What We’re Reading: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

If you had asked me before I read this book if I was a huge fan of historical fiction, I might have said “not really.” But now I’m all in. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn had everything I look for in any type of book — complex characters I care about, a fascinating plot, drama, love, friendships, and the highest stakes imaginable.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator was amazing. I hope this one turns into a movie or streaming series because the story is so compelling. After finishing this one, I quickly downloaded this author’s latest book titled The Briar Club. We’ll publish a review of that one in the weeks to come.

Title: The Rose Code

Author: Kate Quinn

What it’s about (no spoilers): 

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…

 

What others are saying: 

“Quinn writes with an immediacy and level of detail that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Her latest is a deft blend of romance, mystery, and suspense that will appeal to lovers of those genres, and to her many fans.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“A knockout of a story, written by the reigning queen of historical fiction. Quinn’s trio of heroines practically leap off the page in this stunning novel, which melds spy-hunting with love stories that will stir your soul. A book for the ages.” —  Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue   

Readers: Prepare to be swept away by The Rose Code. A richly deserved tribute to the WWII codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Kate Quinn’s latest novel is a tour de force. Exhaustive research, vibrant characters, and pulse-pounding suspense combine in a riveting tale destined to be a book-club favorite. I absolutely loved it.” — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday  

Reviews: This book has more than reviews with a 4.6 rating on Amazon and a 4.4 rating on Goodreads with more than 53,000 ratings posted.