“[An] impressive debut.” — The New York Times “A wonderfully conceived and remarkably assured first novel, rich in emotion and with a truly compelling narrative drive. A brilliant success.” —William Boyd, bestselling author of Any Human Heart For readers of The Nightingale , In Memoriam , and The Postcard, a sweeping novel of siblings, steeped in love, heart-rending loss, and sacrifice, the story of twins who meet shockingly different fates, but whose bond will last forever Twins Tessa and Theo are roots of the same tree, in tune with one another’s every thought and desire. As World War II takes hold across Europe, both are eager to do their part. Theo is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies, while Tessa jumps at the chance to join the Special Operations Executive, devoted to spying and sabotage behind enemy lines. It will be dangerous, highly classified work, but Tessa, despite all she shares with Theo, is no stranger to secret-keeping. Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not. Theo, wounded, broken by the loss of his fellows and disappearance of his sister, is indefatigable, angry, and driven. He has secrets of his own that could jeopardize his future, and—he will pay a price for pursuing answers about Tessa’s fate. Decades later, PhD candidate Edie is deep into her research on the Special Operations Executive during the war. When she finds Theo in London, they form an unlikely partnership, and together they will try to uncover the truth about Theo’s beloved sister—and the one secret she never told him… Stunningly and propulsively written, The Shock of the Light is a novel of bravery, the brutal human cost of war, a brother and sister bond that outlasts even death, and the redemptive love that grows in unexpected places. Praise for The Shock of the Light : “In her impressive debut, Hall merges the familiar high-stakes drama of World War II fiction with a less familiar sort of personal drama, turning heroic conventions inside out.” — The New York Times “Twins Tessa and Theo share everything. But when World War II sets them on two dangerous paths, their bond may rupture for good. An intriguing debut.” — People “Lori Inglis Hall’s accomplished debut, The Shock of the Light , examines [twins Tessa and Theo's] special bond while charting their separate fates . . . brilliantly illuminates the perilous exploits of female SOE agents and their immense courage under fire. Tessa makes for a captivating protagonist, one who is resourceful and resilient, sardonic and defiant . . . This is an engrossing novel whose twin tales have emotional depth.” — The Wall Street Journal “Compellingly presented and beautifully written, The Shock of the Light is a story of heroism, the barbaric toll of war, and the unbreakable bond of twins. It mines the uplifting spirit of love and redemption that can arise amid extreme circumstances. This meticulously researched book is at once informative and engaging. Theo and Tessa will linger in the reader’s memory long after the last page has been turned.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “A wonderfully conceived and remarkably assured first novel, rich in emotion and with a truly compelling narrative drive. A brilliant success.” —William Boyd, bestselling author of Any Human Heart “An intriguing take on female spies that opens up the clandestine world to generations who feel the Second World War to be distant and perhaps even irrelevant to their lives. The writing is admirably spare, delicately descriptive, and alluring in its twists and turns.” —Sonia Purnell, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman of No Importance “A powerful story, beautifully told. The writing is masterfully smooth and sure-footed, in complete command of its subject as it shines a light on a largely overlooked aspect of the Second World War. The final chapter is extraordinary in its restraint and fearless simplicity. Such a fascinating and satisfying read.” —M.L. Stedman, New York Times bestselling author of The Light Between Oceans “Lori Inglis Hall bursts onto the scene with A debut of astounding power and delicacy…. English twins Tessa and Theo find themselves separated by both war and secrets, Theo taking to the skies as an RAF pilot and Tessa parachuting behind enemy lines as a spy in France. When Tessa fails to return in peacetime, an embittered Theo dedicates his life to finding out what happened to her—a search leading him from Paris to Nuremburg and beyond. The Shock of the Light is a story that sings with every word and lingers long in the memory—an absolute stunner!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club “Masterfully weaves together sibling bonds and dark secrets while bringing lesser-known history to life. . . Fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale would be well-served to reach for The Shock of the Light .” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of