This book is set in London during WWII. It is a story about the lives of people from different social circles who come together and become family. They are all equal in their fight for survival. This is not your usual Baldacci book but it is a compelling read that I couldn’t put down. I think it is one of the best books he has written. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I think this is the first David Baldacci book that I've read. I quickly lost myself in the story, especially Charlie's parts. He and Molly suffered so much but I like how they became a found family with Mr. Oliver. The horrors of the Blitz and the daily hardships of rationing, economic struggles and loss really helped to ground the story in reality.

I think the one thing I didn't care for was the asylum stuff. It seemed a little too over the top for the story. A lot was going on plot-wise already with the mystery surrounding Mr. Oliver and his visitor, Charlie and the accident and whatever was going on with Molly's dad. It just felt like too much in the end. Overall however, I really liked the story and I appreciate how it highlighted the challenges faced by East Enders in comparison to the wealthier people of London. I like learning something new when I read historical fiction and I think the novel accomplished that.

Having never read a Baldacci title (I know) I didn’t know what to expect. As I read the book I kept thinking this would make a good movie or mini series. He captured well the deprivation that London went through during WWII which I think many in the US know or comprehend. The weak point for me was near the end where too many ends were tied up too quickly. The missing mother, the missing father (not giving anything away) and that I’m afraid detracted from the story line. Otherwise a solid and engaging read.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!

This was such a great book. I mean... David Baldacci always write great books so it's no surprise. This book was very different then his norm but it was such a good and thought provoking read. Although it was super sad, it also made you smile. I learned a whole log about WW2 as well. Especially the plight of the kids. So sad!!

I do wish that Charlie had his voice heard at the end instead of from the voice of Molly. But overall, I really enjoyed this.

This is one of Baldacci's best, but not typical of his usual. Strangers In Time is a work of historical fiction, set in London during World War II. Two teenagers from the most different backgrounds imaginable become friends, along with another unlikely, a past middle age bookshop owner. Their worlds collide during the bombings of London. The young man loses his only family, a grandmother. The wealthy young lady returns to her family mansion but finds disturbing news about her missing parents and experiences the horrific bombing raids of her hometown. The bookshop owner has some secrets of his own. The worlds of all three collide with many twists and turns in the plot. Well-developed and interesting characters are surrounded by a plot set in one of the most disturbing of times. A well-written story that will grab your attention. Thanks to #NetGalley#DavidBaldacci#StrangersinTime for the opportunity to read this book by a favorite author.

Charlie Matters lost his parents early in life. Now he is a fourteen year old living with his grandmother in London during the bombing by the Germans in WWII. They are barely scraping by, even with Charlie stealing what he needs. Molly Wakefield is a fifteen year old returning from the countryside where she was sent by her parents to protect her from the war. She returns to her nice home to a rather quiet homecoming - only her old nanny Is there - neither of her parents are there. There is also Ignatius Oliver - a widower who runs a book shop. This is a story of the three characters meeting, leaning on one another, helping each other survive during a terrible time. It’s about creating a family in spite of losing your real one. I thought all of the characters were well written. This book was very different from other Baldacci books that I’ve read. It is much more of a historical fiction than his typical mystery thrillers. It started just a bit slow, but once it got going I got very invested in finding out what was going to happen to everyone. There are some mysteries along the way - what happened to Molly’s parents - what happened to Mr. Oliver’s wife and what is he up to with his meeting and exchanging papers with someone late at night? I give the book 4.5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on April 15, 2025.

Review of Strangers in Time by David Baldacci – 4.5/5 Stars

David Baldacci has done it again with Strangers in Time, a gripping historical thriller set in London during World War II. As a fan of both historical fiction and Baldacci's intense storytelling, this book exceeded my expectations and kept me completely captivated from start to finish.

The novel follows three central characters, each with their own complex pasts and motivations, as they navigate the chaos of wartime London. I loved how Baldacci captured the atmosphere of the time—the tension, the uncertainty, and the quiet resilience of everyday people trying to survive the horrors of war. The way he brought London to life, from the air raids to the resilience of the civilians, made me feel like I was there, experiencing it all alongside the characters.

The characters themselves were wonderfully fleshed out, with distinct personalities and emotional depth. I particularly appreciated how Baldacci explored the personal struggles they faced during such a tumultuous period, from loss to fear to hope. The emotional stakes were incredibly high, which made every decision feel consequential. And while the plot revolves around a central mystery, it’s the relationships between the characters that truly make the book shine.

