The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan is a holiday novel set in the Scottish Highlands, where antiquarian book hunter Mirren Sutherland searches a snowbound castle for a rare book amid clues, rivalries, and romantic tension. It pairs a treasure-hunt mystery with Christmas romance, though customer feedback is mixed on the characters and how engaging the story feels.

At a glance

A snowbound Scottish castle provides the setting for a search for a rare, potentially valuable book.
The plot combines antiquarian book hunting, a puzzle-like treasure hunt, Christmas themes, and romantic tension.
Mirren encounters a rival book hunter while working with the young laird Jamie McKinnon and unraveling family clues.

Price

$8.91Save 53%

Reference price: ~~$18.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The treasure hunt and hidden-book clues give the holiday romance a mystery element.
The Scottish Highlands castle setting and book-collecting premise offer a distinctive backdrop for seasonal fiction.
At 320 pages, the listed print edition gives room for a full-length story.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Book details
Author	Jenny Colgan
Publisher	William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication date	October 14, 2025
Language	English
Print length	320 pages

Identifiers
ISBN-10	0063437376
ISBN-13	978-0063437371

Dimensions and weight
Weight listed	8.3 ounces
Dimensions	5.31 x 0.72 x 8 inches

What to know before buying

Customer feedback is divided on the content, character development, and genre expectations. Some readers report difficulty getting into the book, so buyers prioritizing an immediately engaging story or strongly relatable characters may want to weigh that mixed response.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers looking for a Christmas-set novel with romance and a mystery plot.
Book lovers interested in antiquarian books, a castle setting, and a treasure hunt.
Fans of Jenny Colgan's holiday fiction.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a fast-paced mystery without a romance or holiday focus.
Readers who need consistently relatable characters or an immediately engaging opening, given the mixed customer feedback.

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

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.2 / 5 · 3,484 ratings

5 stars52%52%
4 stars29%29%
3 stars15%15%
2 stars3%3%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback highlights the holiday story and mystery plot as appealing to some readers, while others find the content disappointing or have trouble getting into the book. Reactions to the characters and genre are mixed. For readers drawn to the listed combination of a Christmas setting, castle treasure hunt, and romance, those differences make character appeal and pacing worth considering. The overall ratings lean positive but do not explain individual readers' reasons.

Positive themes

Some customers describe it as an enjoyable holiday read and praise its story and mystery plot.

Negative themes

Some customers say they could not get into the book.

Mixed feedback

Feedback is divided on the content, character development, and whether the genre and Christmas theme match expectations.

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 clan's castle. A snowstorm traps her there with the laird and a rival book hunter as they work through clues.

Does the book include romance as well as mystery?

The listing describes a Christmas romance with a mysterious treasure hunt. It also notes that customer reactions to the genre and characters vary.

How long is the listed print edition?

The listing gives a print length of 320 pages.

Who published this edition and when?

The listed publisher is William Morrow Paperbacks, and the publication date is October 14, 2025.