The Missing Pages

A ghost in a library. A story waiting to be told. The Missing Pages is a rich, lyrical novel that reminds us that books are as eternal as the soul.

1912: Harry Widener, a promising and passionate book collector, boards the Titanic holding tight to a priceless volume he's just purchased in London. After catastrophe strikes the ship, Harry's last known words are that he must return to his cabin to retrieve his latest treasure. Neither the young man nor the book are ever seen again. Honoring her son's memory, Harry's mother builds the Harry Widener Memorial Library at Harvard to house his extensive book collection and ensure his legacy.

Decades later, Violet Hutchins, a Harvard sophomore recovering from her own great loss, is working as a page at the Widener Library. When mysterious things begin happening at the library, Violet wonders if Harry Widener's ghost is trying to communicate with her, seeking Violet to uncover a long-buried secret that the ardent young Harry took with him to the grave.

For fans of The Midnight Library and The Book Thief, bestselling author Alyson Richman has written a love story, a ghost story, and an elegy to the healing power of books.

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Published Oct 14, 2025

416 pages

Average rating: 7.8

10 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Lisa A.
Apr 28, 2026
8/10 stars
This was an engaging read! I really liked the dual timelines and the link around the Titanic. Mystery, Romance and Fantasy. I liked the supernatural of the book and the ghost storyline and figuring out his story and seeing his perceptive. There was a theme of overcoming grief. Also the love of books and book collecting. Mystery such as the key with the 2 kissing Starlings and figuring out the clues to what that key opened kept me engaged. Learning there was a real person named Harry Elkins Widener who attended Harvard. I have recommended this book to a friend who will enjoy the history, the romance, and the engaging storyline!
Allison Nelson
Dec 10, 2025
8/10 stars
LOVED this story. The dual timeline was exciting - 1910's to 1990's. Since the Titanic sinking was a big part of this book, I was interested to see that the later timeline was before the movie came out.

I loved learning about the characters in this book while also being invested in their growth and their hearts healing from their tragedies. I found myself frustrated at times with the circumstances and the lack of communication, but also loved that this was a "pre-Internet" story. Historical fiction done exactly the way I like it!

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