The suspense is classic Baldacci—tight, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. There were several moments where I literally couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, and even though I had an inkling of where things were heading, Baldacci still managed to surprise me. The way he weaves together personal and historical events is masterful, keeping you on your toes the entire time.

The only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is that there were a few moments where the pacing slowed down, and some of the action sequences felt a bit repetitive. But honestly, those were minor hiccups in an otherwise fantastic read.

If you're a fan of historical thrillers or just love a good story set during World War II, Strangers in Time is a must-read. It’s a beautiful, intense, and thought-provoking book that’ll stay with you long after you turn the last page

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars

David Baldacci has written yet another compelling book. This one takes place in war time England where persons from different stations of life cross paths and their lives intertwine.
A wonderful tale all should explore and enjoy.
I encourage you to explore this on your own.
As always hope there are more novels on the way. I have never missed one and know each will take care of my gift giving at all occasions.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read more. What a ride! I enjoy the suspense and the pacing throughout.

David Baldacci has truly outdone himself with this novel! While it's a departure from his usual genre, he absolutely nails it—delivering an emotionally gripping, beautifully written, and deeply immersive wartime story.

From the very first page, I was transported to 1940s London, feeling every bit of the tension, heartbreak, and resilience that these characters endure. Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius are unforgettable—three lost souls who come together in the midst of war, finding solace in an unexpected place: a bookshop. Their struggles, their courage, and their found-family bond had me completely hooked.

Baldacci’s descriptions are so vivid that I could almost hear the air-raid sirens wailing and smell the pages of old books in The Book Keep. The storytelling is exquisite, weaving history, suspense, and raw emotion into a novel that lingers long after the final page.

If you love historical fiction with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters, this is a must-read. One of the best wartime novels I’ve ever experienced!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Strangers In Time by David Baldacci is a powerful story about love, loss and three unlikely people who become friends trying to survive the day to day horrors during World War II. Charlie (14 years), Molly (16 years) and Ignatius the bookstore owner will steal your heart, each trying to make the best with the hands they were dealt, while each bringing their own strengths to help each other get through such a trying time. I found myself getting lost in this story, living the harsh reality right along with these three. Each chapter drawing me in further and further. This was an emotional read, but also one we all need to experience to see how tragedy can make the heart and soul stronger. We can only hope in life to have friends who are as loyal and caring as Charlie, Molly and Ignatius. I will be recommending this well written novel to all my friends who want a story to get lost in..
Well Done Mr. Baldacci.
Thank You To NetGalley, The Author David Baldacci, And The Publisher Grand Central Publishing for allowing me the honor to read this ARC, for my honest review.

Set in WWII London, this story centers around a poor East-Ender 14-year old boy, Charlie, and a wealthy posh 15-year old girl, Molly, as well as an adult man, Oliver, who owns a book shop, The Book Keep. All the characters are gifted in different ways: Charlie in knowing the ins and outs of London, and how to hustle to make a buck and get out of a scrape; Molly in learning emergency nursing and securing paid work doing so when money was desperately needed; and Charlie who is an expert in decoding messages of any sort. The children are precocious and mature beyond their years.

I am a die-hard Baldacci fan, and requested this from NetGalley despite my WWII fiction fatigue. I was drawn in from the very first pages, enjoying Baldacci's talent for quickly developing a compelling sense of setting and characters, which engage this reader every time.

With that said, this book clocks in at 448-pages in hardcover, and I personally felt it was too long. The plot was engaging, but predictable, like a YA book. The plot deals with the loss of loved ones, and relies upon 2 major and 3 minor "mysteries" to further the story (hint: Major mysteries include 1 with Oliver and another tied to Molly's father. Minor mysteries involve Oliver's wife, another with Molly's mother, and a 3rd with fallout from a situation Charlie was involved in).

The actions of some characters felt uneven - some overly nice, others overly cruel, and some felt extraneous and are still a mystery to me, like the shop owner woman across the street from the book store, and the 2 physicians who treated Molly's mother.

But for a 450-page book, I wanted a deeper dive into some of the above mysteries with more sophisticated plot development. I wanted a little more nefarious action with some surprises for the reader, while still maintaining the mostly "good guy" vibe the book has. As written, I wish it had moved along through the expected stages of narrative with at least 100 fewer pages.

Baldacci is still the GOAT for modern thrillers for me, and this particular book was a mostly enjoyable read, but definitely a YA vibe to educate young readers to a variety of POVs during WWII London. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing a pre-release copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC.

We're introduced to a young boy trying to find his way amidst a bombed-out London during World War II. We're painted a bleak picture of the times and what he must do to survive, despite his better judgment. Soon we're introduced to an older man, who much like the boy is doing what he must do to survive whilst like so many is suffering loss. Lastly, we're introduced to a young girl who is more privileged in life. Only to find life back in London after being evacuated to the country isn't quite what she expected or what it seems to be. This is a sad but beautiful tale of wartime, mystery, and secrets. Of how three strangers come together through loss and hardship to survive the most harrowing times and become found family. It was so well written I quickly became submersed in the story. Through the imagery description and emotive language, I felt like I was right there with the three of them. I felt their heartbreak, their loss, and their happiness with each page I read.

Set in London during late WWII, this novel is different from the Baldacci writing most are used to. While he is usually known for his fast-paced thrillers, this story is a work of historical fiction. While the genre might be different, the writing is still superb.

When a bereaved bookshop owner is robbed by a struggling young man, an unexpected relationship begins. Along with a possibly-orphaned teenaged girl who has just returned from the countryside, a found family forms. With the tumultuous war forcing Londoners into underground bunkers as bombs are dropped, the stability of having people you can trust creates unbreakable bonds.

This story is beautifully told – your heart will break for the tragedies that befall the main characters, and their triumphs will feel like your own. A great mix of history, fiction, and a sprinkle of mystery – check it out!

I usually think of Baldacci as a thriller writer for the masses. He is an author that my mother has on her automatic read list. When I received this copy I assumed that this would be more of the same. Boy was I wrong. What a beautiful story set amongst a tragic time in history. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was very well done.

Not what I expected

I am used to fast, action-packed thrillers from this author. Although I appreciate him trying something new, for me this book was a bit of a disappointment. This is set in London during WWII. The action was pretty much people getting killed by bombs and people otherwise having their world exploded.

It revolves around two young people: a wealthy girl who was sent away when the bombing started and a poor boy who was struggling to survive after losing his family.

It was a sad book. Well-researched, but sad.

I've been a fan of Baldacci since he started writing and have read and enjoyed all of his books. With that said, I can't believe I'm writing this, but I just could not get into this book. His characters were well developed and the storyline sounded great in the description (just in my reading wheel), but the story just dragged for me. Sorry, I really wanted to like this book!!! Thanks for the ARC and for allowing me to express my opinions.

David Baldacci is one of my favorite authors. I know I can never go wrong when I pick up one of his books, however, this one just did not keep my attention. I had to keep taking a break and coming back to it. It was still well written however it just was not the style of book I like or that keeps me coming back for more.

Thriller writer,David Baldacci, once again excels in another genre. Just like in “A Calamity of Souls” Baldacci explores another area of fiction superbly. “Strangers in Time” is a novel depicting life in London during World War II. We are introduced to Charlie Masters, a thirteen year old orphan living in a bombed out city with his grandmother trying to make ends meet. He is earning money at odd jobs he comes across as well as stealing small amounts of money and food to keep him alive.

One night, Charlie breaks into a book shop and steals some money and notices some very peculiar things happening with the book shop owner, Ignatius Oliver. Charlie feels guilty about the book store theft and goes back to return the money ho stole. He meets up with Oliver and they eventually establish a friendship.

Molly Deavers is a sixteen year old young lady who returns to London after being sent away by her parents because of the situation in London. Expecting, a warm welcoming form her parents she encounters her nanny at her home, but no parents. She eventually meets Charlie and Ignatius.

This is a very interesting character study and world building during a very trying time in history The story illustrates the life in London, when the Germans were bombing the city. It’s Al’s a coming of age story on the par with William Kent Kruger.

Baldacci is one of my favorite authors. His multiple thriller series are excellent and his expansion to the legal and wartime genres proves that he is one of America’s great authors.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and write my review of this terrific novel.

I never expected to write a negative review of a David Baldacci book., but I don't have many positive words for this one. The character development was excellent, as is usual for him. In fact, if I hadn't been so invested in the characters, I think I might have stopped reading. I knew the setting before I started the book, of course, but I think some of his descriptions were more gruesome than they needed to be. I've read Baldacci's books that were not thrillers, and they were excellent-this one just wasn't. It almost felt like it was written by someone else. It makes me a bit sad to say this, but I will be hesitant about recommending this one to our patrons.
Content warning: Gruesome war violence, sexual violence alluded to, suicide and severe mental health situations.