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Table of Contents
About The Book
London, 1953. Jimmy Sullivan lies dying on the drawing room floor while his housemates look on, their lives about to change forever.
One foggy night in the dead of February, a young man arrives unannounced at 42 Tregunter Road in Chelsea. Self-styled Bohemian Mrs. Honor Wilson—who runs a minor literary journal and lodgings from this timeworn Victorian house—introduces him to her “dear house guests”: Robbie, the writer; Mina, the teenage sleuth; George, the debutante; and Saul, the haunted refugee. Jimmy Sullivan is a family friend, Honor says—yet clearly, something is not right. Despite everyone’s misgivings, she lets the stranger move into the attic.
As they each try to disprove Jimmy’s dubious account of himself, secrets, jealousies, and disturbing schemes come to light, fracturing the household’s delicate allegiances and setting in motion, unstoppably, a tale of perilous self-invention, complicated love, and murderous revenge.
In a house built on lies, the truth will get you killed.
Product Details
- Publisher: S&S/Summit Books (May 12, 2026)
- Length: 304 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668222546
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Raves and Reviews
"I couldn't put down this intricately woven debut by the talented Emma Garman. Set in perfectly-drawn 1950s London, The Kindness of Strangers is a tantalizing historical mystery that revolves around a house full of boarders--all of whom have something to hide--and the mysterious death of a man who has recently moved into their home. Twisty, fast-paced, brilliantly plotted and deliciously entertaining, The Kindness of Strangers is an absolute must-read!" —KRISTIN HARMEL, New York Times bestselling author
"An acid-etched portrait of murder and manners in post-war Britain, The Kindness of Strangers is a sinister delight, like a chocolate-coated cherry bomb. Emma Garman's astonishingly deft debut is an absolute must-read, and heralds a brilliant new voice in crime fiction." —JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING, New York Times bestselling author of At Midnight Comes the Cry
"A rich labyrinth of a story fiflled with deeply real, flawed, fabulous characters. Good luck putting it down before you reach the dark secret at the center." —STEPHEN SPOTSWOOD, author of Dead in the Frame, a New York Times Top 10 Mystery of the Year?
“A wholly delightful novel brimming with unpredictable characters and prose as elegant as it is sharp. With a true nod to Christie-esque tradition, Emma Garman whisks readers through fog-shrouded London, delivering every ingredient of a classic whodunnit with a wit and flair entirely her own. Fans of golden-age mysteries, buckle in for a thrill ride through this literary house of mirrors!" —SARAH CROUCH, USA Today Bestselling author of Middletide
"A beautifully woven novel full of escalating secrets and a found family of characters who tunnel their way into your heart. Hugely enjoyable, and with one of my favorite Epilogues ever, I’ve been recommending it to everyone." —AJ PEARCE, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dear Mrs. Bird
“Garman’s character portraits…are as affecting as they are amusing….Honor herself comes through as a formidable heroine who triumphs over the forces of class privilege that Ms. Garman, through this engaging debut novel, so brilliantly depicts.” —The Wall Street Journal
"Addictive...[Garman] skillfully captures the decimated mood of postwar London, with its overflowing pubs and lingering food shortages, and maximizes suspense with perfectly timed reveals. Readers will hope for more from the author soon." —Publishers Weekly
“A skillfully constructed mystery full of sly twists, dark wit and rich period detail.” —Malcolm Forbes, The Economist (best books of summer)
“Agatha Christie fans, gather ’round….If you like history with your mystery, look no further.” —BookPage
"Vivid and entertaining, and powered by such a wonderfully dry wit." —The Times
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