The Lost Bookshop

Pre-order the stunning Deluxe edition of The Lost Bookshop now, out in October 2026!

‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’
The Echo of Old Books meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.

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On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

Readers have fallen in love with The Lost Bookshop:
‘Beautifully written and captures the wonder and awe that a story can bring to its reader…a delightful story for any book lover…an ode to storytelling and the connections that books can make!’ *****

‘Wowwww!! It’s been awhile since I read something so fascinating, captivating and special all in one…It takes you on a journey like most books do, but this one, I just want to inscribe on my back and hope that it becomes a part of me so that I can carry it with me always’ *****

‘A must read for readers that love books’ *****

‘A beautiful story that begs to be read in one sitting…a magical story filled with beautiful prose and many surprises that readers will not soon forget’ *****

‘This spellbinding book hooked me from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down til the end’ *****

‘A love story, one with books and booklovers at its heart. A warm, wonderful novel that sweeps up the reader into an absorbing, magical tale’ *****

‘If you enjoy books by the Brontë sisters … then I would fully recommend you read this book’ *****

‘This novel has it all: wit, a dash of magic, and a large heart. A fantastic read’*****

Evie Woods's book 'The Violin Maker’s Secret' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2026-03-09.

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, magical realism and the universal human experience, 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!

‘The characters are so very well developed that it makes you feel that you are there with them sharing their stories too… kept me turning the pages’ *****

‘A truly joyful, magical book…this story will capture your heart’ *****

‘Couldn’t put it down!…a magical, enthralling read’ *****

‘One book that I liked so much and would gladly pay more for… one of those books that you constantly ask yourself “how did the author come up with this great story?”’*****

‘Utterly magical and absorbing…the mysterious bookshop and the promise of finding a long lost manuscript haunts the pages’ *****

‘An enchanting plot, fabulous characters, and some good historical fiction… I found myself imagining it as a Netflix series’ *****

‘I absolutely adored this book! A touch of magic, a love of books, pure escapism, perfect!’ *****

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a warm and magical novel about books, hidden histories, lost women, and the healing power of stories. The book moves between different timelines and follows three main characters whose lives become connected through a mysterious bookshop that seems to appear and disappear in Dublin. At its heart, the novel is about people who have been ignored, controlled, or pushed aside, and how they slowly find courage, identity, and a place where they belong.

One part of the story follows Opaline Carlisle, a young woman living in the early twentieth century. Opaline comes from a wealthy family, but her life is not truly her own. After the death of her father, her older brother Lyndon tries to control her future and plans to marry her off to a man she does not love. Opaline is intelligent, independent, and passionate about books, but in her world, women are expected to obey and accept the lives chosen for them. Rather than surrender to her brother’s plans, she runs away. This act of rebellion begins her journey toward freedom, but it also places her in danger because society is not kind to women who choose independence.

Opaline eventually becomes involved in the world of rare books, first in Paris and later in Dublin. Books are not just objects to her; they are doorways into other lives, secret messages from the past, and symbols of freedom. Her love for literature gives her purpose and strength. Through her work, she learns about the value of forgotten stories and the importance of preserving voices that history often erases. But Opaline’s life is also marked by heartbreak and betrayal. The men around her often try to possess or silence her, and she is forced to fight for control over her own story. Her timeline shows how difficult it was for a woman to live freely in a society determined to define her.

In the present-day storyline, Martha arrives in Dublin after escaping an abusive marriage. She is frightened, uncertain, and emotionally broken. Her husband has made her feel small for years, and she struggles to trust herself. She takes a job as a housekeeper for an unusual older woman named Madame Bowden, who lives in a grand but strange house. Martha does not see herself as special or brave, but simply leaving her old life behind is an act of courage. At first, she only wants safety and a quiet place to survive. Slowly, however, she begins to rediscover parts of herself that had been buried by fear.

Martha’s story is deeply emotional because it shows how abuse can change the way a person sees themselves. She is used to being criticized, controlled, and made to feel powerless. Even when she is physically away from her husband, his voice remains in her mind. But Dublin, Madame Bowden’s house, and the mystery surrounding the lost bookshop all begin to awaken her curiosity. She starts noticing strange things: markings, hidden spaces, and clues that suggest the house holds secrets connected to the past. As she becomes more involved in the mystery, she also begins to understand that she is stronger than she believed.

The third important character is Henry, a young academic who comes to Dublin searching for a lost bookshop and a missing manuscript. He is awkward, thoughtful, and deeply interested in literary history. Henry believes that a vanished bookshop once existed on Ha’penny Lane, but he has trouble proving it. His search leads him to the same strange house where Martha is working. At first, Martha and Henry are very different from each other, but they gradually form a bond. Henry’s interest in the lost bookshop is scholarly, but it becomes more personal as he uncovers the human stories behind the mystery.

As Martha and Henry investigate, the novel blends reality with magical realism. The lost bookshop is not an ordinary place. It seems to exist between past and present, memory and imagination. It appears to those who need it, especially people who are lost in some way. This magical quality gives the story a dreamlike feeling, but the emotions behind it are very real. The bookshop represents shelter, possibility, and the idea that stories can find people at exactly the right moment. For Opaline, books offer freedom. For Martha, they become part of her healing. For Henry, they lead him toward truth and connection.

The novel slowly reveals how Opaline’s life is connected to the present. Her struggles, choices, and secrets have left traces behind, waiting to be discovered. Martha and Henry’s search is not only about finding a physical shop or a rare manuscript; it is about recovering a woman’s forgotten life. Opaline was someone who mattered, but like many women in history, her story was hidden, distorted, or nearly erased. By uncovering what happened to her, Martha and Henry also give her back a voice.

One of the strongest themes in the novel is the way women are silenced by control, violence, and social expectations. Opaline is controlled by her brother and by a world that does not want independent women. Martha is controlled by an abusive husband who has damaged her confidence. Though they live in different times, their experiences mirror each other. Both women must learn to escape the roles forced upon them. Both must discover that their lives belong to them. The book suggests that healing often begins when a person realizes their story is not finished.

The relationship between Martha and Henry adds warmth to the story, but it does not take away from Martha’s personal journey. Her growth is not simply about finding romance; it is about finding herself. Henry treats her with kindness and respect, which helps her see that love does not have to mean fear or control. Still, Martha’s real transformation comes from within. She begins as someone trying only to disappear, but by the end, she becomes someone willing to seek answers, make choices, and believe in her own worth.

By the conclusion, the mystery of the lost bookshop brings the characters’ journeys together. The past and present connect in a way that feels both magical and emotional. Opaline’s story is finally recognized, Henry finds meaning beyond academic success, and Martha gains the courage to step into a new life. The novel ends with a sense of hope, suggesting that even what is lost can sometimes be found again, though not always in the way people expect.

The Lost Bookshop is a story for readers who love books about books, but it is also much more than that. It is about trauma, memory, independence, and the quiet bravery of beginning again. Evie Woods creates a world where literature has power, where forgotten women can still speak, and where a hidden bookshop can guide lost people toward healing. The novel’s message is gentle but strong: stories matter because they remind us who we are, where we have been, and who we still might become.