The Kindness of Strangers

By: Emma Garman

Narrator: Olivia Dowd

Simon & Schuster Audio

ISBN: 9781668222546

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 05/12/2026

Format: Other

My Rating: TBR (ARC)

MAY 2026 MUST-READ BOOKS

A wildly entertaining debut and homage to the classic murder mystery set in post-WWII London where a stranger’s arrival at a boarding house sets a deadly chain of events in motion—perfect for fans of Kate Atkinson, Agatha Christie, and Richard Osman.

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.

Buy the Book

Praise

"Vivid and entertaining, and powered by such a wonderfully dry wit."

—The Times

"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

“Agatha Christie fans, gather ’round….If you like history with your mystery, look no further.”

—BookPage

"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

"What pure pleasure to discover Emma Garman's irresistible debut. Reading this ingeniously plotted, diabolically clever story of human deception and connection was like discovering a 1950s classic that was written with a surprisingly modern sensibility. Smart, original, darkly funny, and moving, it’s everything I want in a mystery. I adored it."

—KAREN DUKESS, USA Today bestselling author of Welcome to Murder Week

"The Kindness of Strangers drew me in immediately with its distinctive, singular voice. From there, an intricate, compelling plot developed, driven by a cast of characters so intriguing I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to discover what they’d do next or what secrets lurked in their pasts. Here is sublime storytelling and I couldn’t have been more delighted to be taken along for the ride. I had a riotously good time at 42 Tregunter Road. The ending was simply perfect and made me want to start reading from the beginning all over again. A triumph of a debut novel and I’m already eager to read whatever Emma Garman writes next."

—KATE KEMP, author of The Grapevine

About the Author

Photo Credit: Hannah Judah

Emma Garman, a Brighton-based writer and critic, has been a columnist for The Paris Review and a contributor to Literary Review, The Daily Beast, Lapham’s Quarterly, and History News Network. She has an MA in creative writing from the City College of New York and an MA in literature from Queen Mary University of London. The Kindness of Strangers is her debut novel. WEBSITE