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The Enigmas
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27"Hart is a spectacular writer." —Bonnie Garmus, #1 New York Times bestselling author
TO SAVE HER SISTER...SHE MUST REWRITE THE PAST.
London 1940: Sandbags line London’s streets, but for Beatrice Bone, WWII feels distant and dull. It doesn’t help that she’s stuck at home while her younger sister Clemmie is away doing secret war work at a mysterious place called The Park.
Everything changes when Clemmie is killed in a fire. Plunged into grief, Beatrice treasures her sister’s last an antique pocket watch, inscribed with the words memento mori: remember death. She soon realizes the watch is more than a memento when it transports her back in time, giving her the chance to save Clemmie. But changing the past causes a ripple effect, and Beatrice is faced with a devastating her sister’s life, or her country’s future?
London, 1915: While her husband is off fighting in the Great War, Alice is breaking new ground as she treats wounded soldiers at Endell Street Hospital, London’s first medical center staffed entirely by female doctors. But the horrors she witnesses awaken long-buried memories of her mother's death—along with strange visions she has spent years trying to forget. Visions which now seem to afflict her eldest daughter, Beatrice . . .
In her most ambitious and emotionally resonant novel yet, Emilia Hart once again conjures the power of female resilience and the ability of love to transcend time.
TO SAVE HER SISTER...SHE MUST REWRITE THE PAST.
London 1940: Sandbags line London’s streets, but for Beatrice Bone, WWII feels distant and dull. It doesn’t help that she’s stuck at home while her younger sister Clemmie is away doing secret war work at a mysterious place called The Park.
Everything changes when Clemmie is killed in a fire. Plunged into grief, Beatrice treasures her sister’s last an antique pocket watch, inscribed with the words memento mori: remember death. She soon realizes the watch is more than a memento when it transports her back in time, giving her the chance to save Clemmie. But changing the past causes a ripple effect, and Beatrice is faced with a devastating her sister’s life, or her country’s future?
London, 1915: While her husband is off fighting in the Great War, Alice is breaking new ground as she treats wounded soldiers at Endell Street Hospital, London’s first medical center staffed entirely by female doctors. But the horrors she witnesses awaken long-buried memories of her mother's death—along with strange visions she has spent years trying to forget. Visions which now seem to afflict her eldest daughter, Beatrice . . .
In her most ambitious and emotionally resonant novel yet, Emilia Hart once again conjures the power of female resilience and the ability of love to transcend time.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 6, 2027
About the author
Emilia Hart
16 books7,943 followersEmilia Hart is a British-Australian writer. She was born in Sydney and studied English Literature and Law at the University of New South Wales before working as a lawyer in Sydney and London.
Emilia is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative’s Three Month Online Novel Writing Course and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Caledonia Novel Award. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK. "Weyward" is her debut novel. She lives in London, England.
Emilia is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative’s Three Month Online Novel Writing Course and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Caledonia Novel Award. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK. "Weyward" is her debut novel. She lives in London, England.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
WOWZA! The Enigmas is a book that will tip toe up behind you, tap you on the shoulder and completely blow you away! I went into this book knowing very little about the plot and encourage all readers to go in as blind as possible. Once I started reading, with each passing page, I found myself more mesmerized, more riveted, and more glued to the pages. I loved how this book got better and better with each passing page. The more I got to know the characters, the more I felt for them, the more I cheered for them, the more I worried about them, the more I wanted the best possible outcome for them. This book combines historical fiction, magical realism, fantasy, and time travel. Having previously read Weyward and The Sirens by Emilia Hart, I had a feeling that I would enjoy this book. I love her beautiful and wonderful writing. She outdid herself with The Enigmas. Not only did she do a brilliant job of depicting her characters, but she also did a wonderful job with time and place. Her characters face the challenges that they would have faced during the two time frames with which this book was set.
Whew! What a book! This book focuses on family, war, choices, decisions, love, relationships, secrets, time travel, and fate. It asks the question, what would you do to save someone you love? The book focuses on a mother, Alice, and her two daughters, Beatrice and Clemmie. Their father plays a small part, but this book is mainly about the women, particularly Alice and Beatrice. The beautifully written and thought-provoking book gives readers both Alice's and Beatrice's POV's. I never really knew where this book was heading, but I loved the journey and when all was said and done, this book left me an even bigger fan of Emilia Hart's writing.
*Witches Words buddy read with Carolyn, Dorie - Cats&Books :), Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews to get their thoughts on The Enigmas!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Whew! What a book! This book focuses on family, war, choices, decisions, love, relationships, secrets, time travel, and fate. It asks the question, what would you do to save someone you love? The book focuses on a mother, Alice, and her two daughters, Beatrice and Clemmie. Their father plays a small part, but this book is mainly about the women, particularly Alice and Beatrice. The beautifully written and thought-provoking book gives readers both Alice's and Beatrice's POV's. I never really knew where this book was heading, but I loved the journey and when all was said and done, this book left me an even bigger fan of Emilia Hart's writing.
*Witches Words buddy read with Carolyn, Dorie - Cats&Books :), Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews to get their thoughts on The Enigmas!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ohhh, this one! This is exactly the kind of historical fiction that sneaks up on you, grabs your heart, and refuses to let go. 😭❤️
I went into The Enigmas expecting beautiful historical fiction with a touch of the fantastical, but I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally invested I would become in Beatrice, Clemmie, and Alice. Emilia Hart has created something that feels much bigger than a story about time travel. At its heart, this is about family, grief, love, sacrifice, and the desperate human wish to undo the things that hurt us most.
Beatrice completely won me over. She begins as someone who has spent much of her life being told what she can’t do, where she can’t go, and how fragile she supposedly is. Then grief blows that carefully controlled existence apart, and suddenly she has a choice: accept the past or fight like hell to change it. And honestly, watching her wrestle with that choice was EVERYTHING.
Because who among us hasn’t wished for a magical little undo button after losing someone we love? Give me a mysterious antique watch and the possibility of rewriting one devastating moment, and obviously I’m going to make terrible decisions right along with the heroine. 😂
The relationship between Beatrice and Clemmie was especially moving for me. Their bond feels wonderfully complicated—not just sentimental sisterly love, but all those messy emotions that come with being sisters: protectiveness, frustration, guilt, admiration, fear, and the kind of love that makes you willing to destroy your entire universe to save the other person.
And then there’s Alice’s story, which added another emotional dimension I really appreciated. Her experiences during the First World War and her work as a female doctor brought a completely different perspective to the novel. I loved seeing how the two timelines gradually began speaking to each other and how the women’s stories were connected by much more than blood.
The historical setting was another huge win for me. Hart doesn’t simply use the World Wars as decorative scenery. The experiences of women, their work, their sacrifices, their limitations, and the ways they fought to create lives for themselves are woven naturally into the story. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching women quietly stepping into spaces they were never supposed to occupy—and then proving exactly why they belonged there.
And that magical element? Yes, please. The time-travel concept gives the historical story an extra layer without completely swallowing it. What fascinated me most wasn’t simply how the watch worked, but the emotional consequences of changing one seemingly tiny thing. Every attempt to fix the past comes with another question: How much are you willing to sacrifice to get back the person you lost? And when does saving one life mean changing too many others?
That’s where the book really got me.
