Interesting story about WW2 1944 London. The two main characters, Charlie and Molly, are teenagers that end up alone with no family. Molly comes from money and privilege and Charlie has struggled with money his whole life. Molly's parents have mysteriously disappeared after she returned from the country and she has to figure out how to survive. A local bookshop owner befriends them and takes them under his wing. The owner, Ignatius Oliver, has his own history with the war and is dealing with the mysterious events surrounding his wife's death. This is a story of family, the one you choose vs. the family you were born into. I enjoyed the second half of the book more as it had more action, but this was a very good WW2 mystery.
#StrangersinTime #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is a departure from Baldacci’s usual fare. I have been reading his books for years and was excited to see that he’d written a historical fiction novel. Set in 1944, London, with the backdrop of a bookshop, it’s a great setting for the story. 14-year-old Charlie Matters and 15-year-old Molly Wakefield have had to grow up way too fast. They’ve each seen their share of hardships and loneliness. 

Bookshop owner Ignatius Oliver befriends them. Each of them carry secrets, yet find bonds with one another through the tragedies and experiences in their lives. I found their relationships to be quite heartwarming. Although the story covers many tough topics related to war and loss, I enjoyed the themes of found friendship, resilience, and strength in trials.

I learned something new from this novel as well. Have you ever heard of Paternoster Row? It is the street in London that was the center of the book publishing trade. It was largely destroyed during WWII during an aerial bombing. 

I appreciate what the author was trying to do with this novel, yet it often felt a little far-fetched to me and perhaps geared towards younger readers. I did enjoy it overall and would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed his books in the past and for historical fiction aficionados. 

CA | Contains some instances of profanity. Not frequent.

3.5/5 stars

[Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful historical fiction novel by David Balducci, with the audio performed by a cast. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It’s 1944 in London, during the Blitz, when bombs are falling. Three very different people meet in unusual circumstances and form a tight group. Fourteen-year-old Charlie does what he has to in order to survive. Fifteen-year-old Molly was raised in a wealthy home, but when she returns after an evacuation to the countryside, her world has changed and her parents gone. They find an ally in Ignatius, the owner of The Book Keep, who is mourning the loss of his wife.

This is a WWII novel that focuses strongly on the human element, what people will do to survive, and the realization that what we really need is each other. There are plenty of secrets here – what happened to Molly’s parents and who is following her? How did Ignatius’ wife die? Will Charlie’s escapades land him in jail or worse? I felt transported back in time and Balducci has created such a vivid, tense environment, although I felt it was a bit slow at times. But there’s so much heart and feeling with these characters and you will grow to love them. Highly recommended for historical fiction and Balducci fans!

A different genre for David Baldacci historical fiction.He’s written an interesting involving novel that I really enjoyed.#NetGalley #grandcentral

This story follows two young teenagers, Charlie and Molly. These two are from totally different backgrounds but somehow they come together to be great friends and help each other through this terrible war.

I enjoyed these two characters, especially Charlie. He is a bit of a rounder and he gets himself in a mess a time or two. Then there is Molly. She does not take no for an answer. She has some gumption, for sure!

This story is a unique take on what transpired during WWII in London. It is more about friendship and staying friends through the hard times.

The narrators, David Baldacci; Stewart Crank; Alexandra Boulton; John Lee; Nicola F. Delgado; Matthew Lloyd Davies; Joe Pitts, made a fantastic team! I love lots of narrators to a story. Just makes it more real and full of life.

Need a completely different WWII novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion

Strangers in Time
A World War II Novel
by David Baldacci


Strangers in Time is a touching and emotional historical fiction novel set in 1944 London during WWII. This story follows three very different characters—Charlie, a street-smart boy trying to survive; Molly, a girl just back from evacuation with no family to return to; and Ignatius, a grieving bookshop owner with secrets of his own. Their paths cross, and together they form an unexpected bond that helps them cope with the chaos and heartbreak around them.
I really enjoyed how this book focused on resilience, hope, and found family. The writing beautifully captured life during wartime—rationing, bombings, and everyday struggles. It’s slower than Baldacci’s usual thrillers but still full of emotion and depth. The audiobook narration was excellent, and the voices really brought the characters to life.
A lovely, heartfelt story about survival, connection, and kindness in dark times.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Sometimes its a matter of whom one meets, and when.

