In 1942 London, Nancy Mitford is worried about more than air raids and German spies. Still recovering from a devastating loss, the once sparkling Bright Young Thing is estranged from her husband, her allowance has been cut, and she’s given up her writing career. On top of this, her five beautiful but infamous sisters continue making headlines with their controversial politics.
Eager for distraction and desperate for income, Nancy jumps at the chance to manage the Heywood Hill bookshop while the owner is away at war. Between the shop’s brisk business and the literary salons she hosts for her eccentric friends, Nancy’s life seems on the upswing. But when a mysterious French officer insists that she has a story to tell, Nancy must decide if picking up the pen again and revealing all is worth the price she might be forced to pay.
Eighty years later, Heywood Hill is abuzz with the hunt for a lost wartime manuscript written by Nancy Mitford. For one woman desperately in need of a change, the search will reveal not only a new side to Nancy, but an even more surprising link between the past and present…
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
A thrilling historical fiction novel that captured me right from the start. In the beginning, I thought I was reading a present-day story about a one book wonder writer Kate Quinn and how she is going to get out of her writer’s block. Boy was I wrong. What I thought was going to be a light chick read became an awesome historical fiction book. Yes, I’m one of those people that don’t read the back covers and reads a book when someone hands them one. The Bookseller’s Secret was a book I enjoyed reading that kept me entertained from start to finish. Written about two women in two different timelines, present day and 1940s. Kate Quinn is struggling to write a new book after the success of her debut novel. She goes to London to see if she can get out of her writer’s funk. She needs to write a new novel. Everyone keeps asking her when her new book is coming out especially her family. In London, she meets Simon Bailey and the hunt is on to find Nancy Mitford’s missing manuscript and what an adventure we are taken on. I’ve noticed lately that there is a theme on novels written/based on bookshops during World War II. This one was a bit different, it’s based in London and it shows us the life of Nancy Mitford. I had heard about the Mitford Sisters before but didn’t know much about them. I enjoyed reading about Nancy and am looking forward to reading more about her. Michelle Gable must have done so much research to write this book. One of the things that make a historical fiction book great is the research behind it. If you like historical fiction that shows us how important books and bookshops are important to us in dark times. We see this more today as we go through the pandemic and how people have returned to reading and joining book clubs through zoom. This is one story you would like. Maria, SA, 5 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret – wow! I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to preview this novel and it did not disappoint! I was captivated from the very start and did not take me long to read through the story as I couldn’t put it down. In fact, now it’s done, I am longing for more. That is how much I enjoyed reading it. It was fascinating being transported back to wartime London; Nancy Mitford’s era and truly feeling as though you were right there with her. Experiencing all her trials and tribulations along the way. The contrast between Nancy’s life and present day Katie’s life was very interesting and so well written. I felt like I was a part of both their stories. I do not want to give any of the plot away; I just want to recommend everyone to read this book! What an amazing woman Nancy Mitford was, I definitely want to go and discover more about her now. Thanks again to Better Reading for the opportunity and Michelle Gable for writing such an amazing novel. Highly recommend this to everyone. Amanda, VIC, 5 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret is such a lovely wartime tale of love, friendship, secrets and manuscripts! The colourful characters are really brought to life with their own individual antidotes and incredibly different personalities. This book has warmth, laughter and unbelievable stories which make you fall in love with Nancy and her wonderful friends. The juxtaposition of Katherine’s own love and loss in the book is a beautiful story and really compliments the WWII storyline. On reading this it has made me want to actually look into finding some original Nancy Mitford stories to read as I am sure they are just as wonderful to read as this book is. I would highly recommend reading this especially if you love wartime themed novels, this will not disappoint! Thank you for the chance to preview. Jodi, QLD, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book a blend of history and current times where 2 women separated by 80 years yet there are similarities in their lives. Katie and Nancy’s journey is both difficult and empowering for them both. The family dynamics is interesting as the players each have and give different advice as is usual in most families even today. After reading The Bookseller’s Secret I’m am inspired to read more about Nancy Mitford and her writing. Sally, VIC, 5 Stars