I will say that I occasionally felt the story needed a little tightening. Some POV sections were more wordy than necessary, and there were moments when I wanted to lovingly grab the manuscript and say, “Okay, darling, we GET IT—now please move along!” 😂 A little editing here and there could have made the reading experience even smoother. The fantastical elements also require a bit of patience as everything unfolds.
But overall? I was invested. I loved watching the separate pieces gradually come together, uncovering the connections between the women, the timelines, the family secrets, and the consequences of trying to rewrite fate. And by the time everything came together, I was emotionally attached enough that I would have followed these women through several more timelines if Hart had asked me to.
This is historical fiction with a beating heart, a little magic, complicated women, family secrets, wartime courage, and one very dangerous temptation: the possibility of going back.
Emilia Hart has once again reminded me why I love historical fiction that dares to bend reality a little while keeping its emotional truth firmly grounded. Beautiful, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and wonderfully immersive. If you love historical fiction with a magical twist and stories about women whose strength is far greater than the world allows them to believe, put this one on your radar.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing one of the most anticipated and stunning period drama fiction digital reviewer copies with me in exchange for my honest opinions, which I highly appreciate.
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I went into The Enigmas expecting beautiful historical fiction with a touch of the fantastical, but I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally invested I would become in Beatrice, Clemmie, and Alice. Emilia Hart has created something that feels much bigger than a story about time travel. At its heart, this is about family, grief, love, sacrifice, and the desperate human wish to undo the things that hurt us most.
Beatrice completely won me over. She begins as someone who has spent much of her life being told what she can’t do, where she can’t go, and how fragile she supposedly is. Then grief blows that carefully controlled existence apart, and suddenly she has a choice: accept the past or fight like hell to change it. And honestly, watching her wrestle with that choice was EVERYTHING.
Because who among us hasn’t wished for a magical little undo button after losing someone we love? Give me a mysterious antique watch and the possibility of rewriting one devastating moment, and obviously I’m going to make terrible decisions right along with the heroine. 😂
The relationship between Beatrice and Clemmie was especially moving for me. Their bond feels wonderfully complicated—not just sentimental sisterly love, but all those messy emotions that come with being sisters: protectiveness, frustration, guilt, admiration, fear, and the kind of love that makes you willing to destroy your entire universe to save the other person.
And then there’s Alice’s story, which added another emotional dimension I really appreciated. Her experiences during the First World War and her work as a female doctor brought a completely different perspective to the novel. I loved seeing how the two timelines gradually began speaking to each other and how the women’s stories were connected by much more than blood.
The historical setting was another huge win for me. Hart doesn’t simply use the World Wars as decorative scenery. The experiences of women, their work, their sacrifices, their limitations, and the ways they fought to create lives for themselves are woven naturally into the story. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching women quietly stepping into spaces they were never supposed to occupy—and then proving exactly why they belonged there.
And that magical element? Yes, please. The time-travel concept gives the historical story an extra layer without completely swallowing it. What fascinated me most wasn’t simply how the watch worked, but the emotional consequences of changing one seemingly tiny thing. Every attempt to fix the past comes with another question: How much are you willing to sacrifice to get back the person you lost? And when does saving one life mean changing too many others?
That’s where the book really got me.
I will say that I occasionally felt the story needed a little tightening. Some POV sections were more wordy than necessary, and there were moments when I wanted to lovingly grab the manuscript and say, “Okay, darling, we GET IT—now please move along!” 😂 A little editing here and there could have made the reading experience even smoother. The fantastical elements also require a bit of patience as everything unfolds.
But overall? I was invested. I loved watching the separate pieces gradually come together, uncovering the connections between the women, the timelines, the family secrets, and the consequences of trying to rewrite fate. And by the time everything came together, I was emotionally attached enough that I would have followed these women through several more timelines if Hart had asked me to.
This is historical fiction with a beating heart, a little magic, complicated women, family secrets, wartime courage, and one very dangerous temptation: the possibility of going back.
Emilia Hart has once again reminded me why I love historical fiction that dares to bend reality a little while keeping its emotional truth firmly grounded. Beautiful, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and wonderfully immersive. If you love historical fiction with a magical twist and stories about women whose strength is far greater than the world allows them to believe, put this one on your radar.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing one of the most anticipated and stunning period drama fiction digital reviewer copies with me in exchange for my honest opinions, which I highly appreciate.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel is at the top of my top 10 best books that I’ve read this year! The combination of historical fiction and time travel created a mesmerizing plot. However it was the characters that kept me glued to the pages.
The time is London 1940 and Beatrice Bone is at home with her parents while her younger sister, Clemmie, is in London working for the Foreign Office. What she does is top secret and Beatrice is determined to join her. Beatrice was very ill as a child and her parents feel that it is best to keep her close to home. However when she learns that Clemmie has died in a fire she travels to Bletchley Park to help her understand what happened. All that she has left from her sister is an antique pocket watch. She discovers that the watch could be a portal into the past - and future!
The other timeline is London, 1915. Alice is a young mother whose husband is away fighting in the Great War. She has been trained as a surgeon - she volunteers at Endell Street Hospital, a medical center staffed by female doctors. While operating on a soldier she has an “episode” where she experiences a vision of herself that appears to be in the future. Can she “undo” what has already happened? Is this time travel?
There is so much going on in this book that it’s best to go in blind and untangle all of the many threads in the novel which will come together beautifully.
I loved the setting of Bletchley Park and all that the women working there contributed to finally decoding the “enigma” machine that the Germans used to send coded messages.
The characters are well developed and the relationship between Beatrice and Clemmie reveals a love and bond between the sisters that is amazing!
This was a wonderful buddy read with Carolyn, Debra, DeAnn and Mary Beth.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
The time is London 1940 and Beatrice Bone is at home with her parents while her younger sister, Clemmie, is in London working for the Foreign Office. What she does is top secret and Beatrice is determined to join her. Beatrice was very ill as a child and her parents feel that it is best to keep her close to home. However when she learns that Clemmie has died in a fire she travels to Bletchley Park to help her understand what happened. All that she has left from her sister is an antique pocket watch. She discovers that the watch could be a portal into the past - and future!
The other timeline is London, 1915. Alice is a young mother whose husband is away fighting in the Great War. She has been trained as a surgeon - she volunteers at Endell Street Hospital, a medical center staffed by female doctors. While operating on a soldier she has an “episode” where she experiences a vision of herself that appears to be in the future. Can she “undo” what has already happened? Is this time travel?
There is so much going on in this book that it’s best to go in blind and untangle all of the many threads in the novel which will come together beautifully.
I loved the setting of Bletchley Park and all that the women working there contributed to finally decoding the “enigma” machine that the Germans used to send coded messages.
The characters are well developed and the relationship between Beatrice and Clemmie reveals a love and bond between the sisters that is amazing!
This was a wonderful buddy read with Carolyn, Debra, DeAnn and Mary Beth.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
September 23, 2026
If you could turn back time, would you? If you could relive a harrowing event and then alter it so that it fits your needs would you?
It is wartime in England, the 1940s, and a woman Beatrice Boone is a spinster it seems to be, She has a very close relationship with her sister, Clemmie, who goes off to Bletchley Park to work on decoding messages from the Germans. She convinces, Beatrice to come to the Park as it's so needed for the British to break the Enigma code. Beatrice goes and finds out a secret her sister has been concealing.