Charlie Matters is 14 and lives with his Gran in London's East End, not a particularly safe to be during the Blitz in 1944. He lost his father to the war and his mother to a bomb, and while his grandmother does her best to provide for them both (and they at least have a roof over their heads, something not true for all in their part of the city) times are tough. Unbeknownst to his Gran Charlie has stopped going to school and instead spends his time out on the streets trying to earn a little money or, when needed, to lift an item or two from someone who can (as best he can guess) affort the loss. Through just such a foray one night Charlie happens into a bookshop in an alley in Covent Garden, The Book Keep, where he grabs some money from the till and a book off the counter. Guilt has him returning the items soon thereafter....the man who runs the shop, Ignatius Oliver, seems like too good a man of whom to take advantage as well as someone who can't really spare the money after all. On a different night Charlie crosses paths with Molly Wakefield, a girl from a wealthy family who has just returned to her home in Chelsea from the countryside where she had been sent for safety years earlier only to find her father and mother now missing. The three people from different walks of life are each struggling with the losses and changes wrought by war, and will help one another through subsequent challenges as it continues to exact its toll on the people of London. As bombs fall and each tries to come to terms with the tragedies in their lives and the questions that still linger over them, the three come together as a sort of family. But the mystery of what has happened to Molly's parents and the secret acts of Ignatius may rupture the bonds they are forming.
Author David Baldacci is known for his suspenseful thrillers, so let me start by saying that this book is not in that mold. It is historical fiction that explores the reality of life in war-torn London during 1944 and chronicles the daily tragedies that occurred, the resiliency shown by Londoners in the face of the harshest of circumstances, and the power of human beings who form connections in even the darkest of times. The richness of detail...the rationed food, the rubble in the streets, the living under the threat of bombing that could and did happen anywhere at any time...is the strongest aspect to the book. The characters, particularly the three main protagonists of Charlie, Molly and Ignatius, are well-developed and worm their ways into the reader's heart. The story, like the circumstances it meticulously portrays, is certainly a bit on the darker side but is not without hope. The mystery of what happened to Molly's parents takes its time in being resolved, and I found it not entirely believable, but the strength of the novel's portrayal of the place and people make it a worthwhile read. Readers of Markus Zusak, Anthony Doerr and Kristin Hannah will find this a welcome addition to their TBR pile, as will fans of Baldacci's earlier non-thriller works. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this story which celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in exchange for my honest review.

In a departure from his usual thrillers, David Baldacci has written a beautiful historical fiction set during WWII that deals with loss and survival. Three people who might never have met are brought together and form their own family. Molly Wakefield was evacuated to the countryside at the start of the war. As the years passed she decided it was time to come home, only to find that her mother had been sent to a sanitarium and her father was missing. Charlie Matters had lost his parents and roamed the streets after dark hoping to find a way to make money to help his grandmother. On one of the evenings he meets Molly, who needs help finding her way through the city. Ignatius Oliver is a widower who owns the Book Keep. Charlie enters the shop one evening to find shelter from the rain. While Oliver is distracted, Charlie robs the till and runs away, accidentally leaving behind a tag that fell from his coat that contains his identification. Guilty feelings later had Charlie returning the money, opening the way to their friendship. Each of these people have suffered a loss but there were more hardships to come.

A robbery resulting in a death that Charlie was forced to participate in has him on the run. Molly and Oliver know that Charlie was not responsible and their support never wavers. Oliver also has a friend in government who he asks to help Molly discover what happened to her father. When Molly loses her home and Charlie loses his grandmother, Oliver takes them in rather than see them taken to an orphanage. He is hiding a secret of his own, however, that he must keep from them if he wants to keep them safe. With the nightly bombs falling on the city, espionage and murder, Baldacci’s historical fiction has all of the suspense that I have come to expect. It is often heartbreaking, but also a story of survival and family with characters that I loved. I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing this book.

