The Secret Society of Librarians

Inspired by a true story, a completely gripping and unforgettable WW2 historical novel

By: Kate Thompson

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Paperback | 10 March 2026 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Format
Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 15.4 x 3.6

Paperback

RRP $34.99

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A WW2 book about books, inspired by true stories: Following on from Kate Thompson's much-loved The Little Wartime Library and The Wartime Book Club, another heartbreaking yet heartwarming wartime library-set novel, inspired by real people, real stories, and extensive research.

Two women, torn apart by war. One shared belief in the power of books...

London, 1939. When war breaks out on librarian Joyce Kindred's doorstep and a call for help rings out across the libraries of London, she's determined to act. Joyce knows only the world of books can offer safety and comfort to her neighbourhood - and she will make sure no one is left behind.

Joyce sets up a mobile library scheme, but soon her acts of resistance go beyond sharing books. She shelters a young Jewish refugee, Adela - and it's not long before she discovers Adela has a secret that could turn their world upside down again...

Occupied Poland, 1942. Dorotha knows any chance of her escaping the barbed wire fences and cruelty of the Lodz ghetto dwindles by the day. Reading isn't just an act of defiance: it's the only thing left in her life over which she has any control. And so she shares books under the cover of darkness, creating a secret library away from her captors - that is, until even that last ray of hope is taken from her...

Joyce and Dorotha were once librarians, ordinary women, and best friends. The war has forced them into acts of unimaginable bravery - but will they ever find each other again?

About the Author

Kate Thompson an award-winning journalist, ghostwriter and novelist who has spent the past two decades in the UK mass market and book publishing industry. Over the past seven years Kate has written nine fiction and non-fiction titles, three of which have made the Sunday Times top ten bestseller list. Secrets of the Homefront Girls will be her tenth book.

Industry Reviews

PRAISE FOR KATE THOMPSON

A captivating tale about the power of libraries and how they connect us . . . Meticulously researched, readers will be entranced by this fascinating slice of history

A heartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times. Based on a little-known true story, Kate Thompson's meticulous research and love of libraries shine through. Perfect for fans of Dear Mrs. Bird.

Books help win the day in this splendid warm-hearted novel of wartime resilience and romance, based on a true story

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