However, Beatrice possesses a pocket watch, (given to her by her sister) which seems to have the ability to turn back time. When Beatrice dreams of tragedies that will affect her sister, she makes use of the magical ability of the watch to turn back time. However, changing fate might just bring about disastrous results. Death will not be deceived and she will have her soul that destiny has fated to her.
Beatrice tries to alter fate but just like the flapping of a butterfly's wing, destiny always seems the master.
We are also introduced to the sisters's mother, Alice, who had been a practicing doctor, extremely unusual at that time) and while her husband is away fighting in the Great War, we learn that Alice, too, has the ability to alter time. Alice finds that the profession she loves will not be her future.
What will these women do? To alter fate does bring its consequences, some of which are truly calamitous, and will affect thousands.
I liked the way Emilia Hart brought history into this story, and the blend of fact and fiction worked so well through her words.
It is wartime in England, the 1940s, and a woman Beatrice Boone is a spinster it seems to be, She has a very close relationship with her sister, Clemmie, who goes off to Bletchley Park to work on decoding messages from the Germans. She convinces, Beatrice to come to the Park as it's so needed for the British to break the Enigma code. Beatrice goes and finds out a secret her sister has been concealing.
However, Beatrice possesses a pocket watch, (given to her by her sister) which seems to have the ability to turn back time. When Beatrice dreams of tragedies that will affect her sister, she makes use of the magical ability of the watch to turn back time. However, changing fate might just bring about disastrous results. Death will not be deceived and she will have her soul that destiny has fated to her.
Beatrice tries to alter fate but just like the flapping of a butterfly's wing, destiny always seems the master.
We are also introduced to the sisters's mother, Alice, who had been a practicing doctor, extremely unusual at that time) and while her husband is away fighting in the Great War, we learn that Alice, too, has the ability to alter time. Alice finds that the profession she loves will not be her future.
What will these women do? To alter fate does bring its consequences, some of which are truly calamitous, and will affect thousands.
I liked the way Emilia Hart brought history into this story, and the blend of fact and fiction worked so well through her words.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 1940.
Beatrice Bone is turning 28 and is stifled at home partly because of her mother Alice’s fears of the recurrence of a childhood illness. She wants a life and is desperate to break out and join the WAAF or have some sort of adventure like the heroines of the novels she loves so much. Her sister Clemmie works at the Foreign Office but makes sure to see Beatrice on her birthday and gift her an unusual watch, inscribed with Memento Mori, remember, you must die. A few days later Clemmie tragically dies in a house fire. In her grief, Beatrice opens her watch, notices it’s motionless and turns the dial, wishing she could turn back time. Impossibly, it seems she can, what future awaits if the past is rewritten?? The story is told by Alice and Beatrice.
I’m blown away by the story, I absolutely love it, perhaps because like Clemmie and Beatrice, I have a very strong bond with my own sister. The storytelling is wonderful, the quality of the writing is stellar, it’s emotional and really touches my heart. It’s a truly wonderful story combining historical fiction with fantasy but at its heart it’s about family and sisterhood, love as well as grief and how far a person is prepared to go for the sake of those you love. The characters are fantastic, I especially love Beatrice but Alice grows in my estimation as understanding of her develops in parallel with my admiration for her. The sister’s bond is a thing of beauty and really resonates.
The wartime setting for both stories also lends itself to epic storytelling as we follow Alice’s work and experiences during World War I (I won’t be more specific as it’s best experienced firsthand) and the sisters in World War II and the incredible work they both become involved in. Both timelines are very immersive and fascinating but also informative.
I love the idea of playing with time because not only does it glimpse at alternative futures but it also introduces inter connections and secrets suppressed for the right reasons. What emerges is a terrific cross genre piece of magic that I think is very powerful. A very clever title too. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to
HarperCollins, HarperFiction/ The Borough Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Beatrice Bone is turning 28 and is stifled at home partly because of her mother Alice’s fears of the recurrence of a childhood illness. She wants a life and is desperate to break out and join the WAAF or have some sort of adventure like the heroines of the novels she loves so much. Her sister Clemmie works at the Foreign Office but makes sure to see Beatrice on her birthday and gift her an unusual watch, inscribed with Memento Mori, remember, you must die. A few days later Clemmie tragically dies in a house fire. In her grief, Beatrice opens her watch, notices it’s motionless and turns the dial, wishing she could turn back time. Impossibly, it seems she can, what future awaits if the past is rewritten?? The story is told by Alice and Beatrice.
I’m blown away by the story, I absolutely love it, perhaps because like Clemmie and Beatrice, I have a very strong bond with my own sister. The storytelling is wonderful, the quality of the writing is stellar, it’s emotional and really touches my heart. It’s a truly wonderful story combining historical fiction with fantasy but at its heart it’s about family and sisterhood, love as well as grief and how far a person is prepared to go for the sake of those you love. The characters are fantastic, I especially love Beatrice but Alice grows in my estimation as understanding of her develops in parallel with my admiration for her. The sister’s bond is a thing of beauty and really resonates.
The wartime setting for both stories also lends itself to epic storytelling as we follow Alice’s work and experiences during World War I (I won’t be more specific as it’s best experienced firsthand) and the sisters in World War II and the incredible work they both become involved in. Both timelines are very immersive and fascinating but also informative.
I love the idea of playing with time because not only does it glimpse at alternative futures but it also introduces inter connections and secrets suppressed for the right reasons. What emerges is a terrific cross genre piece of magic that I think is very powerful. A very clever title too. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to
HarperCollins, HarperFiction/ The Borough Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5.0 Time Travel WWII Stars
This is my first read by this author, Emilia Hart. I’ve always wanted to try out one of her books. I picked the right one, because I loved it! It’s a mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and a story about sisters.
I was totally drawn into this story of two sisters, mostly at the beginning of WWII, when London was under siege. Beatrice and Clemmie grew up with a mother who was a surgeon, a definite rarity in those times, and a father who returned from WWI physically damaged.
We also get chapters from their mother, Alice, and read about her conflicted feelings as she gave up her career after she married and had children.
In early 1940, Clemmie gives Beatrice a Victorian watch for her birthday, then heads off to her top-secret job at the War Department. Beatrice is stuck at home with her parents in case her childhood disease returns. Clemmie urges Beatrice to join her in the work; they could use some typists!
Then they get the tragic news that Clemmie has died in a fire. Beatrice is heartbroken. As Beatrice mourns her sister, she treasures the antique watch. It’s almost like a magic portal, as Beatrice is transported back in time to a few days before Clemmie leaves for her job. Can Beatrice change events so that Clemmie doesn’t die in the fire? At this point, I was completely hooked!
Beatrice heads to Bletchley Park to join Clemmie, and I rooted for her to change things so Clemmie stays safe. I loved reading more about the war efforts at Bletchley Park and how it was a race to break codes and save lives.
This story totally engaged me, and I kept returning to it to see if Beatrice could tempt fate and what the effects might be.
This one is a winner!
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 4.6.2027.
This is my first read by this author, Emilia Hart. I’ve always wanted to try out one of her books. I picked the right one, because I loved it! It’s a mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and a story about sisters.
I was totally drawn into this story of two sisters, mostly at the beginning of WWII, when London was under siege. Beatrice and Clemmie grew up with a mother who was a surgeon, a definite rarity in those times, and a father who returned from WWI physically damaged.
We also get chapters from their mother, Alice, and read about her conflicted feelings as she gave up her career after she married and had children.
