Historical fiction fans who want to avoid a WWII story, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry will likely scratch that itch with an added bit of fantastical whimsy. I would say that this novel has a lot of parallels to a Kate Morton novel, which I really liked. 

Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham is a child prodigy fantasy writer, writing her first story at age 8 and getting it published at age 12 (Bronwyn is based on a real child prodigy writer!). After a tragic event when she’s in her 30s, Bronwyn disappears, leaving a husband and 8 year old daughter Clara. Now, in 1952, Clara is summoned to England by Charlie Jameson, who was clearing out papers after his father’s death and found papers believed to be from her missing mother. Clara takes her 8 year old daughter Wynnie to London, and there they get caught in the Great Smog of 1952, which is especially problematic because Wynnie has asthma. They retreat to the countryside with the Jameson family, and Clara attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery and at the same time is intrigued by Charlie. 

The settings, both South Carolina and England, were well-drawn and very atmospheric. And, of course, the thick, sooty smog that affected so many people’s lungs made me empathize with Londoners at this time. 

I thought the themes of history repeating itself and running away vs. running to something were well-constructed. At times, the novel had moments of being a bit more drawn out and repetitive than I needed and sometimes a smidge too sentimental for my taste. On the whole, I found it enjoyable and learned a lot about this time period. 

Love the cover. Not as fond of the title. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND publishes March18, 2025.