The Big Day is Finally Here
The Story She Left Behind + Essays, Events, Book Club Picks & More
“Once again, Patti Callahan Henry proves that she is a magician with words. In her newest novel, she conjures a story that is a lovely mix of so many elements sure to please her universe of readers, a magical mosaic of adventure, suspense, romance, mystery, and even a sprinkle of make-believe. Graceful in its telling and so very wise in its insights, The Story She Left Behind is a book that will capture your heart, lift your spirits, and delight your soul.”
—William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land and the Cork O’Connor series
My dear friends,
Well, it’s here! My eighteenth novel. After years of writing and editing and research and cut pages and long walks while plotting the mystery, The Story She Left Behind is out now! Now it belongs to you – the reader!
Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.
In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.
By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.
Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.
So Much Great Buzz!
I’m so grateful for all the accolades that this book has garnered so far. Booksellers at the American Booksellers Association, SIBA, Indigo, and B&N have all chosen to highlight the book. Beloved librarians around the country have selected it as a Library Reads pick. And we’ve gotten a couple of cool book club picks too including PrintFresh and Reader’s Digest which was just announced today!
Let the Games Begin!
To celebrate the release, I began last night at the Atlanta History Center with our Friends & Fiction family. What a fabulous event that was complete with a gorgeous St. Patrick’s Day themed grazing table, full bar, photo ops at our fancy F&F backdrop, and a super fun live show loaded with laughter and love.
And now I’m hitting the road with wind in my sails. I would love to see you at one of my events!
One super fun event on this tour that I really want you to know about is happening on MY BIRTHDAY! And in one of my favorite cities on earth to boot! Meet me in Charleston on Monday, March 20th! I’ll be with my good friends from Buxton Books at the beautiful Charleston Library Society building on King Street at 6pm. It’s a ticketed event and doors open at 5:30. Grab your tickets now and meet me there to celebrate the first day of Spring, my birthday, and my new book!
My tour also takes me to so many other great places throughout South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama; plus stops in St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Franklin, IN, and Nashville, TN; and even a jaunt out to the west coast with stops in Pasadena & Long Beach, CA. It’s a month-long whirlwind! And I’ll be in conversation with some of your favorite authors at some of these events. I look forward to seeing so many readers and getting the chance to talk with you all about The Story She Left Behind. So take a look at my full tour and get your tickets!
Lots of New Original Essays
I’ve written a few pieces about this story, its history, and its inspiration. I hope you’ll check them out.
Here’s the original essay I wrote at the request of Barnes & Noble about the story behind the story which appears on their website.
For People magazine, I wrote all about why I chose to turn a real woman’s cold case mystery into a fictional novel.
Book Club Picks
Just revealed today, the Reader’s Digest Book Club has chosen The Story She Left Behind for their April pick! For them, I wrote an original essay about why I chose to use a created language as part of the plot line that solves the mystery of Bronwyn’s disappearance, which I’ll share when I have a link.
Now this is so fun – Printfresh, maker of the cutest jammies around, chose The Story She Left Behind for their April book club pick. And now there are matching pink pajamas to go with my book with the perfectly apropos design of “Rabbit Topiary” (which will make so much more sense when you read the book, hopefully wearing these adorable pajamas!)
News
For all the latest news, I do my best to keep you updated on the Blog+News page of my website with articles, essays, and events!
I’ll keep spreading the good news as I have it, so be sure you’re following me on Facebook & Instagram.
Friends & Fiction
Did you catch the super fun LIVE episode of our web show celebrating the launch of The Story She Left Behind? MKA, Kristin, Kristy and I gathered for our only live show for the month of March. Ron & Meg joined. Ron event made a signatur cocktail which he demo’d on the air. And the whole crew did a rousing rendition of Friends & Fiction Theater. If you missed it you can WATCH it or LISTEN to it now.
That’s all for now!
With great love,
Patti
ABOUT PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY
New York Times Bestselling Author and Podcast Host
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author of seventeen novels and a podcast host. Patti is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly web show, podcast, and online community, Friends & Fiction.
She lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband. Her newest novel, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND will be released on March 18th, 2025.
Be sure to follow Patti on social media and visit her website for the latest updates and announcements!
Congratulations again and what a magical night ❤️!
I replied to your email but will forward again. Finished The Story She Left Behind and could not put it down and then didn't want it to end. The story was very moving. I have read all your books and have enjoyed all of them. Looking forward to your next novel.