In the book Strangers in Time, author David Baldacci writes about 14-year-old Charlie Matters who always seems to be up to no good. It’s World War 2 in England and Charlie is not old enough to join up and fight the Germans. But Charlie’s getting into trouble leads him to steal from a book shop owned by Ignatius Oliver. But is Ignatius only a book shop owner? Fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield comes from the right side of town but connects with Charlie and they work to help each other. But things are not what they seem and everyone seems to be lying to each other. Who is telling the truth? This was a good historical fiction that kept you wondering what was happening. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in World War 2. It involves a fourteen year old boy Charlie Matters. He has no parents anymore, his grandmother is raising him the best that she can. He is doing things he knows he shouldn't, but does them anyway. He is only trying to get by and stealing from the better off is his way of doing just that.

Then we meet Molly Wakefield who is fifteen she has been away from London for a long time. When she comes back things are not the same. She has no idea what to do or where to go. Enters Ignatius Oliver has a little book store called The Book Keeper. That is where the three of them begin to think of themselves as a family. That is until Molly thinks someone is following her. Charlie feels as if someone is following him as well. Mr. Oliver fears for all of their safety.

Why? Because Ignatius has been keeping his own deep dark secrets........

David Baldacci makes another departure from his mystery/thriller genre, this time diving into WWII historical fiction bringing together three unlikely characters. Charlie is a rebellious yet honorable teenager trying to supplement his Gran's income. Molly is a very mature teenager returning to her home after being sent away for her safety several years before. Ignatius Oliver is a local book store owner and an air warden. They are all mourning the loss of loved ones and their lives cross each other's paths and end up creating a beautiful friendship. Against all odds, Charlie, Molly and Oliver become a family unit that relies on each other for support and survival. This was a nice change of pace from other historical WWII novels I have read as this is from the perspective of teenagers and a widower. The description of the bombing raids felt very realistic and gave me new insight into how it must feel to live in fear of them and the inconsistent timing that disrupts life in an instant. The beginning of the book felt a bit long to me, so if you feel this way too just stick with it. The characters and story line are worth it!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

David Baldacci is a prolific author with many great series in his library of titles, but he ocassionally treats his loyal readers to a stand alone book to remind us he really is an outstanding story teller with excellent writing skills. Too many superlatives? No such thing when you're reviewing a Baldacci book.
Set during the WWII era, we meet three broken people who pull together to form a "found" family in every sense of the word. A young man with a grudge against the world and a young woman who has lost everything she knew will find a bookshop owner who needs them as much as they need him. The story is immersive as well as emotional. Readers feel the stress and fear as war torn London offers no hope to the few left living within the borders. Secrets are the currency of which lives are destroyed with no warning. But against the odds, this trio will not only survive, they will come out better on the other side. 5 easy stars.

David Baldacci is an author I love to read whether it be a series or a standalone. However, his historical fiction titles are not my favorite. I feel like they move very slowly and Strangers in Time is one of those titles. I've tried twice to get into the story but have given up.

Baldacci is a very talented author and can tell a great story. Perhaps I just need more action so I enjoy his thrillers much more. I will be looking forward to his next title and am glad others can find this one enjoyable.

Three very different people meet in World War II London and form a powerful bond.
Charlie Matters is a thirteen-year-old boy scrambling to get by. After losing his father at Dunkirk and his mother in the Blitz, he lives in a tiny apartment with his hard-working widowed grandmother. Gran believes that Charlie is still in school but he forged her permission to leave so he could secretly help out through a combination of theft and odd jobs. Unlike others in his situation, Charlie is too decent to prey on the needy. When he goes to return money stolen from a book shop, he gets more than he bargained for.
Molly Wakefield is a fifteen-year-old girl from a wealthy family whose doting parents send her to the country to keep her safe during wartime. When she returns home nearly five years later, she is shocked to learn that neither of her parents is in London. A bright girl, Molly has dreams of becoming a doctor, but her education is interrupted by the calamity of war.
Ignatius Oliver is a middle-aged book seller. He inherited the Book Keep from his beloved wife, Imogen, who he will love and mourn fort the rest of his life. Ignatius seems like a frail and timid person, but he is a courageous Air Warden whio received the George Cross for heroism. He has a secret life connected to his previous work for MI5. Although childless and not interested in human connections, Ignatius finds himself taking responsibility for the teenagers who need his help.
Strangers in Time is an action-packed and emotionally powerful story of life in London during the Blitz. Told from the viewpoints of Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius, it speaks with the voices of different classes, genders, and economic conditions. Too many novels with multiple narrators lose focus, but each of David Baldacci's characters is so well-drawn that I never had to wonder who was speaking.
An epilogue bringing the story up to the mid-1980s felt a bit superfluous, but for most of the book I could hardly put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for granting me access to a free advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. While it was sad at times the story was very engaging. The characters felt real and the setting felt accurate to the events. I highly recommend this book!

