I really loved this novel. I found it very unusual and well written with a very engaging story. I just felt the end was slightly unfinished - another chapter would have tied up the rather tantalising end in a way that maybe was more satisfying... Would recommend.

I really like historical fiction and i really enjoyed this one. It was well written, atmospheric and tense. I couldn't put it down. I loved it

A very interesting book that’s keeps you captivated to the final page.It contains many surprises and twists within twists that makes it a very enjoyable thriller.

The Birdcage Library was definitely a gripping read. The various twists and reveals throughout the plots were well-constructed and are able to be anticipated by the reader. Would it have been more gripping if it was a completely unexpected twists? Perhaps. But there is also a thrill in rightly guessing what's going to unfold and then seeing the characters catch up to you.

The prose is lyrical and almost gothic and lends an air of fantasy. The castle with its towers definitely feels very gothic as well. The pacing is straightforward. Slowly building up until everything collides. I do wish there had been more included about the close relationships between the Blackwood sisters and Dan. It is in a way central to the story, and yet, I don't feel invested in their dynamics, probably because there is not much shown apart from the most important event/s that affect their present.

Rating: 3.75/5

Rating: 1.8/5

"The Birdcage Library" is an historical novel which incorporates elements of the mystery genre. Events take place across two timelines: the 1930s with a castle in Scotland as the backdrop and 50 years earlier in an animal emporium in New York.

Freya Berry is clearly an eloquent and intelligent writer, but in spite of that fact, I struggled to get into this story. I hate not finishing a book, but I was tempted to give up on this on a number of occasions. However, I stuck with it and saw it through to the end, but ultimately this is one of those occasions when I can appreciate the abilities of the author without really enjoying the end product.

Although set in the 1880s and 1930s the style of the narrative often felt like that from a time some one hundred years earlier. I also never felt a convincing sense of the Scottish castle and New York settings either. This, combined with pacing that I found far too pedestrian, meant that I really struggled to engage with the characters and the plot. The mystery element - if you can stick with it long enough to witness its eventual unravelling - has actually been very cleverly constructed, but I was largely past caring by that point. Other readers may love this, but not one for me, I'm afraid.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Birdcage Library is a beautiful historical fiction novel, while also being a cosy fantasy, throwing in some last minute thrills and twists. The author writes extremely well, engaging you in the story, slipping between two timelines with ease. I truly enjoyed all of the characters in this book, and would love to return to this world again.

An intriguing set up and a compelling heroine, this is a deftly written work of historical fiction with enough originality to make it stand out from the crowd

I do so love a good historical fiction and this did not disappoint.
Even more so that it’s dual timeline, my favourite
Thoroughly interesting storyline that kept me reading till late.

Emily Blackwood is intrepid, she travels to the remotest corners of the world to find the plants unique to their previously undiscovered locations. Her adventures are well-known, making headlines at home and abroad  but when, in 1932, her financial security is lost in the Wall Street Crash she and her blind father find themselves in straightened circumstances.

While working to help Lord Rothschild catalogue his bird collection before it's sale to an American museum, Emily is contacted about a similar job in the wilds of Scotland, which she accepts only because of the high rate of pay offered. With traumatic memories of her own buried deeply Emily is struck by her new employer's obsession with the past and the disappearance of a woman years earlier. It soon becomes clear she isn't the only one at Castle Pàrras desperate to keep things hidden but when a diary is discovered Emily realises some secrets are more deadly than others.

Freya Berry's beautifully written mystery is set between the wars, straddles the globe, and weaves fact and fiction together seamlessly. For example while Emily herself was obviously a fictitious addition, the cataloguing of Lord Rothschild's collection did happen and this and other occurrences provided an extra level of realism. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Emily was a likeable, well rounded main protagonist from the start. The reasons behind everything were imparted in just the right way to keep the reader entertained throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This fascinating novel is an easy but enthralling read which I recommend.

Dear birdcage library, I have to apologise. I’ve been a rotten reader. Putting you down and picking you up so many times - you deserved better. The fault is entirely mine.
This is a dual timeline, dual location story. Emily Blackwood, a plant hunter gets employed by the mysterious Henry Vogel to catalogue his taxidermy collection in a Scottish castle. He then reveals the true reason he had employed her for, a kind of missing person treasure hunt. The castle immediately reminded me of Eilean Donan on which it was indeed based.
I loved the story with its allusions to Victorian poetry and philosophy, American society in the Victorian age, a rich evocative language and mysteries galore.
The only fault I can find is that I was often confused as to whose voice I was hearing: Hester Vogel or Emily Blackwood - a subtitle to each chapter would help. Otherwise: a highly recommended read.