In early 1940, Clemmie gives Beatrice a Victorian watch for her birthday, then heads off to her top-secret job at the War Department. Beatrice is stuck at home with her parents in case her childhood disease returns. Clemmie urges Beatrice to join her in the work; they could use some typists!
Then they get the tragic news that Clemmie has died in a fire. Beatrice is heartbroken. As Beatrice mourns her sister, she treasures the antique watch. It’s almost like a magic portal, as Beatrice is transported back in time to a few days before Clemmie leaves for her job. Can Beatrice change events so that Clemmie doesn’t die in the fire? At this point, I was completely hooked!
Beatrice heads to Bletchley Park to join Clemmie, and I rooted for her to change things so Clemmie stays safe. I loved reading more about the war efforts at Bletchley Park and how it was a race to break codes and save lives.
This story totally engaged me, and I kept returning to it to see if Beatrice could tempt fate and what the effects might be.
This one is a winner!
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 4.6.2027.
Want to Read
August 24, 2026When an Emilia Hart novel is READ NOW on NetGalley, you stop what you are doing and log on ASAP!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Historical fiction with a twist of fantasy makes this a heart pounding read.
This novel features a mother and a daughter. Each possess an incredible ability. Alice, the mother, is featured in 1915 during WWI. Her story takes us through her career as a woman doctor and then her transition into motherhood. Beatrice, the daughter, is at a crossroads in 1940. WWII is going on and she has spent most of her life at home due to an illness. She makes the decision to get involved in the war effort to be near her sister but her actions could have far reaching consequences.
Both Alice and Beatrice's stories are incredible and left me wanting to know more. The writing was superb. This book gave me all the feels. I think we all have wanted to rewind time especially when something major happens. Alice's perspective really shed light on just how hard it is to want your own dreams but yet also want to be the best mother you can be. Beatrice showed how powerful a sisters bond can be. This was a great blend of love, drama, magical elements, blended with a historical setting. I truly enjoyed this story and it is one I will be thinking about long into the future.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
This novel features a mother and a daughter. Each possess an incredible ability. Alice, the mother, is featured in 1915 during WWI. Her story takes us through her career as a woman doctor and then her transition into motherhood. Beatrice, the daughter, is at a crossroads in 1940. WWII is going on and she has spent most of her life at home due to an illness. She makes the decision to get involved in the war effort to be near her sister but her actions could have far reaching consequences.
Both Alice and Beatrice's stories are incredible and left me wanting to know more. The writing was superb. This book gave me all the feels. I think we all have wanted to rewind time especially when something major happens. Alice's perspective really shed light on just how hard it is to want your own dreams but yet also want to be the best mother you can be. Beatrice showed how powerful a sisters bond can be. This was a great blend of love, drama, magical elements, blended with a historical setting. I truly enjoyed this story and it is one I will be thinking about long into the future.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 1, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Enigmas is a gorgeously written story about a family whose women share a unique relationship with time. Told in dual POVs, the book centers on Beatrice, a self described spinster living in England during WWII. She feels held back by her overprotective mother and is envious of her beloved sister Clemmie’s independence. The alternating POV are excerpts from their mother Alice’s journal entries, which look to the past as Alice pieces together her own story.
I was immediately swept into the story and I enjoyed both Alice and Beatrice’s perspectives. I’m a sucker for novels with time travel or family drama, and this book seamlessly brought together both themes. I loved the “what if” exploration of alternate historical timelines and the dark depiction of living in wartime England. The author’s note on the Bletchley Park code breakers was the perfect end note to great book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Enigmas is a gorgeously written story about a family whose women share a unique relationship with time. Told in dual POVs, the book centers on Beatrice, a self described spinster living in England during WWII. She feels held back by her overprotective mother and is envious of her beloved sister Clemmie’s independence. The alternating POV are excerpts from their mother Alice’s journal entries, which look to the past as Alice pieces together her own story.
I was immediately swept into the story and I enjoyed both Alice and Beatrice’s perspectives. I’m a sucker for novels with time travel or family drama, and this book seamlessly brought together both themes. I loved the “what if” exploration of alternate historical timelines and the dark depiction of living in wartime England. The author’s note on the Bletchley Park code breakers was the perfect end note to great book.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this dual timeline story. At times it was a little confusing as it did jump about a lot. A good story overall . My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
September 16, 2026
It’s 1am and I’m crying in my bed. This is a beautiful book. I need a hug now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This was my first 2027 read. I normally read my ARCs in release order, so I still had 2026 books to read but as soon as I received this I had to move it to the top of my list.
Weyward is one of my absolute favourite books, and The Sirens, whilst not at the same level in my opinion, was still an incredible book. So I have been super excited about this one. Emilia is an original talent and I can't see her ever writing a book that isn't utterly fantastic to read. So yeah, I had high hopes.
Her way of writing women, particularly sisters, is one of the best. The only person I can compare her to is Julie Owen Moylan, another of my favourite female writers.
It's not what I was expecting. In terms of storytelling ability it is, and character creation and depth of feeling etc. But this one felt more accessible plot wise, even though there is this sense of magic in it. But the previous two were very much fantasy, whereas this one felt very real but with a spark of magic. It's also set in a familiar historical period. Her previous books include scenes from a time or land that feels ancient to us, whereas a book set during WWII feels relatively recent and familiar.
And I think this means it didn't have the same feel to it. I just want to add here that's not a complaint, just an observation. If you'd given it to me and not told me who the author was, I probably wouldn't have plumped for her, but it's an interesting new angle and it's just cemented how much of an interesting writer she is.
It is told through Beatrice's POV, and her Mum Alice's POV - these are mostly when she was a young child and then young woman, and really helped flesh out the character in the more modern scenes. And I really liked it when the two POVs became intertwined.
I liked her depictions of wartime Britain. She's not glamorised it or sensationalised it, nor has she focussed on the macabre and morbid. She's been honest about it and you really get that sense. But this isn't a war novel. This is a novel about family and sisterhood and what you'd do for those you love that just so happens to be set at wartime.
I read it in two sittings because whilst it might light on action (not a criticism) it's still so addictive. And I felt really sad once I'd finished it because it meant I was no longer in this world she'd created.
I generally don't reread books because I have so many new ones to read. But this might be an exception. There are so many little things threaded through it that I imagine I missed on first read, so it would be interesting to see how much more I could get out of it a second time.
This was my first 2027 read. I normally read my ARCs in release order, so I still had 2026 books to read but as soon as I received this I had to move it to the top of my list.
Weyward is one of my absolute favourite books, and The Sirens, whilst not at the same level in my opinion, was still an incredible book. So I have been super excited about this one. Emilia is an original talent and I can't see her ever writing a book that isn't utterly fantastic to read. So yeah, I had high hopes.
Her way of writing women, particularly sisters, is one of the best. The only person I can compare her to is Julie Owen Moylan, another of my favourite female writers.
It's not what I was expecting. In terms of storytelling ability it is, and character creation and depth of feeling etc. But this one felt more accessible plot wise, even though there is this sense of magic in it. But the previous two were very much fantasy, whereas this one felt very real but with a spark of magic. It's also set in a familiar historical period. Her previous books include scenes from a time or land that feels ancient to us, whereas a book set during WWII feels relatively recent and familiar.
And I think this means it didn't have the same feel to it. I just want to add here that's not a complaint, just an observation. If you'd given it to me and not told me who the author was, I probably wouldn't have plumped for her, but it's an interesting new angle and it's just cemented how much of an interesting writer she is.
