2.5 Stars

This book mixes historical fiction with a family mystery and has a dual timeline that dragged a bit for me. I love Patti Callahan Henry's style of writing and while her 2023 release The Secret Book of Flora Lea was a book I enjoyed, this one fell a little flat.

I am going to start with what I did like. The author does a great job with the atmospheric descriptions, especially in the earlier timeline. I love how we get to explore the mother-daughter relationships, the secrets families keep and how they can hurt us in the future. I liked that it was inspired by a real-life mystery which added to the intrigue.

What didn't work for me was the slow pace, while the historical sections were interesting the modern take was so slow that it made the pacing uneven. Some of the characters were well-developed and fully fleshed out but others felt two dimensional and were much less compelling. For my tastes, the magical elements were not done very well. I wanted more I think. For the most part, the experience was enjoyable, especially the historical sections. And overall this was an okay read if a bit predictable.

I enjoyed The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry. This novel is a blend of mystery, family dynamics, and personal discovery. The story follows Clara Harrington, who embarks on a journey to uncover secrets about her mother, a famous author who disappeared years ago. As Clara delves into her mother’s past, the narrative unfolds with intriguing twists and heartfelt moments.

The book is a light read, making it perfect for readers looking for something captivating but not overly heavy. The characters are well-crafted, and the writing is engaging, pulling you into the mystery without overwhelming you with complexity. It’s a story that’s easy to get lost in, with just the right amount of suspense and emotional depth.

If you’re looking for a book that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking, I would definitely recommend The Story She Left Behind. It’s perfect for a relaxing read with a touch of mystery!

* I received an Evan de readers copy from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for my honest review

One of the best books I have ever read

I love Patti Callahan Henry's books and this is the best I have read so far! The story is very engrossing and raises lots of issues about family, genius and historical treatment of atypical minds. One is thrust into a family secret spanning 3 generations and two continents. I don't want to say much more for fear of ruining the terrific plot, characterizations and mystery for the reader, I just want to say that in my opinion, this is one of the best books I have ever read.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Wow! Patti Callahan Henry has done it again! The Story She Left Behind captured my attention, not to mention, my heart, from the first page.

Clara Harrington is an illustrator living in a small coastal town in South Carolina where she raises her eight-year-old daughter, Wynnie. But in 1927, when she was the same age as her daughter is now, Clara’s mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham left the family home in the middle of the night carrying only a leather satchel containing a handwritten dictionary of her invented language. When the boat Bronwyn escaped in is discovered, most presume the famous author is dead.

Then a stranger, Charlie Jameson, calls claiming to have found her mother’s leather satchel with the dictionary inside. Soon Clara finds herself travelling to London with her daughter, despite her father’s concern, and her ex-husband’s disapproval. Once there, Clara and Wynnie get caught in the Great Smog of London, the deadly pea-souper that engulfed the city for five days in December 1952, all the more deadly to someone like Wynnie, who has severe asthma.

Feeling responsible for Clara and Wynnie’s safety, Charlie takes them to his family’s home in Cumbria. There Clara discovers that it isn’t just her family that is shrouded in mystery, it’s Charlie’s family too, and the longer she stays with the Jamesons the more inexplicably the two seem to be linked.

Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical writing beautifully captures this story spanning 25 years, two countries, and drifts to the imaginary. If you enjoy reading about the relationships between mothers and daughters, family secrets, and make-believe, you will love this book.

I can also recommend The Secret Book of Flora Lea and Once Upon a Wardrobe. After I finish each book of hers, I’m sure that one is my favourite. They are all so wonderful with a quality to them that I can only describe as being fairytale-like without being fairytales.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Story She Left Behind comes out tomorrow 18 March 2025.

I found this book so interesting! The theme of motherhood, family, and creativity pulled me in. The setting had me dreaming of visiting the English countryside and the characters inspired me with how they modelled forgiveness. It took me awhile to get invested in the story, but by 30% I was in and felt like the chapters were the perfect length!

A large part of the story is about a character who created a new language in order to be able to describe how they felt. This concept of longing brought me back to a quote by C.S. Lewis: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

This longing that we experience, and yet don’t fully understand, is evidence of God. We can try and satisfy longing in this life, but we will always come up short and be left wanting more. Because reality is, these longings we have inside of us are not meant to be satisfied in this life. Instead, this longing points us to the true home that we were created for, eternity with God. There is no faith content in this book, but this is where the story took me! Thanks for coming along!

This is definitely one of my favorite books this year!!

From the first page I was completely lost in the power of imagination, the telling of children's stories and imaginary friends. I was enchanted by the mesmerizing word that Patti had written. I felt and experienced the lake, the forest, the cozy cabin, the mansion, the paintings. I loved the relationships and the intense feelings I felt as I was navigating through this story.

I'm about to preorder the physical book now as it's not out til March 18th and I only buy my favorites in physical copies.

Thank you publisher, netgalley and Patti Callahan Henry. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

I LOVED this! Thank you Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I loved the mystery of this story, it kept me guessing. The characters were all lovely. I never wanted the book to end. Taking place in the lake district in England was so picturesque and became like a character of the story. Read if you like a historical mystery that gives you Kate Morton vibes!

Please let me introduce you all to a true Word Witch: Patti Callahan Henry. She has wielded her words like a magic wand and has crafted a story that bewitched, and captivated my little coven of witches.

The Mystery That Lingers and The Timeless Power of Literature.

Now, let’s delve into the mystery at the heart of this enchanting tale. Clara’s mother, Bronwyn, wasn’t just any author—she penned a mesmerizing book that captured the hearts of many. Tragedy struck and Bronwyn went missing along with the secret language. Now, after years of her words being lost, they have been found. Clara embarks on a quest to bring her mother's words home and to keep the hope alive of ever translating the sequel to her beloved book.

The Enchantment of a Secret Language

One of the most bewitching elements of The Story She Left Behind is the secret language created by Bronwyn. She created magical words and crafted her very own secret language to protect her writing. This secret language is more than just a clever plot device; it’s a profound symbol of the power of love, words, and the enduring magic of make-believe. I adored this beautiful concept –magic that Has me dreaming of creating a secret language of my own.

The Power of Words

Patti Callahan Henry’s beautiful, magical story shows us the true beauty and power in words. It’s a book lover's dream, a narrative that will captivate your heart, and uplift your spirits.

Step into this one and feel the magic, and let every word cast its spell on you!!

A Witches Word group read with Norma, Debra, Mary Beth and DeAnn. Look for their magical reviews

A beautifully enchanting story, Clara embarks on a hopeful journey to unlock the key to a lyrical language left behind by her mother before her mysterious disappearance years ago. Her mother, a child prodigy, penned a wildly successful childrens tale of mystical whimsy, but the sequel was never published—hidden away, written in a secret, invented language only she understood.

The prose is stunning and flows effortlessly, making for a truly immersive and pleasurable reading experience. It’s lyrical, heartwarming, and simply a feel-good story.

However, while the story and writing are undeniably beautiful, it sometimes felt a bit too neatly wrapped, predictable, and overly sentimental. Still, I can’t deny the beauty of the journey. Loved that the inspiration came from a true literary mystery, that of Barbara Newhall - very interesting!

If you in the market for a warm, comfortable historical read, with gorgeous flowery writing, this would be a perfect choice!

A story about finding one’s purpose and one’s self. I love reading Patti Callahan’s books cause she delves into the heart and makes every character come to life in your mind.