The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan
Publisher: John Murray Press
Release date: 29 January 2026
Back cover blurb: For over a century two rival organisations of women have gone to deadly lengths to secure a precious scrap of fraying embroidery in the hopes of finding the original medieval manuscript from which it was torn. There's the Order of St Katherine: devoted to the belief that women must pull strings in the shadows in order to exercise covert control. And the Fellowship of the Larks: determined to amass as many overt positions of power for women as possible . . . while making sure their methods never come to light. When trailblazing paleographer Dr Anya Brown is headhunted by the exclusive Institute of Manuscript Studies at St Andrews, she's unaware that she is in grave danger - her new employers are the Larks, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve their mission. As Dr Brown is drawn deeper into this ancient web, events spiral beyond her control. To uncover the truth, and escape with her life, she must summon all her expertise to decipher a series of messages that have lain hidden for centuries.
The Burning Library isn't like Gilly Macmillan's previous novels if you are a follower of her work. But it is a a brilliant novel nonetheless.
Dr Anya Brown thinks she is happy in her current role, having done some really important work in the filed of palaeography.
That is until she is offered the chance of a lifetime, the opportunity to join the Institute of Manuscript studies.
But the Institute have an ulterior motive for inviting her.
As far back as anyone is able to recall, there have been two secret female societies who have embedded themselves firmly into other societies (WI, elite universities etc). Both are trying to recover a priceless item that has been lost for years.
Both will do anything to recover it.
Including murder.
The Institute of Manuscript studies is the perfect place for a member of either society to hide in plain sight.
This novel does require a high level of concentration, but it is definitely worth it.
The Burning Library is available to pre-order now via Amazon online and all good book shops.
Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.