The Key: The most gripping, heartbreaking novel of World War Two historical fiction from the global bestselling author of The Memory Box

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From the #1 bestselling author of THE LETTER Kathryn Hughes comes THE KEY, an unforgettable story of a heartbreaking secret that will stay with you for ever.

'Riveting' Lesley Pearse on The Letter. 'Gripping' Good Housekeeping on The Secret.

1956

It's Ellen Crosby's first day at work as a student nurse at Ambergate County Lunatic Asylum. When she meets a young girl committed by her father, and a pioneering physician keen to try out the various 'cures' available for mental illness, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change all their lives for ever...

2006

Sarah is drawn to the abandoned Ambergate Asylum and whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase in an attic belonging to a female patient who was admitted to the asylum fifty years earlier. The shocking contents of the suitcase lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy, lost love and an old wrong that only Sarah may have the power to put right.

Join the hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide who have lost their hearts to Kathryn Hughes' novels:

'I cried buckets of tears reading it'

'You cannot fail to fall for this story'

'I went through every emotion under the sun'

'One of the finest stories I have ever read'

'I have finished this book with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face'

'I feel like I'm a better person for reading it'

Reviews

Praise for Kathryn Hughes - - -

The Letter was a bestseller. The author's second, The Secret, is just as gripping - Good Housekeeping

Autumnal Sunday afternoons were invented solely to read heart-tugging novels like this - Red

An emotional and intriguing read... Keeps you guessing right to the end ***** - People's Friend

A moving story of love, loss and hope - Bella

This moving love story had everyone talking... Get set to be hooked - Look

Have lots of tissues ready - My Weekly

Author Bio

Kathryn Hughes was born in Altrincham, near Manchester. After completing a secretarial course, Kathryn met her husband and they married in Canada. For twenty-nine years they ran a business together, raised two children and travelled when they could to places such as India, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand. Kathryn and her family now make their home in a village near Manchester.