What do you think?
Rate this book
The Briar Club
A haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C. boardinghouse during the McCarthy era.
Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.
Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their midst?
Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.
Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their midst?
432 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2024
About the author
Kate Quinn
27 books29.3k followers--I use Goodreads to track and rate my current reading. Most of my reads are 4 stars, meaning I enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend. 5 stars is blew-my-socks-off; reserved for rare reads. 3 stars is "enjoyed it, but something fell a bit short." I very rarely rate lower because I DNF books I'm not enjoying, and don't rate books I don't finish.--
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” “The Rose Code,” and "The Diamond Eye." All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” “The Rose Code,” and "The Diamond Eye." All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
July 8, 2024
As a devoted fan of Kate Quinn’s historical fiction novels, I happily delve into them without concern for their length. Once I immerse myself in one of her works, I find myself captivated by her stories and deeply engaged with her characters, just as I did with her latest offering.
The opening was intriguing: the story begins in 1954, in Washington D.C., at a woman’s boarding house called Briarwood House on Thanksgiving Day, where a brutal murder occurs. One of the boarders may be the culprit, but the identity of the victim remains unknown, although we learn that the murder took place in the room of a boarder named Grace March.
We then quickly jump back four years earlier to follow thirteen-year-old Pete, who shoulders more responsibilities at a young age to help his mother as a handyman at the boarding house. He takes care of his sister, who suffers from lazy eye and a learning disorder. Through his perspective, we are introduced to the boarders, including Grace March, who moves into the attic's shoebox room. Grace is a mysterious widow, tight-lipped about her past, who easily befriends the other boarders: the beautiful young mother Fliss, whose doctor husband works in San Diego as the approaching Korean War affects the political climate; Nora, the youngest of them at only twenty, who works for the National Archives and is having a love affair with a gangster despite being the daughter of a police officer; Beatrice, an ex-baseball player whose career was cut short by WWII and her injuries; Reka, an elderly Hungarian immigrant; and Arlene, a secretary for HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) who becomes a devoted supporter of McCarthy’s Red Scare.
These women, each from different backgrounds and dealing with their own demons and regrets, gather around Grace’s attic room to heal their emotional scars with the sweet taste of Grace’s special sun tea, sharing their love, hate, and miseries under the tight bond of friendship. But Grace’s secrets threaten the sacred bond they've built, and unexpected violent tragedies may tear their lives apart. In the end, each of them must make a choice to differentiate between who is their real friend and who is the enemy hiding among them.
Overall, the characterization in this book is remarkable. You can easily connect with each of the women, embracing them with their flaws and mistakes without judgment. Though it may seem like a long journey, you never want it to end because the pacing is incredibly balanced, including the heart-throbbing action parts. Nothing feels rushed or overly repetitive or dragging. The trajectory of events is executed perfectly, and the conclusion is also very satisfying.
This is definitely one of my favorite historical fiction reads of the year, and I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this remarkable book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
The opening was intriguing: the story begins in 1954, in Washington D.C., at a woman’s boarding house called Briarwood House on Thanksgiving Day, where a brutal murder occurs. One of the boarders may be the culprit, but the identity of the victim remains unknown, although we learn that the murder took place in the room of a boarder named Grace March.
We then quickly jump back four years earlier to follow thirteen-year-old Pete, who shoulders more responsibilities at a young age to help his mother as a handyman at the boarding house. He takes care of his sister, who suffers from lazy eye and a learning disorder. Through his perspective, we are introduced to the boarders, including Grace March, who moves into the attic's shoebox room. Grace is a mysterious widow, tight-lipped about her past, who easily befriends the other boarders: the beautiful young mother Fliss, whose doctor husband works in San Diego as the approaching Korean War affects the political climate; Nora, the youngest of them at only twenty, who works for the National Archives and is having a love affair with a gangster despite being the daughter of a police officer; Beatrice, an ex-baseball player whose career was cut short by WWII and her injuries; Reka, an elderly Hungarian immigrant; and Arlene, a secretary for HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) who becomes a devoted supporter of McCarthy’s Red Scare.
These women, each from different backgrounds and dealing with their own demons and regrets, gather around Grace’s attic room to heal their emotional scars with the sweet taste of Grace’s special sun tea, sharing their love, hate, and miseries under the tight bond of friendship. But Grace’s secrets threaten the sacred bond they've built, and unexpected violent tragedies may tear their lives apart. In the end, each of them must make a choice to differentiate between who is their real friend and who is the enemy hiding among them.
Overall, the characterization in this book is remarkable. You can easily connect with each of the women, embracing them with their flaws and mistakes without judgment. Though it may seem like a long journey, you never want it to end because the pacing is incredibly balanced, including the heart-throbbing action parts. Nothing feels rushed or overly repetitive or dragging. The trajectory of events is executed perfectly, and the conclusion is also very satisfying.
This is definitely one of my favorite historical fiction reads of the year, and I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this remarkable book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts
medium blog
June 27, 2024
EXCERPT: Thanksgiving 1954 - Washington DC
If these walls could talk. Well, they may not be talking, but they are certainly listening. And watching.
Briarwood House is as old as the century. The house has presided - brick fronted, four-storied, slightly dilapidated - over the square below for fifty-four years. It's seen three wars, ten presidents, and countless tenants . . . but until tonight, never a murder. Now its walls smell of turkey, pumpkin pie and blood, and the house is shocked down into its foundations.
