Strangers in Time - an unlikely friendship forms between three people trying to survive in London during WWII.

In 1944, London is under attack. Bombs and rockets are causing deaths and demolishing buildings. Charlie Matters, a 13-year-old from the East End, has lost his parents and now lives with his grandmother. He no longer attends school, spending his days on the streets doing odd jobs or committing petty theft to earn money. He encounters 15-year-old Molly Wakefield, who had been sent to the countryside for safety. When her father's letters stop coming, she decides to return home. Upon her arrival, she finds her parents missing and her former nanny alone, running the affluent household. An unfortunate encounter between Charlie and Ignatius Oliver, a bookshop owner, part-time air warden, and grieving widower, turns into an unexpected friendship. Soon, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius form a support system as tragedy continues to impact them.

While David Baldacci may not be the first name that comes to mind for WWII historical fiction, the renowned author continues to demonstrate his remarkable versatility and talent in Strangers in Time. The three main characters, all scarred by the war, possess a large capacity for kindness and display extraordinary resilience. Charlie, who has endured a rough, Dickensian existence, possesses a heart of gold. Ignatius, who becomes a paternal figure to Charlie and Molly, harbors a deep secret. And, Molly, wise beyond her years, must come to terms with the possibility that her missing father might be on the run. The excellent storytelling vividly captures the horrors of wartime London on a personal level, allowing you to sense the despair of people seeking shelter as the alarms blare.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in advance. While classified as adult fiction, it is also appropriate and highly recommended for teenage readers. 

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction. 

Publication Date: April 15, 2025. 

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