The Girl in the Letter: A home for unwed mothers; a heartbreaking secret in this historical bestseller inspired by true events

Name: The Girl in the Letter: A home for unwed mothers; a heartbreaking secret in this historical bestseller inspired by true events
Price: 0.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.2 (44676 reviews)
Author: Emily Gunnis

by Emily Gunnis

Mystery Thriller Historical Fiction

4.2 (44,676)

4.2 stars from 44,676 reviews. One of the highest rated Mystery Thriller books we track.

384 pages~6.4 hr readPublished by Headline Publishing GroupPublished 2019-01-01

$0.99Deal67% off peak

Last checked: May 2, 2026

Price history: $0.99 – $2.99

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Price range: $0.99 – $2.99

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Philomena
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Perfect for you if...

You loved Philomena and want another story about systemic institutional cruelty with a present-day investigative angle.
You're drawn to dual timelines where past and present collide to reveal uncomfortable truths about how society treated vulnerable women.
You appreciate fast-paced historical mysteries that blend genuine emotion with page-turning suspense and are unafraid of heartbreak.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer light reads or uplifting stories, as this novel deals with forced adoption, institutional abuse, and unexplained deaths.
You find dual narratives frustrating or lose interest when jumping between timelines.
You're looking for resolution that feels tidy or redemptive rather than complex and sobering.

About this book

The Girl in the Letter follows two interconnected stories. In 1956, Ivy Jenkins becomes pregnant and is sent to St Margaret's, a home for unmarried mothers, where her baby is adopted against her will and she remains trapped. In the present day, journalist Samantha Harper discovers a letter from a young mother at St Margaret's pleading for rescue. Intrigued, Sam investigates the letter and uncovers a series of unexplained deaths connected to the woman and her child. With St Margaret's scheduled for demolition, Sam races to solve a sixty-year-old mystery before the truth disappears. The novel is inspired by true events surrounding homes for unwed mothers. It explores long-buried secrets and their impact across generations.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$0.99 – $2.99

Currently on sale at $0.99 — 67% off peak. Price has dropped 11 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 172 days. Typically stays discounted for 192 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently #7,285 in the Kindle store — a top-10K bestseller. Sales have softened 261% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.2★ from 44,676 reviews

Gaining approximately 289 new reviews per month. Reader interest is accelerating. Rating has remained stable at 4.2 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $0.99. It typically returns to around $2.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.