The Secret Book Of Flora Lea

A captivating and heartbreaking new novel about loss and love from an unforgettable bestselling author for fans of Kate Morton and Belinda Alexandra

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Pub Date 03 May 2023 | Archive Date 03 May 2023

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Description

Can a fairytale solve the mystery of her lost sister?

'A magical read! Combining a WWII narrative, a book of fairytales and a swinging Sixties storyline is an absolute masterstroke and Patti Callahan Henry weaves all her threads expertly together. Sit back and lose yourself in his truly atmospheric tale.' Natasha Lester, international bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre


1939: Fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated from London to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the Aberdeen family in a charming stone cottage, Hazel distracts her young sister with a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own: Whisperwood.

But the unthinkable happens when Flora vanishes near the banks of the River Thames. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister's disappearance, carrying the guilt into adulthood.

Twenty years later, Hazel is back in London, ready to move on from her job at a cosy rare-book shop for a career at Sotheby's. With a cherished boyfriend and an upcoming Paris getaway, Hazel's future seems set. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing a picture book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel never told a soul about the storybook world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora's disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years? Or is something sinister at play?

For fans of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah, this is a captivating, poignant celebration of sisterhood and the magic of storytelling.

'A beautiful blend of love and mystery, The Secret Book of Flora Lea is captivating from the first page. Intriguing, atmospheric, rich in detail, it will break your heart and warm it at the same time. Definitely a book for booklovers; you'll want to race through the pages but linger over the beautiful descriptions and superbly rendered characters. I loved it.' Belinda Alexandra, author of The French Agent

'A delicious mystery, woven with sparkling prose and wit' Josephine Moon, author of The Jam Queens

'A heartrending, captivating tale of family, first love, and fate' Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author

'Two sisters, dual time periods, a magical secret place, an abiding mystery -- The Secret Book of Flora Lea is an enchanting story of survival against all odds. Transporting, heartfelt, and atmospheric.' Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

Can a fairytale solve the mystery of her lost sister?

'A magical read! Combining a WWII narrative, a book of fairytales and a swinging Sixties storyline is an absolute masterstroke and Patti Callahan...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781460763940
PRICE A$29.99 (AUD)
PAGES 384

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Average rating from 16 members


Featured Reviews

This novel is simply superb. I didn't want it to end. It is exquisite in revealing the wonder of the imagination, the realm within our souls where all manner of story can be created and sometimes lived. But it's also a story of sisterly love, of loss, first love and the desperate need to believe in the seemingly impossible.

Two sisters, Hazel and Flora Lea Linden are relocated to Binsey, a small town just outside Oxford, as part of Operation Pied Piper which was Britain's oddly-named program for moving children away from the threat of the German bombing in WWII. The sisters find home with Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry. Bridie is a whimsical type of person and cares for the girls encouraging their imaginations and helping minimise their fears for their mother left in London.

Hazel, fourteen, helps Flora, only six, to put aside the trauma by telling her a wonderful fairytale, with the fabulous title, Whisperwood. It's a secret tale only known by the sisters. So Hazel believes.

Fast forward twenty years to 1960, we meet 34 year old Hazel who continues to grapple with the loss of her sister, presumedly swallowed up by the fast moving torrent of the River Thames that flows through the township. Hazel is unable to forgive herself, believing she is at fault for leaving a napping Flora alone while she has cuddles with Harry.

Hazel works at a rare bookshop and happens upon a first edition Whisperwood with original illustrations. As we all would do, Hazel turns her life upside down to discover all she can about the author of this book. Is her sister alive?

It's riveting page turning reading. It's brilliant and I was especially surprised by what Hazel eventually discovers.

I really enjoyed how the author portrayed Hazel. She's living with a shadow hanging over her that has limited her life choices. Not forgiving ourselves can do this. Watching the author develop Hazel through the story was brilliant and how she re-discovered herself was marvellous to read.

With a fine cast of supporting characters, Callahan Henry brings us a story that will linger long in my heart and oh, wouldn't it be fabulous to see on the big screen.

I was very fortunate to receive an early ebook copy via HarperCollins Australia via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review. I'm sure I'll be buying myself a copy so I read it again.

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I loved this book. I loved the idea, the story, the dual timeline and the characters. This is the type of book I love reading.

Two sisters sent away from London as children to keep them safe, one dies and the other lives on with her stories and her memories. But the story she (Hazel) used to tell her sister (Flora) has been published as a book but not by Hazel.

So who wrote this book, is Flora still alive. How will Hazel deal with this new information and how will it affect her life. These are all the things this book covers and it does so in such a way that you just can't put it down.

I don't want to give anything away but I do want to say, 'Read it", you will love it. It is so well written and the characters and the story of 'Whisperwood' will draw you in. A book I highly recommend.

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