It is 1940 and twenty-year-old Charlotte Richmond watches from her attic window as enemy planes fly over London. Still grieving her beloved brother who never returned from France, she is working hard to keep her own little life ticking over: holding down a dull typist job at the Ministry of Information, sharing gin and confidences with her best friend Elena, and dodging her difficult father. She has good reason to keep her head down and stay out of trouble. She knows what happens when she makes a nuisance of herself.
On her way to work she often sees the boy who feeds the birds – a source of unexpected joy amidst the rubble of the Blitz. But every day brings new scenes of devastation, and after yet another heartbreaking loss Charlotte has an uncanny sense of foreboding. Someone is stalking the darkness, targeting her friends. And now he is following her.
She no longer knows who to trust. She can’t even trust herself. She knows this; her family have told so her often enough. As grief and suspicion consume her, Charlotte’s nerves become increasingly frayed, and soon her very freedom is under threat…
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
The Midnight News tells the story of Charlotte. Set in the 1940s during the Blitz, air raids and bomb shelters are the norm. The tension of bombs going off and the devastation that they left is really well depicted. Jo Baker cleverly tells a story of the mystery of Charlotte and some of her loved ones who have died, apparently not as a direct result of enemy action. She is being pursued through the blacked-out streets of the city. Is someone following her, is there a killer loose in London, and are the deaths linked to her? Jo Baker’s style is easy to read, I loved the characters and found the book enjoyable: I would highly recommend it. Teresa, VIC, 5 Stars
It’s 1940, the height of the Blitz as Hitler’s bombers attack London, where 20-year-old Charlotte Richmond is just trying to keep her head down and stay out of trouble. But one by one the women she loves seem to be dying like cut flowers: first her best friend, then a work colleague, next a school friend, and finally Charlotte’s godmother. The deaths are blamed on the German bombers, but Charlotte notices a grey figure creeping along in the corner of her eye, a shadowy man lurking in her street. Best-selling author Jo Baker has created a powerful work of hope and love, a novel that slowly but steadily draws the reader into a story with a remarkable twist. Don, SA, 5 Stars
Jo Baker challenges the perception of the reader by seeing the blitz through the eyes of a young twenty-year-old named Charlotte. I have never read a fiction novel about the blitz before, and I really appreciate the way that Baker has utilised the tragedy and grief that Charlotte experiences to allow the reader to connect with her as you experience the bombing in London. Intertwining mystery within this character’s life, it created feverish twists and unexpectant scenarios, and it becomes a good page-turner to find out what happens next. You really grow to love Charlotte as a character and I would recommend it to those who love to be transported to another timeline. Charlotte, NSW, 5 Stars
Found the story a little difficult to get into at first but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Some questions go unanswered but, overall, an enjoyable read. D0nna, VIC, 5 Stars
The Midnight News, with its clever twists and interesting plot, is definitely worth reading. Historically interesting, being set during the London blitz, it’s not a typical WW2 story. An easy, never boring read, though initially confusing. It’s Charlotte’s story, her life, her family, and her friends caught in an unprecedented situation. Charlotte’s 20, daughter of a Baron, renting in the East End, working in a boring government office, grieving the loss of her brother, and lonely. Her insecure world is shaken more when the air raids begin. Each day brings more destruction and death, the strain and fear are challenging. . A devastating setting, friendship, and the ‘keep calm and carry on spirit’, are portrayed with the right balance of seriousness, humour and love. Sandra, NSW, 5 Stars
I absolutely loved this story!! Set in war time in London, this takes you into the life of Charlotte Richmond. The bombs are falling and people are struggling to survive and stay alive. This is an emotional story that makes worry about the characters because the words make it so real. There is also a mystery as someone is following Charlotte and her friends are being killed. Highly recommend. Judy, NSW, 5 Stars
At first glance The Midnight News might look like your typical WWII historical fiction, so not my jam, but I do love reading advance copies as a way to try things I wouldn’t normally buy. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It is far more than a ‘London during the War’ story. Charlotte always feels like the chaotic one compared to her best friend El but she is working and supporting herself to live independently of her family and she is proud of that. Then the air raids begin and Charlotte’s simple life she has earned for herself is tipped upside down. Although The Midnight News is set during the bombings of London in WWII, it is also a story of Charlotte, her friends, her family, and her fight to hold onto herself. Jo Baker’s style is easy to read and she really brings her lovable characters to the fore. There is a clear sense of who is good and who is bad but still plenty of intrigue to keep you turning the pages. I loved it and would highly recommend it. Amelia, VIC, 5 Stars
The Midnight News by Jo Baker was a story that created so many different emotions in me. It is set in 1940 in London and tells the story of Charlotte Richmond. The war is impacting on her in many ways – she has lost her brother to it, London is being destroyed, and it’s affecting her relationships with others. There are some wonderful characters in this book. I loved her landlady Mrs Callaghan and found other characters relatable. The description of the war and bombings was very realistic and set the tone well. This is a book I would read again as it was so beautifully written. I highly recommend it. Theresa, NSW, 5 Stars
