By: Susan Walter
ISBN: 9781662523496
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: 05/27/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: Currently Reading (ARC)
MAY #AuthorElevatorSeries QA (5/28)
From the creator of the 2017 film All I Wish comes the heartbreaking story of two strangers searching for the truth about their families—and discovering a secret that will change their lives forever.
Jane’s father is far from perfect. But his sudden death brings crushing grief. As Jane grapples with her pain, life delivers another blow: a stack of letters pointing to a secret life. A life her father shared with another woman…who may have had his child.
Across the country, sixteen-year-old Adam is self-destructing. His adoptive parents never intended to show him the unsigned letters from his birth mother, but he is desperate for answers, even if they hurt.
Jane and Adam are on a collision course, but not for the reasons we might suspect. Because the letters do not tell the whole story. What is true is that Adam and Jane are both looking for a woman who does not want to be found.
A family saga spanning two decades, this emotional story explores how good things can grow from the ashes of old scars.
About the Author
Photo credit: Maria Berelc
Susan Walter is the author of four novels of suspense: Lie by the Pool, Good as Dead, Over Her Dead Body, and Running Cold. She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After being given every opportunity―and failing―to become a concert violinist, Walter attended Harvard University. She had hoped to be a newscaster, but the local TV station hired her to write and produce promos instead. Seeking sunshine and a change of scenery, she moved to Los Angeles to work in film and television production. Upon realizing writers were having all the fun, Walter transitioned to screenwriting, then directing. She wrote and made her directorial debut with the 2017 film All I Wish, starring Sharon Stone.
For more information about the author, visit www.susanwalterwriter.com.
Connect with Susan
Praise
“Susan Walter spins an intricate tapestry of messy family secrets and long-denied truths, then weaves in a pair of hard-fought journeys toward self-discovery to produce her best book yet. Letters from Strangers is a crisp, compelling, and at times, emotionally raw story about shedding expectations in order to claim the life you were meant to live. Brava!”
―Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books
“Deftly executed . . . This tale of family, self-worth, acceptance, and forgiveness brought me to tears in a very good way . . . A gorgeous story!”
―Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of Everything We Keep and Find Me in California
“A propulsive and poignant story about family, secret lives, and sacrifice. Walter knows the complexities of the human heart, and her emotionally rich characters ring true. Thoughtful, empathetic, and replete with deep meaning.”
―Paulette Kennedy, author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport
“With brilliant prose and secrets that upend everything you thought you knew, Walter shows us she’s at the top of her game with this well-crafted novel full of tender moments―and gut-wrenching situations. Letters from Strangers will invoke every emotion inside and leave you begging for more. Poignant, smart, and utterly unputdownable, this one-sit read is sure to be a standout hit of 2025.”
―Jaime Lynn Hendricks, bestselling author of A Lovely Lie
“I loved reading Letters from Strangers, even when it was twisting my heart. Thoughtful and ultimately hopeful, this family saga is as good as it gets.”
―Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten and American Girl
“Wow! What a story! Mesmerizing and gut wrenching, Walter is a captivating storyteller, weaving narratives that draw you in and leave you wanting more.”
―Patricia Sands, author of The Secrets We Hide and The Bridge Club
“Strap in for this emotional and suspense-filled roller-coaster ride . . . With relatable characters and well-executed arcs, this novel is a truly moving and heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and acceptance.”
―Marcy McCreary, award-winning author of The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon
“A delicate, emotional deep dive about good people trying, against the odds, to solve the complex puzzle of their lives. But in its tender examination of such major life issues as adoption, sexual orientation, self-image, love, and loss, it reminds us that sometimes the understanding and redemption we seek are there for the taking―if you’re willing to face the truth.”
―Gary Goldstein, award-winning author of Please Come to Boston
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