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.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 15, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +
April 2025 Must-Read Books
April Newsletter

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.

Three very different people meet in World War II London and form a powerful bond.
Charlie Matters is a thirteen-year-old boy scrambling to get by. After losing his father at Dunkirk and his mother in the Blitz, he lives in a tiny apartment with his hard-working widowed grandmother. Gran believes that Charlie is still in school but he forged her permission to leave so he could secretly help out through a combination of theft and odd jobs. Unlike others in his situation, Charlie is too decent to prey on the needy. When he goes to return money stolen from a book shop, he gets more than he bargained for.
Molly Wakefield is a fifteen-year-old girl from a wealthy family whose doting parents send her to the country to keep her safe during wartime. When she returns home nearly five years later, she is shocked to learn that neither of her parents is in London. A bright girl, Molly has dreams of becoming a doctor, but her education is interrupted by the calamity of war.
Ignatius Oliver is a middle-aged book seller. He inherited the Book Keep from his beloved wife, Imogen, who he will love and mourn fort the rest of his life. Ignatius seems like a frail and timid person, but he is a courageous Air Warden whio received the George Cross for heroism. He has a secret life connected to his previous work for MI5. Although childless and not interested in human connections, Ignatius finds himself taking responsibility for the teenagers who need his help.
Strangers in Time is an action-packed and emotionally powerful story of life in London during the Blitz. Told from the viewpoints of Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius, it speaks with the voices of different classes, genders, and economic conditions. Too many novels with multiple narrators lose focus, but each of David Baldacci's characters is so well-drawn that I never had to wonder who was speaking.
An epilogue bringing the story up to the mid-1980s felt a bit superfluous, but for most of the book I could hardly put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for granting me access to a free advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. While it was sad at times the story was very engaging. The characters felt real and the setting felt accurate to the events. I highly recommend this book!

I have a confession. I really don’t like reading historical fiction. This author, David Baldacci, is one of my favorite thriller writers so I gave Strangers in Time a chance. And I’m glad I did.

Strangers in Time has an intriguing plot but it shines best with its fully fleshed out characters. Needing to know what happens next to thief Charlie, abandoned Molly and widowed bookshop owner Ignatius will keep you turning the pages. They put together an excellent found family during the chaos and uncertainty of 1944 Britain.

Even if you don’t usually read historical fiction, Strangers in Time may change your mind about your preferences. Or it might just be a nice little break from mysteries and thrillers as it was for me. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advanced review copy.

If you are interested in the lives of those who lived in London, England, through World War II, you will find it difficult to stop reading this remarkable book. Life was difficult for all Londoners during this period but for young people like Molly and Charley, trying to understand who they are and who they may become, every day is a struggle for survival. This story is not only compelling, it is a learning experience on many levels - I could not recommend it more highly!

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

Strangers in Time
By David Baldacci

Let’s bottom-line-up-front this thing: this is the best Baldacci book I’ve experienced.
To be fair, I’ve only listened to or read a few others. But this one stands apart.

The characters are more interesting, introspective, engaging—and dare I say, even a bit inspirational.

Strangers in Time follows three Londoners as they navigate life while WWII rages through its final year.

Our leads—Molly, Charlie, and Mr. Oliver—all have their own arcs, and those arcs intersect and interact in emotional, endearing, and believable ways.

Charlie is a teen boy saturated in a blend of street smarts and impulsive struggles.
Molly is a capable-beyond-her-years 15-year-old who has the moral compass of a true hero.
Mr. Oliver is wise, mysterious, and heartbroken—but also kind and giving.

I read the first third of the novel and then switched to Audible due to so much windshield time.
Wow. The voice acting is out of the park and makes the story feel even more real.

The voice actress playing Molly has a speaking cadence and timbre almost exactly like Hayley Mills circa The Moon-Spinners. It fits perfectly.