I have a confession. I really don’t like reading historical fiction. This author, David Baldacci, is one of my favorite thriller writers so I gave Strangers in Time a chance. And I’m glad I did.

Strangers in Time has an intriguing plot but it shines best with its fully fleshed out characters. Needing to know what happens next to thief Charlie, abandoned Molly and widowed bookshop owner Ignatius will keep you turning the pages. They put together an excellent found family during the chaos and uncertainty of 1944 Britain.

Even if you don’t usually read historical fiction, Strangers in Time may change your mind about your preferences. Or it might just be a nice little break from mysteries and thrillers as it was for me. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advanced review copy.

If you are interested in the lives of those who lived in London, England, through World War II, you will find it difficult to stop reading this remarkable book. Life was difficult for all Londoners during this period but for young people like Molly and Charley, trying to understand who they are and who they may become, every day is a struggle for survival. This story is not only compelling, it is a learning experience on many levels - I could not recommend it more highly!

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

Strangers in Time
By David Baldacci

Let’s bottom-line-up-front this thing: this is the best Baldacci book I’ve experienced.
To be fair, I’ve only listened to or read a few others. But this one stands apart.

The characters are more interesting, introspective, engaging—and dare I say, even a bit inspirational.

Strangers in Time follows three Londoners as they navigate life while WWII rages through its final year.

Our leads—Molly, Charlie, and Mr. Oliver—all have their own arcs, and those arcs intersect and interact in emotional, endearing, and believable ways.

Charlie is a teen boy saturated in a blend of street smarts and impulsive struggles.
Molly is a capable-beyond-her-years 15-year-old who has the moral compass of a true hero.
Mr. Oliver is wise, mysterious, and heartbroken—but also kind and giving.

I read the first third of the novel and then switched to Audible due to so much windshield time.
Wow. The voice acting is out of the park and makes the story feel even more real.

The voice actress playing Molly has a speaking cadence and timbre almost exactly like Hayley Mills circa The Moon-Spinners. It fits perfectly.

Strangers in Time is good. The ending drags and meanders a bit, but the first two-thirds of the novel are excellent.
By the time we reach the end, it lands a very good A-.

Strangers in Time is from Grand Central Publishing.
Thank you, Grand Central, for the review copy.

It is 448 pages in hardcover.
It is 13 hours and 44 minutes in audio.
It is performed by a full cast of voice actors, including:
Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Joe Pitts, and David Baldacci.
Lots of voice actors were used, and they were clearly well-directed.

What’s a WWII-era story that hits home for you?

We’ll talk soon.

Strangers in Time is a different type of novel for David Baldacci. Instead of a crime story or a legal thriller, this is a tender story of love, hope and most importantly family. Both Charlie and Molly are two young people on their own on the streets of London during the blitz. Enter Ignatius Oliver who helps them form a loving family. Each battles their demons and family issues but in the end form an unbreakable bond. There also some surprises. Great character development. The descriptions of the blitz and the destruction the air attacks caused are very well written. Good book. Good feelings after reading it. I liked this novel.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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.

I've read many of David Baldacci's novels and they were all of the thriller/mystery type, so this was a totally different read for me - though just as fast-paced and absorbing as his others. This book it more historical fiction set in London near the end of World War II. I loved it!

Description:
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.

As bombs continue to bear down on the city, Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius learn that while the perils of war rage on, their coming together and trusting one another may be the only way for them to survive.

