The Key: The most gripping, heartbreaking novel of World War Two historical fiction from the global bestselling author of The Memory Box

'A heartbreakingly powerful read' The Sun on The Key

'You will be thinking of this book long after you've finished it' A reader on The Key

From the #1 bestselling author of the international phenomenon The Letter Kathryn Hughes comes The Key, an unforgettable story of a heartbreaking secret that will stay with you for ever.

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

'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

Turn The Key and unlock the past...

1956
It's Ellen Crosby's first day as a student nurse at Ambergate County Lunatic Asylum. When she meets a young woman committed by her father, and a pioneering physician keen to try out the various 'cures' for mental illness, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change all their lives for ever...

2006
Sarah is drawn to the abandoned Ambergate Asylum. Whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase belonging to a female patient who was admitted fifty years earlier. The shocking contents lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy, lost love and an old wrong that only she may have the power to put right . . .

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

'I cried buckets of tears reading it'

'You cannot fail to fall for this story'

'I went through every emotion under the sun'

'One of the finest stories I have ever read'

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

'I feel like I'm a better person for reading it'

'I just envy anyone that gets to read her books for the first time'