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The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel

Description:

"This beautiful page-turner kept me reading all night.” —Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library 

"This one’s an absolute gem.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

When a young librarian discovers hidden historic dollhouses in her library, she embarks on an unexpected journey that reveals surprising secrets about the lost miniatures.

Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, is meticulously dedicated to the century’s worth of inventory housed in her beloved Beaux Art building. She loves the calm and order in the shelves of books and walls of art. But Tildy’s life takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses.

After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Époque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney’s bustling Burbank studio in the 1950s. As Tildy unravels the mystery, she finds not only inspiring, hidden history, but also a future for herself—and an astonishing familial revelation.

Spanning the course of a century, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is a warm, bright, and captivating story of secrets and love that embraces the importance of illuminating overlooked women.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fans of Kate Morton, Sarah Blake, and Fiona Davis will appreciate the novel’s lush, atmospheric settings, interwoven narratives, and exploration of historical details. Hooper’s heartwarming story explores the connections between memory and legacy as it shines a light on the often unseen and unappreciated labor of women in the arts.” — Booklist

“A straight-laced San Francisco librarian is surrounded by a dazzling cast of characters in Hooper’s latest, which jumps from modern day to Belle Époque Paris before taking off like a rocket through the 20th century. An exploration of the link between art and artist, the secrets women must maintain in order to survive in a man’s world, as well as the caustic effects of withholding the truth from those we love most. This one’s an absolute gem.” — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

“Elise Hooper’s The Library of Lost Dollhouses is impressively shape-shifting. It’s a story that ranges over a century and continents, but it’s also a portrait of the artist as a young — and not so young — woman. It’s a coming-of-age tale — two in fact — but it’s also a beguiling mystery. And in every incarnation, it’s as inspiring and extravagantly detailed as the miniatures at its heart.” — Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of Family Family

"Who would have guessed at the transformative secrets a long-forgotten dollhouse could hold? In Elise Hooper's wonderful The Library of Lost Dollhouses, librarian Tildy Burrows discovers two mysterious miniature realms. As she reassembles the pieces of the dollhouses' puzzle -- traversing an array of times and places to do so -- an unknown image of the past and the historic women inhabiting it begins to materialize before her. As Tildy solves the dollhouses' mysteries, she also answers long-standing questions about herself in this compelling tale."  — Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Queens of Crime

“Spellbinding…Constructing a narrative as finely detailed as these dollhouses, Hooper builds a world of brave women, complex artistry, and long-buried family secrets.” — Shelf Awareness

“Elise Hooper’s latest marvel takes readers on an enchanting journey from San Francisco to Paris, love to war, deception to redemption, as her main character—a little-known artist—moves out of the shadows into the limelight. This beautiful page-turner kept me reading all night.” — Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library 

Fast Girls is a high-speed romp…ambitious and heart-pounding…A gold medal read from Elise Hooper.” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

“Elise Hooper's latest heartwarming novel, The Library of Lost Dollhouses, is as intricately detailed as a dollhouse itself and full of remarkable heroines, from twentieth-century ones who bravely made history happen to modern ones drawing inspiration from their efforts. From a wealthy WWI Parisian benefactress and famous explorer aviatrix, to a British aristocrat secretly running a WWII spy school and the burgeoning creation of Disneyland, Hooper takes the reader on a wonderful, whirlwind tour of some of last century's most intense and dramatic times. I simply could not put this book down.” — Natalie Jenner, internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society

“Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read.” — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“[A] heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience.” — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“Hooper’s eye for detail and skillful storytelling shine once more in …a gripping, satisfying read.” — Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“Kinetic, mesmerizing, and terrifically entertaining…A wonderful novel.” — Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author, on Fast Girls

"Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's latest." — Booklist, on Fast Girls

“A captivating tale of miniatures and mysteries that highlights the tenacity and inventiveness of overlooked women throughout time…. Riveting, heartwarming and illuminatingly educational, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is exactly what the historical fiction genre was invented for. Hooper warmly invites us in by using the vehicle of dollhouses—a toy, in modern readers’ minds—then completely upends all we thought we knew about history, artistry and, well, dollhouses.” — Bookreporter.com

