Book Review: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Title: The Rose Code

Author: Kate Quinn

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Pages: 624

Publisher: William Morrow

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"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 more than 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 code-breaking 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 cryptanalyses. 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='[-;/0 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 bring danger- and their true enemy- closer..."

My Rating: 5/5

This book was so much more than I had at first assumed it would be. I thought that this would be a fun girl power historical fiction, as much as one can be when it's based in England during, WWII. But this was more than that. It told the stories of so many people who helped fight the war in a totally different way. I knew that there had been code breakers, but I had no idea that Bletchley Park existed. I can't imagine having to keep everyone, family, friends and neighbours so in the dark about what you are doing while knowing you are doing your part in the war effort as much as others. I think the main characters were so well written, and the interpersonal relationships felt real. I loved the writing style and the audiobook was a great way to consume this story. I would strongly recommend it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny