The Burning Library
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 18, 2025
- 7 min read
By: Gilly Macmillan
Narrators: Rose Robinson, Steph de Whalley
Harper Audio
ISBN: 9780063422919
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 11/18/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
From the internationally bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew comes a thrilling dark academic tale of murder, obsession, and ruthless ambition, set in remote St Andrews, Scotland.
A deadly rivalry.
A chilling secret.
One woman who can decipher the truth.
On a frigid, windswept day in Scotland’s Western Hebrides, Eleanor Bruton’s body is discovered on the shore. To her family, Eleanor was an ordinary middle-aged woman. She did flower arrangements and plumped kneeler cushions at church. Little did they know she was harboring a dark and all-consuming secret. A scrap of fraying embroidery that seems worthless at first glance.
For over a century, two rival organizations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure the valuable artifact in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. The Order of St Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows to exercise control. And the Fellowship of the Larks: determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible…so long as their methods of doing so never come to light.
When Dr. Anya Brown garners international attention for her translation of the cryptic Folio 9, she is handpicked by Diana Cornish, a professor and high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St Andrews. Unbeknownst to Anya, she’s been recruited at great personal danger to translate ancient texts that the Fellowship believes critical to their mission.
Meanwhile, at Scotland Yard, Detective Clio Spicer begins a private investigation into the death of Eleanor Bruton.
As all of them grow further entangled in this ancient web, circumstances are spinning wildly out of control, and their lives may be in grave danger.
Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides and Ruth Ware, The Burning Library is the story of a centuries-old secret set to divide and consume those who seek to unearth it.
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About the Author
Photo credit © Barbara Evripidou
Gilly Macmillan is the internationally bestselling author of eight novels: WHAT SHE KNEW, THE PERFECT GIRL, ODD CHILD OUT, I KNOW YOU KNOW, THE NANNY, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE LONG WEEKEND, THE MANOR HOUSE (published as THE FALL in the UK) and THE BURNING LIBRARY, which will be published in the US on November 18, 2025 and in the UK on November 18, 2025 in ebook & January 29, 2026 in hardback.
A former art historian and photographer, Gilly studied at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. She lives in Bristol, UK, with her husband and three children.
Her first novel, WHAT SHE KNEW, was a Target pick, a LibraryReads pick, an Indie Next pick, a Book of the Month pick, an Edgar award nominee, and an International Thriller Writers award finalist. THE NANNY was a Spring 2020 Richard & Judy WHSmith Book Club pick and TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH was named one of the best thrillers of 2020 by the New York Times.
Gilly’s novels have appeared on the New York Times, Sunday Times, Globe & Mail and Der Spiegel bestseller lists and have been translated into 25 languages. She’s been described as ‘one heck of a good writer’ (Wall Street Journal) and her novels have been praised as ‘nuanced, completely addictive’ (People), ‘riveting’ (Publishers Weekly), and ‘visceral, emotionally charged…heart-wrenchingly well told’ (The Daily Mail). WEBSITE
My Review
Gilly Macmillan, an esteemed author (a favorite) beloved by many, has once again captivated readers with her latest thriller, THE BURNING LIBRARY, marking her ninth novel.
This enthralling dark academic tale is intricately woven with themes of murder, obsession, power, and relentless ambition, set against the breathtakingly beautiful backdrop of St Andrews, Scotland. The academic setting, combined with a historical puzzle, provides an atmospheric backdrop for exploring themes of intellectual pursuit corrupted by obsession and violence.
As the chilling mystery unfolds, readers are invited into a world where the quest for knowledge can have perilous repercussions, and every shadow conceals a secret eager to be revealed. Prepare to be immersed in a narrative that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat!
About...
A deadly rivalry.
A chilling secret.
One woman who can decipher the truth.
The fascinating story follows two main characters whose lives become entangled in a centuries-old rivalry between two secret women's societies over a mysterious medieval manuscript fragment.
The Setting (s):
The action moves through various locations, including St Andrews (Scotland), London, and Italy (Verona).
The Artifact and Rival Societies:
The embroidery is a fragment of a medieval manuscript that has been sought for over a century by two rival organizations of women:
The Order of St. Katherine:
Believes women should exercise power by covertly manipulating events from the shadows.
The Fellowship of the Larks:
Seeks overt positions of power for women, provided their methods remain secret.
Anya Brown's Involvement:
Dr. Anya Brown, a translator, gains international attention for her translation of a cryptic text called "Folio 9". She is recruited by Professor Diana Cornish, a high-ranking member of the Fellowship, to join the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies in St Andrews, where she is unknowingly drawn into the dangerous search for the original manuscript.
Clio Spicer's Investigation:
Simultaneously, Detective Clio Spicer at Scotland Yard begins a private investigation into the death of her friend and coworker, Eleanor Bruton.
Entanglement and Danger:
As Anya and Clio get deeper into their respective paths, their lives become increasingly intertwined in the ancient web of secrets and power struggles, leading to grave danger as circumstances spin out of control.