My Thoughts:
Baldacci brought the bombings that occurred in London to life and the scenes were terrifying and scary. The characters he brought together - Ignatius Oliver (the bookstore owner), Charlie Matters (14 year old) and Molly Wakefield (16 year old) met under terrible conditions but came together and cared for each other. Charlie had suffered terrible losses and was grieving. Molly was finding her way in nursing war victims. The way they came together and helped each other was heart-warming. The story-telling is superb in this book and the plot was fast-moving and compelling. The times were difficult and uncertain. This was an emotional read and it really makes you grateful for peaceful times.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I feel weird being an apparent outlier here but to me this was just okay. This seems like a bit of a departure from Baldacci's usual novels and I'm not sure that's a great thing. Perhaps I've just read too much WWII historical fiction, but it all starts to seem rather similar. It's heartbreaking yet predictable. The bookshop part of the story felt somewhat unique, but it felt a little over the top. It all felt flat to me by the end.

Recommended for anyone who loves historical fiction novels, especially involving resilience through loss and found family. I imagine it'd be loved by fans of Kristin Hannah.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I don't know about everyone else, but a reliable sign to me that a book was wonderful is how puffy and red my face is from crying when I'm done. Yes, this was a great book. Strangers in Time is a historical mystery by best-selling author David Baldacci. I probably have read at least one book by him in the past, but I'd have to dig out my notebook of all the books I've read for over 20 years to check, and no one has time for me to look that up! I will, however, be actively seeking out his books from now on.

In London in 1944, German bombs have been falling, causing death and destruction in their wake. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters has been stealing in order to survive. He's an orphan living with his beloved Gran, and he no longer goes to school - and can't get a job at his age - so theft to supplement his Gran's meager wage is his only choice. He's biding his time until he's old enough to join the fight against the Germans. He barely escaped death during the Blitz, so he knows his end could come at any time. On the other end of the spectrum, fifteen-year-old Molly Wakefield, the child of a well-to-do couple, has just returned to a London she barely recognizes. She was one of the millions of children sent to the countryside for safety via “Operation Pied Piper", and she's been gone from home for five years. When she returns, however, both of her parents are gone, and she has no idea what happened to them.. With no guardians or a stable home, they find an unexpected protector and friend in Ignatius Oliver, who owns the book store called The Book Keep. Ignatius is a recent widower and is mourning the death of his beloved wife. He finds a kinship with both children, and they form their own unique family. But Charlie's actions in the city have drawn some unwanted attention, and Molly has been followed since she returned to London. And Ignatius has some secrets of his own...

It took me a little time to get into the rhythm of the story, but once I did I was reluctant to put it down and stayed up waaaaay past a reasonable bedtime. I really can't say that I preferred one character over the others; I found them all fascinating and likable and was riveted to each of their stories. When the three came together it was such a special little family. They had lost the families they had, but now had the family they chose. Charlie had lost so much so young, and his Gran was all he had left. She didn't know that Charlie had quit school and was stealing to survive. When Charlie was forced by two of his mates to help them rob The Book Keep, things ended badly and he was terrified that he would come to the attention of the authorities for his part in the incident. When Gran was no longer there to care for Charlie, he gravitated toward Ignatius's book store, and also became friends with Molly. Molly had no idea of the situation she was entering when she returned from the countryside; her father had stopped paying for her keep to the couple with whom she stayed, so she knew it was time to come home. The only one left at her house was her nanny, who wasn't telling Molly the truth about the situation. Molly, an extremely smart young woman, wanted to be a doctor; her strength when helping victims of bombings was remarkable. She, too, gravitated to Ignatius and his book shop. And just who was following Molly, and why? The last third of the trio, Ignatius Oliver, was a sad man who lost his wife, and now he seemed lost himself. The book store had been hers, and she was a writer. Ignatius wanted to finish the book she had started, but just couldn't force himself to do it. Ignatius seemed to come back to the land of the living when he spent time with the children and was protecting them. He was an air warden and would help citizens get to shelters when bombs began to fall and would help those who had been hurt; he had seen so much death and destruction. Who was the strange German man that Ignatius met with, though? Charlie and Molly were worried that Ignatius was perhaps taking part in something nefarious, but they wanted to trust him. As the book went along more and more of the trio's secrets were being revealed, and I was stunned about many of them. Mr. Baldacci's descriptions of the bombings, shelters, death and destruction made you almost think he was there at the time. He let you feel these people's pain.. This was a story of death and heartache, but also one of triumph and love. It's also a love letter to books and reading. You won't be able to read it without weeping.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sometimes we come across a great author whose story is good but not quite up to their usual standard. This was one of those books for me.

