The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan is a holiday romance with a book-hunt mystery set in a snowbound Scottish castle. Antiquarian book hunter Mirren Sutherland searches for a rare volume alongside the young laird Jamie McKinnon and her rival Theo Palliser, following clues left by Jamie’s grandfather.

At a glance

A rare-book hunt drives the story, with clues connected to a castle’s former laird and his collection.
The setting is a Scottish Highlands castle isolated by heavy snow as the characters investigate.
The plot combines holiday romance, rivalry between book hunters and a treasure mystery.

Price

$31.05Save 16%

Reference price: ~~$37.00~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The book-hunting mystery and puzzle clues offer a clear hook beyond the romantic storyline.
The 320-page print length gives readers a defined-length holiday novel.
The English-language edition is listed with ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 identifiers.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Book details
Publisher	William Morrow
Publication date	Oct. 14 2025
Language	English
Print length	320 pages
ISBN-10	0063455447
ISBN-13	978-0063455443

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	456 g
Dimensions	15.24 x 2.46 x 22.86 cm

What to know before buying

Customer feedback includes praise for the puzzle-filled story and easy reading, but some readers felt the book did not deliver enough Christmas atmosphere. Character development receives mixed reactions.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers looking for a holiday-set romance with a book treasure hunt and mystery elements.
Fans of Scottish Highlands settings, castle secrets and puzzles.
Book lovers interested in a festive novel featuring antiquarian books.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a strongly Christmas-focused story, based on some customer feedback.
Readers who prefer consistently developed characters, since reactions to character development are mixed.

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.2 / 5 · 3,443 ratings

5 stars53%53%
4 stars28%28%
3 stars14%14%
2 stars4%4%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback describes the story as engaging and enjoyable, with praise for its puzzles, readable style and blend of romance and mystery. Some readers felt the Christmas atmosphere was weaker than expected, and opinions on character development are mixed. For readers drawn to the book hunt and castle setting, the mystery may be the stronger draw, while those prioritizing a richly festive mood may find the experience less aligned with expectations.

Positive themes

Customers describe the story as engaging and enjoyable.
Readers praise the puzzles and accessible reading experience.
The mix of romance and mystery is appealing to some customers.

Negative themes

Some customers say the book does not deliver the Christmas atmosphere they expected.

Mixed feedback

Customer opinions on character development vary, with some liking the characters and others finding them underdeveloped.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Secret Christmas Library about?

Antiquarian book hunter Mirren Sutherland is hired to find a rare book believed to be hidden in a Highland castle. She and Jamie McKinnon follow clues while rival hunter Theo Palliser complicates the search.

Does the book combine romance and mystery?

Yes. The listing describes a Christmas romance with a rare-book treasure hunt, puzzles and shifting alliances.

Is it strongly Christmas-themed?

It is set around Christmas in the snowbound Scottish Highlands, but some customer feedback says the story did not feel very Christmassy.

How long is the listed print edition?

The listed print length is 320 pages.