'A masterpiece' – Lisa Scottoline

During one of the fiercest conflicts the world has ever known, three strangers’ lives collide . . .

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EVERY SECOND COUNTS

Orphaned with no prospects, Charlie Matters’ life has always been a fight for survival. He miraculously emerges unscathed from the Blitz, but there’s no telling when the next bomb will fall, and whether it will be the one to end his life.

Molly Wakefield’s dreams of a joyful homecoming are all she’s had to hold on to after being evacuated to the countryside five years before. But when she finally returns, Molly faces a London changed beyond recognition, and the devastating news that neither of her parents are there.

Charlie and Molly’s paths converge at ‘The Book Keep’, where they find an unexpected ally and protector in the bookshop’s owner, widower Ignatius Oliver. But the trio’s newfound peace is jeopardized as past secrets catch up with them. Can they help one another survive this turbulent time? Or will they be ripped apart from the last people they hold dear?

'A visceral reminder that war creates the most indefatigable bonds between unlikely souls' – Jodi Picoult 'A book that will stay with you' – Ann Cleeves 'Captivating, tender, brutal and brilliant' – Peter James 'Baldacci is the master' – Jeffrey Archer 'Baldacci is still peerless' – Sunday Times 'One of the world's best thriller masters' – Daily Mail

David Baldacci is one of the world’s bestselling and favourite thriller writers. A former trial lawyer with a keen interest in world politics, he has specialist knowledge in the US political system and intelligence services. His first book, Absolute Power, became an instant international bestseller, with the movie starring Clint Eastwood a major box office hit. He has since written more than fifty bestsellers featuring, most recently, Travis Devine, Amos Decker, Aloysius Archer and Mickey Gibson. David is also the co-founder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the US. Killer twists. Heroes to believe in. Trust Baldacci.