David Baldacci's Strangers in Time caught my attention because the title seemed to point to time travel, a favorite genre of mine. I wasn't correct in that leap of faith, but I wasn't disappointed either. I had only one DB book under my belt and I'm trying to fix that - and I'm glad to be on this path, so this became DB book 2 for moi.

The time is during WWII, blitz era. The strangers are Charlie, Molly and an elderly gent named Ignatius. I won't be letting any cats outta this bag, other than a robust encouragement for readers' eyes on this latest offering of the author, especially if resilient youths, honorable but lonely elders who collaborate in efforts of survival result in piqued interest. Baldacci's writing appeals to me, even handed and objective (too weighted with gender is a deal-breaker for me).

This story explores ideas of class (ours and theirs) as we choose those with whom we 'should' associate, community v isolation, especially as we grow to define our circles of support (aka families). These three brave characters show who we depend on in crisis as well as who we remove ourselves from to protect them from our harmful selves, the trauma of warfare, and how far from square we may go before we are willing to change our minds and turn that undermining whisper within to a more compassionate voice. Better together, than apart, eh?

*A sincere thank you to David Baldacci, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #StrangersinTime #NetGalley

Another well-written novel by David Baldacci. He truly knows how to weave a good story that engages the reader. The characters, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius, are well-developed and intriguing. Highly recommend this historical fiction even if this is not a common genre of choice to for you.

I’ve read a number of David Baldacci’s political thrillers and enjoyed them all. This is a different sort of story, but just as entertaining. The setting of World War II London in the midst of the deadly German bombing raids is always gripping. The details here are well drawn and give the reader perspectives from several characters — the owner of a bookstore, a 14 year old boy trying to survive by his wits, and an almost 16 year old girl returning home after years of living in the safety of the country. Because of this range of characters I would consider this book appropriate for students as young as Middle School as well as adults with no diluting of the drama for older readers.
The stronger is made richer by watching the growing friendship and loyalty of the three main characters. In addition is the mystery of the activities of the bookstore owner — who is he secretly meeting and what materials are he encoding.. There are other mysteries as well concerning the parents of the young girl and they keep you intrigued to the end.
The end, however, is somewhat of a disappointment, relying too much on tidy explanations. I will forgive the author that because of the pleasure of most of the narrative.

Set in WWII era London, this story brings together three strangers. Through grief, hardship, and unexpected connections, they slowly form a bond that becomes something like a family, all against the backdrop of a city under siege. This was such a heartfelt, atmospheric read.. I loved how Baldacci took his time letting the relationships unfold. Definitely one to curl up with when you want something thoughtful and moving.

3.5*
Not the typical mystery that one might expect from Baldacci. Here he takes the reader back to 1944 London where bombs have devastated much of the city and killed countless civilians. Charlie is fourteen, an orphan and homeless. He lives on the street by stealing what he needs to get by. Molly is fifteen and has just returned to her childhood home in the city after spending the last five years protected from the bombs and living in the countryside. The housekeeper is the only person she finds at her old London home and the woman is evasive about the whereabouts of Molly’s parents. The two youths meet and befriend each other, despite their vastly different circumstances.

Charlie steals from a bookseller when the owner, Ignatius, isn’t looking. He accidentally leaves behind a hint as to his identity which Ignatius uses to track the boy down. Feeling guilt over his theft and the kindness the old man shows him, leads Charlie to return the money. Thus begins a relationship between the old widower and the boy and his friend Molly.

So where is the mystery? It looks like Ignatius is colluding with a mysterious foreigner but this doesn’t seem to fit with the bookseller’s kindly demeanor. Charlie and Molly are determined to find out what’s going on. Molly is also compelled to find out where her parents are. The two youths will work together to find the answers but their lives become even more complicated when Molly’s home is bombed.

One can’t help but admire the street kid with a conscience and a good heart. It’s not surprising that Molly befriends the boy. She too has a gentle nature and a resolve to learn the truth. Ignatius is lonely, a man left bereft after losing his wife. He’s smart, kind and generous. They are an unlikely threesome but the war creates upheaval for everyone and brings desperate people together.

The characters are well developed and appealing. Unfortunately, the mysteries at the heart of the plot are underwhelming. Even the resolution of the mysteries are not completely satisfying. Baldacci cleverly used Project Pied Piper as an explanation for Molly’s absence from the city, making her unaware of her family’s situation. He also chose an endearing bookshop as a setting for the threesome to gather. Overall, the story had potential but missed on opportunities to really engage readers. Despite these critiques, the author has a huge following and the book will be read by his followers.

This guy is an auto read for me, no matter what subject. One of my most favorite books is buy him so when I got the chance to read one early, heck yeah!

You wont be disappointed. This book is "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."

World war 2 and Holocaust themed books were all I read in my twenties and I am glad I got this one in my 30s. Bladacci does amazing work with his storytelling.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for a review!

