
The Kindness of Strangers : 'Part historical fiction, part murder-mystery . . . vivid and entertaining' THE TIMES
Emma Garman
- Pages · 336 pages
- Publication Date · 23/04/2026
- Genre · Historical mysteries
Superbly plotted...pure escapism and utterly joyful' JOANNA CANNON
'Vivid and entertaining, and powered by such a wonderfully dry wit' THE TIMES
'An excellent mystery...superbly rendered' GUARDIAN'A beautifully woven debut full of escalating secrets...hugely enjoyable' AJ PEARCE
'An intriguingly tricksy story' DAILY MAIL
'Intricate, compelling and intriguing . . . I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. A triumph' KATE KEMP, author of The Grapevine IN A HOUSE BUILT ON LIES, THE TRUTH WILL GET YOU KILLED. London, 1953. One foggy night, in the dead of February, a diffident 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 aspiring socialite; George, the debutante; and Saul, the refugee poet. Jimmy Sullivan is a family friend, Honor says - yet clearly, something is very amiss. Despite everyone's suspicions, 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. 'An exquisite debut mystery' SAINSBURYS magazine
'Twisty, fast-paced, brilliantly plotted and deliciously entertaining . . . an absolute must-read!' KRISTIN HARMEL, New York Times bestselling author'A rich labyrinth of a story filled with deeply real, flawed, fabulous characters. Good luck putting it down' STEPHEN SPOTSWOOD, author of DEAD IN THE FRAME'A wholly delightful novel brimming with unpredictable characters and delivering every ingredient of a classic whodunnit with wit and flair' SARAH CROUCH, author of Middletide
'An ingeniously plotted, diabolically clever story of human deception and connection' KAREN DUKESS, author of Welcome to Murder Week
Only at Gulp Fiction
Book Lovers' Happy Hour
An hour and a half at the bar, with three cocktails matched to your taste and three books chosen for you. Tell us what you like when you book, and we'll have them waiting when you arrive.
- 1½ hours
- £60 per person
- 3 cocktails, 3 books
Up to four of you can come — book a place each and choose the same time slot, then tell us who you're with. For larger groups, email gulpfictionbooks@gmail.com and we'll arrange it.
Collect in store
Order online and pick it up from the shop. It's free, and usually quicker than the post.
Find us
Units 28–29, Covered Market, Oxford OX1 3DU. Mon–Wed 10–5, Thu–Sat 10–10, Sun 11–4.
Book a table
The bar is open late Thursday to Saturday. Reserve a table for a drink among the books.