Evie Woods and the locations of The Violin Maker’s Secret

Submitted: 17th March 2026

The Violin Maker’s Secret – Evie Woods

A story of where we are lost and where we are found. Violins and music feature heavily of course and the art of violin making is fascinating!

Locations – Cremona. Italy and London, England

Map of locations in The Violin Maker’s Secret

The present day storyline of the novel is set in London. It begins at Heathrow Airport (where I once spent the night when it was shut down during a snowstorm!). I’ve always had a connection with London, as my grandparents on both sides immigrated there from Ireland at different points in time and I still have some relatives there. London has a particular energy about it and I felt it would be the perfect starting point for an adventure!

Map of locations in The Violin Maker’s Secret

The Violin Museum of Cremona

Map of locations in The Violin Maker’s Secret

Of course, I had to begin the search for the violin’s provenance in the home of violin making – Cremona. Unfortunately, the city demolished a lot of the original buildings that housed the workshop of Antonio Stradivari, but the atmosphere and the tradition lives on. As the three main characters – Devlin, Gabrielle and Walter – search for the provenance of a very unique violin, they are pursued by the villain of the piece, Verity, from Montreal. I lived in Montreal for years and used to love the antique markets down by the old port and so that was where the inspiration for her storyline came from.

Map of locations in The Violin Maker’s Secret

Then I had to decide how I would narrate the violin’s story and once I solved that, I was able to luxuriate in some wonderful locations. I chose a character from the Russian ballet and so I whisked myself away (virtually!) to Moscow in the late 1800s. I was so excited to set my ‘lovers’ story in Istanbul, with a nod to the Pera Palace Hotel and its famous resident, Agatha Christie!

Waterford waterfront

Map of locations in The Violin Maker’s Secret

Following further twists of fate, the violin travels from Budapest to Germany and finally, Devlin and Gabrielle end up in Waterford, researching the ‘Irish Stradivarius’ and finding a very important clue! I stayed in a beautiful estate in Waterford after The Lost Bookshop was released as a treat to myself. I loved it so much, it found its way into this story.

The Violin Maker's Secret Evie Woods

So there you have it! You never know what will influence the path of your story, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable. I love enriching the plot with places that mean something to me, as well as researching the historical locations that hold so much intrigue – often hidden in plain view. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I did. You don’t need to know anything about violins or classical music to enjoy the story, but if you like being an armchair traveller as much as I do, this book is your ticket!