The Book of Doors: A Novel

Written by Gareth Brown

Narrated by Miranda Raison

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.  

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors. 

Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.

Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.

Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there. 

But there are those willing to kill to obtain those secrets. And a dark force—in the form of a shadowy, sadistic woman—is at the very top of that list.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9780063324015

Gareth Brown

Gareth Brown wanted to be a writer from a very young age, and he completed his first novel as a teenager. For the last twenty years he has worked in the UK Civil Service and the National Health Service while writing in his spare time. When not working or writing, Gareth loves travelling, especially the whirlwind first few hours in a new city and long road trips through beautiful landscapes. He enjoys barbecues, patisseries, playing pool, and falling asleep in front of the television like an old man. Gareth lives with his wife and two impudent and highly excitable Skye terriers near Edinburgh in Scotland. The Book of Doors is his first published novel.

Reviews for The Book of Doors

[ElizaBeth Marshall-Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fresh look at old imaginings. The protagonist, tho' intelligent, is helpless without the book ( books?). Is this meant to be metaphorical? You'll have to find out for yourself. Brilliant narrator is top notch with the many accents required.

[Ada Ryland · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. This was a debut novel? This is definitely worth the time. It's a great story with great characters, and performed impeccably well. The story is both warm and interesting, and a little dark, enough to acknowledge the full range of what it means to be human. This keeps it from being too easy and too sweet -which can be a side effect of stories about books for book lovers- but doesn't ruin it. Just the performance of the reading is worth it, even if the story wasn't that great- but it was, which made it a satisfying listen. I will be following both the writer and the reader from now on.

[Roslyn Lord · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent mystery fantasy emigration well worth the listen and the narrator is fabulous

[Jessica Walker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a much needed surprise! I listened without reading the description or knowing anything about this book. This was a well-thought out novel with magic, mystery, and mind-bending thrill! 10/10

[Michael Callahan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That was wonderful. Very well done. It's the best book I've read in a long time.

[Jazzie Sawires · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So good! A complex story that was gripping in several moments.

[debbaworks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The reviews are true, if you love Erin Morgenstern's books, you will love this one.

[Stephanie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that I didn't want to end. Beautifully written!