In 1942, novelist Nancy Mitford works in Heywood Hill bookshop. In 2021, novelist Katie Cabot visits Heywood Hill bookshop. The careers of both have stalled. While trying to find inspiration, Nancy writes a memoir. A fan of Mitford’s work, Katie is intrigued to learn of the possible existence of an unpublished memoir. Despite a wealth of snarky characters and almost charmless protagonists, fans of Nancy Mitford and Michelle Gable may find this a fascinating dual timeline bookshop mystery that doesn’t disappoint. Marianne, NSW, 5 Stars
I am always drawn into books that link the past with the present and run on dual timelines. Katie and Nancy’s lives have parallels as they are both writers and looking for the next story that would have them overcome their respective writer’s blocks…. the WWII London setting and search for the missing manuscript provides the backdrop for the story to evolve.. an interesting read and will look to read other books by Michelle Gable. Leticia, QLD, 4 Stars
For anyone who loves bookshops and the craft of writing, this novel is certainly for you. The Bookseller’s Secret invites us into the world of literary figure Nancy Mitford in London during World War II. The novel shifts superbly between these turbulent years and eighty years later in the same bookshop, Heywood Hill. Katie and Jojo’s relationship is a contrasting highlight as they navigate life and writing in modern times. I found myself swept up in the story, the characterisation and drama echoing through time. Michelle Gable’s research is evident as she so clearly captures time and place in this well written historical fiction. Witty dialogue make this novel the perfect story for a screen adaptation in the future. I found myself thinking about the changes that have happened across the decades, and also the similar desires and life experiences that can resonate. I highly recommend The Bookseller’s Secret. Ultimately it is a celebration of the art of writing and the bookshops that are magnets to book lovers across the world. It is a thought-provoking read that is the perfect choice for an energetic book club discussion. Vanessa, NSW, 4 Stars
I enjoy historical fiction, even more-so when it is combined with factual events from that era. This dual timeline story enveloped me, as I was transported back to the 1940’s to follow Nancy Mitford, as she took on the day to day running of the Heywood Hills Bookstore, her very interesting friends, and her scandalous sisters. Then moving forward to current day where the published writer of one book, Katie Cabot, is in a serious funk and cannot find the next book within. Travelling to the UK to stay with her dear friend Jojo, after a colourful exchange with her mother, Katie is steered in the direction of Heywood Hills Bookstore, still very much in existence in the modern world. Soon she discovers that Nancy worked in this very store…..and that there was rumoured to be a lost manuscript of hers within the area. Caroline, QLD, 4 Stars
What a delightful read The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable was. The prose danced exquisitely across the page and the dialogue was lively and effervescent — I was enchanted from the very first page of this cleverly crafted book. Gable has captured the spirit of the real Nancy Mitford and created a fictitious story around the iconic English novelist with a deft hand. The language feels true to the era, the cast of characters vividly drawn and brimming with eccentric personalities that sing with authenticity and swag. The story is told using dual timelines. Katie Cabot is our modern day protagonist. She’s a writer with a bad case of writer’s block who works at Heywood Hill bookshop. When Katie becomes involved with a search for the missing memoirs of Nancy Mitford from her time working in the very same bookshop during WWII, a mystery begins to unfold… The Bookseller’s Secret is a literary gem and a must-read for historical fiction readers and lovers of all things book related. It highlights the power of books, libraries and bookshops to nurture, comfort and bring people together through the harshest of times — even a war. I loved this book: 4.5 stars from me. Linda, QLD, 4 Stars
I really enjoyed reading The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable. It is the story of a young writer called Katie who has recently ended her long-term relationship with her childhood sweetheart and is at a bit of a loss struggling to find inspiration to write her next book. She decides to take a break and clear her head and travels to London to stay with her good friend. Whilst there she visits a bookstore where Nancy Mitford worked during the Second World War. Katie has had an interest in Nancy for several years as Nancy was the subject of her senior thesis, and becomes invested in searching for a supposed missing manuscript that Nancy may have written whilst working at the bookstore. The author cleverly intertwines the stories of Katie and Nancy by going back and forth between the two and I found this style to be very intriguing and entertaining. The interesting characters, rich dialogue and entertaining storylines made for great reading. If you like historical fiction, stories set during wartime or even just great romance novels then this book is certainly for you. I highly recommend it and give it 4 out of 5 stars. Mary-Jo, VIC, 4 Stars
