From the bestselling author of Daughter of the Reich, an historical drama set in London about a bookshop involved in an espionage network.

London, 1962: The world is teetering on the brink of nuclear war but life must go on. Celia Duchesne longs for a career, but with no means or qualifications, passes her time working at a dusty bookshop. The day a handsome American enters the shop, she thinks she might have found her way out of the monotony. Just as the excitement of a budding relationship engulfs her, a devastating secret draws her into the murky world of espionage.

France, 1942: Nineteen-year-old Anya Moreau was dropped behind enemy lines to aid the resistance, sending messages back home to London via wireless transmitter. When she was cruelly betrayed, evidence of her legacy and the truth of her actions were buried by wartime injustices.

As Celia learns more about Anya—and her unexpected connection to the undercover agent—she becomes increasingly aware of furious efforts, both past and present, to protect state secrets. With her newly formed romance taking a surprising turn and the world on the verge of nuclear annihilation, Celia must risk everything she holds dear, in the name of justice.

Propulsive and illuminating, The London Bookshop Affair is a gripping story of secrets and love, inspired by true events and figures of the Cold War.

A new historical drama from Daughter of the Reich bestselling author Louise Fein, about a London bookshop involved in an espionage network, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff. In nuclear war, there can be no winners. It's 1962, and the world is teetering on the brink of nuclear war. But daily life must go on. South London girl Celia Duchesne longs for a career but with no means, connections, or qualifications, she spends her days at the till of a dusty antiquarian bookshop on the Strand, unable to see a way out. The day a handsome American walks into the shop, she thinks she might have found it. Just as the excitement of a budding relationship engulfs her, she learns a devastating secret that draws her into the murky world of espionage. Twenty years prior, nineteen-year-old Anya Moreau was dropped behind enemy lines to aid the resistance in occupied France, sending messages back to London via wireless transmitter. When she was cruelly betrayed and handed over to the Nazis, evidence of her legacy and the truth of her actions were buried by wartime injustices. As Celia learns more about Anya--and her unexpected connection to the undercover agent--she becomes increasingly aware of furious efforts, both past and present, to protect state secrets, at all costs. With her newly formed romance taking a surprising turn and the world's superpowers on the verge of nuclear annihilation, Celia must risk everything she holds close to her heart, in the name of justice. Propulsive, illuminating, and inspired by true events and figures of the Cold War, The London Bookshop Affair is a gripping story of secrets and love set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

*An International Bestseller from the author of People Like Us, shortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize and the RNA Historical Romantic Novel Award 2021* From the outside, Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have the perfect life, but they're harbouring a secret that threatens to fracture their entire world. London, 1929. Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and an adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a pioneer in the eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright. When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, they have to face an uncomfortable truth: Mabel has epilepsy - one of the 'undesirable' conditions that Edward campaigns against. Forced to hide their daughter away so as to not jeopardise Edward's life's work, the couple must confront the truth of their past - and the secrets that have been buried. Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them? 'Shocking, emotive, and compelling, but ultimately a story of hope. I loved it' - Deborah Carr, bestselling author of The Poppy Field 'A poignant rendering of love and motherhood, human frailty and redemption, exquisitely told against the backdrop of the unthinkable... Fein deftly takes the reader back to a terrifying turning point in history and, with grace and compassion, reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in our souls to be true' - Judithe Little, bestselling author of The Chanel Sisters 'The Hidden Child is the thought-provoking and compelling tale of one family and the battle to survive their daughter's illness. A reminder that ordinary people can so often be responsible for some of the most shocking episodes in history' - Louise Hare, bestselling author of This Lovely City 'An astonishing story about an aspect of British history that's long been swept under the carpet - surprising, moving and poignant' - Frances Quinn, bestselling author of The Smallest Man 'I was completely under its spell in this powerful, engaging, and ultimately heart-warming story. Bravo, Louise you've done it again!' - Gill Thompson, author of The Oceans Between Us 'The Hidden Child is a fascinating and thought-provoking story which is hard to put down' - Caroline Bishop, author of The Other Daughter 'The Hidden Child is a story of hope and redemption, of humanity and growth... both intimate and universal in scope. I loved this compelling read and its complex, flawed, but deeply human characters' - Addison Armstrong, author of The Light of Luna Park

'I nearly drowned and Walter rescued me. That changes everything.'
Leipzig, 1930s Germany

Hetty Heinrich is a perfect German child. Her father is an SS officer, her brother in the Luftwaffe, herself a member of the BDM. She believes resolutely in her country, and the man who runs it.

Until Walter changes everything. Blond-haired, blue-eyed, perfect in every way Walter. The boy who saved her life. A Jew.

Anti-semitism is growing by the day, and neighbours, friends and family members are turning on one another. As Hetty falls deeper in love with a man who is against all she has been taught, she begins to fight against her country, her family and herself. Hetty will have to risk everything to save Walter, even if it means sacrificing herself...

Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Book Thief.

From the outside, Eleanor and Edward Hamilton are the epitome of a perfect marriage but they're harbouring a shameful secret that threatens to fracture their entire world. London, 1929. Eleanor Hamilton is a dutiful mother, a caring sister and adoring wife to a celebrated war hero. Her husband, Edward, is a leading light in the Eugenics movement. The Hamiltons are on the social rise, and it looks as though their future is bright. When Mabel, their young daughter, begins to develop debilitating seizures, their world fractures as they have to face the uncomfortable truth - Mabel is an epileptic: one of the undesirables Edward campaigns against. Forced to hide the truth so as not to jeopardise Edward's life work, the couple must confront the truth of their past - and the secrets that have been buried. Will Eleanor and Edward be able to fight for their family? Or will the truth destroy them?

Leipzig, 1930s Germany

Hetty Heinrich is a perfect German child. Her father is an SS officer, her brother in the Luftwaffe, herself a member of the BDM. She believes resolutely in her country, and the man who runs it.

Until Walter changes everything. Blond-haired, blue-eyed, perfect in every way Walter. The boy who saved her life. A Jew.

Anti-semititism is growing by the day, and neighbours, friends and family members are turning on one another. As Hetty falls deeper in love with a man who is against all she has been taught, she begins to fight against her country, her family and herself. Hetty will have to risk everything to save Walter, even if it means sacrificing herself...

Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Book Thief.