Don’t miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club, coming July 9th!
“The reigning queen of historical fiction” — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.
1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything—beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses—but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious self-made Mab, product of east-end London poverty, works the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts. But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.
1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter–the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger–and their true enemy–closer…
lovetoread –
Once you start and if you like historical fiction, this novel is very readable. Had a great time reading this book!!
Maureen E. Huerter –
This was an excellent novel, taking me behind the scenes of World War Two in a way I never thought about. The lives of the characters intertwined and presented a consistent warm story.
Michayla Rasmussen –
Couldn’t put this one down- good story line, prose, and historical accuracy. Typical of Ms. Quinn’s characters, those in The Rose Code are interesting, based on real people, and well developed. Five very enthusiastic stars!
Sara C –
Loved the character development along with the historical significance. Additionally the character of Prince Phillip and his role was quite a bit more than expected. Great read
poeia –
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, well written and gripping
Isabel Gutiérrez –
Una historia increíble, relatada de una forma divertida y original. Personajes completamente diferentes pero cada uno especial a su manera.
Me encantó.
Jillybean –
I started reading the sample of this book and became so invested in it, that I absolutely had to buy it. It is one of the best books I think I have ever read… It is not classic literature, but the characters are so fully developed that as a reader, I wanted to spend time with them, and see what happened, not only to the characters, but to how Britain secretly used some of the best and brightest people in win the war. The patois/dialects were created and used seemingly with perfect accuracy making the characters exceedingly believable. The story demonstrated the author’s deep understanding of the many aspects of this war—a war waged physically and another behind-the-scenes battle. Three unlikely female candidates determined to do their part for England’s defense find themselves working as codebreakers during the Second World War. As unlikely as as it is to find (for that timeframe) women in such incredibly important positions, they are also—at first glance—unlikely to become friends. The history of the thousands of men and women who worked in code-breaking during WWII is fascinating… (Perhaps reminding some Americans of the important role that Navajo Native Americans played in coding and deciphering coded messages in the US during the same war.) The author’s writing is real meat-and-potatoes stuff; the words literally seem to fly off the pages. I felt the length was perfect giving me enough time to know and to connect with the characters: to laugh with them, and also to mourn with them—for after all, this is a novel set in war time. The characters are so well developed that the loss of loved ones felt very real to me —enough so that these parts of the story were heartbreaking. And while these friends are separated, each one feeling betrayed by another, their dedication to their country and also to their friendship eventually brings them together along with some great plot twists and surprises. There is even some intrigue introduced when Osla first suspects something shady is going on. We also witness how a person can delude him/herself into believing that he/she can do anything and justify it in the name of patriotism. This was a tough book to put down. I recommend it without hesitation.
Jenifer S –
I stumbled upon this author quite by accident and was astonished to realize that I had discovered a treasure. You may find the synopsis elsewhere, what I want you to know is that Kate Quinn is a gifted raconteur. The characters are complex and multi-layered, as is the plot and the narrative. Riveting, and at times harrowing, this is the best book I have read in decades. This is outside of my usual genre, but has opened a whole new world for me. I will use her other books as rewards for good behavior. If I lose 10 pounds or save someone’s life, I may read another one.
Andrea Carey –
What an absolutely fabulous WWII novel like any I have ever read. 650 of page-turning adventure, all based on real events and real people. As WWII moves into 140, hundreds of British civilians – math scholars and professors from Cambridge, Oxford and the like, and “ordinary” citizens are called to Bletchley Park to take an oath of secrecy and help to break Enigma code of the German and Italian enemy. The stories that form around the individuals in this book are so real- and indeed several were real people. It is amazing the secrets that they keep and the things they do- both unknowing and intentionally- to each other is shocking. Without giving any secrets away, this was a book I could not put down – the last 200 pages surely would have kept me up all night had I not been knee deep in new job work. I highly recommend. And then watch The Imitation Game!
Danielle –
I liked the history or it and the twists!!!
sara e smith –
I couldn’t put it down! Such an exciting and emotional look into a piece of history I had never heard! Adventure, suspense and romance!!
Desiree Michelle –
“The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn is a captivating novel that sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women during World War II. Set against the backdrop of Bletchley Park, the story follows a group of brilliant women who operate the spy code-breaking machines, playing a crucial role in the war effort.
What I loved most about this book is its emphasis on the important role women played during wartime. In a time when their contributions were often overshadowed or forgotten, “The Rose Code” celebrates their intelligence, resilience, and bravery. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact women can have, even in the face of adversity.
As a lover of historical fiction, I found myself completely engrossed in the world Kate Quinn has created. The characters are richly drawn, the plot is intricately woven, and the historical detail is impeccable. It’s a story that not only entertains but also educates, shedding light on a fascinating chapter of history.
In conclusion, I highly recommend “The Rose Code” to anyone who enjoys a compelling historical novel. It’s a gripping tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of women in wartime. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!
D. Light –
I enjoyed learning about code breakers. I hadn’t known about this aspect of wwiii. The story line was interesting and I liked the characters.