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Nancy Mitford, who I’d heard of but knew very little about. I didn’t enjoy the modern-day storyline as much, and found myself impatient to get back to the historical storyline. Helen, VIC, 4 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret is a beautifully written story, alternating between two strong, witty female characters from two completely different times. As similarities start to emerge between these two bold women, it’s easy to get drawn into not only both their lives, and the colourful characters they surround themselves with, but also the charming bookshop that they both visit frequently. I found this book entertaining, sarcastic and incredibly enjoyable to read. Now I’m off to buy some Nancy Mitford books. Rebecca, NSW, 4 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable is a really enjoyable read, it started a little slow as the characters personalities are developed but quickly picked up pace, I love how the two strong female protagonists stories are told so many years apart but then finally interconnect bringing the past to the present day. I recommend this for someone looking for a fun light read with a twist of mystery. Shontel, NSW, 4 Stars
A beautifully written novel with such great descriptive language, I loved how I was transported to different passages in time. The complex woven lives of the sisters were engaging and times very relatable, A lovely book to gift this Christmas. Juliet, WA, 4 Stars
Having not read a book by Michelle Gable before, I was not sure what to expect but loved it. Two timelines, two authors, one real Nancy Mitford WWII literary heroine and one fictional Katie Cabot, two lives at turning points linked through their love of storytelling. The book is written in a conversational writing style which did catch me off guard at first but credit to the author because it worked perfectly. The style immediately allowed me to connect with the two main characters, sucking me right in to be amongst the twists and troubles within their lives. Knowing nothing about Nancy Mitford, her history in WWII and that of her siblings I appreciate the amount of research that would have gone into this book to present as many truths as possible. Presenting that information via both fictional author Katie’s review of Nancy’s life and books and real letters/documents from archives was a perfect balance. I love Nancy’s strength, resilience and gumption and I want to now know more about this literary icon from WWII. I will be recommending this book, and this will definitely not be the last book I read from this author. Natalie, WA, 4 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret follows English novelist Nancy Mitford who works in Heywood Hill bookshop in 1942 and American novelist Katie Cabot who visits Heywood Hill bookshop in 2021. Fictionalising the story of Nancy Mitford, The Bookseller’s Secret makes for an intriguing historical fiction novel. Michelle Gable has gone above and beyond in her research for her depiction of WWII London. The novel can seem a little stagnated in the middle of the novel, requiring the reader to push through. Particularly, there is a lot of dialogue which may not be ideal for some as it can drag on. There was a lot of potential for this story that didn’t quite live up to expectations, but was still a decent enough read. The thorough research does help pull this book up. I received a complimentary copy of this book from @betterreadingau #BRPreview. Emily, WA, 4 Stars
This book intrigued me from the start, alternating between two authors both suffering writer’s block. The London WWII years of dazzling upper-class socialite Nancy Mitford are drawn with sparkling humour and sharp dialogue, conveying the crazy life of this author at a crossroads in her life and career. Modern-day angst-ridden Kate has just broken off her engagement and is terrified that she will never live up to her one bestselling novel, obsessing over Nancy Mitford and her “missing” war story. Both stories are about finding oneself and writing ones’ own story, instead of someone else’s, and recognizing that “a road can go nowhere and still be worth the trip”. The Heywood Hill bookshop is a bibliophile’s paradise, one we’d all love to spend hours in, locating the perfect book from amongst the “teetering stacks of books”. What better place to while away time during wartime blackouts than at one of Nancy’s midnight champagne soirees? With “a Nazi, a Communist and several fascists in one family tree” I immediately wanted to verify the truth behind Nancy’s story. I need to start reading Nancy Mitford’s books, and wish Kate wasn’t a fictional character and that I could read her books as well! Fenella, NSW, 4 Stars
I was excited to receive an advanced copy of The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable as WW2 fiction is one of my favourite genres. I have to say I was a little disenchanted to begin with as I wasn’t sure I liked some of the main characters and theirs names just confused me. I am glad I persevered as I grew to enjoy the characters foibles and I even got used to their hyphenated names. I ended up racing to the end to find out ‘what happens’ and enjoyed finding out more about the main character Nancy Mitford as she became so real to me. All in all an enjoyable read, especially if like me you enjoy this genre. Tracey, WA, 4 Stars
