Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci Published by Grand Central Publishing on April 15, 2025
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 448
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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.
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.
About David Baldacci
David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”) He published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; it was subsequently adapted for film, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 36 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. David has also published six novels for younger readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
David and his wife, Michelle, are the co-founders of the Wish You Well Foundation®, which supports family and adult literacy in the United States. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need.
David and his family live in Virginia.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Heartwood by Amity Gaige #AmityGaige #JustineLupe #AlmaCuervo #RebeccaLowman #AliAndreAli #CaryHite #HelenLaser @simonaudio.bsky.social#LoveAudiobooks @SimonAudio - April 24, 2025
- 🎧 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry #EmilyHenry @justjuliawhelan @penguinaudio.bsky.social @libro.fm#LoveAudiobooks @BerkleyRomance @BerkleyPub@PRHAudio - April 22, 2025
- Sunday Post – 20 April 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - April 20, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-COYER
I’m not a big fan of stories that take place in wartime, so I probably wouldn’t pick this up. Although I do like the idea of the characters becoming a found family.
I enjoy his books but I’m not as much a historical fiction fan.
Hmm…I have the opportunity to grab an audio copy but now I’m not sure.
Its historical fiction, not a mystery or thriller really. I liked it but it’s not my usual type of reading.
I like historical fiction so I will have to look at this one. I do want to try some of his mysteries/thrillers at some point. Glad you enjoyed this overall even if it isn’t your usual cup of tea.
You might enjoy it. It’s well-written and emotional. It’s just not the genre I read well sometimes.
Sorry you didn’t like it more, but it does sound intriguing. I love a good historical.
You would probably like it much more than I did.