While I'm still a bit new to the David Baldacci fan club, this was my least favorite of the few novels I've read. I just felt like I could not connect with this story.

The East End of London in the final years of WWII was a pretty grim place. This is the setting for this novel. Charlie Matters, aged 14, has been getting by, living with his granny and indulging in a bit of petty larceny. Molly Wakefield, aged 15, was sent away early in the war but now she has returned to London. Her father seems to be missing, so she is staying with her nanny. They meet by chance. Later when they each end up homeless and no adults in their lives they join forces. A mysterious, reclusive book shop owner takes them in. Can these three lost souls form a family? There are several intriguing story lines.

I had taken a break from WWII-themed books, but when I discovered that David Baldacci had written a historical fiction novel, I knew I had to dive in. As a fan of the genre, I was drawn to the perfect mix of history, mystery, and suspense. The story captivated me from the very first page, and Baldacci’s engaging writing kept me hooked until the end

I am a romance and fantasy reader 90% of the time. However, sometimes I want something completely different and I literally stalked Netgalley for an ARC of Strangers in Time. Eventually, I gave up and bought the actual book. Lo and behold, I was got an email from Netgalley to read it the very next day! 😂

I can't say enough good things about this story. I'm a sucker for any book set during WWII (I have a history degree) and this has been one of my favorites so far. At the beginning of the book, we meet our three different characters in their own storylines. Eventually, their storylines came together flawlessly! I cheered with them, I cried with them and I grew to love them. Weeks later, I'm still thinking about Molly and Charlie and Oliver. The historical detail that went into this book is astounding but the story never got weighed down with historical fact. I truly felt like I was reading the accounts of people who'd lived during the London Blitz. This was the perfect book to get you out of a reading slump or when you need a literary palate cleanser.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this book. I TRULY loved it!

Heartfelt WWII historical fiction about found family in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Three unlikely characters come together and find each other during the height of WWII as their individual secrets unravel around them. So sweet and heartbreaking at times! I'm not a big historical fiction reader, so I'm unsure how it stacks up to other works in the same genre, but I felt it was a good blend of unique and predictable.

Fans of David Baldacci (and who isn’t?) will welcome a World War II novel, Strangers in Time. This excellent historical novel is different from Baldacci’s norm, but is fascinating and well written, as expected from this bestselling author.

Charlie Matter is a 14 year old boy who has lost most of his family to the war, and lives with his Gram on the poor side of town where he steals most of what he needs and wanders the streets. He meets Molly Wakefield, who has been staying in the countryside for about five years and has been sheltered from the war in London until now, and has come back to see her parents; she finds that her mother is in a sanitarium and her father is nowhere to be found. There are some strange goings on, and she is being followed. They have interactions with the proprietor of a book shop, Ignatius Oliver, who is grieving over the loss of his wife. The story goes from there, adding suspense, government intrigue, bombs going off constantly, and unexplained scenarios.

As usual, Baldacci does an excellent job of developing his characters – they seem real and believable. The story is sad, and since Baldacci is a master storyteller, readers will find themselves on the edge during the entire novel. There are surprises at every turn, and unfortunately plenty of death. Unlike most of Baldacci’s novels, this one is very dark, and although excellent, a bit of a downer.

All told, it is one of those that exposes a time in history that is important for all of us to know about and remember; there were sacrifices or our freedom both in America and the UK. This novel is definitely worth reading and is excellent.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

David Baldacci is one talented writer. This novel is like a beautiful tapestry of sorrow and redemption all in one. If I could have taken each of these well developed characters home with me (even some of the questionable ones), I would. That is how convincing his writing is.

At the beginning of the book, Charlie Matters lives with his grandmother and engages in theft to keep them afloat. Molly Wakefield is returning to London from the country now that the worst of the bombing is over. She’s committed to reconnecting with her parents. Ignatius Oliver owns the shop from which Charlie stole becomes friends with both Molly and Charlie.

Not only is this book about friendship, but it is also about survival in the face of devastation and finding a found family in the process. I am so grateful when I read something that sticks with me after I have put it down. I am still mulling over these characters several days later.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book seemed long and slow. I was captivated most by Molly's mother's story, and I wish there had been more focus there. And more about mental health during WWII by tying in Imogen. I also didn't like the big skip at the end to Molly's later years.

As a fan of David Baldacci and WWII historical fiction, Strangers in Time was an unexpected convergence of these two. Baldacci takes an interesting approach, presenting the turbulent era of WWII in London through the eyes of two teenagers. This perspective offers an intimate and unique lens on how the war directly impacted individuals on a personal level, far removed from the grand strategies and battlefields.
The story masterfully explores the way war can forge unexpected bonds, turning strangers into friends under the most extraordinary circumstances. The resilience and bravery of the young protagonists are moving, and their journeys shed light on the profound ways in which lives were altered by the global conflict.
Baldacci's talent for compelling storytelling shines through, blending historical authenticity with an engaging narrative. Strangers in Time is a poignant reminder of the human connections that endure even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

An excellent piece of historical fiction. This is (somehow) my first David Baldacci read and it certainly did not disappoint! Well-researched, beautifully written, and emotionally-driven, Strangers in Time—a departure from Baldacci’s usual genre—is a vivid telling of three individuals from very different backgrounds who come together in London 1944 in the midst of World War II.