Part historical fiction and part literary thriller, The Bookseller’s Secret is an absorbing and entertaining read. The novel is told in two dual timelines – London in the 1940s and current day. Both timelines follow two women writers both struggling with writer’s block. One of them is the incredible real-life Nancy Mitford. The other, Katie Cabot is a (fictional) American author who is invited to London by her best friend. Katie idolises Nancy and when she visits the bookshop where Nancy worked in during the war, a spell is cast. Throw in a rather dashing English teacher and a hunt for a missing Mitford manuscript and you have the makings of a rousing thriller. But the story of Nancy is just as intriguing – her notorious family and circle of friends are compelling, sometimes ghastly and frequently amusing! Nancy is desperate to write again and has almost given up when a charismatic Frenchman enters her life and changes it forever. If you love books and can spend hours in bookshops, this is the book for you. If you’re in a reading slump, this will remind you why we love books and why they will always play a part in people’s lives. Kecia, NSW, 4 Stars
This is first and foremost a WWII historical fiction, based on the real-life Nancy Mitford, who was an author, a bookseller and for a brief time a loosely termed “spy”. Nancy was from a large and somewhat infamous family. Fast forward 80 years and we are introduced to Katie Cabot, a young woman recently single following the breakdown of a long term relationship who is experiencing writer’s block after publishing a successful novel. Katie impulsively travels to London to stay with a friend and happens to meet a mysterious man (Simon) in the same bookshop where Nancy Mitford once worked and wrote. Katie is a fan of Nancy’s books and she and Simon embark on a hunt for a rumoured manuscript written by Nancy Mitford that was never published. The dual timeline is quite interesting as it creates the flow of learning more about Nancy and whether the rumoured manuscript actually existed, to Katie and Simon searching for answers. We are introduced to lots of interesting characters along the way in both timelines. Very clever historical fiction, with real-life people and events intertwined. Bree, NSW, 4 Stars
Writer’s love stories about authors, especially ones who are struggling to write, and here we have a real literary feast to enjoy. The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable tells two such stories, one of fictional author Katharine/Katie Cabot set in present day, and the other based upon English novelist, journalist and biographer, Nancy Mitford, at the end of World War Two. The Heywood Hill bookshop in London links the two stories together, along with a missing or non-existent manuscript. The Nancy Mitford storyline is not meant to be a biography, but instead aims to capture the personality and wit of one of the ‘bright, young things’ on the London social scene at the time, and anyone having read Nancy’s books will certainly hear her voice in the narrative. In the interwoven stories it is a delight to discover the similarities and differences between the two authors and their time periods, as well as their subsequent romances. This book will leave you with a long list of books to be added to your To Be Read pile, not just the works of Nancy Mitford, but also her contemporaries including Evelyn Waugh, Vita Sackville-West and Angela Thirkell. A book for book lovers. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable is a book of fiction based on the life of a real person, Nancy Mitford. Nancy was an author and bookseller based in London during World War II. This book is about Katie Cabot in the present time, who has written one bestseller book, but is suffering from writer’s block, and is under pressure from her agent to produce another book. She lives in America but travels to London for a break, and gets work in a bookshop that Nancy worked in during the war. The story alternates between Nancy’s life, and Katie in the present day, with certain events tying the two stories together. I felt there was a bit of unnecessary waffling on at times, but a mystery developed, and you had to keep reading to see what happened. It also made me want to search out and read the books written by Nancy Mitford. Overall, an interesting read. Thanks to Better Reading and Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review. Fay, VIC, 4 Stars
I am a big lover of historical fiction, especially when it is set during WWII, unfortunately, this book did not have me hooked from the very beginning. It is a dual timeline, one being about Nancy Mitford set during WWII and the other a young writer in the present time, who finds herself caught up in the mystery of Nancy Mitford’s missing manuscript. I found the story set in the present time easier to connect to and after every chapter it left me wanting more. But it took me almost half the book to finally connect to Nancy’s story, and that was only because the present day narrative had me wanting to see what had really happened. The story had a slow start but it got me in the end. Evelyn, VIC, 3 Stars
I found reading The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable a thorough and interesting read. Before reading this novel, I did not know about real-life literary icon Nancy Mitford. The author portrays Nancy’s life during the 1940’s by describing her family, friends, career and events that took place during World War II. The main setting for this novel is Heywood Hill book shop and it is magical! A bookshop that I feel I could spend hours browsing in. Katie, who is also a character in present time, has a wonderful connection with Nancy. Their ability to find inspiration for their writing careers perseveres throughout the novel. This is a great read for any book lover who enjoys a bit of a mystery and loves inspiration from a historical woman figure. Raffaela, VIC, 3 Stars