It is told through Beatrice's POV, and her Mum Alice's POV - these are mostly when she was a young child and then young woman, and really helped flesh out the character in the more modern scenes. And I really liked it when the two POVs became intertwined.
I liked her depictions of wartime Britain. She's not glamorised it or sensationalised it, nor has she focussed on the macabre and morbid. She's been honest about it and you really get that sense. But this isn't a war novel. This is a novel about family and sisterhood and what you'd do for those you love that just so happens to be set at wartime.
I read it in two sittings because whilst it might light on action (not a criticism) it's still so addictive. And I felt really sad once I'd finished it because it meant I was no longer in this world she'd created.
I generally don't reread books because I have so many new ones to read. But this might be an exception. There are so many little things threaded through it that I imagine I missed on first read, so it would be interesting to see how much more I could get out of it a second time.
September 13, 2026
What a journey this lovely book, set in alternate timelines, takes you on. Emilia Hart has such a beautiful way with words, her stories always envelop you in their authenticity and raw emotion. I adored her character portrayals and how connected I became to their lives with every passing chapter. As the reader, there was cheering, frustration and definitely tears.
I appreciated learning more about this time period as well. I’ve read many books set in the timeline of WWII, but this story was so unique in its historical elements, from Bletchley Park and the Enigmas to the Endell Street hospital. The stories, strength and sacrifice of the women were so interesting and Hart’s ability to incorporate these fascinating accounts into this magical, historical writing is exquisite.
Thank-you very much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Emilia Hart for the advanced reader’s copy. This is definitely one I’ll be thinking about for some time to come.
September 22, 2026
The Enigmas is a really beautiful story that takes place during the World Wars via two POVs: Beatrice, a young woman who leaves home to work with the codebreakers at Bletchley Park (where the Enigma machines were in use to break German codes), and Alice, her mother, who writes about her experience raising Beatrice and her sister Clemmy while her own husband was away at war.
There's a time travel aspect to this story, wherein Beatrice seems to be able to use an antique pocket watch to go back to key points in her timeline to repeatedly save the life of Clemmy.
I really didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I'm not big on historical fiction and don't really have much of an interest in the intricacies of the WWI and WWII but this story surprised me. It's full of heart and has a really nice atmospheric quality to it that almost makes it feel relaxing despite all the war and death surrounding our main characters. While at first I didn't really understand what the point of switching back and forth between Beatrice and Alice was, it all came together in a really nice way.
All in all, this book is worth your time if you're into historical fiction or like magical realism. This is more of a 3.5 for me because it was a bit slow at times but I'm going to round up because I still enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and I know a lot of people are going to eat this up.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC
There's a time travel aspect to this story, wherein Beatrice seems to be able to use an antique pocket watch to go back to key points in her timeline to repeatedly save the life of Clemmy.
I really didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I'm not big on historical fiction and don't really have much of an interest in the intricacies of the WWI and WWII but this story surprised me. It's full of heart and has a really nice atmospheric quality to it that almost makes it feel relaxing despite all the war and death surrounding our main characters. While at first I didn't really understand what the point of switching back and forth between Beatrice and Alice was, it all came together in a really nice way.
All in all, this book is worth your time if you're into historical fiction or like magical realism. This is more of a 3.5 for me because it was a bit slow at times but I'm going to round up because I still enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and I know a lot of people are going to eat this up.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Superb. Just SUPERB.
Very emotional read about Beatrice, her sister Clemmie and her mum Alice. Set in WW2 (and, as the title hints, partly at Bletchley). Wonderful period detail, but it's the emotional depth that blew me away. What would you do if you had the power to change the past and avoid someone's death? And what if saving them changes everything else? (The alternative history here was really chilling - and also very believable.) It's about love, it's about grief, it's about second chances and about strong, flawed, independent women.
Beautifully written, and it gave me so much food for thought. Also kept me reading through the night - I really couldn't put it down! I don't usually gush, but I think this is the best book I've read this year, and I read a LOT. I'll be buying this for quite a few people next year, knowing that it'll blow them away, too.
Very emotional read about Beatrice, her sister Clemmie and her mum Alice. Set in WW2 (and, as the title hints, partly at Bletchley). Wonderful period detail, but it's the emotional depth that blew me away. What would you do if you had the power to change the past and avoid someone's death? And what if saving them changes everything else? (The alternative history here was really chilling - and also very believable.) It's about love, it's about grief, it's about second chances and about strong, flawed, independent women.
Beautifully written, and it gave me so much food for thought. Also kept me reading through the night - I really couldn't put it down! I don't usually gush, but I think this is the best book I've read this year, and I read a LOT. I'll be buying this for quite a few people next year, knowing that it'll blow them away, too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“The Enigmas” by Emilia Hart is a beautiful blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and time travel that completely drew me in. Moving between WWl and WWll and told through alternating perspectives of a mother and daughter, the story shines a fascinating light on the important work women were doing at Bletchley Park to crack German codes.
What stayed with me most, though, was the relationship between the women at the heart of the story. This is as much about mothers and daughters as it is about war. The love they share, the secrets they keep, and the sacrifices families make for one another even when those choices can lead to heartbreak.
Atmospheric, emotional, and filled with strong women, this was a very moving read. Hart wove history and a touch of magic together while keeping the mother daughter bond at the center of it all. The story did move a little slowly for me in places, which kept it from being a five star read, but overall I found it beautifully written and engaging.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What stayed with me most, though, was the relationship between the women at the heart of the story. This is as much about mothers and daughters as it is about war. The love they share, the secrets they keep, and the sacrifices families make for one another even when those choices can lead to heartbreak.
Atmospheric, emotional, and filled with strong women, this was a very moving read. Hart wove history and a touch of magic together while keeping the mother daughter bond at the center of it all. The story did move a little slowly for me in places, which kept it from being a five star read, but overall I found it beautifully written and engaging.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to Read
September 2, 20261940, London. WWII.
1915, London.
Two timelines, two pasts, the power of resilience.
This is my third novel by Emilia Hart and if there is anything that I can say about her writing, it's that she weaves emotionally resonant stories into historical timelines. I love her gorgeous covers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author, Emilia Hart for an early ARC.
Publication date: April 6, 2027
1915, London.
Two timelines, two pasts, the power of resilience.
This is my third novel by Emilia Hart and if there is anything that I can say about her writing, it's that she weaves emotionally resonant stories into historical timelines. I love her gorgeous covers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author, Emilia Hart for an early ARC.
Publication date: April 6, 2027
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Regret. The desire to un-break what is already shattered. In 1940, Beatrice Bone sits trapped in her parents' claustrophobic house, twenty-seven and dying of boredom while bombs prepare to fall over Britain. Her sister Clemmie gifts her an antique pocket watch engraved with Memento Mori. Then Clemmie dies. Beatrice, drowning in immediate grief, discovers the impossible mechanism inside the brass casing can rewind physical moments. The atmosphere stinks of cold tea, damp wool, Bletchley Park chalk dust, and the heavy static of radio waves.
Emilia Hart mixes historical realism with sudden, quiet impossible occurrences. Female doctors fighting institutional misogyny. Codebreakers staring at impossible ciphers alongside Alan Turing. Beatrice is driven by a deep, selfish refusal to accept loss, a flaw that makes her human even as she messily tampers with the timeline. She isn't a grand strategist. She is just a sister trying to drag a ghost back into the room.
