace.

This book is well worth the reading time

Thank you HQ for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow I can’t really put into words how much I enjoyed this book, it was simply stunning. It has everything I look for in a book, mystery, suspense, romance, adventure, secrets and murder. This book set in Oxford 1901 is told from the point of view of Lilian Delaney who is an apprentice book binder, Lilian feels the struggle of being a woman in man’s world and profession. Lilian comes into possession of a badly burnt book when undoing a commission. Hidden beneath the bindings of the book is the beginning of a mystery that others will kill to keep buried.


The beginning is slow to begin with but not for long, the author does a wonderful job of building the suspense up until the gripping conclusion. I really felt for Lilian she was truly up through the wringer in this book, she went all over the country and encountered many unique and interesting characters along the way. Ambrose Fane he was a rake but I loved him. I was truly gripped by this book, once I started reading I really did not want to put it down. It was a testament to the authors skill that this book had me hooked. There is romance in this book and I was guessing what would happen with Lilian and Harry and whether they would get pass their differences. Overall a truly gripping, amazing book and one I would not hesitate to recommend.

Set at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1901, this is the tale of Lillian Delaney, living in Oxford with her widowed, bookshop owner, father.

In a world traditionally dominated by men, Lillian goes against the norm and is working as an apprentice bookbinder for the fabulous but elderly Mr Caxton. She is sent to go and meet a prospective client, and whilst there, she aquires a book that will change her life.

Burnt badly and smelling as bad as it looks, Lillian can't help but prioritise this book over all others. It seems to call to her. Only, when carefully lifting away the cover, she finds a letter, or maybe a love story, one that has no beginning or end. She soon realises, by its markings, this is one of six, so where are the other five?

From that moment on, Lillian is pulled into a dangerous world, one she has never had to navigate before, let alone on her own.

On her search, which sends her gallivanting across the country, she meets all walks of life, the good, the bad, and the ugly! And when she is threatened, she knows she has no other choice but to carry on her search, no matter what the consequences.

The atmosphere this tale elicited was phenomenal. It felt like I was walking the backstreets of the set of 'Oliver'. The detailing of every sight and sound literally had me there, walking alongside Lillian.

The characterisation was perfectly executed, and one character in particular, Ambrose Fane, had me wanting to be his friend, I adored his eccentricity.

It's quite obvious just how much research into the magical profession of book binding and restoration the author went to, it added an amazing element to the whole plot, not jist glazing over it but actually explaining it that gave that extra layer of interest.

A mix of mystery, intrigue, romance, suspense, and emotion, this is a must read!

I honestly can't explain just how much I enjoyed this book. It gripped me completely from the very beginning, and I carried it around with me to read at every given opportunity.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC.

This book is well deserving of five stars. It's a story within a story and kept me hooked. I never wanted to put it down. It's a tale of tenacity by a young book binder called Lilian. I was routing for her all the way through. It's a mixture of romance, death, sheer will power and so much more. It's fabulous

Firstly, thank you HQ for allowing me to review this book!
I loved this book! It was right up my street as it is a historical fiction book, a genre I adore. The book is set in Oxford in 1901, with the main character, Lilian Delaney, an apprentice bookbinder. Lilian also has a love of books through her father's bookshop. However, we see the confines of being a woman at this time due to the oppressive nature of society, in which women of Lilian's age are expected to marry and have children. However, Lilian has a strong character and is extremely independent. Her character is lovable throughout and I especially loved her close relationship with Mr Caxton her bookbinder master. Their relationship is nearly more father-daughter than Lily's relationship with her father, which is troubled due to the death of her mother and his depression.

At the beginning of this story, Lily's life takes an unexpected turn when she finds a burned book with a hidden love letter within, which talks of love and murder. This book sets Lily on a quest to find out the truth of this letter and the people within the letter. Her journey sees her discover that there are several other books with secrets laid within, and Lily is drawn even further into this mystery. However, the journey turns dangerous as she isn't the only one seeking these books.

As the reader, you can tell that this book was researched in detail in terms of bookbinding. I found the author included so many interesting aspects of bookbinding in the book as well as clearly showing their love of books as well as making Lily have this love of books. I loved the mystery element to the story within the book with the letters, it was so fascinating and kept me wanting to read more to find out the truth. It definitely gives a sense of mystery, romance, suspense and emotion throughout the book, with a couple of curveballs for Lily throughout. Overall an excellent book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I loved the atmosphere that the author set up and the pacing was brilliant. It's definitely a book I would read again and recommend to other historical fiction lovers.

I enjoyed this novel tremendously. I like a mystery and I love bookbinding: neither element disappointed! The storyline is a bit farfetched perhaps, but is suitably bookish, held my interest throughout, and ultimately doesn't take itself *too* seriously (for example, the elusive author is an Abel Bell... and the writer of this fun and intelligent historical mystery is... A D Bell...). We learn a fair bit of the bookbinding scene at the turn of the 20c and of the bookbinding craft itself in a convincing manner, which is a joy. The writing style is excellent, with economic yet apposite descriptions of place and characters, and a wonderful way of intermingling fact and fiction - real pubs and streets, adapted shops (I loved how an imaginary bookbinder's premises are set in Rochester Row, SW1 where in point of fact one of the best bookbinders in London, Shepherds, has their own!). I hope it is clear I loved this recreation of Oxford, London and beyond!!! in search of the elusive books containing.... but that would be to spoil a good story.... let's just say I am totally looking forward to the next adventure (hinted in the last paragraph of the book) of Miss Delaney. Her career, love interests, mentors and acquaintances have been laid out in such a way that I very much hope have a long life. After all, she is just 25!! An intelligent entertainment indeed. Hope it gets a proper, beautiful cover.