The concept of this novel intrigued me. Even though I knew nothing of Nancy Mitford nor have I read any of her books I found this an interesting read. The two time zones in which the story is written makes it easy to follow and keeps your interest up in both story paths. The descriptions of the many members of the Mitford clan were entertaining albeit mostly fictional. As were the depictions of life in a thriving bookstore in London during a time of uncertainty and in the midst of war. The modern day thread was likeable as were the main characters, Katie and Simon. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Nancy’s childhood, born into nobility but lacking wealth and love. I found both the modern Katie and young Nancy having similarities in their upbringings subtle, though they were really very different. The depiction of Nancy’s escapades during WW2 and her friends was fun and engaging. It was a light look at what it may have been like as a woman writer in those times. I would recommend this as an easy read, if you like stories of wartime life without all the factual necessities, this is one for you. Gillian, QLD, 3 Stars
I was drawn in by the title of The Bookseller’s Secret, describing a tale about a bookseller, a spy and wartime. This premise really intrigued me and I had high expectations for this dual timeline historical novel that connects two struggling women writers in the past and present. 1942 London – Real-life literary icon Nancy Mitford is estranged from her husband, her allowance has been cut and she’s struggling to write a bestseller. Nancy is tempted to abandon her writing career and she winds up managing the Heywood Hills bookshop while the owner is away at war. Present – Eighty years later American Katie Cabot, a successful novelist who hasn’t been able to write anything for three years ventures into the bookshop at Heywood Hills. This is the same bookshop Nancy Mitford worked in during WWII and Katie has hopes of finding Nancy’s missing mystery wartime manuscript. I found some of the aspects of the story really interesting and it was fascinating that the fictional protagonist was finding inspiration from the historical character, I really liked this concept. I did feel the story was too slow a pace and I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot. The book didn’t work for me unfortunately, possibly because it’s also very dialogue driven. Maybe for those readers that are already familiar with Nancy Mitford, this book will work better for you. Gloria, SA, 3 Stars
Was Nancy Mitford incredibly clever and witty, or was she cold and unfeeling? Did she regret being unable to have a child or did she despise all children? Did she offer help to a WWII refugee or did she treat the girl churlishly? And was there a secret autobiography that revealed all her secrets? These and other questions are explored in Gable’s novel which intertwines two stories, Nancy’s life in London in the 1940’s, and the struggles of present day writer Katie trying to untangle the threads of the past. This novel is for readers who are fans of Nancy Mitford and are intrigued by the missing years in her life, or for those who love to read the quick repartee of witty people. In fact, the novel could easily become a play, the dialogue driving the plot. There is a mystery at the heart of the book; clues are gathered from both the past and the present. And there is romance, both Nancy and Katie are overcoming past heartbreak and are drawn into exciting new relationships, their lives following very similar paths. It is clear that Michelle Gable loves her subject and has researched Mitford thoroughly. She makes use of Mitford’s letters to ‘mimic her language and verve’ though mostly has her speak the words rather than writing them. But the uninitiated reader may find the plethora of characters confusing and the action rather slow. Helen, SA, 3 Stars
Young upcoming author Katie looking to escape pressures at home takes a sea change adventure in England. Exploring a Cold Case – Nancy Mitford (funny how looking at someone else you discover more about yourself). If you enjoy historical fiction worth a read. Robert, QLD, 3 Stars
I am a fan of Nancy Mitford and so was excited to read this novel which is based upon a part of her life about which little has been written: when she worked in a London bookshop during the Second World War. Sadly, I was extremely disappointed. It is dual narrative and timeline book which features Nancy in the past alternating with a whinging American female writer, Katie, going through a dry spell in the present and making the trip to London and the bookshop where her heroine spent some time. Much of the story is told through badly written, clumsy, repetitive dialogue. I am unclear as to the target audience for, if one is familiar with the Mitfords and their peers, then one is likely to find the information being conveyed through the clunky dialogue unnecessary and a tad like teaching granny to suck eggs. Katie, and her love interest, failed to interest me as I found them rather unsympathetic, unengaging, juvenile characters. This is advertised as a “thrilling” novel. It isn’t. Thanks to Better Reading for the opportunity to read it but my advice to the prospective reader is to stick with the real thing: Nancy Mitford. Pamela, QLD, 2 Stars
I’ve always considered joining the blogging world since I like reading them. I believe I have finally had the confidence fireboy and watergirl to give it a go. Thank you very much for all of your suggestions!