The Emmy Lake Chronicles is a historical fiction novel series set in World War II London starting with Dear Mrs Bird (2018) by the British author AJ Pearce. Its sequel Yours Cheerfully was published in 2021, and Pearce has indicated there is more to come.
Inspired by women's magazines Pearce found from the time, Dear Mrs Bird introduces the reader to Emmeline "Emmy" Lake, a 22-year-old aspiring journalist. Her hopes to be a war correspondent are turned around when she is assigned to Henrietta Bird's aging advice column.
The second novel focuses more on women's contributions to the war effort as Mr Collins tasks Emmy with a new column.
In 2018, it was announced the production company 42 had optioned the rights to adapt Dear Mrs Bird.
Books in this series are:
- Dear Mrs Bird (2018)
- Yours Cheerfully (2021)
- Untitled third installment (TBA)
This book series provides examples of:
- Disposable Fiancé: Edmund, Emmy's fiancé at the start of the story, turns out to be this as he leaves her for a nurse.
- Good Old Ways: Mrs Bird's worldview is stuck at the turn of the century.
- I Reject Your Reality: Mrs Bird bins all letters containing "unpleasantness", firmly believing readers want escapism.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Bunty's real name is Marigold Tavistock, but pretty much everyone calls her Bunty.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Unable to ignore the letters from readers pouring their hearts out, Emmy ignores Mrs Bird's orders and responds to them.
- Struggling Single Mother: Anne, introduced in the second book, is a young war widow who has to care for her two children while working full time to provide for them.
- Wartime Wedding: Charles and Emmy's wedding plans get pushed up after Pearl Harbour is attacked.
- Workaholic: "Hard Worker. I would sleep on the office floor if that's what it took."