I love reading Baldacci novels...and I was very excited and grateful to receive an ARC from NetGalley simply just because of who the author is.

I am no stranger to historical fiction based around WW2...but I struggled with this one because it was slow in spots for me and perhaps I was just used to Baldacci's suspense novels and legal thrillers. The research alone that went into this book is quite impressive.

I think it was well written...but just not a favorite for me.

When I saw that David Baldacci was writing a historical fiction/thriller book, I was intrigued. I have read some of his previous works and enjoyed his stories. This is completely different yet also uniquely…him.

We are taken back to 1944 London during WW2. We get this unexpected trio of characters whose paths cross - 14 year old Charlie, 15 year old Molly and widower Ignatius. They come together to try and survive and move forward while dealing with heart break and betrayal and secrets.

The audio was excellent - this was my first time listening to this cast and they did a wonderful job with the voices. The characters felt so authentic and we get this range of emotions from grief and fear to courage and love.

I really liked the themes of this book and how the characters are resilient and strong and brave - I love it when unexpected friendships develop. There are some tough moments in this book too (it is war time after all.) This story was really well written and I think will resonate with a lot of readers.

✨What To Expect:
⁉️Historical Thriller
🇬🇧1944 London
🤫Secrets
💙Unexpected Friendships
🤝Found Family
📚Bookshop Owner
💪Strength & Resilience

Not much happens for a very long time in this book and then when it dies, it feels contrived. Too much detail on minor things while there was a lack of depth for important plot points and character development.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hard scrabble Charlie, 14, and well-to-do Molly, 15, are both unexpectedly left to fend for themselves in London after the city has been destroyed by the Blitz. They find each other, then find their way to The Book Keep, a shop owned and operated by a man who recently lost his wife. Oliver and the two teens form a bond that helps them get through each day, but they soon realize that Charlie and Molly are being followed. Igantius is stunned to learn a secret his wife kept from him, a secret which will turn his life upside down.

David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors, and I couldn’t wait to read this book. I knew it was a stand alone and expected something similar to his A Calamity of Souls – a legal thriller set decades ago – so I was surprised to realize that there are no courtroom scenes, no legal research and barely anything relating to the law at all. Once that registered, I settled in to see what he would do with a straight historical fiction story… and was impressed yet again with his story-telling ability.

He made the reader care for and about both of the teenagers. Charlie may not have been scrupulously honest, but he did what he had to do to survive, and I admired his ingenuity and his tenacity. It took a bit longer to care about Molly, as it took her longer to accept her new reality, but once she did, she was determined and courageous in her own way. The two of them together made a great team, enhanced by the addition of Oliver, the bookseller. I liked him from the start and felt his pain when he discovered what his wife had been up to, and the consequences of her actions.

The ending seemed almost a little too “pat” after all the excitement of the story, but I’m not sure how else it could have been wrapped up in a way that didn’t leave more questions.

I look forward to this author’s next book, whether it be a new Travis Devine book, the start of another new series, or another stand alone.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

In a departure from the usual, the author takes us to WWII London. We see the stories of Charlie, Ignatius and Molly and how they intersect. As a result of the war, we have death, homelessness, abandonment and suicide, yet these three main characters show strength, fortitude and the willingness (out of necessity) to adapt. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming. The rawness of the story grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. I highly recommend this read.

I am a big fan of David Baldacci and I am enjoying his foray into historical fiction. His last book, A Calamity of Souls, was my favorite by him, so I was looking forward to his new book. It did not disappoint!

I am a big reader of Mr. Baldacci's thrillers, so this historical fiction was a nice change of pace. This is a mainly character-driven plot with strong development and some questionable characters living in a tough time. Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first David Baldacci novel, and now I’m asking myself—why did I wait so long? Strangers in Time is a heartfelt, character-driven historical fiction set in WWII-era London that drew me in with its emotional depth and heartwarming message of found family. I’ve been on a historical fiction kick lately, especially books set during World War II, and this one hit all the right notes.

