lukecuster 's review for:

Strangers in Time by David Baldacci

4.25

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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David Baldacci has always been one of my favorite authors, and Strangers in Time was a bit of a departure from his usual style. It was clear that this novel was unique compared to his other works, and I found it to be a refreshing change. I definitely enjoyed it more than my mom, as it’s a slow burn that takes its time to unravel, but I loved the in-depth look at World War II in London. It’s rare that a WWII novel feels truly unique, but Baldacci created a different atmosphere with this one. Amid the destruction, the story of struggle, survival, and found family was incredibly moving. The three main characters would have never crossed paths without the war’s upheaval in their lives.

Charlie, almost fourteen, is barely getting by with his Gran, doing whatever odd jobs he can to survive. His vulnerability and determination really hit me hard. Molly, on the other hand, was sent away for safety before the Blitz, only to return to find her family gone. I admired her resilience—she had the wealth and comfort of her past life stripped away, but she was determined to make things work. And then there’s Ignatius Oliver, with a name straight out of fiction, who runs a bookshop that becomes a safe haven for the children. The oddities they discover in his shop, along with the mysterious men following Molly and the secrets Ignatius seems to harbor, added a thrilling element to the story.