The Lost Children

By: Shirley Dickson

Narrated by: Rosie Jones

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

As they walked toward the railway station, their mother took an envelope from her handbag. "I want you to keep this somewhere safe."

"What’s in the letter?"

"Listen carefully. You’re never to open it unless you or your sister are in real trouble. Promise me."

England, 1943: Home is no longer safe for eight-year-old twins Molly and Jacob. Night after night, wailing bombs and screeching planes skim the rooftops overhead. They cradle each other, shivering in terror, not knowing if they will live to see dawn. Their mother, Martha, has no choice but to evacuate them to the safety of the countryside.

At the train station, Martha bites back tears as she says good-bye to her precious children. Knowing she might never see them again, she gives Jacob a letter, pressing the envelope into his hands and telling him to only read it if they are in danger.

In the country, Molly and Jacob must adjust to life with strangers. Every night they dream of returning home to the arms of their beloved mother. But then the unimaginable happens. Martha is killed in an explosion, leaving the twins all alone in the world.

The war has robbed Molly and Jacob of everything - all they have left is one another. Motherless and destitute, they face the grim reality of life in an orphanage. The time has finally come for Jacob to open the letter. What secret does it hold, and could it change the course of their tragic fate? Because if they are together, they can survive anything - but what if they are torn apart?

From the best-selling author of The Orphan Sisters comes an utterly heartbreaking and unforgettable tale of two children who must lean on each other in a time of tragedy and learn the shocking truth of their past. Fans of Wives of War, Lisa Wingate, and Diney Costeloe will be swept away by this sublime World War Two novel.

©2020 Shirley Dickson (P)2020 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

All characters

I enjoyed all of it. Easy listening and a sweet story. You see good and evil throughout.

Excellent story and narration!

Nicely written beginning to end with no slow parts! Narrator is perfect! I know I will listen again!

Engrossing Story About England's Child Evacuees

I've never read a novel that dealt with the evacuation in England during WWII from a child's point of view. This is a subject I'd like to read more about. The novel was compelling, and I found myself becoming engrossed in the children's plight. The ending might have been predictable but that didn't spoil a good story. The narrator did a wonderful job of portraying the various characters. I'd highly recommend this book.

Short and sweet

Good story line. Would listen or read it again. Didn’t drag on and wasn’t too long of a book.

lovely book

this is a very well write gripping story. keep me on my toes waiting to see the next twist.

Lovely book

This is a sweet story, narrated in a quiet way and charming way. I recommend this to anyone.

Fantastic Book

I loved this book. I cried hard in the last chapters of it. I was so moved and engaged with it that my heart was broken. I have cried so hard and for so long that I have a migraine. I felt compelled to leave a comment for it. I haven't left a review for a book in a while, even ones that I enjoyed. This one deserves to be read/listened to by all. Well done!

Great story, and the narrator is so talented

A wonderful heart wrenching story of such loss, but new life springing forward out of the ruins of war.

Wholesome listening!

The characters are well-drawn and likeable. Narrator is very good. Clean language. Story is realistic and interesting.

A really good book

One of the best books I’ve listened to in a while. The narrator was perfect too.