My Reflections on The Burning Library...
In THE BURNING LIBRARY, Macmillan delivers an audacious, gripping dark academic mystery that unfolds with exhilarating pace and unexpected twists. Set against a rich Gothic and historical backdrop, the narrative is propelled by intricate layers of secrets, hidden alliances, and a profound exploration of truth.
This captivating novel showcases intelligent, ambitious female protagonists who are not afraid to push boundaries—even to the extreme of murder—in their quest for women's empowerment.
At the center of this intense conflict lies a lost medieval manuscript, the "Book of Wonders," rumored to possess secrets capable of reshaping history and shifting the balance of power. The story provocatively examines the ownership of knowledge, the curation of historical narratives, and the sacrifices individuals are willing to make to control access to information and truth.
THE BURNING LIBRARY fully embodies the quintessential elements of the dark academia aesthetic, immersing readers in elite educational institutions characterized by a Gothic ambiance, intellectual pursuits, and perilous secrets. The characters navigate a labyrinth of deception, leaving readers questioning who they can truly trust and what revelations the enigmatic manuscript holds.
The leaders of rival secret societies are driven by an insatiable ambition for power, making morally ambiguous choices—including violence and murder—that delve into the dark repercussions of academic and social obsession.
A hallmark of dark academia, the presence of clandestine societies within the university setting serves as a crucial element of the narrative. The two competing all-female groups operate from the shadows of academia, infusing the story with layers of intrigue, exclusivity, and danger.
Secret passages, hidden alliances, and covert meeting spots are integral to the operations of these societies, heightening the sense of mystery. The plot revolves around an elite institute and the scholars who believe they possess knowledge and power that eludes the broader world.
The existence of these secret societies underscores themes of secrecy and the moral compromises made in the name of a perceived greater good. Hidden alliances and clandestine operations blur ethical boundaries, reflecting the complexities of ambition and power dynamics.
At the heart of the conflict lies a fundamental ideological divide regarding the exercise of female power. The novel adeptly explores how this rivalry is rooted in a shared quest for truth, providing a rich backstory for their intense animosity.
Themes Explored:
The novel delves into themes of female empowerment, legacy, the control of historical narratives, ambition, and the costs associated with acquiring knowledge—How women can and should wield power in a patriarchal society.
The age-old rivalry and the ancient manuscript have a direct impact on the lives of protagonists Anya and Clio, illustrating how historical events and past decisions leave lasting—and often lethal—consequences.
Anya’s journey begins with her recruitment by the formidable professor, Diana Cornish, who lures her into this perilous world. This relationship serves as a poignant exploration of toxic mentorship, revealing how established figures can manipulate those who are new to the academic landscape.
Recs...
If you found yourself captivated by the intriguing mix of secret societies, historical mystery, and the immersive atmosphere of academic life in THE BURNING LIBRARY, then you're in for a treat with these dark academia novels:
~ The Secret History by Donna Tartt: This novel resonates with The Burning Library through its exploration of intellectualism, moral ambiguity, and the intricacies of insular academic circles.
~ The Maidens by Alex Michaelides: This gripping tale also delves into a secluded setting, enriched by the presence of a mysterious female society that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Additionally, fans of authors like Ruth Ware, Carol Goodman, and Lauren Nossett will find much to appreciate in these compelling narratives. Dive in and let the adventure unfold!
Special thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 18, 2025
Praise
Gilly Macmillan takes the thriller genre to a whole new level with The Burning Library, a beautifully written story of dark obsession and murderous ambition. Outstanding."
— B.A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author
"I inhaled this fast-paced, clever thriller! A race against time...where every revelation comes with a price and nobody can be trusted."
— Claire Douglas
“Macmillan’s (The Manor House) compelling blend of academic intrigue, historical mystery, and high-stakes suspense makes this a must-read for fans of Kate Morton and Elizabeth Kostova.”
— Library Journal
“Dr. Anya Brown becomes an unwitting pawn between two secretive, warring, and dangerous factions of women in search of a priceless medieval manuscript. Fresh, fun, and full of thrills, THE BURNING LIBRARY is dark academia with a sly, feminist twist—deliciously entertaining! Highly recommended!”
— Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author
"What a captivating book! Sophisticated, smart, and absolutely riveting. Two centuries-old secret societies battle to find a powerful manuscript--instantly a terrific idea. But the supremely talented Gilly Macmillian has created a total immersion thriller--relentlessly simmering, disturbingly plausible, and demanding you to turn the page. This is so much fun! But fair warning: You will never look at the world--or women--the same way again. Book clubs will now have their new favorite novel--this is a complete triumph of storytelling."
— Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling Author
“The newest novel from the author of The Nanny (2019) and The Long Weekend (2022) is something a bit different: a contemporary thriller with origins rooted centuries in the past...The stakes are incredibly high...Although not a James Rollins-style action-adventure yarn, the book could catch on with historical mystery readers, and Macmillan’s fans will love it.”
— Booklist
"A fast-paced thriller sure to be the hottest read this year!"
— Julia Chapman