Charlie and Molly, recently orphaned teenagers, cross paths after losing everything they have. These two young teens could not come from more opposite backgrounds, but form a friendship as they are both reeling from grief. The teens find an unexpected ally and friend in Ignatius Oliver—a recently-widowed owner of a bookshop. The three quickly become a found family as a way to cope with and survive the horrors of the war.

Thank you to David Baldacci, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for this wonderful new book by David Baldacci. If you didn’t think you wanted to read another WWII book, this one will change your mind. The unlikeliest trio of characters: Ignatius, Charlie, and Molly were each touched by the tragedy of war and yet brought together by the same. Add in a prickle of wartime espionage and secret operations and you have a great book.

Master storyteller David Baldacci (favorite author) returns following A Calamity of Souls with his latest standalone, STRANGERS IN TIME —An extraordinary, powerful story of three unlikely souls who find one another during the war. This is their story. Three people standing together against the world and all it could throw at them.

Three strangers must work together to survive World War II. But can they escape their dark secrets?

About...

Set in London in 1944, three characters from different social classes meet, and their lives will forever be changed.

Ignatius Oliver is a caring widower and owns a bookstore. His wife, Imogen, was a writer involved in secretive things; however, Ignatius does not discuss her. He is still grieving. He is also an air warden and holds some secrets, the revelation of which will change the course of the story. He will be the glue that holds them together as strangers become a family.

Charlie, age 14, lives with his Gran after the Blitz on the wrong side of the track.. The rations are barely enough to live on. His parents are deceased. They are poor, and she does the best she can. Charlie has dropped out of school, even though his Gran doesn't know. He is forced to do some things to survive, which brings trouble. He has a great heart, is street-smart, loves his Grandmother, and is a survivor. His resilience and love for his family make him a character you can't help but root for.

Molly, age 15, is back from the country after Operation Pied Piper. Her dad is missing, and her mother, whom she finds out is in a hospital. She has only her housekeeper. She was from a wealthy family and educated, but she soon found herself with nothing, much like Charlie. She is resourceful, resilient, loyal, learns nursing skills, and has a great heart. She and Charlie form a friendship. Molly's journey from a life of privilege to one of struggle and her resilience in the face of adversity will tug at your heartstrings.

Due to their tragedy, the two teens will have no one but one another. They will find a home and comfort with Ignatius Oliver, a man they both come to care about, and that friendship will change the trajectory of their lives. Their friendship, born out of necessity, becomes a source of warmth and comfort amid fear and uncertainty.

My thoughts...

STRANGERS IN TIME is beautifully written, stunning, full of wisdom, and heart. An exploration into the resilience of the human spirit. Together, these three had confronted a collective hardship that at times seemed beyond their capability; however, they found strength, courage, and comfort in one another as friends in the face of the war's deadly grip. Their resilience is truly inspiring.

STRANGERS IN TIME is a classic! A top book of 2025, much like Calamity of Souls, a top book of 2024. I loved both audiobooks.

I am a huge Baldacci fan, and even though I love all his legal, crime, action, suspense, and thriller books and series, it is books like CALAMITY OF SOULS and STRANGERS IN TIME standalones that I adore, showcasing his gift of storytelling and lyrical prose.

Rich in character and place, a big-hearted page-turner that will remain with you long after the story ends. You will fall in love with the characters, who are shrouded in a bit of mystery and intrigue as the story unfolds amid their tragedies. A moving tale of love, betrayal, and survival. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions,

Audiobook...

I had the privilege of reading and listening to the book and audio, and let me say, you MUST listen to the audiobook, which is STELLAR! The performance, narrated by a full cast including David Baldacci (loved the author's note), Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Joe Pitts, is utterly captivating! They draw you in immediately and capture you with perfect voices for each character as they come alive. Award-winning, emotional, suspenseful, and compelling. I highly recommend the audiobook.

Special thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC for my honest opinion. Also purchased the hardcover for my home library. A classic for any bookshelf.

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Pub Date: April 15, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +
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So, let me get this straight. David Baldacci is so talented he shows up at his publisher and basically says, 'Here's a little ditty I had rattling in my head,' and hands them a manuscript for Strangers in Time. And it's great! How is that fair to the rest of us peons? If I had a tenth of his talent--in anything--well, I would suck less.
Strangers in Time transports you to 1944 London during the Blitz: the desperation, fear, and inevitability are palpable. How can someone who wasn't alive during this period make it so tangible? Baldacci illustrates the horrors of war and its indiscriminate nature, showcasing compassion and love through the experiences of a bookshop owner and two teenagers.
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Strangers in Time.