The introduction of Charlotte and El had me hooked from the first page. As the narrative tangled, untangled and re-tangled, my pendulum swung between believing everything I read, and wondering if the main character’s terrified mind was to be trusted. At the final unraveling I appreciated learning the truth, and promptly chose my next Jo Baker novel to enjoy. Very grateful to have previewed this book. Kirralee, SA, 5 Stars
I absolutely adored this story by Jo Baker. It explores, in intricate detail, how it was to be a young woman in the 1940s during world war II. Ultimately, it is a love story but it is Charlotte’s story alone that captivated me. The plot is jam-packed, with so many twists and turns and the beautiful imagery used meant I truly felt a part of Charlotte’s world. This book had me welling up more than once and I was hooked from start to finish. Chloe, VIC, 5 Stars
The Midnight News was a great insight into the bombings of London in WWII. I highly recommend this book. Kathleen, NSW, 5 Stars
Jo Baker has written an interesting historical novel and we see what life was like in the 1940s in wartime London. Charlotte Richmond is a young lady living through this horrific scary time. As she travels to work daily she sees the aftermath and destruction of the air raids. She sees her neighbours and friends dealing with loss and life is at a standstill with everyone learning to pack up their lives quickly and get underground when the siren makes a noise. This is definitely a slow burn but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this family saga mystery. I can see this being a television series. Very clever writing. First time reading this author and I will definitely read her other books. I loved this book and would recommend it. Yvette, NSW, 5 Stars
Such a good book about how affected England was during the war. Women took on all sorts of work to help with the war effect. The women were so strong and all helped out no matter was class they came from. Loved all the strong characters in this novel. Kaye, VIC, 5 Stars
This was an incredibly interesting book that kept my interest from cover to cover. I highly recommend reading it. Kathleen, NSW, 5 Stars
A beautiful book to read with an interesting storyline and it held my interest to the end! I love the characters and it is a wonderful book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon! Rhonda, QLD, 4 Stars
This story was so different than what I was expecting. This is not your usual WWII novel. I enjoyed this story and was captivated by the mystery of whether the protagonist Charlotte was crazy, or was everyone out to get her? This was the first time I had read a Jo Baker novel and it definitely won’t be my last. Meg, SA, 4 Stars
Jo Baker’s book is based on the bombing of London in the early 1940s. Charlotte is a young women, who is trying to live her life without being bullied by her family. She has a job typing which she is not very good at, as she comes from an influential family, but she tries very hard as she needs the job to pay her way. All is not what it seems; she has lots of questions which takes her on an unexpected journey to the truth. The Midnight News is a suspenseful mystery, with a few twists and turns. I enjoyed the book very much; couldn’t put it down the more I read. Robyn, QLD, 4 Stars
The Midnight News by Jo Baker is a historical fiction novel set in 1940s London during the Blitz. This genre is not my usual go-to, so I was lucky the book fell into my hands from Better Reading! The novel centres around the main character of 20-year-old Charlotte navigating her way in an unsettled, bomb-dropping world. The book conveys the sense that you just don’t know if you will make it through the night, with the loss of people known to you and destruction of your surrounds. You can see why it starts to distort our main girl Charlotte’s perception of what is real, and what is not. To be completely honest, I found the book a little slow at first, which I don’t blame the book for, as I read a lot of fast-paced thrillers, but the pace does pick up and so does the intrigue, to make you want to keep reading. The chapters are shorter in length, which helps those of us who like to say “just one more chapter…” The book won me over, being the perfect blend of romance and historical, with some nice twists thrown in for good measure! Cassanda, NSW, 4 Stars
A World War II story quite unlike any other I have read. It did take me quite a while to get into this book. For me, it was not an instant page-turner. But after some time, I did get into it & appreciated the uniqueness of the story. Part mystery, part love story, part war story. I really grew to care about 20-year-old Charlotte, the protagonist, as she tried to cope with what was occurring externally as well as in her own mind. I also enjoyed the writing, the scenes were vividly depicted and really imparted the feeling of London in the war. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to others! Clare, NSW, 4 Stars
When Charlotte’s best friend, El, dies on a night of heavy bombing during the Blitz, her death leads Charlotte on an investigation that challenges every fibre of her being. The Midnight News is a fast-paced page-turner set in London amongst the shadows and horrors of the Blitz during WWII. It draws upon the human face of fear, of fleeting friendships, and the willingness of strangers to help one another and to share what little they have. Jo Baker has cleverly interwoven historical facts into her plot, but at the same time, focuses on the effects this event had on her protagonist, Charlotte. The Midnight News is a thriller. Its clever twists are unpredictable, providing a most enjoyable and, in places, a heart-stopping reading experience. Janette, VIC, 4 Stars
A plot that is unexpected and new. Not your typical WWII novel. The heroine is vulnerable and flawed, and yet brave and strong. This story explores mental illness, bullying, heroism, and kindness. Another cracking novel from Jo Baker. Ros, ACT, 4 Stars
