#BookReview of The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods

‘Awakening desire in the hearts of musicians for almost two hundred years,
she is built of birdsong and promises, crafted from wood and bone.’

[ About The Violin Maker’s Secret ]

On any given day, there are thousands of items slowly gathering dust in the Lost and Found of Heathrow Airport. Unknown to anyone, hidden among the clutter, is a very special object that can change the fortunes of those who possess it – a violin of rare beauty and power.

Now, as if by chance, it has fallen into the hands of three strangers…

Baggage claim agent Devlin, retired teacher Walter, and appraiser Gabrielle have nothing in common, but can these three unlikely guardians unlock the secrets of the violin?

[ My Review ]

The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods publishes tomorrow, February 24th, with Harper Collins and is described as a novel ‘with heartfelt moments, unexpected connections, and a mystery that lingers long after the final page…Evie Woods at her very best.‘

A mysterious violin is central to this magical tale as three loosely connected individuals embark on a life-changing journey, both physically and emotionally. Devlin is a baggage handler at Heathrow airport who buys an old violin in the lost and found for his girlfriend’s birthday. Immediately he recognises something special about the instrument and decides to get advice from his old teacher, Walter Pickering. Walter is struck by the beauty of the violin but he soon realises the limits of his knowledge so he suggests they visit a violin specialist, Wilding’s Violins. Gabrielle Wilding has the expertise needed to determine the origin of most instruments that cross her path, but even she is struggling to decipher who the luthier of this magnificent violin is. Gabrielle suggests further investigation which, in theory, sounds like a splendid idea but, the reality is very different, as all three become the subject of a game of cat and mouse. Somebody wants this violin and is prepared to go to any lengths necessary to obtain it. This unlikely trio is left with no option but to join forces to determine the true providence of the violin and why it is so desperately being sought after.

This may sound like a detective novel but it is far from it as Evie Woods takes us back across the decades right to the very beginning when this beloved violin was originally created. Through centuries this violin passed into the hands of many. Some recognisable historical figure have cameo roles as the violin itself travels a very dangerous path, ending up in some very spurious situations. The violin has its own voice as the chapters unfold, explaining its creation and its ability to transcend our human world and become something unique and elusive.

Devlin, Walter and Gabrielle all carry their own personal secrets, with each a little lost as they attempt to stay afloat. Like the violin that aches for something or someone, they too all need closure on aspects of their lives that have been weighing them down. The lost and found theme is beautifully rendered throughout the novel highlighting the fact that, as people, we too need to be ‘found’, to be cared for, to be seen.

Evie Woods has a passion for magical realism, which features in all her writing. I mentioned in my review of The Lost Bookshop that Evie Woods’ storytelling is reminiscent of Joanne Harris’ Vianne Rocher novels. There is a softness to her words and descriptions that coax mysticism out of the everyday. But as I turned the pages of The Violin Maker’s Secret I was also reminded of The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, another enchanting tale with music as its central narrator. All these authors provide much needed escapism, a portal to another place where we can be distracted and given respite from the humdrum of the everyday.

Evie Woods has clearly done her research taking the reader to Cremona in Italy, which is recognised as the birthplace of the modern violin and was home to Stradivari, and other renowned luthiers. I recall watching a documentary last year on Cremona and it was just fascinating to see the passion for detail and artistic excellence at work. Atmospheric and immersive The Violin Maker’s Secret has a delicacy to it, an almost intangible element that is beyond our comprehension. Imagination runs deep in this tale as the violin tells us her story, winding her words and her notes around the lives of three ordinary individuals in search of hope and love. The Violin Maker’s Secret is another gorgeous novel crafted with Evie Wood’s signature touch. A beguiling and captivating tale.

[Thank you to Evie Woods and Harper Collins UK for a copy of The Violin Maker’s Secret in exchange for my honest review]

[ Bio ]

Evie Woods is the international bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop, which has sold over a million copies globally, and has been translated into over thirty languages. Shortlisted for the 2024 British Book Awards “Page-Turner of the Year,” it has also become a Sunday Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Spiegel bestseller.

Influenced by folklore and magical realism, Evie has carved out a unique style that is all her own, charming readers around the world with her warm and uplifting narratives. Drawing inspiration from the unseen forces that shape our lives and the healing power of storytelling, novels like The Story Collector and The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris invite the reader to embrace the magic that already exists in our ordinary lives. Evie’s new novel, The Violin Maker’s Secret, is perfect for those who love music, mystery and magic!