Strangers in Time

A World War 2 Novel

De: David Baldacci

Narrado por: David Baldacci, Stewart Crank, Alexandra Boulton, John Lee, Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Joe Pitts

Read by a multi-cast of award-winning narrators including AudioFile Golden Voice John Lee (reader of Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth), Strangers in Time is a novel of healing and hope about a bereaved book shop owner and two teenagers scarred by the second world war – David Baldacci as you’ve never heard him before. Features an audio-exclusive foreword read by David Baldacci.

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: neither of her parents are there, only her old nanny, Mrs. Pride.

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 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.

“A group of acclaimed narrators delivers an absorbing performance of David Baldacci's new novel. In 1944 London, well-born 15-year-old Molly, 14-year-old Charlie from London's East Side, and Ignatius Oliver, a bereaved bookshop owner, are flung together to forge a found family in the midst of war. While the writing suggests a young adult novel, the complex story will certainly engage adult listeners. Stewart Crank's Charlie shines as a plucky boy who finds joy wherever. Alexandra Boulton's Molly is a sweet-voiced mix of kindhearted and imperious. John Lee's somewhat theatrical delivery captures the mysterious Ignatius. Nicola F. Delgado, Matthew Lloyd Davies, and Joe Pitts perform remarkable cameos of the other characters. And Baldacci pulls everything together in his well-read delivery of an interesting author's note.” © Audiofile 2025, Portland, Maine

©2025 David Baldacci (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

“David Baldacci’s foray into historical fiction is a meticulously precise account of what it was like to live through the Blitz in London—a visceral reminder that war not only levels social classes, but creates the most unlikely and indefatigable bonds between unlikely souls.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Oliver Twist meets the Blitz when powerhouse author David Baldacci turns his pen from thrillers to historical fiction. Two brave and capable teenagers find themselves thrown together in the rubble and chaos of WWI-era London: fifteen-year-old Molly, sent away from her Mayfair home to escape the German bombings and returned to find both her parents inexplicably missing; and fourteen-year-old Charlie, an East End orphan barely surviving as a petty thief. Charlie and Molly find shelter with mysterious bookshop owner Mr. Oliver, but he has secrets of his own that will come home to roost with deadly consequences. Baldacci beautifully explores the dark side lurking under the London Blitz's romanticized image—Strangers in Time is a beautiful read that will linger long in the memory."—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club

"#1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci takes on World War II with the touching Strangers in Time, a character-driven tale of three disparate souls whose paths unexpectedly intertwine during the last year of the Second World War. Baldacci's meticulous research is evident in his deep sense of place and time, and bomb-shattered London comes richly alive on the page under his capable pen. Through his own Wish You Well Foundation, which supports literacy, Baldacci has long celebrated the way books can change lives, and in Strangers in Time, it is indeed a bookshop—the lovingly chaotic The Book Keep—that brings together 13-year-old Charlie, 15-year-old Molly, and recently widowed bookstore owner Ignatius Oliver, all of whom are alone and adrift. As German V-1 and V-2 rockets wreak havoc on the city, the three forge a new family, the existence of which is soon threatened by deadly secrets that simmer beneath the surface. Absorbing and deeply researched, Strangers in Time is a celebration of the books that change us, the families we choose, and the capacity we all have to rise from the ashes and find our way home."—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter

A New Look at WWII

I loved the different narrators! That really added so much depth to the story. I really felt like I got to know each character. The story is different from all the other WWII books I've read, but ultimately the same as they all shared in the grief and loss of that time period. I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The characters and how they became a family

Love, love, loved this book! David Baldacci did a wonderful job in writing this book. So different from other books that I’ve read of his other than calamity of souls which if you haven’t read you should! This was such a different aspect of World War II that I had not read before and I just loved how everyone came together and how Charlie and Molly and Ignatius made a family together. Having to different narrators for the characters was a fabulous choice. It made me really fall in love with the characters. War is such a horrible thing. I can’t imagine being involved in one, but in reading this book, it really makes you feel like you’re there. And you got to see the better side of people. This is a must read for anyone who likes World War II stories.

Amazing

Let me start this by saying I have never read one of David Baldacci books before, so I have no idea what they are like.
But this one is amazing, you feel like your living WWII Thru Molly, Charlie and Mr. Oliver.
Those three characters will be with me for awhile, This is a gripping, very realistic story of three very different people who come together unexpectedly. Three different stories and endings and yes you will cry or at least get tears in your eyes.
The narrators made you believe, you were there sitting next to them.

A WWII Novel

Strangers in Time brings three characters together in London during a horrific war. The three character’s paths likely would not have crossed but David Baldacci brought them together in a wonderful, heartwarming book during difficult times. I enjoyed every minute of the book!

loved this book!

I was stunned by Baldacci's versatility in writing this. a departure from his enjoyable usual story lines. Excellent listen!

Unexpectantly different but good

I was not used to this type of story from DB and I initially wasn't sure it was for me. But I stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised. He ties in all the characters nicely and pulls you into their story and background. I will be listening to this again after a short break with another book or two. Altogether I think he does an excellent job with how it is written, the characters, and how he makes you feel for the character's struggles and therefore, form a bond with them and their outcome..Great Listen!!!!

Realistic

Great book. Not similar to his other books, which I love. I loved this one too. More like historical fiction, with wonderful character development.

Sad to see it end.

Once again the creation of characters that draw you into the story, one you hate to end.

The characters! You will love them!! Root for them, worry about them.

It ended!!! The characters and historical events will stick to your ribs for a loooong time!

worth while

I pretty much the whole story . I thought the would stay together . But not being predictable is what makes a great story