Strangers In Time by David Baldacci is a beautiful and timeless story of chance encounters and charming characters with strength, determination and heroism.

I was caught off guard the minute I started this WWII historical fiction! I was not expecting to fall in love with the way Baldacci spun together such a lovely menagerie of characters - the kind from the wrong side of the tracks, the underdogs, those with the kindest souls imaginable. With death and destruction everywhere, this book simply cannot have a tone that is anything other than dark, but Charlie, Molly and Ignatius create light and colour during a very bleak time.

I didn't like how this story wrapped up, the ending coming far too abruptly! Events surrounding Molly's dad came out of nowhere and created such a strange turn. The death of a beloved character really threw me and I'm simply not sure it was necessary to break my heart in this way! Additionally, I longed for a recap from Charlie's perspective, although we do learn who he grew into.

The more I think about this ending, the more one thing truly doesn't add up: I cannot see Molly turning into who she did! I don't believe she would have wanted to get married (and this level-headed, whip-smart girl would not have married who she did). Nothing during her nearly sixteen years of life alluded to a desire to have children; her history, upbringing and drive to become a doctor would outweigh any inkling she may have had to procreate.

This audiobook has a full cast, creating a masterfully immersive experience that indeed felt like getting dropped into this story at ground level. I appreciated that the Author's Note is read by Baldacci, adding background information behind the creation of this story.

With all that said (and feeling the need to clarify), this story gets four stars, with the audiobook literally getting all the stars! This book will forever have part of my heart!

Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, Libro.fm, and Hachette Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

(3.75 stars)
David Baldacci has another standalone novel (great for people who don’t like to get invested in series). This one takes place in 1944 London, in the midst of World War Two. It featured three main characters: Charlie, an almost-14-year-old from the bombed-out East End, living with his grandmother in very dire conditions; Molly, a 15-year-old whose well-to-do family sent her out of London five years earlier, but who has now returned to find London and her family very much changed; and Ignatius Oliver, a widower who runs a bookshop. Through various circumstances, they meet and over the course of the book become like family, amid the horrors of wartime bombing.

I don’t read a lot of World War Two books these days, but since it was David Baldacci, I gave it a whirl, and I’m glad I did. I enjoyed all three main characters and empathized with what they had and were going through. I thought the ending was wrapped up a bit too nicely, but that’s a minor quibble.

I had access to both the print/ebook version and the audio version, and when that happens, I normally bounce back and forth between the two, depending on circumstances. However, in this instance, the audiobook was so wonderful that I basically listened to the entire book. There’s a full-cast consisting of Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Joe Pitts. I have no idea who voiced which characters, but they all combined to bring the story to life beautifully. Baldacci reads an interesting Author’s Note at the end of the audiobook, which is something I always enjoy. Because of the quality of the audiobook, I rated this a bit higher than I might have otherwise.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This was a strong Historical fiction story with great characters. It was written with emotion without feeling super heavy. It was a little slow but worth the time to read.

Synopsis:
This is the story of Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius Oliver, three people who survived a war together that they surely wouldn't have been able to survive alone. Charlie and Molly are teenagers who have very different socioeconomic backgrounds but end up in a very similar situation. Ignatius is a childless, widowed man who takes them in when they have nowhere else to go.

This was a heartwarming story told during a very difficult time in history. It was a powerful lesson in finding strength in others, trusting in the humanity of others and knowing that we are always stronger when connected to those whom we love. I loved the characters of Molly, Charlie and Ignatius and I loved the bond that they formed and the connection that they had. I loved the respect that Ignatius, as an adult, had for Charlie and Molly, who were barely teenagers. He treated them more like equals than children. I felt the pace was a little slow but there was a lot of detail that was necessary to push the story forward. And I appreciated that the ending of the story left no loose ends. It was wrapped up perfectly like the gift that it was.

I DNfed this book because I could not get invested into the story line after a couple of tries. The story did not grip me from the beginning. It was very easy to set aside and not pick up again.

Strangers in Time drops you into 1944 London, where two orphaned teens—Charlie and Molly—cross paths with a grieving bookshop owner, Ignatius. Together, they form a fragile but fierce little trio trying to survive bombs, secrets, and the weight of war.

The best part? The heart. This story is all about unlikely bonds, resilience, and what it means to rebuild when everything feels lost. Baldacci nails the emotional layers—grief, fear, hope—without losing the thread of mystery that keeps things moving. The wartime setting is immersive without being heavy-handed, and while there’s espionage and suspense, it’s the connection between these three that sticks.

If you like historical fiction that focuses more on people than politics, this one’s worth picking up.

Thank you @davidbaldacciauthor, @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for the #gifted ebook arc.

I absolutely loved Strangers in Time. While the story is set during World War II, it doesn't dwell heavily on the war itself—instead, it uses that backdrop to build a compelling, character-driven mystery with a touch of historical intrigue. Baldacci masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive. The time period adds atmosphere, but the real strength lies in the personal journeys and connections between the characters. It's a gripping, thoughtful read that held my attention from beginning to end.