Strangers in Time is good. The ending drags and meanders a bit, but the first two-thirds of the novel are excellent.
By the time we reach the end, it lands a very good A-.

Strangers in Time is from Grand Central Publishing.
Thank you, Grand Central, for the review copy.

It is 448 pages in hardcover.
It is 13 hours and 44 minutes in audio.
It is performed by a full cast of voice actors, including:
Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Joe Pitts, and David Baldacci.
Lots of voice actors were used, and they were clearly well-directed.

What’s a WWII-era story that hits home for you?

We’ll talk soon.

Strangers in Time is a different type of novel for David Baldacci. Instead of a crime story or a legal thriller, this is a tender story of love, hope and most importantly family. Both Charlie and Molly are two young people on their own on the streets of London during the blitz. Enter Ignatius Oliver who helps them form a loving family. Each battles their demons and family issues but in the end form an unbreakable bond. There also some surprises. Great character development. The descriptions of the blitz and the destruction the air attacks caused are very well written. Good book. Good feelings after reading it. I liked this novel.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have enjoyed many books by David Baldacci. Most of them were in the mystery / thriller genre. He has recently written a few standalones which are historical fiction. Strangers in Time is set during World Ward II England and has three main characters who lose the people close to them.

Mr. Oliver is a bookshop owner who has lost his wife. Her father owned the bookshop before she did and now he runs it for her. He also works for the government in encrypting messages, and as an air raid warden.

Molly Wakefield is from a wealthy family and was sent to the coast 5 years ago to be protected. After 5 years, she comes back to London as the money for her care has stopped. She goes home to find her father disappeared and her mother in a mental home. Only her old nanny is there to keep the home. She is 15 and interested in becoming a doctor because in her stay away, she helped at a hospital and became very knowledgeable.

Charlie Matters is only 14 and lives with his gran who is all he has left. She makes little wages working at a bakery, so he tries to take on odd jobs and pickup a few things with a five finger discount. They live in a ramshackle apartment.

Mr. Oliver, Charlie and Molly end up meeting and even though they are reticent about their personal grief, they end up as friends and help each other as things deteriorate for all three of them. I was afraid for both Molly and Charlie at times because of thieves or thugs who might hurt them and they both took so many chances.

I don't read much historical fiction and often don't enjoy it. I want to know what really happened and sometimes don't care about fictional characters. These characters were well-written, in a world with class prejudices and extreme difficulties from the war. I liked Strangers in Time but it's not the kind of story which interests me most.

I've read many of David Baldacci's novels and they were all of the thriller/mystery type, so this was a totally different read for me - though just as fast-paced and absorbing as his others. This book it more historical fiction set in London near the end of World War II. I loved it!

Description:
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters is up to no good, but for a very good reason. Without parents, peerage, or merit, ducking school but barred from actual work, 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 people to have been evacuated to the countryside via “Operation Pied Piper,” Molly has been away from her parents—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: both her parents are gone.

Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his book shop, The Book Keep, where A book a day keeps the bombs away. Mourning the recent loss of his wife, Ignatius forms a kinship with both children, and in each other—over the course of the greatest armed conflict the world had ever seen—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 still reeling from a secret Imogen long kept from him while she was alive—something so shocking it resulted in her death, and his life being turned upside down.

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.

My Thoughts:
Baldacci brought the bombings that occurred in London to life and the scenes were terrifying and scary. The characters he brought together - Ignatius Oliver (the bookstore owner), Charlie Matters (14 year old) and Molly Wakefield (16 year old) met under terrible conditions but came together and cared for each other. Charlie had suffered terrible losses and was grieving. Molly was finding her way in nursing war victims. The way they came together and helped each other was heart-warming. The story-telling is superb in this book and the plot was fast-moving and compelling. The times were difficult and uncertain. This was an emotional read and it really makes you grateful for peaceful times.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I feel weird being an apparent outlier here but to me this was just okay. This seems like a bit of a departure from Baldacci's usual novels and I'm not sure that's a great thing. Perhaps I've just read too much WWII historical fiction, but it all starts to seem rather similar. It's heartbreaking yet predictable. The bookshop part of the story felt somewhat unique, but it felt a little over the top. It all felt flat to me by the end.

