diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/iframe.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/iframe.pyj
index 6d56b8fd4f..59cacdbaa2 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/iframe.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/iframe.pyj
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ from __python__ import bound_methods, hash_literals
 import traceback
 from aes import GCM
 from gettext import install, gettext as _
+from utils import html_escape
+
 from read_book.cfi import at_current, scroll_to as scroll_to_cfi
 from read_book.globals import set_boss, set_current_spine_item, current_layout_mode, current_spine_item, set_layout_mode, current_book
 from read_book.mathjax import apply_mathjax
@@ -193,6 +195,8 @@ class IframeBoss:
                 self.scroll_to_anchor(ipos.anchor)
             elif ipos.type is 'cfi':
                 self.jump_to_cfi(ipos.cfi)
+            elif ipos.type is 'search':
+                self.find(ipos.search_data, True)
         self.onscroll()
         document.documentElement.addEventListener('contextmenu', def(ev):
             ev.preventDefault()
@@ -274,12 +278,18 @@ class IframeBoss:
             if elem:
                 scroll_to_elem(elem)
 
-    def find(self, data):
+    def find(self, data, from_load):
+        if data.searched_in_spine:
+            window.getSelection().removeAllRanges()
         if window.find(data.text, False, data.backwards):
             if current_layout_mode() is not 'flow':
                 snap_to_selection()
         else:
-            self.send_message('find_in_spine', text=data.text, backwards=data.backwards)
+            if from_load:
+                self.send_message('error', title=_('Invisible text'), msg=_(
+                    'The text <i>{}</i> is present on this page but not visible').format(html_escape(data.text)))
+            else:
+                self.send_message('find_in_spine', text=data.text, backwards=data.backwards, searched_in_spine=data.searched_in_spine)
 
 def init():
     script = document.getElementById('bootstrap')
diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/resources.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/resources.pyj
index 64e4d350f3..598ab18f36 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/resources.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/resources.pyj
@@ -264,3 +264,20 @@ def unserialize_html(serialized_data, proceed):
     else:
         proceeded = True
         proceed()
+
+def text_from_serialized_html(data):
+    serialized_data = JSON.parse(data)
+    tag_map = serialized_data.tag_map
+    ans = v'[]'
+    stack = v'[tree[2]]'
+    ignore_text = {'script':True, 'style':True}
+    while stack.length:
+        node = stack.pop()
+        src = tag_map[node[0]]
+        if not ignore_text[src.n] and src.x:
+            ans.push(src.x)
+        if src.l:
+            ans.push(src.l)
+        for v'var i = node.length - 1; i >= 1; i--':
+            stack.push(node[i])
+    return ans.join('')
diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/search.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/search.pyj
index cbbc84fa59..adda9a4e19 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/search.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/search.pyj
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from keycodes import get_key
 from elementmaker import E
 from gettext import gettext as _
 from book_list.theme import get_color
+from read_book.resources import text_from_serialized_html
 
 CLASS_NAME = 'book-search-container'
 
@@ -72,3 +73,25 @@ class SearchOverlay:
 
     def find_previous(self):
         self.find(self.search_text, True)
+
+
+def find_in_serialized_html(data, text):
+    haystack = text_from_serialized_html(data)
+    return haystack.toLowerCase().indexOf(text) > -1
+
+
+def find_in_spine(names, book, db, text, proceed):
+    text = text.toLowerCase()
+
+    def got_one(data, name, mimetype):
+        if find_in_serialized_html(data, text):
+            proceed(name)
+        else:
+            do_one()
+
+    def do_one():
+        name = names.shift()
+        if name:
+            db.get_file(book, name, got_one)
+        else:
+            proceed(None)
diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
index b8e81e1fce..f8dbd2f1e3 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@ from __python__ import bound_methods, hash_literals
 from dom import set_css, add_extra_css, build_rule, svgicon
 from elementmaker import E
 from gettext import gettext as _
+from utils import html_escape
 
-from modals import error_dialog
+from modals import error_dialog, warning_dialog
 from book_list.globals import get_session_data, get_boss
 from read_book.globals import messenger, iframe_id, current_book, set_current_spine_item
 from read_book.resources import load_resources
 from read_book.overlay import Overlay
-from read_book.search import SearchOverlay
+from read_book.search import SearchOverlay, find_in_spine
 from read_book.prefs.colors import resolve_color_scheme
 from read_book.prefs.font_size import change_font_size_by
 from read_book.touch import set_left_margin_handler, set_right_margin_handler
@@ -121,10 +122,29 @@ class View:
         self.send_message('gesture_from_margin', gesture=gesture)
 
     def find(self, text, backwards):
-        self.send_message('find', text=text, backwards=backwards)
+        self.send_message('find', text=text, backwards=backwards, searched_in_spine=False)
 
     def on_find_in_spine(self, data):
-        pass
+        if data.searched_in_spine:
+            warning_dialog(_('Not found'), _('The text: <i>{}</i> was not found in this book').format(html_escape(data.text)))
+            return
+        spine = self.book.manifest.spine
+        idx = spine.indexOf(self.currently_showing.name)
+        if idx < 0:
+            error_dialog(_('Missing file'), _(
+                'Could not search as the spine item {} is missing from the book'.format(self.currently_showing.name)))
+            return
+        names = v'[]'
+        item_groups = [range(idx-1, -1, -1), range(spine.length-1, idx, -1)] if data.backwards else [range(idx + 1, spine.length), range(idx)]
+        for items in item_groups:
+            for i in items:
+                names.push(spine[i])
+        find_in_spine(names, self.book, self.ui.db, data.text, def(found_in):
+            if found_in:
+                self.show_name(found_in, initial_position={'type':'search', 'search_data':data, 'replace_history':True})
+            else:
+                self.send_message('find', text=data.text, backwards=data.backwards, searched_in_spine=True)
+        )
 
     def bump_font_size(self, data):
         delta = 2 if data.increase else -2
diff --git a/src/pyj/utils.pyj b/src/pyj/utils.pyj
index 837f189736..a40ac2de47 100644
--- a/src/pyj/utils.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/utils.pyj
@@ -141,6 +141,10 @@ def viewport_to_document(x, y, doc):
 def username_key(username):
     return ('u' if username else 'n') + username
 
+def html_escape(text):
+    repl = { '&': "&amp;", '"': "&quot;", '<': "&lt;", '>': "&gt;" }
+    return String.prototype.replace.call(text, /[&"<>]/g, def (c): return repl[c];)
+
 def uniq(vals):
     # Remove all duplicates from vals, while preserving order
     ans = v'[]'