Hart relies on sudden, fragmented shifts in perspective between technical wartime logistics and surreal temporal jumps. It works because the sudden mechanical jumps disrupt the historical slow-burn, keeping you slightly off-balance.
Read this if you want atmospheric historical fiction fused with subtle magical realism and intense sisterly bonds. Skip it if you want high-speed, action-packed time travel without historical slow-burns.
Emilia Hart mixes historical realism with sudden, quiet impossible occurrences. Female doctors fighting institutional misogyny. Codebreakers staring at impossible ciphers alongside Alan Turing. Beatrice is driven by a deep, selfish refusal to accept loss, a flaw that makes her human even as she messily tampers with the timeline. She isn't a grand strategist. She is just a sister trying to drag a ghost back into the room.
Hart relies on sudden, fragmented shifts in perspective between technical wartime logistics and surreal temporal jumps. It works because the sudden mechanical jumps disrupt the historical slow-burn, keeping you slightly off-balance.
Read this if you want atmospheric historical fiction fused with subtle magical realism and intense sisterly bonds. Skip it if you want high-speed, action-packed time travel without historical slow-burns.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for The Enigmas! 2.5 stars.
I really enjoyed Emilia Hart's first two novels, but I'm sad to say that this one didn't live up to my expectations. While I'm sure it will be a crowd-pleaser, I found it to be a bit of a departure from Weyward and The Sirens.
Like in Hart's previous novels, we get a story set in multiple time periods and focused on the experiences of women. But for once, The Enigmas doesn't have a modern-day plotline. In Weyward and especially The Sirens, the modern-day plotline is used to explore often quite brutal facets of violence against women, such as abusive partners, sexual violence, teachers grooming school children, and uploading intimate photos on social media without consent. The novels felt topical, insightful, and often raw.
The Enigmas, in contrast, felt more like a celebration of women's achievements in the first half of the last century, with a focus on the women who worked either as wartimes doctors or at Bletchley Park. There are a lot of readers who will love this perspective. But for me, I found it less powerful and more superficial compared to Weyward and The Sirens.
Part of my issue may be that wartime Britain has been written about a lot already. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel that The Enigmas managed to stand out from the many of other novels about this time period. It felt generic, and the characters didn't have as much depth as in other Emilia Hart novels.
The time travel element also felt a little undercooked to me. The Enigmas focuses on the butterfly effect of time travel, but for the ending to work, it also wants us to believe that enormous changes in the past led to almost no difference in the characters' decisions throughout their lives. It felt like the novel was picking and choosing when it wanted the butterfly effect to have an impact.
All the same, I know that a lot of people will love this story of women in wartime. Ultimately, I'm just not the right reader for this novel.
I really enjoyed Emilia Hart's first two novels, but I'm sad to say that this one didn't live up to my expectations. While I'm sure it will be a crowd-pleaser, I found it to be a bit of a departure from Weyward and The Sirens.
Like in Hart's previous novels, we get a story set in multiple time periods and focused on the experiences of women. But for once, The Enigmas doesn't have a modern-day plotline. In Weyward and especially The Sirens, the modern-day plotline is used to explore often quite brutal facets of violence against women, such as abusive partners, sexual violence, teachers grooming school children, and uploading intimate photos on social media without consent. The novels felt topical, insightful, and often raw.
The Enigmas, in contrast, felt more like a celebration of women's achievements in the first half of the last century, with a focus on the women who worked either as wartimes doctors or at Bletchley Park. There are a lot of readers who will love this perspective. But for me, I found it less powerful and more superficial compared to Weyward and The Sirens.
Part of my issue may be that wartime Britain has been written about a lot already. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel that The Enigmas managed to stand out from the many of other novels about this time period. It felt generic, and the characters didn't have as much depth as in other Emilia Hart novels.
The time travel element also felt a little undercooked to me. The Enigmas focuses on the butterfly effect of time travel, but for the ending to work, it also wants us to believe that enormous changes in the past led to almost no difference in the characters' decisions throughout their lives. It felt like the novel was picking and choosing when it wanted the butterfly effect to have an impact.
All the same, I know that a lot of people will love this story of women in wartime. Ultimately, I'm just not the right reader for this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Enchanting. 'The Enigmas' falls just about in the genre of magical realism. The realism is strongly based on the historical truths of WW2 with two main focus points: the code-breaking at Bletchley Park and the contribution of women as doctors at the time. Throw in an ancient pocket watch (with magical powers?) and a strong sisterly bond, a cameo by Alan Turing and a few Zeppelins and you have the haunting story of what could have been a completely different outcome to WW2.
Very enjoyable read. 'The Time Traveller's Wife' meets 'The Rose Code'.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Very enjoyable read. 'The Time Traveller's Wife' meets 'The Rose Code'.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for the ARC read provided by NetGally
Okay, so I did not finish this book because I just found it so boring.
The cover is SO pretty and so deceiving because it makes the book look really interesting. But I seem to have ignored the rule: don’t judge a book by its cover.
Honestly, I’m so happy for you if you loved it because it had so much potential, but it just was not for me.
Okay, so I did not finish this book because I just found it so boring.
The cover is SO pretty and so deceiving because it makes the book look really interesting. But I seem to have ignored the rule: don’t judge a book by its cover.
Honestly, I’m so happy for you if you loved it because it had so much potential, but it just was not for me.
October 11, 2026
A beautiful blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and deeply moving family relationships. I loved every bit of it.
Set against the backdrop of both World Wars, the novel explores the lives of extraordinary women navigating love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets. While the historical setting and mysterious elements drew me in, it was the relationships that truly captured my heart.
At its heart, this is a story about a mother’s love. As a mother myself, I connected deeply with that part of the novel. There’s something about having children that changes how you understand your own mother’s love. Sometimes we don’t need every secret explained or every feeling spoken aloud to know how deeply we are loved. I thought Emilia Hart captured that beautifully, especially in the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.
I loved how these women carried so much love for one another, yet their secrets, fears, and regrets often prevented them from truly understanding each other. I understood their hesitation to share certain truths, even when keeping those secrets caused misunderstandings and heartache. Their relationships were complicated, imperfect, and wonderfully human.
I also appreciated the clever connection between the Enigma machines used during World War II and the enigmas of the women themselves. Just as the codebreakers worked to decipher hidden messages, these women struggled to understand the secrets, choices, and sacrifices of those closest to them. I thought that parallel was beautifully done.
The historical elements were fascinating. I particularly enjoyed learning about the women who contributed to the war efforts, both at Bletchley Park and at Endell Street Military Hospital. I loved that Emilia Hart included an author’s note explaining the real history behind the novel, where she took creative liberties, and additional resources for readers interested in learning more. That extra attention to history made me appreciate the book even more.
These characters were courageous but frightened, loving but imperfect, and sometimes so consumed by their own guilt and grief that they couldn’t see what was right in front of them.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading. It made me think, it made me feel, and it left me wanting to know more about the history behind its pages.
Five stars, without hesitation. This is absolutely a book I will be purchasing for my own shelves.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Emilia Hart for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Set against the backdrop of both World Wars, the novel explores the lives of extraordinary women navigating love, loss, sacrifice, and secrets. While the historical setting and mysterious elements drew me in, it was the relationships that truly captured my heart.