The story follows Charlie, a scrappy, resourceful teenager navigating the war-torn city alone; Molly, freshly returned from evacuation and grappling with a heartbreaking homecoming; and Ignatius, a grieving bookshop owner trying to make sense of his own loss. Their paths cross at The Book Keep, where stories become both a refuge and a lifeline. Baldacci brings these characters to life with tenderness, showing how connection can be a powerful healer in the darkest of times.

While the pacing was slower in the beginning, I appreciated the time spent establishing the characters and their individual traumas. Once the story found its rhythm, I was thoroughly invested. The tension builds gradually, and I found myself holding my breath as secrets unraveled and relationships deepened.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer like me, Strangers in Time is a beautiful story of healing, hope, and human connection amidst chaos. I’ll definitely be reaching for more of Baldacci’s work after this.

Strangers in Time is a historical fiction novel by David Baldacci set in London near the end of WW II.

"Teenagers Molly and Charlie are from different worlds in London. Both have lost family and find themselves together at the bookshop of Ignatius Oliver - a bookkeeper still grieving his wife. All three are trying to survive the war and the bombs at night and find connection and safety together."

This is a different kind of story from Baldacci. It moves at a slower speed, lacking the fast-paced action that Baldacci is known for. Baldacci brings together three very different characters. Charlie, who has lost his parents and grandmother and is just trying to survive. Molly, who comes from money but is torn with the knowledge of her parents' situations. And Ignatius, grieving his late wife and keeping secrets of his own.
It always amazing to me the hardships that Londoners survived during WW II. Baldacci doesn't hold back on any of it. There's plenty of tension on what's happening to Charlie and Molly and questions about Ignatius.

This story has perseverance, kindness in times of uncertainty, found family...and many sad moments.

I liked the endings for Molly and Charlie and appreciate Baldacci trying something new.

I enjoyed this look into Blitz era London. The author brought the day to day struggles of Londoners into life. Each character had their own struggles, but they had more in common than they knew. Highly recommend.

📖: Strangers In Time
✍️: David Baldacci
⭐️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: April 15 2025 🎉

-Special thanks to @netgalley for giving me early access to this book! One of my favorite authors of all time!! 🙌🏽


A story of 3 lost souls finding each other during one of the worst wars to date. The story takes place in London 1944. Ignatius, a recent widower who runs The Book Keep, where a book a day keeps the bombs away. Charlie a 14-year-old who is down on his luck and trying to make ends meet anyway he can, and Molly a 15-year- old well educated young lady who is coming home from being sent off to the country side during operation “Pied Piper” only to find her mother and father gone. When Charlie and Molly end up without guardians and no where to go they find an unexpected protector in Ignatius. This story is about learning to trust one another after all is lost and rediscovering the spirit of family.

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When I saw David Baldacci was releasing a historical fiction novel I instantly requested to read it! Although different from his other story lines I was very intrigued to see if this one would still have his usual plot twists and maybe a small crime thrown in there. And this story did not disappoint! I loved all the history about World War II that he poured into this story but I also loved that he kept to his usual writing and had a little plot twist along with some action and crime tossed in there. It really tied everything together and something I’m sure other readers of his work are looking for. Very very well written story. I loved every second of it!

Know that this conveyed very YA to me-and I almost put it aside for that reason-until about two thirds of the way through when more adult plot elements were revealed. It's very much about the family we make. It's 1944 London, a city hit hard by the Blitz, Charlie is an orphan, Molly is searching for her parents, and Ignatius is running his deceased wife's bookshop. Charlie steals to help support himself and his grandmother. His impulsive decision to dash into Ignatius' store changes his life, as Ignatius tracks him down. Molly returns from the countryside to find her mother sent to a sanatorium and her father missing. These three band together to help Molly get answers, among other things. It's an emotional and heartwarming (and heartbreaking) read. No spoilers from me for the twists. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Baldacci is, as aways, an expert storyteller. A good read.