Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is set during the 1944 Blitz and here we follow Charlie, Molly and Ignatius. Their unlikely friendship blooms amidst bombs, secrets, and stolen books.
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“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.”
Book Review: Strangers in Time
Who knew Baldacci had this in him? The king of fast moving thrillers has taken a sharp left turn into emotional wartime London—and somehow made it work. Strangers in Time is heart-wrenching, hopeful, and occasionally… a little too wholesome?
Does the book can leave you teary-eyed? Partially Yes. Surviving the blitz…If it meant you could have friends like these ? Well, if you’re lucky enough, maybe.
Baldacci nails the setting and the soul of wartime fight. The narration & the pacing was nice, and the ending left me hopeful. If this is what Baldacci does when he goes outside his comfort zone, I hope he keeps wandering.
So why 4 stars and not 5? Simple: the emotional restraint. These kids go through so much—death, mystery men, missing parents—and are calm like Buddhist monks. A little more yelling? Maybe more teenage tantrum? ..just one scene where they cracked.
| Genre | Fiction, Thriller |
| Number of Pages | 448 pages |
| My Rating | 4.0⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | April 15, 2025 |
Also Read: Wild Dark Shore Charlotte McConaghy
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci Summary (Spoilers)
Nothing like bombings, missing parents, stolen books, and unlikely friendships to spice up the war years in London, right? Strangers in Time pulls us into 1944, where three very different people are thrown together by fate. I mean, who needs peace when you’ve got Charlie, Molly, and Ignatius, right?
“I didn’t choose to be brave. I just ran out of other options.”
- Let’s start, Charlie. This 14-year-old East Ender, after losing both of his parents, he’s stuck living with his gran in a flat where food is scarce and survival means doing whatever it takes—like swiping cash from a bookstore.
- Enter Ignatius Oliver, a widowed bookstore owner who’s trying to keep it all together after losing his wife, Imogen. Ignatius catches Charlie in the act of stealing, but instead of calling the cops, he lets Charlie keep a book, but hold onto your seat, because that book’s going to get way more interesting later.
- Then there’s Molly Wakefield—15, rich, and back in London after years of being hiding off to the countryside for safety. She returns home to find that her parents have disappeared without leaving any message.
Also Read: The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
What’s a girl to do when she’s got no parents, and a pair of street-smart kids tagging along? She teams up with Charlie, of course. And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, mysterious men start following her. This is WWII, and danger is the name of the game.
As the Blitz progresses, a dark secret of Ignatius is revealed, about his grief, guilt, and his past. Is he a hero? A villain? A bit of both?
Charlie’s book turns out to be more than just a journal. As it passes between them, it holds secrets to a mystery. And just when you think things might settle down… boom. Literally. Bombs are falling, lives are changing, and nothing is easy for this trio. But through it all, they form a bond that’s stronger than anything.
Now, despite the constant bombardment of loss, grief, and fear, these three characters find the kind of family you don’t always get by blood. They become each other’s lifeline. They survive not because of the world, but because of each other when no one else is.
Quotes:
“You can lose your home. Your family. Even your future. But if someone still believes in you, you haven’t lost everything.”
Final Verdict?
The final question, though: Can a book about war—full of tension, really remind us of the power of friendship and bonding? In this case, absolutely. Baldacci makes sure of that.
Who should read it:
- Historical fiction lovers – especially those who want a fresh lens on WWII (why always soldiers/spies).
- People who liked The Book Thief, A Calamity of Souls, or The Guernsey Literary etc.
- Baldacci fans looking for something different.
- Audiobook listeners who enjoy a full-cast narration.
Books like Strangers in Time by David Baldacci:
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
- The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
About the Author:
David Baldacci is an author, storyteller and novelist famous for classics like Memory Man, The Innocent etc. He has written 50+ books, out of many are national and international bestsellers.
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