At its heart, this is a story about a mother’s love. As a mother myself, I connected deeply with that part of the novel. There’s something about having children that changes how you understand your own mother’s love. Sometimes we don’t need every secret explained or every feeling spoken aloud to know how deeply we are loved. I thought Emilia Hart captured that beautifully, especially in the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.
I loved how these women carried so much love for one another, yet their secrets, fears, and regrets often prevented them from truly understanding each other. I understood their hesitation to share certain truths, even when keeping those secrets caused misunderstandings and heartache. Their relationships were complicated, imperfect, and wonderfully human.
I also appreciated the clever connection between the Enigma machines used during World War II and the enigmas of the women themselves. Just as the codebreakers worked to decipher hidden messages, these women struggled to understand the secrets, choices, and sacrifices of those closest to them. I thought that parallel was beautifully done.
The historical elements were fascinating. I particularly enjoyed learning about the women who contributed to the war efforts, both at Bletchley Park and at Endell Street Military Hospital. I loved that Emilia Hart included an author’s note explaining the real history behind the novel, where she took creative liberties, and additional resources for readers interested in learning more. That extra attention to history made me appreciate the book even more.
These characters were courageous but frightened, loving but imperfect, and sometimes so consumed by their own guilt and grief that they couldn’t see what was right in front of them.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading. It made me think, it made me feel, and it left me wanting to know more about the history behind its pages.
Five stars, without hesitation. This is absolutely a book I will be purchasing for my own shelves.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Emilia Hart for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set in World War II, The Enigmas follows Beatrice Bone, a young woman living a quiet, isolated life in London while her younger sister Clemmie does secret war work at Bletchley Park. When Clemmie dies in a fire, Beatrice is left with her sister's last gift, an antique pocket watch engraved with memento mori. The watch carries her through time, and with it comes a chance to save her sister, at a cost she can't yet measure.
The first half moves slowly, as Hart sets the stage and lays out pieces that don't yet seem connected. I'm glad I stuck with it. The second half pays off with twists and turns I never saw coming, and the earlier groundwork makes them land.
My favorite thread was the subplot of the girls' mother, one of the first female surgeons in the country. Her story, along with the fear so many women lived with at the time, stayed with me: the threat of being dismissed as mad, having their children taken away, or being forced into an institution simply for being inconvenient or challenging expectations.
Both storylines are tied together by a theme I found powerful: gender bias and other prejudices can stand in the way of truth and of the greater good. Too often, we rely on those who fit the mold to save us rather than those with the talent, skill, and intuition to do it. Hart makes that point through the women's work at Bletchley Park and through the mother's struggle, without being heavy-handed.
Recommended for fans of Emilia Hart's other works, as well as readers who enjoy the World War II novels of Kate Quinn and Kristin Harmel. It suits anyone who likes emotional historical fiction with a speculative twist, strong sisterly bonds, and stories about the women history overlooked, as long as they're willing to be patient through a slower opening.
Set in World War II, The Enigmas follows Beatrice Bone, a young woman living a quiet, isolated life in London while her younger sister Clemmie does secret war work at Bletchley Park. When Clemmie dies in a fire, Beatrice is left with her sister's last gift, an antique pocket watch engraved with memento mori. The watch carries her through time, and with it comes a chance to save her sister, at a cost she can't yet measure.
The first half moves slowly, as Hart sets the stage and lays out pieces that don't yet seem connected. I'm glad I stuck with it. The second half pays off with twists and turns I never saw coming, and the earlier groundwork makes them land.
My favorite thread was the subplot of the girls' mother, one of the first female surgeons in the country. Her story, along with the fear so many women lived with at the time, stayed with me: the threat of being dismissed as mad, having their children taken away, or being forced into an institution simply for being inconvenient or challenging expectations.
Both storylines are tied together by a theme I found powerful: gender bias and other prejudices can stand in the way of truth and of the greater good. Too often, we rely on those who fit the mold to save us rather than those with the talent, skill, and intuition to do it. Hart makes that point through the women's work at Bletchley Park and through the mother's struggle, without being heavy-handed.
Recommended for fans of Emilia Hart's other works, as well as readers who enjoy the World War II novels of Kate Quinn and Kristin Harmel. It suits anyone who likes emotional historical fiction with a speculative twist, strong sisterly bonds, and stories about the women history overlooked, as long as they're willing to be patient through a slower opening.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley.
On the surface, The Enigmas is a story about the second world war, and about how small decisions affect massive outcomes. But by telling this story through then lens of two generations of extraordinary women, it reveals a more tender side, the desperate bargaining part of grief. Anyone who's lost someone will know this arc; begging for a different result, to accepting the situation for what it is. And alongside these themes, we learn about Alice and Beatrice and the challenges they face as women during the world wars.
To say I enjoyed The Enigmas wouldn't be quite right, because I found it a challenging read at times, but I felt the characters were developed beautifully and I had plenty of tears, which is normally a good sign!
'Don't be silly,' said her mother, in a breezy voice. 'What would Hitler want with poor old Streatham? Unless he decides to go after morale, and bombs Pratts and the Odeon' simultaneously made me laugh (as a Streatham local) but also hit a brilliant historical note. During the second world war Churchill made the decision to lead the axis powers ro believe that they were bombing too far North to reach Central London, which redirected fire to South London. Not a popular policy here, I can tell you, and the irony of that line is perfect.
Thanks again to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this ARC.
On the surface, The Enigmas is a story about the second world war, and about how small decisions affect massive outcomes. But by telling this story through then lens of two generations of extraordinary women, it reveals a more tender side, the desperate bargaining part of grief. Anyone who's lost someone will know this arc; begging for a different result, to accepting the situation for what it is. And alongside these themes, we learn about Alice and Beatrice and the challenges they face as women during the world wars.
To say I enjoyed The Enigmas wouldn't be quite right, because I found it a challenging read at times, but I felt the characters were developed beautifully and I had plenty of tears, which is normally a good sign!
'Don't be silly,' said her mother, in a breezy voice. 'What would Hitler want with poor old Streatham? Unless he decides to go after morale, and bombs Pratts and the Odeon' simultaneously made me laugh (as a Streatham local) but also hit a brilliant historical note. During the second world war Churchill made the decision to lead the axis powers ro believe that they were bombing too far North to reach Central London, which redirected fire to South London. Not a popular policy here, I can tell you, and the irony of that line is perfect.
Thanks again to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What did I enjoy of ‘The Enigmas’? It was interesting to learn a little about the female-run military hospital set up by Louise Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray during the First World War. I’m always happy to read about Bletchley Park – who could not be fascinated by the brilliant minds and admire the dedication that helped the Allies to turn the tide during World War Two? And, obviously, I love a well written and well researched war narrative.
My problem with this novel is that the playing with time and the resulting outcomes did not intrigue or convince me. I have nothing against the use of the time slip convention - it has been used brilliantly by Kate Atkinson, for example. However, Emilia Hart’s vague explanation of why and how Beatrice, a sheltered young woman who breaks free to work at Bletchley Park alongside her sister, Connie, is able to influence the future does not help to suspend disbelief.
My 3* rating is for the author’s ability to use her research convincingly, introduce sympathetic characters and describe their surroundings effectively. However, the central playing with time device and the resultant consequences just do not work for me in this instance.