"Told in intricate detail, against the backdrop of a world on the brink of war, the novel shines a light on these long- overlooked athletes." — Real Simple, on Fast Girls

“Her adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s, a milieu too little appreciated today.... The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.” — New York Times Book Review on The Other Alcott

About the Author

A native New Englander, Elise Hooper spent several years writing for television and online news outlets before getting an MA and teaching high-school literature and history. Her debut novel, The Other Alcott, was a nominee for the 2017 Washington Book Award. More novels—Learning to SeeFast Girls, and Angels of the Pacific—followed, all centered on the lives of extraordinary but overlooked historical women. Hooper now lives in Seattle with her husband and two teenage daughters. 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story of mystery and redemption

C. · August 25, 2025

I love this book! The story takes place in two time periods: present day San Francisco Public Library. The second in the USA and France at the of WW1. The story goes back and forth following the librarian trying to solve the mystery of a recently discovered hidden room where the librarian finds an extraordinary dollhouse.

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful story

N.M. · May 12, 2025

Loved this so much. Would be more like 4.5 stars. Such a great story of a remarkable woman - Cora Hale. How Elise Hooper wove the past and present stories of Cora and Tildy was lovely. I always like a book about libraries and this was just great.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!

J. · October 2, 2025

Loved it. My husband liked it as well

3.0 out of 5 stars Tired and over done

K.I.S. · May 18, 2025

It was ok. I finished it. I’m getting tired of the formalistic abused woman, hidden sexuality genre. It’s been over done.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written, tons of history!

u. · May 8, 2025

Very intriguing! Instantly draws you in! A beautifully spun story, masterfully written based in true wokeness.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great light summer read.

L. · August 10, 2025

Great summer read. Enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. Nicely developed characters

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic

S.S. · April 7, 2025

I absolutely loved this book and pre-ordered a copy of it to be sent to my Mom on publication day.Tildy is a librarian at a very unique archival library in San Francisco. She loves her job but wonders if there's something more she should be doing as the library is on the brink of bankruptcy. She unexpectedly comes upon a door in the back of a closet that she's never noticed before and inside is a Dollhouse. This starts her exploration of researching this dollhouse and other's to bring their stories to life. The story goes back and forth between present day and whatever time period the specific dollhouse is from. The way the story comes together and the amazing things that were done with these dollhouses is what made me enjoy this book so much.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

4.0 out of 5 stars A well done book

A.B. · May 12, 2025

“To create art is, and it’s very core, a hopeful act. In a world that was all too filled with heartbreak and sorrow, I needed to choose hope. I needed to choose love.”I wanted a bit more from them characters, a lot could happen in a few pages, but left me wanting more with them. Also, I had hoped for my connection with the miniatures.

Great read !

k.O. · August 3, 2025

My love of dollshouses meant i had to read this book. It exceeded my expectations. I did not want it to end. A fascinating storyline set against my passion of a hobby I enjoy so much.Whether you are a miniaturist or just want an enjoyable read, this book ticked all boxes for me.

Worth a read

A.C. · August 19, 2025

An easy read and if you have an interest in dolls houses you'll enjoy it

An amazing and Riveting Storyline

H. · August 17, 2025

An amazing, riveting story.

The site of book you don’t want to end. Really enjoyable.

o.c. · June 10, 2025

This is a wonderful book especially if you are interested in miniatures and dollshouses. Very well researched and great plot.

The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel

Product ID: U0063382148
Condition: New

4.4

AED11743

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel

Product ID: U0063382148
Condition: New

4.4

The Library of Lost Dollhouses: A Novel-0
Type: Paperback

AED11743

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

"This beautiful page-turner kept me reading all night.” —Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library 

"This one’s an absolute gem.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

When a young librarian discovers hidden historic dollhouses in her library, she embarks on an unexpected journey that reveals surprising secrets about the lost miniatures.

