The Key

The most gripping, heartbreaking novel of World War Two historical fiction from the global bestselling author of The Memory Box
The discovery of an old suitcase in an abandoned lunatic asylum unlocks a forgotten story of tragedy, lost love and a devastating wrong waiting to be put right, from the #1 bestselling author of The Letter and The Secret

* 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'

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.