This was a good book. The character development and the story telling were exquisite.
It took me a little longer to get through this book than it usually does, however, only due to the heavier nature of the story and just simply the fact that it is not a typical read for me. The story follows three main characters through the Blitz in London during WWII. The pacing is slow, but good for the type of story it is. The reader’s attention is captured from the beginning and a deep connection to the characters is easy to form. I was invested in Charlie, Molly, and Oliver from the time I met them until the very end of the book. This was my first Baldacci novel and I would gladly pick up more.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction, particularly WWII fiction, and enjoys a profoundly character driven story.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions given are honest and my own, as well as given freely.

After loving Balducci’s novel last year, I was looking forward to picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I ended up listening to it on audio and I found it hard to follow in some parts on audio, so I was confused quite a bit while reading this one. The book was slow to start, and it took me a while to get into it and even then, I wasn’t usually looking forward to picking it back up like I am with many of the other audiobooks I have listened to. The book was still well written, and I will read more of Balducci in the future, this one was a miss for me.

I love David Baldacci but i am just not a historical fiction person so this one was not for me. I'll patiently await his next one!

This is a stand-alone novel by Baldacci and totally different from any other novels by him. It’s not his usual thriller. Set in London during the Blitz, it follows 3 main characters, Teenagers Charlie and Molly and book shop owner Ignatius Oliver. The 2 children are from different worlds, Charlie poor and living in the East End and Molly from a well-off family living in Chelsea. Charlie is living with his grandmother until she dies and he loses her and his home. Molly had been sent to the country early in the war and returns to her home, learning that her parents are no longer there. Her mother is in a santitorium in Cornwall and her father has disappeared. Only her former nanny is still living in the home. Molly, Charlie and Mr. Oliver form a family of sorts. A good story about the effects of war on the common people.

Strangers in Time is not a typical David Baldacci book and that is a good thing. I am an avid reader of Baldacci's normal thriller/suspense books and was not sure what to expect with Strangers in Time. The character development and historical fiction were both highlights. Three individuals who have no reason to meet help each other survive during the World War 2 bombings of London. An almost 14 year old boy who is poor and then orphaned, a wealthy almost 16 year old girl whose parents have taken off and a bookseller who is a widower, None of these would you expect to find together. Yet the book would not work with out all three. There is so much to learn about London during the war and Baldacci does a terrific job teaching us about all parts. The rich, the poor and the in between. How did people survive and how did they contribute. If you like historical fiction especially 1940's London and if you enjoy intriguing characters you'll love this book.

This is a difficult book for me to review. It's SO different from what I'm used to from David Baldacci, and I had a hard time separating the writing from what I've come to expect from him. Obviously it is a different subject matter, but I still expected some sort of familiarity. Despite that, this was quite enjoyable; the characters were heartwarming and delightful, and while the storyline often felt simple and juvenile, it was still an intriguing story that held my interest. There were areas where the writing was childish, like I was reading a young adult or children's novel, and the ending was rather implausible and over the top, but I did enjoy the final wrap up, and overall would recommend this book.

I love historical fiction that takes place during WWII. This one was a little different and I really enjoyed reading the book. It is a different take than a typical David Baldacci book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius (what a great name!). As you travel with them through the pages and experience their loss, anxiety, and need to keep secrets, you will be cheering them on. I enjoyed this particular WWII book because it was not an “in your face” horrors that you typically experience when reading books from that time period. There is angst and fear, but you are able to really connect with the characters and see how they try to handle living during this difficult time. You will experience the meaning of family in the true sense of the word … not by blood but by connections and deep relationships. This one left my heart aching but also encouraged with the knowledge that there are just some decent people in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Thriller
War
WWII

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Strangers in Time is a refreshing change of pace for David Baldacci—and an absolute triumph. Best known for his pulse-pounding thrillers, Baldacci trades high-tech espionage for wartime Europe, and the result is a deeply human, emotionally rich novel that’s hard to put down.

Set during World War II, this story isn’t just about battles and strategy. It’s about people—flawed, brave, complicated people—thrown into impossible circumstances. Baldacci’s gift for plotting is still here, but this time he leans hard into character. The relationships feel real, the dialogue is sharp, and the stakes are personal in all the right ways.

He doesn’t just recreate the era—he brings it to life with skill and subtlety. The historical detail is vivid, but never heavy-handed. What stands out most is the humanity. The characters are complex and relatable, shaped by war, loss, and hope. His research into mental illness is especially strong, adding layers that feel honest and necessary, not just dramatic.

For fans of WWII fiction, this is a must-read. And for longtime Baldacci readers, it’s proof that even after dozens of books, he’s still full of surprises. I loved it. Oh, and the audio narration is fabulous.

** Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for comps of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.