The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan: A brilliantly constructed thriller about power, secrets, and rivalry

From the very first chapter of The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan, I was hooked. What begins with the discovery of Eleanor Bruton’s body on a frigid Scottish shore quickly spirals into an intricately woven mystery of rival secret societies, centuries-old manuscripts, and the dangerous pursuit of knowledge and power. This is one of those rare novels that manages to be both an intelligent thriller and a deeply thematic exploration of women’s ambition, rivalry, and connection.

The story alternates between Dr. Anya Brown, a rising academic star recruited by a shadowy group of scholars in St. Andrews, and Detective Constable Clio Spicer, who’s quietly investigating Eleanor’s suspicious death. What unfolds is a dark academic thriller that stretches across generations and ideologies. Macmillan deftly layers each clue and character revelation, creating a sense of elegant complexity that never tips into confusion.

As a novelist myself, I couldn’t help but imagine the author’s process — maybe a giant whiteboard covered in names, red strings, and scribbled arrows connecting timelines and motives. The Burning Library is ambitious, but Macmillan makes it look effortless. Every twist lands, every revelation feels earned, and the historical and scholarly details are seamlessly integrated into the narrative.

What truly impressed me, though, was the novel’s underlying theme — a metaphorical war between two types of women: those who wield influence quietly behind the scenes and those who seize it openly, no matter the cost. It’s hard not to miss the parallel to the “mommy wars” that play out daily on social media, where stay-at-home and working mothers clash over whose choices are more valid. Macmillan captures this tension with remarkable insight. And, just like in real life, there are no winners here. The real power comes when women stop tearing each other down and start standing together.

If I had one quibble, it’s the ending — which left me a bit baffled. I won’t spoil it, but I’m curious to see how other readers interpret it. Even so, the journey there is so rich and absorbing that I didn’t mind being left with questions.

The Burning Library is a compellingly smart thriller full of atmosphere, intellect, and ambition. Fans of Alex Michaelides, Ruth Ware, and anyone who loves dark academia will find a lot to love here.

The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan releases November 18, 2025.

Have you read this one yet? I’d love to hear what you think — especially about that ending. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related Content

• Gilly Macmillan: On the thrill of letter writing (Writer’s Digest)
• Gilly Macmillan and Susan Lewis on finding your story and the perfect setting (CrimeReads)
• Interview with Gilly MacMillan (The Gloss)
• Q&A: Gilly Macmillan, author of The Long Weekend (The Nerd Daily)

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