The author stepped away from his usual genre of suspense and legal thrillers to try his hand at historical fiction. The story centers on two teenagers Charlie and Emily (ages 13 and 15) and an elderly man named Oliver. One might say it was serendipity that brought them together, as their lives couldn't have been more different under normal circumstances. But during WWII, as German bombs rained down on London, social class mattered less: what you had today could be gone tomorrow, and people from all walks of life came together.

What stood out to me was the heart of each character. They all had true grit. The sadness that cloaked each of them like a personal veil of loss was deeply moving. But together, they found strength. Their friendship helped each of them endure the pain and destruction brought on by the war.
While the two teens’ secrets are more transparent, the real mystery lies with Oliver. Who is he, really? Is he on the side of good, or is he a spy planted by the Germans to live among the Londoners?

What didn’t work as well for me were a few chapters that dragged and felt like they could have been trimmed. I understand the intention might have been to build suspense, but it just felt a bit too drawn out. Some characters seemed to be added as filler as I didn’t get a strong sense of who they were or what they truly brought to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Strangers in Time is one you don't want to miss!
This takes place in London 1944 and is about a book shop owner who is grieving, but also two teenagers who are all damaged by the second world war. They also find the healing and hope in each other. The author wrote this exceptionally well and all of the characters in it I loved. It was such a touching, but also tragic read. This is one historical fiction that you do not want to miss. I loved this book and would recommend to any reader especially to those who love historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of Strangers in Time by David Baldacci.

Three strangers who normally wouldn’t have met, become friends during the Blitz in London during WWII. Molly and Charlie are young teenagers basically fending for themselves. They meet bookstore owner Ignatius Oliver who has grief and secrets of his own. Together this unlikely trio face whatever life throws at them. Wonderful characters, absorbing story.

A tiny bookshop tucked away in a London alley is an unlikely haven for three very different people in war torn England in 1944. Ignatius Oliver, the owner of The Book Keep, is grieving the death of his wife. Molly Wakefield was sent to the countryside by her parents at the start of the war. Now 15, she is horrified by London’s destruction yet mystified to find her childhood home undamaged, but both her parents are gone. She learns from the housekeeper that her father is missing, and her mother is in a psychiatric hospital far from London. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Matters lost his family in the Blitz. Now he scavenges for food and shelter on the bombed-out streets of London. Under different circumstances, both Charlie and Molly make their way to The Book Keep where they find a caring father figure in Ignatius and a safe place to call home as they all deal with the problems the war has brought to their lives. Baldacci’s novel is in part a coming-of-age story, but it is also the story of human struggle during one of the worst times in world history. The book is well researched, has an amazing sense of place and a large cast of muti-faceted characters. I would recommend this book to readers and book groups who enjoy historical fiction and WWII fiction. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

David Baldacci has been a favorite author for years!!! This novel is a departure from his usual suspense/legal thrillers which highlights his versatility to write across different genres.

The moment I discovered he was venturing into my favorite genre, historical fiction, I was all in! True to form, Baldacci brings his trademark talent for crafting gripping tales with deeply developed characters and intricate plots to this novel.

The story unfolds in wartime London during 1944, with the Nazi bombing campaign, famously known as The Blitz, serving as its backdrop.

Baldacci skillfully evokes the era's tension, intertwining the stories of three unlikely companions: Charlie, a clever 13-year-old making his way through the streets of the East End; Molly, a 15-year-old coming back to a city and home irreversibly altered by the war; and Ignatius, a sorrowful and enigmatic bookseller grieving the loss of his wife.

Their lives intertwine in unforeseen ways, forging a connection that brings hope amid the turmoil of the blitz. Together, they face the perils of wartime London, unearth hidden truths, and tackle obstacles that challenge their strength and faith in one another.

If you enjoy a deeply engaging, character-focused story that explores themes of resilience, human connection, and survival, this is a must-have for your reading list.

Audiobook lovers, get your headphones ready because this is a must listen!!

🎧The audiobook has a talented cast of narrators that include David Baldacci, Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Joe Pitts.

With a full cast, each character has a distinct voice making it very easy to follow along. The cast was able to convey the war-time atmosphere so vividly through their voices in a way that you were able to truly feel the emotions each character was feeling during their many hardships.....the performance really heightened my emotional connection to each character.