The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Henry, Patti Callahan. The Secret Book of Flora Lea. Atria Books, 2023.

The novel begins in Binsey, Oxfordshire, in the year 1940. Six-year-old Flora Lea wakes up alone in the woods by the Thames. She is unafraid as she and her fifteen-year-old sister, Hazel, often play there. In the 1960 plotline, Hazel works her last day at Hogan’s Book Shoppe. She is quitting her beloved workplace to join the rare book team at Sotheby’s. Hazel opens a parcel mailed from America. It is a copy of a fairytale written by Peggy Andrews: Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel is shocked, since this is the exact story she used to tell Flora before Flora disappeared in 1940. Hazel steals the book and heads home.

Once home, Hazel tells her boyfriend, Barnaby, all about Whisperwood. Barnaby disapproves of Hazel’s theft. Hazel spends the night recalling her time in Binsey.

In 1940, Hazel and Flora are sent to Binsey during Operation Pied Piper: the evacuation of all of London’s children to the countryside. They say an emotional goodbye to Mum on the train station. Their father died during RAF training. The girls are greeted warmly by fifteen-year-old Harry Aberdeen. He convinces Bridie, his kind and eccentric mother to take the girls in.

Returning to 1960, Hazel decides to come clean to her boss, Edwin, about stealing the book. He tells her she may keep it if she pays for it. He gives her Peggy Anderws’ phone number and address in Massachusetts. That evening, Hazel calls Peggy. When Hazel asks how Peggy came to hear of Whisperwood, Peggy hangs up.

Weirded out by Hazel’s call, Peggy heads out for a walk. She runs into Wren, her childhood crush and neighbor. She explains to him that she always believed Whisperwood to be her mother’s special story for her. He suggests she talk to her mother about it.

As a child, Hazel feels guilty for enjoying the Aberdeens’ hospitality so much while Mum suffers in London. As an adult, she visits Bridie to ask whether she knows about Whisperwood. Bridie is overjoyed to see Hazel but denies knowing anything about the story. Hazel stops by Inspector Aiden Davies’ to ask for a list of suspects in Flora’s disappearance. He suggests she contact a journalist named Dorothy Bellamy, who specializes in missing children. Hazel refuses. Back in London, Barnaby feels dismayed by Hazel’s obsession with the past. They attend Tenny’s birthday party together. Tenny is Hazel’s half-brother. Hazel never forgave Mum for remarrying. Hazel asks Mum whether she told anyone about Whisperwood. Mum says no, but supports Hazel’s quest to find Flora.

Hazel quickly develops a crush on Harry. One day, he saves another evacuee child—Kelty—from a couple of local boys who chase her. Kelty becomes fast friends with the Harry and the Linden girls. Kelty wishes she could live with them and not the cruel woman she is billeted with: Mrs. Marchman. Mum visits her children a few weeks later. Hazel behaves coldly towards Harry to cope with her crush.

At Tenny’s birthday party, Hazel asks Kelty to accompany her to St. Ives, where Harry lives. Kelty agrees at once. They set out for a road trip the following day and find Harry at his art studio. Harry is thrilled to see them. They head to the pub with Ethan Baldwin, a friend of Harry’s from the Binsey days. The foursome reminisces about their childhoods. Hazel asks to speak to Harry alone on the beach. When he denies knowing anything about Whisperwood, she explains the reason for her query. Harry cries. He always felt guilty about Flora’s disappearance. Hazel and Kelty return to London the next day. Hazel finds her apartment ransacked by Barnaby, who is furious with Hazel for keeping her feelings about Harry from him. He discovered their love letters.

Mother avoids answering Peggy when Peggy asks where the Whisperwood story originated. Wren and Peggy decide to travel to London for Hazel and answers about Peggy’s story. Meanwhile, Hazel attends an art show of Harry’s in London. Hazel is moved by Harry’s art, which features her and Flora. Barnaby’s parents spot them embracing outside the gallery. Harry accompanies Hazel the next day to Henley-on-Thames to interview Imogene: a nurse who lived in Binsey and was close to Flora. Imogene denies knowing anything about Whisperwood.

Mum visits the Aberdeen cottage and tells them about the horrors of the Blitz. Hazel insists on accompanying her to London to see Kelty, who ran away from Mrs. Marchman. Hazel visits Kelty in the hospital. Harry, Flora, and Hazel play in the woods a month later. Flora falls asleep. Hazel gets defensive when Harry asks her about the special story that she tells Flora. Hazel storms off. Harry finds her crying inside a tree. He joins her and kisses her. They run out when they hear Flora’s cry but cannot find her anywhere.

Barnaby and Hazel board a train to Paris for their vacation. Hazel is stopped by Kelty, who arrives with a note from Peggy, who asks Hazel to meet her the next day at the Savoy. Kelty gets off the train, infuriating Barnaby.

The night of Flora’s disappearance, Hazel sneaks out of her room to head to their local church. She prays to God to bring Flora back. She hears an owl’s hoot that sounds like crying. The next day, Mum brings her to the hospital; Hazel has a fever. As they leave, Hazel shouts to Harry and Bridie that she never wants to see them again.

Peggy feels overcome by love for Wren. They sleep together. He accompanies her to the Savoy, where they meet Kelty, Mum, and Hazel. Mum and Hazel realize at once that Peggy is not Flora. Mother crashes the meeting, furious with Peggy for leaving home. Mother explains that she heard the Whisperwood story from her sister, who volunteered in Newcastle with children during the war. Mum urges Hazel to contact Dorothy Bellamy, the journalist, hoping it will reach the people of Newcastle.

Hazel and Dot meet in Binsey. Hazel recognizes her sister at once by a birthmark on Dot’s wrist. Hazel tells Dot they are sisters and speaks the first line of their Whisperwood story. Dot recalls the story, though the early years of her life are blurry. Mum arrives, overwhelming Dot with her declarations of love. Dot asks them for some time alone. She wishes to speak to her aunt, Imogene.

Hazel brings Aiden to Imogene’s home. Dot is there. Imogene tells them about how she kidnapped Flora and brought her to Newcastle to live with her sister. Imogene felt Flora was being neglected by the Aberdeens and would be better cared for by her sister, who had lost a child. Aiden arrests Imogene.

Dot takes some time to herself to record her story. She publishes it. She starts healthy relationships with both Hazel and Mum. Barnaby gives Hazel an ultimatum. She must choose between him and Harry. She chooses a few weeks later when Harry visits her at Hogan’s Book Shoppe. She realizes she was always meant to be with him.

Two years later, Hazel and Harry live in St. Ives. They are married and are expecting a baby. All their friends and family arrive for the grand opening of their bookstore and art studio. Peggy and Wren are pregnant. Dot is there with her family. Hazel raises a toast to Whisperwood.