The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
Atria Books (March 18, 2025)
Historical Literary Fiction/Women’s Fiction
Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.
In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.
By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.
Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.
BUY LINKS
The Story She Left Behind | by Patti Callahan Henry
REVIEW
Mystery and family legacy as a daughter searches for clues for her lost mother and a lost book
Such a beautiful story – both the words and the message. Excellent writing that puts you in the setting whether it was South Carolina, London, or the Lake District. The characters had such depth. I felt the pull of Clara’s quest for answers on her mother’s disappearance. Her daughter, Wynnie was such a delightful character. Charlie was an unexpected surprise. He won my heart by his determination to get Clara & Wynnie out of London away from the smog. He was so good to both of them. The settings are characters in themselves. A wonderful read and highly recommend.
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (February 17, 2025)
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley
Purchased Hardback copy via Brenda Novak Monthly Book Boxes (March)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of seventeen novels, including her newest, The Story She Left Behind. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
Her books have been translated into over 20 languages and have been the Barnes and Noble Book Club Pick, Amazon Editor Pick, Goodreads Book of the Year finalist, People Magazine Choice, Book of the Month Selection, and more. She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
Growing up in Philadelphia as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, she’s lived up and down the East Coast from Philadelphia, to Florida, to Atlanta. She now lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full-time. Married to Pat Henry, the mother of three and grandmother of two.
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