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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* THE MEMORY BOX, THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM KATHRYN HUGHES, IS AVAILABLE NOW *

A hidden note. A lost love. A second chance...

'A wonderful, enthralling story; one that I didn't want to end' Lesley Pearse on The Key

'A heartbreakingly powerful read' The Sun on The Key

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.

1956

It's Ellen Crosby's first day as a student nurse at Ambergate Hospital. When she meets a young woman admitted by her father, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change both their lives for ever...

2006

Sarah is drawn to the now abandoned Ambergate. Whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase belonging to a female patient who entered Ambergate fifty years earlier. The shocking contents, untouched for half a century, will lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy and lost love, and the chance to make an old wrong right . . .

'Oh wow! This story broke my heart then filled it with joy then broke it all over again! I adored The Letter and The Secret but this I have to say was my favourite. Heartfelt and poignant an absolute joy' A reader on The Key

It's time to discover what a million readers already know. No one grips your heart like Kathryn Hughes . . .

'You will find it hard to put down. I cried buckets of tears reading it'

'A beautifully told, tragic tale . . . restoring your faith in the kindness of strangers and the strength of the human spirit'

'From start to finish, a lovely, sometimes heartbreaking read'

'A sheer joy to read . . . Wonderfully romantic with beautiful characters'

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

'I couldn't put it down. So beautifully written. I feel like I'm a better person for reading it'

'I cried with this book - it tugged at the heart all the way through'

'This must be one of the best books I have ever read'

'You will be thinking of this book long after you've finished it'

Reviews

Hughes creates a sense of time and place effortlessly. The social context is incredibly important and once again, conveyed so well that the reader feels immersed in the world of Ambergate. Even though some of the story is set in the past, it still feels relevant and still raises questions about attitudes to mental illness, trauma, motherhood and grief - Bibliomaniac on The Key

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.