Charlotte appears a very troubled young lady. A difficult and complicated family life, a job she does not find satisfying, and the hint of past mental health issues. There is intrigue, drama, and red herrings galore until we get to a reasonably satisfying end. At times I was frustrated with the number of characters and complicated backstory, and at other times I was delighted with the author’s prose. I think this book would be ideal for the reader who has plenty of time to devote to it to. All the questions that come up whilst reading this story are answered, you just have to be patient and keep reading. This was an enjoyable read overall, though at times I was frustrated with the number of twists and turns. I will probably read this again just to enjoy the story without having to worry about what will happen next. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
Charlotte Richmond has left a life of apparent privilege to live and work in London as a typist at the Ministry of Information during the Blitz. Still mourning her brother Eddie, her new London life contains a cast of interesting characters including her best friend Elena, her landlady Mrs Callaghan, fellow lodger Mr Gibbons and her colleague, Janet. When a series of events brings further loss and devastation to Charlotte and those close to her, she begins to question who or what is causing it. Charlotte herself is placed in danger as she begins to ask these questions and events of her past come back to haunt her. The Midnight News has plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. It creates an atmospheric portrait of Blitz London, which at times felt like I was walking the London streets alongside Charlotte. It is an engaging story that skilfully weaves together multiple storylines – a recommended read. Holly, WA, 4 Stars
I thought this would be a historical spy thriller with a touch of romance, however, Baker doesn’t make the plot so simplistic and veered off in some very unexpected directions. It’s Baker’s depiction of The Blitz that’s a real standout though. Every scene was full of tension and it was almost like I could feel the bombs going off around me too. There are many pertinent-for-today themes covered – I just can’t reveal them as they could become spoilers. This was my first Jo Baker book but it won’t be my last. Lee-ann, QLD, 4 Stars
The Midnight News was not quite what I expected. Without wanting to give too much away, this story has so much more depth than the first glance reveals. Historically, the depiction of life in London, perpetually waiting for the next wave of bombing to begin, with a grim ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude was wonderfully depicted. A string of sudden deaths, blamed on the bombings, seem to have Charlotte as a common thread. Can she convince anyone of the danger before it’s her turn? Juanita, NSW, 4 Stars
I am so very grateful to have been given the opportunity to review The Midnight News. This is the first time I have read a book written by Jo Baker and if all of her books are as good as this it certainly will not be the last! The story is full of unexpected twists and turns and is set during the London Blitz of 1940. It is a mystery, a love story, and a story of survival. The author vividly portrays how it must have felt living through the Blitz; the bombings, the blackouts, the personal danger, the shortage of food, etc. Charlotte’s story is exciting, suspenseful, romantic, and heart-breaking all in one and keeps you completely engaged from the beginning. I found this story very hard to put down and most interesting and enjoyable. The book was quite emotional and had me hooked from the beginning of Chapter 2. Toni, SA, 4 Stars
This book is an intriguing insight into the life of a young woman in London during the Second World War. There is a romance, a stalker, and even a spy for the German army. I enjoyed the book, with all its twists and turns, an unexpected plot, and a good insight into life during wartime in London. Crystal, TAS, 4 Stars
I enjoyed The Midnight News. It is easy to imagine the devastation of the wartime bombing because of the excellent writing and I finished the book hoping the characters survive this awful time. Gloria, SA, 4 Stars
I had a hard time getting into this story; it was unclear where the story was going and how it would all come together. Whilst the story comes together in the last couple of chapters, I was left with unanswered questions. It’s not my favourite story from WWII but it’s an easy read. Carrie-Anne, NSW, 3 Stars
It’s World War II London and Charlotte’s friends are dying; she’s hiding from her family and she’s being followed by a shadowy man. How is it all connected, or is Charlotte going mad? That’s the basic plot of The Midnight News, which sadly I found a bit less interesting than the above sentences suggest it would be. It’s a slow burn – so slow, in fact, that I nearly DNF’d it partway through. The second half of the book picks up somewhat and all the loose ends are tied up, but I found the denouement somewhat lacklustre. Amanda, WA, 3 Stars
The feeling of living through the times was brilliant; I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel set during the blitz that so accurately conveyed the feeling of the era. The minute details, the way people talked and related to each other, these were super-compelling and I would have given this a four or five-star review for these. I think the overall plot didn’t grab me anywhere near as much. The story was excellent and compelling but was a bit confusing to the point where the final reveal felt hurried and unearned. Great characters, amazing setting, odd plot. Richard, VIC, 3 Stars
The Midnight News by Jo Baker, set in London during the blitz, was an interesting read. I found it confusing at first but as the storyline progressed it all started to make sense. With the background of the devastation of the bombings, the plot becomes intriguing and the final twists are very clever. I found this historical story engaging and informative. Well worth reading. Annette, ACT, 3 Stars
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