Recommended for anyone who loves historical fiction novels, especially involving resilience through loss and found family. I imagine it'd be loved by fans of Kristin Hannah.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I don't know about everyone else, but a reliable sign to me that a book was wonderful is how puffy and red my face is from crying when I'm done. Yes, this was a great book. Strangers in Time is a historical mystery by best-selling author David Baldacci. I probably have read at least one book by him in the past, but I'd have to dig out my notebook of all the books I've read for over 20 years to check, and no one has time for me to look that up! I will, however, be actively seeking out his books from now on.

In London in 1944, German bombs have been falling, causing death and destruction in their wake. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters has been stealing in order to survive. He's an orphan living with his beloved Gran, and he no longer goes to school - and can't get a job at his age - so theft to supplement his Gran's meager wage is his only choice. He's biding his time until he's old enough to join the fight against the Germans. He barely escaped death during the Blitz, so he knows his end could come at any time. On the other end of the spectrum, fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield, the child of a well-to-do couple, has just returned to a London she barely recognizes. She was one of the millions of children sent to the countryside for safety via “Operation Pied Piper", and she's been gone from home for five years. When she returns, however, both of her parents are gone, and she has no idea what happened to them.. With no guardians or a stable home, they find an unexpected protector and friend in Ignatius Oliver, who owns the book store called The Book Keep. Ignatius is a recent widower and is mourning the death of his beloved wife. He finds a kinship with both children, and they form their own unique family. But Charlie's actions in the city have drawn some unwanted attention, and Molly has been followed since she returned to London. And Ignatius has some secrets of his own...

It took me a little time to get into the rhythm of the story, but once I did I was reluctant to put it down and stayed up waaaaay past a reasonable bedtime. I really can't say that I preferred one character over the others; I found them all fascinating and likable and was riveted to each of their stories. When the three came together it was such a special little family. They had lost the families they had, but now had the family they chose. Charlie had lost so much so young, and his Gran was all he had left. She didn't know that Charlie had quit school and was stealing to survive. When Charlie was forced by two of his mates to help them rob The Book Keep, things ended badly and he was terrified that he would come to the attention of the authorities for his part in the incident. When Gran was no longer there to care for Charlie, he gravitated toward Ignatius's book store, and also became friends with Molly. Molly had no idea of the situation she was entering when she returned from the countryside; her father had stopped paying for her keep to the couple with whom she stayed, so she knew it was time to come home. The only one left at her house was her nanny, who wasn't telling Molly the truth about the situation. Molly, an extremely smart young woman, wanted to be a doctor; her strength when helping victims of bombings was remarkable. She, too, gravitated to Ignatius and his book shop. And just who was following Molly, and why? The last third of the trio, Ignatius Oliver, was a sad man who lost his wife, and now he seemed lost himself. The book store had been hers, and she was a writer. Ignatius wanted to finish the book she had started, but just couldn't force himself to do it. Ignatius seemed to come back to the land of the living when he spent time with the children and was protecting them. He was an air warden and would help citizens get to shelters when bombs began to fall and would help those who had been hurt; he had seen so much death and destruction. Who was the strange German man that Ignatius met with, though? Charlie and Molly were worried that Ignatius was perhaps taking part in something nefarious, but they wanted to trust him. As the book went along more and more of the trio's secrets were being revealed, and I was stunned about many of them. Mr. Baldacci's descriptions of the bombings, shelters, death and destruction made you almost think he was there at the time. He let you feel these people's pain.. This was a story of death and heartache, but also one of triumph and love. It's also a love letter to books and reading. You won't be able to read it without weeping.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.