A dual timeline historical fiction story, with the story split between Hester and Emma Blackwood. Emma is hired by Mr Vogel to find a treasure that he believes is hidden in Hester’s family home, while in Hester’s part of the story we learn how she came to be in possession of this treasure. The story starts very slowly, and at the outset Emma is not a particularly likeable character but she does draw you in to her story, however it is definitely worth sticking with the story.

Botanist and well travelled plant hunter Emily Blackwood is employed to hunt for treasure in a Scottish castle, however her hunt reveals a hidden story from beyond the grave which puts her in danger. This gothic mystery has a multiple plot lines, moving from past to present and with each chapter more is revealed to the reader.

The novel connects with you from the outset leading you into the intricately woven plotlines which move along nicely, plenty of descriptive passages to create a believable world and populated with fascinating characters. It made me think of Daphne du Maurier both in its style and plotting.

I enjoyed this evocative and intriguing book although I did find it slow to start and I enjoyed Hester’s storyline more than Emmy’s. It felt quite a long book and I wasn’t as interested in the search for the diamond as I was for the truth of what happened to Hester. Often with these kind of mysteries I don’t like the ending but this was very satisfying.

Incredible book! I loved reading this and was captivated by the story within the story! Beautiful historical settings with well developed characters throughout the novel kept me enthralled at every page. I couldn't stop reading it and now I'm sad it's over! Highly recommend this novel.

This is a Scottish historical novel about Emily Blackwood, an adventurer and plant hunter who travels north to catalogue an extensive collection of taxidermy animals for a gentleman. When Emily arrives, she discovers a ruined castle and its owner, haunted by a woman who vanished years ago. The dual aspects of the story work well;
Both eras were very well written; the main two characters, Emily and Hester, are flawed but exciting women with demons to overcome; they're brought together by an excellent old love story that catalyses a decades-long mystery. Most readers will likely figure out some key plot twists before revealing them; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.


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The Birdcage Library by Katherine McMahon

This is a historical novel that takes place in Scotland and tells the story of Emily Blackwood, an adventuress and plant hunter, who travels north to catalogue a large collection of taxidermy animals for a gentleman. On arrival, Emily finds a ruined castle and its owner haunted by a woman who vanished years before.

Emily discovers the pages of a diary hidden in the walls, and she realises that she has found another adventure.

The book is told from two perspectives about fifty years apart, with Emmy being the protagonist in the present and Hester in the past.

I felt this dual perspective worked well, and both stories are gripping. Emmy is a likeable and intelligent character, but she is tormented by her past, has diabetes and has an ailing father. to provide for.

The traumas she has suffered drive her to drink, but her inquisitive and empathetic mind helps her to solve the mystery.

The hunt is cleverly thought through, with the intertwining of different elements to solve the clues. The creepy castle in a remote location was excellent, and the few but odd inhabitants created a constant, oppressive feeling.

The book was very atmospheric and the characters were well-written and interesting. There was some content that could be upsetting, including harm to animals and abusive relationships, but it is an important part of the story and completely in context.

The book is intelligently written, well-researched, and enjoyable to read. There were interesting factual scientific discoveries throughout the story which added to its appeal.

The treasure map aspect, and the remote windswept castle setting made for an excellent read.

Overall a really gripping read that kept me turning the pages.

#TheBirdcageLibrary #NetGalley

A rather formulaic gothic mystery, set in 2 time periods. Didn't sweep me away but entertaining enough, with diary extracts details about plant collecting and secrets which a yound woman grows embroiled in.

I mostly enjoyed this book but I do think it dragged in places. The diary entries were my favourite part of the whole book.

"Dear Reader, the man I love is trying to kill me..."

If that line doesn't pull you into a book then nothing will.

This book grabbed me immediately, an educated young woman arrives at a remote Scottish castle to help an old man solve a 50 year mystery, what could be better?
The dual aspects of the story work really well, I have seen other reviews state that it was confusing, but the copy I read had clear different typefaces for the chapter depending on who was narrating so it wasn't an issue for me.
Both eras were very well written, the main two characters Emily and Hester are flawed but interesting women who both have their own demons to conquer, they're brought together by a good ol' love story which is the start of a mystery spanning decades.
I did really enjoy this book, I loved the treasure map aspect, the hidden clues, the windswept Loch and old Castle setting and the interweaving of fictional characters and real people.
That being said I did feel that this book rambled a lot, historical stories that added almost nothing to the main story and characters that got far too much of the page devoted to them and who also added nothing.

I'm not sure if I am completely satisfied with the ending and the resolution of the mysteries, there was no real 'Aha!' moment but I can forgive that for the small little revelations throughout the book which kept me reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Unfortunately although giving it my best shot, I gave up on this one at about 55%. I nearly stopped reading at about 20% but persevered hoping I would become more invested in the story and the characters, but this did not happen. I found the plot too slow for me and rather rambling and I wish the author had put the name of the character who was talking at the top of the chapter as found it quite confusing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e advance review copy.