The Library of War and Peace

by Louise Morrish

THE BRAND NEW EMOTIONAL, HEARTBREAKING YET COURAGEOUS STORY FROM LOUISE MORRISH.

As the war rages on outside, it is the battle within that must be won, through the quiet strength of words.
Josie Everley may have survived the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, but she lost the man she loves most to the sea.
Broken-hearted and destitute, Josie must start afresh as a library assistant at a groundbreaking, all-female-run military hospital in Endell Street.
As she focuses on her work, she never expected to meet Theo, a wounded soldier suffering his own trauma who finds solace amongst the books.
As Josie steps up to the role of librarian and loses her heart to Theo, the war around them continues to be a cruel companion and Josie must muster all her strength and courage to make it through.
Will Josie find her happy-ever-after amongst the heartbreak?


For fans of THE MYSTERIOUS BAKERY ON RUE DE PARIS, THE FORGOTTEN PARIS BOOKSHOP, and Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN



PRAISE FOR THE LIBRARY OF WAR AND PEACE


'A beautiful, powerful book that I will read again' Suzanne Goldring


'This is a beautiful book to savour and treasure' Gill Thompson


'Such a beautiful ode to libraries and reading...It's also a big warm hug of a book' Kate Thompson


'There are few other writers who can winkle out the stories of heroines from the past as splendidly as Louise Morrish' Julie Ma

Genres: Historical Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2026

About the author

Louise Morrish is an author, bookseller, and creative writing tutor whose debut novel won the 2019 Penguin Random House First Novel Competition. She finds inspiration for her stories in the real-life adventures of women in the past, whom history has forgotten. She was a Librarian for 30 years, and lives in Hampshire with her family.

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello! ‘The Library of War and Peace’ is my love letter to libraries. I’ve been a librarian for over three decades, and during those years I’ve worked in all sorts of libraries - public libraries, private collections, primary and secondary school libraries, and once an 18th century haunted library. Only lasted a year there!
Books are in my blood, ink runs in my veins, and when I discovered the true story of the Endell Street Military Hospital Library, I knew I had to write this novel.
Endell Street Hospital in London was groundbreaking in so many ways. It was set up in 1915 by Dr Louisa Garrett Anderson and Dr Flora Murray, two pioneering doctors who defied an initially sceptical War Office to establish their own Women’s Hospital Corps.
Having created an all-female-run military hospital in France (which was the inspiration behind my previous novel ‘Women of War’) the doctors and their team saved thousands of soldiers lives, and the War Office then asked them to replicate their successful model back in Britain. This Dr Garrett Anderson and Dr Murray duly did, renovating and equipping a disused workhouse in Endell Street.
From the start, their new military hospital had its own library, which was run by two prominent members of the Women Writers Suffrage League. The WWSL had been founded in 1908 by Cicily Hamilton and Bessie Hatton, the aim to obtain the franchise on the same terms as men, and its members sought to do this through Writing.
Elizabeth Robbins, an American actress and writer, was one of the first members of the WWSL, and its first president. The British novelist Beatrice Harradan was another of the organisation’s members and she served as librarian at Endell Street from 1915 until the hospital closed, joined by Elizabeth Robbins for the first year or so.
The philosophy of Endell Street Library was a reader-lead one. The librarians catered for the patient’s requests when it came to their reading matter, rather than imposing their idea of what might be termed ‘improving’ books upon them. Many men feared having their lack of education or complete illiteracy exposed, so the librarians would take the time to sit at their bedside, talking to the wounded soldiers to find out more about their interests and background. In this way, they could make informed recommendations, as well as meet specific requests, and this became a unique opportunity to experience care based on books and reading.
The library was a huge success, and in many ways broke the ground for our modern bibliotherapy today. The art of healing through reading books continues to be a powerful form of therapy, and libraries play a fundamental role in this.
What more fitting way to honour our libraries than in a book?
I really hope you enjoy ‘The Library of War and Peace’ . 📚🥰

[Susan Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou Morrish can always be relied on for her impeccable research, but this novel is so much more than just an accurate portrayal of the early years of the First World War. From the opening pages where we are thrown into the dramatic sinking of the Lusitania to the bustle and disinfectant of the Endell Street Hospital, the reader is completely caught up in the real lives of the main characters. The calming atmosphere of the library and the soothing balm of books will resonate with all keen readers, but what will stay with me is the deep friendship and loyalty of these hardworking women who have endured trauma and become stronger by working together. A beautiful, powerful book that I will read again.

