
The Last Library of Paris
Kerry Barrett(Author)
HQ Digital (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 13. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-00-874413-7 (ISBN)
Description
Pre-order this brand new, heartwarming story from the Kindle bestselling author of The Bookshop of Secrets now!
Filled with Kerry's signature warmth and page-turning storytelling, lose yourself in the last library, hidden amongst the sprawling streets of Paris.
In the heart of Paris, one library refuses to close its doors ...
As the city's shopfronts go dark and war rages across Europe, Frances Reed is determined to keep her library open. Delivering books to those who need them most, she knows stories are more than just words - they can save lives.
Meanwhile, Cassie Watkins arranges safe passage for those with nowhere else to turn. When a parcel of books connects Frances and Cassie's worlds, they form a fragile network of readers, helpers, and secrets.
But someone else is reading between the lines too, and discovery could cost them everything. How far will Frances and Cassie go to keep stories alive?
Praise for Kerry Barrett:
'A delicious Art Deco novel with a delightfully acerbic heroine and a cast of fabulously diverse characters having perilous adventures in exotic locations - what more could you want? Lovely fireside reading!' Marius Gabriel
'What a page turner! A bookshop in wartime Lisbon is the gateway to a thrilling world of mystery, espionage, adventure and romance for brilliant and beautiful Lara' Daisy Wood
'Original and immersive. If you read one Second World War novel in 2025 - make it this one' Eva Glyn
'A lively trip up the vertiginous backstreets of wartime Lisbon that serves up Nazi spies, Edward and Mrs Simpson and a bookshop with a difference, all seen through the eyes of an engaging young British actress. I lapped it up!' Eliza Graham
'I was completely swept away by the story of smart, savvy heroine, Lara and the wonderfully, eclectic cast of supporting characters. A must-read for historical fiction fans and for me, Kerry Barrett's best book yet' Annie Lyons
'A gripping 'what if' tale with a larger-than-life heroine at its heart' Tessa Harris
'The ending left me wanting more-these characters are too engaging and too ingenious to disappear into the ether' Historical Novel Society
Filled with Kerry's signature warmth and page-turning storytelling, lose yourself in the last library, hidden amongst the sprawling streets of Paris.
In the heart of Paris, one library refuses to close its doors ...
As the city's shopfronts go dark and war rages across Europe, Frances Reed is determined to keep her library open. Delivering books to those who need them most, she knows stories are more than just words - they can save lives.
Meanwhile, Cassie Watkins arranges safe passage for those with nowhere else to turn. When a parcel of books connects Frances and Cassie's worlds, they form a fragile network of readers, helpers, and secrets.
But someone else is reading between the lines too, and discovery could cost them everything. How far will Frances and Cassie go to keep stories alive?
Praise for Kerry Barrett:
'A delicious Art Deco novel with a delightfully acerbic heroine and a cast of fabulously diverse characters having perilous adventures in exotic locations - what more could you want? Lovely fireside reading!' Marius Gabriel
'What a page turner! A bookshop in wartime Lisbon is the gateway to a thrilling world of mystery, espionage, adventure and romance for brilliant and beautiful Lara' Daisy Wood
'Original and immersive. If you read one Second World War novel in 2025 - make it this one' Eva Glyn
'A lively trip up the vertiginous backstreets of wartime Lisbon that serves up Nazi spies, Edward and Mrs Simpson and a bookshop with a difference, all seen through the eyes of an engaging young British actress. I lapped it up!' Eliza Graham
'I was completely swept away by the story of smart, savvy heroine, Lara and the wonderfully, eclectic cast of supporting characters. A must-read for historical fiction fans and for me, Kerry Barrett's best book yet' Annie Lyons
'A gripping 'what if' tale with a larger-than-life heroine at its heart' Tessa Harris
'The ending left me wanting more-these characters are too engaging and too ingenious to disappear into the ether' Historical Novel Society
Reviews / Votes
Praise for Kerry Barrett'A delicious Art Deco novel with a delightfully acerbic heroine and a cast of fabulously diverse characters having perilous adventures in exotic locations - what more could you want? Lovely fireside reading!' Marius Gabriel 'What a page turner! A bookshop in wartime Lisbon is the gateway to a thrilling world of mystery, espionage, adventure and romance for brilliant and beautiful Lara' Daisy Wood 'Original and immersive. If you read one Second World War novel in 2025 - make it this one' Eva Glyn 'A lively trip up the vertiginous backstreets of wartime Lisbon that serves up Nazi spies, Edward and Mrs Simpson and a bookshop with a difference, all seen through the eyes of an engaging young British actress. I lapped it up!' Eliza Graham 'I was completely swept away by the story of smart, savvy heroine, Lara and the wonderfully, eclectic cast of supporting characters. A must-read for historical fiction fans and for me, Kerry Barrett's best book yet' Annie Lyons 'A gripping 'what if' tale with a larger-than-life heroine at its heart' Tessa Harris 'The ending left me wanting more-these characters are too engaging and too ingenious to disappear into the ether' Historical Novel SocietyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
270 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-874413-7 (9780008744137)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Kerry Barrett was a bookworm from a very early age and did a degree in English Literature, then trained as a journalist, writing about everything from pub grub to EastEnders. Her first novel, Like A Charm, took six years to finish and was mostly written in longhand on her commute to work, giving her a very good reason to buy beautiful notebooks. Kerry lives in London with her husband and two sons, and Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes is still her favourite novel.