3.5 stars maybe at best. I realize I'm in the minority but I wasn't crazy about this one. Don't get me wrong, it is worth a read, just expected a bit more I guess. Maybe it was a bit too heartbreaking and depressing for my taste but still interesting and I'm glad to see Baldacci branching out to historical fiction. My thanks to Grand Central for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Strangers In Time by David Baldacci is a book I could not put down. One of the main protagonists is Molly Wakefield who was sent to the Country at the start of World War II. The story begins with her return to war torn London to find her mother and father no longer in their prosperous home. Our other protagonist is fourteen year old Charlie who is making his way through the devastation of his home without any parents, family, food or schooling. The third protagonist is Ignatious Oliver, a widower who runs/owns a failing bookshop. Oliver also serves as an air raid warden for his area of London. This unlikely trio meet and become fast friends. They support each other as they navigate a world that has dramatically changed. To add to the story there is a mysterious person following Molly, Charlie is running from the law, and Oliver may be involved in some nefarious war activities.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written. Mr. Baldacci’s characters come to life, His characters are deep, memorable and likeable. Mr. Baldacci paints a bleak picture of life during the London attacks. Yet, Mr. Baldacci’s story leaves the reader feeling that there is hope. The bond among the three protagonists is heartwarming. I appreciated the end of the book which explains what transpired to the three characters after the war is over. I would highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

I would like to thank Mr. Baldacci, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the book Strangers in Time, author David Baldacci writes about 14-year-old Charlie Matters who always seems to be up to no good. It’s World War 2 in England and Charlie is not old enough to join up and fight the Germans. But Charlie’s getting into trouble leads him to steal from a book shop owned by Ignatius Oliver. But is Ignatius only a book shop owner? Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield comes from the right side of town but connects with Charlie and they work to help each other. But things are not what they seem and everyone seems to be lying to each other. Who is telling the truth? This was a good historical fiction that kept you wondering what was happening. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in World War 2. It involves a fourteen year old boy Charlie Matters. He has no parents anymore, his grandmother is raising him the best that she can. He is doing things he knows he shouldn't, but does them anyway. He is only trying to get by and stealing from the better off is his way of doing just that.

Then we meet Molly Wakefield who is fifteen she has been away from London for a long time. When she comes back things are not the same. She has no idea what to do or where to go. Enters Ignatius Oliver has a little book store called The Book Keeper. That is where the three of them begin to think of themselves as a family. That is until Molly thinks someone is following her. Charlie feels as if someone is following him as well. Mr. Oliver fears for all of their safety.

Why? Because Ignatius has been keeping his own deep dark secrets........

David Baldacci makes another departure from his mystery/thriller genre, this time diving into WWII historical fiction bringing together three unlikely characters. Charlie is a rebellious yet honorable teenager trying to supplement his Gran's income. Molly is a very mature teenager returning to her home after being sent away for her safety several years before. Ignatius Oliver is a local book store owner and an air warden. They are all mourning the loss of loved ones and their lives cross each other's paths and end up creating a beautiful friendship. Against all odds, Charlie, Molly and Oliver become a family unit that relies on each other for support and survival. This was a nice change of pace from other historical WWII novels I have read as this is from the perspective of teenagers and a widower. The description of the bombing raids felt very realistic and gave me new insight into how it must feel to live in fear of them and the inconsistent timing that disrupts life in an instant. The beginning of the book felt a bit long to me, so if you feel this way too just stick with it. The characters and story line are worth it!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

David Baldacci is a prolific author with many great series in his library of titles, but he ocassionally treats his loyal readers to a stand alone book to remind us he really is an outstanding story teller with excellent writing skills. Too many superlatives? No such thing when you're reviewing a Baldacci book.
Set during the WWII era, we meet three broken people who pull together to form a "found" family in every sense of the word. A young man with a grudge against the world and a young woman who has lost everything she knew will find a bookshop owner who needs them as much as they need him. The story is immersive as well as emotional. Readers feel the stress and fear as war torn London offers no hope to the few left living within the borders. Secrets are the currency of which lives are destroyed with no warning. But against the odds, this trio will not only survive, they will come out better on the other side. 5 easy stars.

David Baldacci is an author I love to read whether it be a series or a standalone. However, his historical fiction titles are not my favorite. I feel like they move very slowly and Strangers in Time is one of those titles. I've tried twice to get into the story but have given up.

Baldacci is a very talented author and can tell a great story. Perhaps I just need more action so I enjoy his thrillers much more. I will be looking forward to his next title and am glad others can find this one enjoyable.