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, Harper Fiction The Borough Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
My problem with this novel is that the playing with time and the resulting outcomes did not intrigue or convince me. I have nothing against the use of the time slip convention - it has been used brilliantly by Kate Atkinson, for example. However, Emilia Hart’s vague explanation of why and how Beatrice, a sheltered young woman who breaks free to work at Bletchley Park alongside her sister, Connie, is able to influence the future does not help to suspend disbelief.
My 3* rating is for the author’s ability to use her research convincingly, introduce sympathetic characters and describe their surroundings effectively. However, the central playing with time device and the resultant consequences just do not work for me in this instance.
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, Harper Fiction The Borough Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I honestly wasn't expecting to become this invested in the story. A blend of historical fiction, magical realism and time travel? SIGN ME UP.
I loved how the story brought together two different generations of women, Alice and Beatrice, and explored their experiences across two world wars. Both timelines had something special to offer, and I was particularly drawn to the relationships between the women. There's so much love, grief, sacrifice and complicated family history woven into their stories.
The magical elements added an extra layer of intrigue, and I loved how everything gradually connected as the story unfolded.
If I had one little complaint, it would be that the timeline shifts occasionally made things a bit difficult to follow, and some sections felt slower than others. However, I still found myself wanting to know how everything would come together.
Overall, such a beautiful and thought-provoking read! Emilia Hart's writing has a way of making historical stories feel incredibly immersive, and this one definitely left me thinking about the choices we make, the people we love, and how far we would go to change the past.
I honestly wasn't expecting to become this invested in the story. A blend of historical fiction, magical realism and time travel? SIGN ME UP.
I loved how the story brought together two different generations of women, Alice and Beatrice, and explored their experiences across two world wars. Both timelines had something special to offer, and I was particularly drawn to the relationships between the women. There's so much love, grief, sacrifice and complicated family history woven into their stories.
The magical elements added an extra layer of intrigue, and I loved how everything gradually connected as the story unfolded.
If I had one little complaint, it would be that the timeline shifts occasionally made things a bit difficult to follow, and some sections felt slower than others. However, I still found myself wanting to know how everything would come together.
Overall, such a beautiful and thought-provoking read! Emilia Hart's writing has a way of making historical stories feel incredibly immersive, and this one definitely left me thinking about the choices we make, the people we love, and how far we would go to change the past.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well, I think I just found another author I need to read more from! The Enigmas was my first Emilia Hart, and I liked it! The premise was what first grabbed me. I liked the dueling timelines, with Alice’s story in 1915 running alongside Beatrice’s time travel. Beatrice’s storyline was easily my favorite.
This had so many elements I enjoy in a book, sisters, complicated mother-daughter relationships, female resilience, wartime history, emotion, and just the right amount of magic. Emilia Hart’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric without feeling overly flowery. I liked how character driven it was and how she blended the magical time travel with the historical pieces so naturally. This lyrical, magical historical fiction was exactly the pivot I needed.
I liked much about this one. The history, the relationships, the emotion, and the little bit of magic. It pulled me in and made me feel something. I cannot thank St. Martin’s Press enough for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
This had so many elements I enjoy in a book, sisters, complicated mother-daughter relationships, female resilience, wartime history, emotion, and just the right amount of magic. Emilia Hart’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric without feeling overly flowery. I liked how character driven it was and how she blended the magical time travel with the historical pieces so naturally. This lyrical, magical historical fiction was exactly the pivot I needed.
I liked much about this one. The history, the relationships, the emotion, and the little bit of magic. It pulled me in and made me feel something. I cannot thank St. Martin’s Press enough for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An enjoyably pacy novel about the bond between sisters in the Second World War and the pioneering work undertaken by their mother during the First World War.
Beatrice and Clemmie are incredibly close sisters yet, as young women, their lives have diverged considerably. While Clemmie is away undertaking war work, Beatrice’s life feels stifled before it has even begun by a severe illness that has consigned her to the family home.
In this novel, time travel is a central narrative device which shows how a single change can create a ripple effect across a timeline. This opened the door to speculative fiction which allowed an alternative version of historical events to be presented.
The Enigmas was an absorbing read with characters I cared about, though I generally prefer to read historically accurate fiction. The author’s note does helpfully clarify where the narrative departs from the historical record.
I’d recommend The Enigmas to fans of Kristin Hannah’s novels.
Thank you so much to The Borough Press for inviting me to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Beatrice and Clemmie are incredibly close sisters yet, as young women, their lives have diverged considerably. While Clemmie is away undertaking war work, Beatrice’s life feels stifled before it has even begun by a severe illness that has consigned her to the family home.
In this novel, time travel is a central narrative device which shows how a single change can create a ripple effect across a timeline. This opened the door to speculative fiction which allowed an alternative version of historical events to be presented.
The Enigmas was an absorbing read with characters I cared about, though I generally prefer to read historically accurate fiction. The author’s note does helpfully clarify where the narrative departs from the historical record.
I’d recommend The Enigmas to fans of Kristin Hannah’s novels.
Thank you so much to The Borough Press for inviting me to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great story! Set during the war. The family Bones. Mother, father and two sisters Beatrice and Clemmie.
Clemmie has already found her feet and working for the government under strict secrecy. Then comes the news that Clemmie has died in a house fire. Beatrice cannot accept her sister has died, and there the story really begins.
Very well written. I have previously enjoyed one of Harts books, so I instantly knew I would like this. For the majority I was completely invested and I was excited reading the first 65%. I felt it petered off after this and I wasn't sure where the story was heading. The story is told from Alice's (the mother) and Beatrices POV. I didn't care too much to read from Alice as I felt I was so invested in Beatrice, but hold tight, it all comes together.
Thanks Netgally for my advanced copy
Clemmie has already found her feet and working for the government under strict secrecy. Then comes the news that Clemmie has died in a house fire. Beatrice cannot accept her sister has died, and there the story really begins.
Very well written. I have previously enjoyed one of Harts books, so I instantly knew I would like this. For the majority I was completely invested and I was excited reading the first 65%. I felt it petered off after this and I wasn't sure where the story was heading. The story is told from Alice's (the mother) and Beatrices POV. I didn't care too much to read from Alice as I felt I was so invested in Beatrice, but hold tight, it all comes together.
Thanks Netgally for my advanced copy
August 31, 2026
Emilia Hart did it again, and I’m not surprised; each of her books have been singularly perfect.
I love WW2 historical fiction with strong female leads, AND I’m a huge fan of magical realism, so this one pretty much knocked it outta the park for me.
The Enigmas is about mothers and daughters, trailblazing women, and “ordinary” women doing extraordinary things. It made me think about the way lives and entire generations could’ve had completely different outcomes, and the sacrifices people made so that we have the lives we do.
I’ve read a decent amount about Bletchley and WW1 and WW2, but in Emilia Hart’s hands, the places and time really came alive.
This is going on my shortlist of best books I’ve read this year, can’t wait to share with my bookstore customers when it’s released!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I love WW2 historical fiction with strong female leads, AND I’m a huge fan of magical realism, so this one pretty much knocked it outta the park for me.
The Enigmas is about mothers and daughters, trailblazing women, and “ordinary” women doing extraordinary things. It made me think about the way lives and entire generations could’ve had completely different outcomes, and the sacrifices people made so that we have the lives we do.
I’ve read a decent amount about Bletchley and WW1 and WW2, but in Emilia Hart’s hands, the places and time really came alive.
This is going on my shortlist of best books I’ve read this year, can’t wait to share with my bookstore customers when it’s released!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
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