[Alice Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Library of War and Peace is the story of two young women, buffeted by war, who find solace in the restorative power of books. Louise Morrish’s atmospheric novel is threaded through with kindness, showing how through the worst of times – here, the First World War - small gestures of humanity can mean the most. A moving story for our times.

[Luisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immersive and emotional read - I was enthralled by this story of two young women whose friendship helps bring them healing amidst the anguish of WWI. The quality of writing and research was every bit as strong as I’ve come to expect from Louise Morrish. Although this book continues the story of Edie Lawrence from the author’s previous novel, it could easily be read as a standalone. But then, why would you not want to devour both, when writing is this good?
It was impossible not to feel for Josie and Edie throughout the book, hurting along with them when disaster struck, and celebrating their quiet triumphs. Their tale is a reminder of the power of stories to soothe troubled souls. It’s also testament to the power of friendship, and of what can be achieved when women work together.
As a lover of historical fiction, I always look forward to reading an Author’s Note. Such was my belief in Josie and Edie as characters, it came as a shock to discover they weren’t real people. The author made them so convincing and the details of the story felt utterly authentic.
This is a heartfelt, compelling novel, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates top notch historical fiction.

[Annabelle Heap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through this book. A dual POV story set in the midst of WW1 in the all-female-run hospital in Endell St, London. This story is inspired by true events and focusses on the library in the hospital, where bibliotherapy is taken as a given in the healing process.
Charming and thoroughly engaging, Louise Morrish has given us yet another well researched novel that is as much a reading haven as the library in the story.

[Lou French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb read from this author. Louise's attention to detail and obvious in-depth research adds layers to her writing that completely absorbs and immerses you in the era and setting. I love that Louise's books are inspired by real life women and events and this one starts with the heart wrenching attack on the Lusitania during the first world war. Following 2 female characters in alternating chapters we see how their stories overlap and entwine and we walk with them through heartbreak and as they also find their purpose. Some characters in this book were also in Louise's previous book but this time different characters come to the fore while others take a step back, which I really enjoyed.

[Gill Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Louise’s second novel, ‘Women of War,’ I was delighted to meet up with my old friends Edie, Lucinda and Florence again, and immerse myself in a wonderful new story about them. It was fascinating to see their lives panning out, and a joy to meet a new character, Josie Everley, whose dramatic survival of the sinking of the HMS Lusitania forms such a stunning start to the novel. Louise’s skilful writing takes us from despair to hope to joy, and I was fascinated to read of the role of bibliotherapy in the characters’ lives. This is a beautiful book to savour and treasure; I thoroughly recommend it.

[Tracy Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book and so evocative at creating of life in the Endell Street Hospital and the library there in World War One. The book starts with exiting scenes on the sinking of the Lusitania, an event I knew little about and introduces us to a lovely new character Josie. It’s also wonderful to pick up with familiar characters Eddie, Stanley and Dr Garland, from Louise Morrish’s last book, Women of War. I enjoyed reading their journeys as the war progressed and the love with which the healing powers of books are described. A lovely and very well researched read.

[Amanda Geard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful novel about bibliotherapy which is bibliotheraputic in itself! Be ready to jot down healing book recommendations. It's pacy, and the research into the sinking of then HMS Lusitania (and the aftermath) as well as the women-run Endell Street Hospital and its incredible library make for a highly memorable page-turner. A treasure.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian I love novels about books or set in libraries. This book didn't disappoint. Set in the library in the Endell Street hospital during WW1 this books contains some of the characters from Lou's previous book 'Women of war 'and some new. It can be read as a stand alone. It was so good I didn't want to put it down. I read it in under 2 days.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endell Street Hospital brings 2 together: Eddie/Edie returned from the war and Josie grieving the loss of her brother on The Lusitania. The library plays a significant role bringing people together through books

[Becs Hadfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, heart-warming read which has clearly been thoroughly researched.

[Louise Fein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent work of historical fiction from Louise Morrish. Loved the popping up of characters from her previous novel and for a compelling tale wound around real women whose stories would otherwise stay hidden from the world. Bravo, and recommended to historical fiction lovers!