Strangers in Time
By David Baldacci

- Release Date: 2025-04-15
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Calamity of Souls comes David Baldacci’s newest novel, set in London in 1944, about a bereaved bookshop owner and two teenagers scarred by the Second World War, and the healing and hope they find in one another.
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters is up to no good, but for a very good reason. Without parents, peerage, or merit, he steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he’s old enough to enlist to fight the Germans. After barely surviving the Blitz, Charlie knows there’s no telling when a falling bomb might end his life.
Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield has just returned to a nearly unrecognizable London. One of millions of children to have been evacuated to the countryside Molly has been away from her home for nearly five years. Her return, however, is not the homecoming she’d hoped for as she’s confronted by a devastating reality: neither of her parents are there.
Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his bookshop, The Book Keep. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kinship with both children, and in each other they rediscover the spirit of family each has lost.
But Charlie’s escapades in the city have not gone unnoticed, and someone’s been following Molly since she returned to London. And Ignatius is harboring his own secrets, which could have terrible consequences for all of them.
As bombs continue to bear down on the city, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius learn that while the perils of war rage on, their coming together and trusting one another may be the only way for them to survive.
Reviews
Great Story of Friendship
4By UserT2Not as quick a read as some of his other books, but the end was staggeringly meaningful about friendship.Great Story!!
5By TDaleTLoved the action and pace of the book and the characters. Amazingly how they found each other and their relationshipEngaging story
5By VonheimLoved the story, the story telling, and read it in two sittings. Highly recommended!Strangers in Time
3By marielitrenThis story and writing are better suited to a young adults audience. It is heartfelt with likable characters, but not much substance in the plot. Although the story line is serious, the simple declarative telling of it feels juvenile. I kept reading, hoping for some depth, which never happened.Good read
5By Stout gradBrought an interesting time to life. Well written and disclosed the fear of the timeVery good
5By Cut woodVery enjoyable getting to know the characters. Interesting and entertaining.Worth reading
5By GhaniJSlow start, but happy too old for WWII. Lived in London, loved memories of London.Strangers In Time
4By EdBurrThe novel is similar to what is taking place in Ukraine and Russia. Innocent civilians suffering from wars.Not Baldaci’s best work
4By KasparftcThe ending was excellent, but there was a ton of material to read to get to the good ending.Strangers in Time
1By cmsdadAbsolutely awful! Well written. It goes nowhere! Def the worst Baldacci book ever…and I have read every single one! Stick to what gotcha here, Mr B