Tildy Barrows, Head Curator of a beautiful archival library in San Francisco, is meticulously dedicated to the century’s worth of inventory housed in her beloved Beaux Art building. She loves the calm and order in the shelves of books and walls of art. But Tildy’s life takes an unexpected turn when she, first, learns the library is on the verge of bankruptcy and, second, discovers two exquisite never-before-seen dollhouses.

After finding clues hidden within these remarkable miniatures, Tildy sets out to decipher the secret history of the dollhouses, aiming to salvage her cherished library in the process. Her journey introduces her to a world of ambitious and gifted women in Belle Époque Paris, a group of scarred World War I veterans in the English countryside, and Walt Disney’s bustling Burbank studio in the 1950s. As Tildy unravels the mystery, she finds not only inspiring, hidden history, but also a future for herself—and an astonishing familial revelation.

Spanning the course of a century, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is a warm, bright, and captivating story of secrets and love that embraces the importance of illuminating overlooked women.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fans of Kate Morton, Sarah Blake, and Fiona Davis will appreciate the novel’s lush, atmospheric settings, interwoven narratives, and exploration of historical details. Hooper’s heartwarming story explores the connections between memory and legacy as it shines a light on the often unseen and unappreciated labor of women in the arts.” — Booklist

“A straight-laced San Francisco librarian is surrounded by a dazzling cast of characters in Hooper’s latest, which jumps from modern day to Belle Époque Paris before taking off like a rocket through the 20th century. An exploration of the link between art and artist, the secrets women must maintain in order to survive in a man’s world, as well as the caustic effects of withholding the truth from those we love most. This one’s an absolute gem.” — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

“Elise Hooper’s The Library of Lost Dollhouses is impressively shape-shifting. It’s a story that ranges over a century and continents, but it’s also a portrait of the artist as a young — and not so young — woman. It’s a coming-of-age tale — two in fact — but it’s also a beguiling mystery. And in every incarnation, it’s as inspiring and extravagantly detailed as the miniatures at its heart.” — Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of Family Family

"Who would have guessed at the transformative secrets a long-forgotten dollhouse could hold? In Elise Hooper's wonderful The Library of Lost Dollhouses, librarian Tildy Burrows discovers two mysterious miniature realms. As she reassembles the pieces of the dollhouses' puzzle -- traversing an array of times and places to do so -- an unknown image of the past and the historic women inhabiting it begins to materialize before her. As Tildy solves the dollhouses' mysteries, she also answers long-standing questions about herself in this compelling tale."  — Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Queens of Crime

“Spellbinding…Constructing a narrative as finely detailed as these dollhouses, Hooper builds a world of brave women, complex artistry, and long-buried family secrets.” — Shelf Awareness

“Elise Hooper’s latest marvel takes readers on an enchanting journey from San Francisco to Paris, love to war, deception to redemption, as her main character—a little-known artist—moves out of the shadows into the limelight. This beautiful page-turner kept me reading all night.” — Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library 

Fast Girls is a high-speed romp…ambitious and heart-pounding…A gold medal read from Elise Hooper.” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

“Elise Hooper's latest heartwarming novel, The Library of Lost Dollhouses, is as intricately detailed as a dollhouse itself and full of remarkable heroines, from twentieth-century ones who bravely made history happen to modern ones drawing inspiration from their efforts. From a wealthy WWI Parisian benefactress and famous explorer aviatrix, to a British aristocrat secretly running a WWII spy school and the burgeoning creation of Disneyland, Hooper takes the reader on a wonderful, whirlwind tour of some of last century's most intense and dramatic times. I simply could not put this book down.” — Natalie Jenner, internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society

“Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read.” — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“[A] heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience.” — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“Hooper’s eye for detail and skillful storytelling shine once more in …a gripping, satisfying read.” — Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author, on Angels of the Pacific

“Kinetic, mesmerizing, and terrifically entertaining…A wonderful novel.” — Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author, on Fast Girls

"Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's latest." — Booklist, on Fast Girls

“A captivating tale of miniatures and mysteries that highlights the tenacity and inventiveness of overlooked women throughout time…. Riveting, heartwarming and illuminatingly educational, The Library of Lost Dollhouses is exactly what the historical fiction genre was invented for. Hooper warmly invites us in by using the vehicle of dollhouses—a toy, in modern readers’ minds—then completely upends all we thought we knew about history, artistry and, well, dollhouses.” — Bookreporter.com

"Told in intricate detail, against the backdrop of a world on the brink of war, the novel shines a light on these long- overlooked athletes." — Real Simple, on Fast Girls

“Her adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s, a milieu too little appreciated today.... The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.” — New York Times Book Review on The Other Alcott

About the Author

A native New Englander, Elise Hooper spent several years writing for television and online news outlets before getting an MA and teaching high-school literature and history. Her debut novel, The Other Alcott, was a nominee for the 2017 Washington Book Award. More novels—Learning to SeeFast Girls, and Angels of the Pacific—followed, all centered on the lives of extraordinary but overlooked historical women. Hooper now lives in Seattle with her husband and two teenage daughters. 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story of mystery and redemption

C. · August 25, 2025

I love this book! The story takes place in two time periods: present day San Francisco Public Library. The second in the USA and France at the of WW1. The story goes back and forth following the librarian trying to solve the mystery of a recently discovered hidden room where the librarian finds an extraordinary dollhouse.

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful story

N.M. · May 12, 2025

Loved this so much. Would be more like 4.5 stars. Such a great story of a remarkable woman - Cora Hale. How Elise Hooper wove the past and present stories of Cora and Tildy was lovely. I always like a book about libraries and this was just great.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read!

J. · October 2, 2025

Loved it. My husband liked it as well

3.0 out of 5 stars Tired and over done

K.I.S. · May 18, 2025

It was ok. I finished it. I’m getting tired of the formalistic abused woman, hidden sexuality genre. It’s been over done.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written, tons of history!

u. · May 8, 2025

Very intriguing! Instantly draws you in! A beautifully spun story, masterfully written based in true wokeness.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great light summer read.

L. · August 10, 2025

Great summer read. Enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. Nicely developed characters

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic

S.S. · April 7, 2025

I absolutely loved this book and pre-ordered a copy of it to be sent to my Mom on publication day.Tildy is a librarian at a very unique archival library in San Francisco. She loves her job but wonders if there's something more she should be doing as the library is on the brink of bankruptcy. She unexpectedly comes upon a door in the back of a closet that she's never noticed before and inside is a Dollhouse. This starts her exploration of researching this dollhouse and other's to bring their stories to life. The story goes back and forth between present day and whatever time period the specific dollhouse is from. The way the story comes together and the amazing things that were done with these dollhouses is what made me enjoy this book so much.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

4.0 out of 5 stars A well done book

A.B. · May 12, 2025

“To create art is, and it’s very core, a hopeful act. In a world that was all too filled with heartbreak and sorrow, I needed to choose hope. I needed to choose love.”I wanted a bit more from them characters, a lot could happen in a few pages, but left me wanting more with them. Also, I had hoped for my connection with the miniatures.

Great read !

k.O. · August 3, 2025

My love of dollshouses meant i had to read this book. It exceeded my expectations. I did not want it to end. A fascinating storyline set against my passion of a hobby I enjoy so much.Whether you are a miniaturist or just want an enjoyable read, this book ticked all boxes for me.

Worth a read

A.C. · August 19, 2025

An easy read and if you have an interest in dolls houses you'll enjoy it

An amazing and Riveting Storyline

H. · August 17, 2025

An amazing, riveting story.

The site of book you don’t want to end. Really enjoyable.

o.c. · June 10, 2025

This is a wonderful book especially if you are interested in miniatures and dollshouses. Very well researched and great plot.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

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Similar items from “World War I”