Also, just a little bit thrilled. This is the most excitement Briarwood House has had in decades.
ABOUT 'THE BRIAR CLUB': Washington, D.C., 1950
Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, an all-female boarding house in the heart of the US capital, where secrets hide behind respectable facades.
But when the mysterious Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbours – a poised English beauty, a policeman’s daughter, a frustrated female baseball star, and a rabidly pro-McCarthy typist – into an unlikely friendship.
Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their troubled lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. And when a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?
MY THOUGHTS: Kate Quinn's The Briar Club is enchanting and compelling. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking - What is Grace's story? Whose are the bodies? Who killed them? And why?
This is not Kate Quinn's usual fare - yes, it is historical fiction (or should that be faction?), but it is the characters who carry this story, including Briarwood House, a character in its own right. Spanning the years from 1950 when new tenant Grace March arrives at Briarwood House to 1954 when the murders occur, The Briar Club is an intriguing story of friendship set against a backdrop of political and social change encompassing the atomic bomb, McCarthyism, the Korean war, racial discrimination and the Cold War.
I loved getting to know these characters. Grace Marsh is the mysterious woman in the tiny attic room who draws all the other characters together. Nora, the daughter and sister of Irish policeman who, although she is estranged from her family, is still expected to support them. Bea is a woman frustrated by the curveball life has thrown her. Arlene is an unhappy husband-hunting woman who doesn't understand why no one likes her. Rekha is an older Hungarian woman, a professor and artist before she escaped to America who now earns a living shelving books at the library. Fliss is English and bringing up a baby with no family support, her doctor husband having been sent overseas to treat those injured in the war. Claire is focused only on getting out of the boarding house, her dream being a small house in the suburbs with a white picket fence. She will do whatever it takes to attain her dream. In addition to these characters there is the Nilson family - Mrs Nilson, a penny-pinching harridan who treats her children like slaves; Pete Nilson her teenage son; and Lina, Pete's slightly younger sister. There is also a gangster, a jazz musician or two, a G-Man, a politician's wife and a Russian spy.
Don't expect a fast-paced intense story. The Briar Club is very much a slow burn, character focused read. And one I loved. The storyline is intricate and richly layered with historical detail that I reveled in. I loved the characters' dramas, their relationships, and their stories which Grace seamlessly extracted from them. I really didn't want this book to end, as satisfying as that ending is. The Briar Club elicited all the emotions from me - it is sad, funny, touching, appalling and entertaining. A perfect mix.
Don't finish this read without reading Kate Quinn's explanation of how this book and its characters came about. It is worth five stars on its own.
There is also the bonus of recipes for Grace's Sun Tea, and the various other dishes served at the Thursday evening supper club and a musical recommendation to accompany the food. I had tears of laughter running down my face at Arlene's Candle Salad.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheBriarClub #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: A native of southern California, Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Briar Club by Kate Quinn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Briar Club is due for publication 18 July 2024.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
If these walls could talk. Well, they may not be talking, but they are certainly listening. And watching.
Briarwood House is as old as the century. The house has presided - brick fronted, four-storied, slightly dilapidated - over the square below for fifty-four years. It's seen three wars, ten presidents, and countless tenants . . . but until tonight, never a murder. Now its walls smell of turkey, pumpkin pie and blood, and the house is shocked down into its foundations.
Also, just a little bit thrilled. This is the most excitement Briarwood House has had in decades.
ABOUT 'THE BRIAR CLUB': Washington, D.C., 1950
Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, an all-female boarding house in the heart of the US capital, where secrets hide behind respectable facades.
But when the mysterious Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbours – a poised English beauty, a policeman’s daughter, a frustrated female baseball star, and a rabidly pro-McCarthy typist – into an unlikely friendship.
Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their troubled lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. And when a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?
MY THOUGHTS: Kate Quinn's The Briar Club is enchanting and compelling. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking - What is Grace's story? Whose are the bodies? Who killed them? And why?
This is not Kate Quinn's usual fare - yes, it is historical fiction (or should that be faction?), but it is the characters who carry this story, including Briarwood House, a character in its own right. Spanning the years from 1950 when new tenant Grace March arrives at Briarwood House to 1954 when the murders occur, The Briar Club is an intriguing story of friendship set against a backdrop of political and social change encompassing the atomic bomb, McCarthyism, the Korean war, racial discrimination and the Cold War.
I loved getting to know these characters. Grace Marsh is the mysterious woman in the tiny attic room who draws all the other characters together. Nora, the daughter and sister of Irish policeman who, although she is estranged from her family, is still expected to support them. Bea is a woman frustrated by the curveball life has thrown her. Arlene is an unhappy husband-hunting woman who doesn't understand why no one likes her. Rekha is an older Hungarian woman, a professor and artist before she escaped to America who now earns a living shelving books at the library. Fliss is English and bringing up a baby with no family support, her doctor husband having been sent overseas to treat those injured in the war. Claire is focused only on getting out of the boarding house, her dream being a small house in the suburbs with a white picket fence. She will do whatever it takes to attain her dream. In addition to these characters there is the Nilson family - Mrs Nilson, a penny-pinching harridan who treats her children like slaves; Pete Nilson her teenage son; and Lina, Pete's slightly younger sister. There is also a gangster, a jazz musician or two, a G-Man, a politician's wife and a Russian spy.
Don't expect a fast-paced intense story. The Briar Club is very much a slow burn, character focused read. And one I loved. The storyline is intricate and richly layered with historical detail that I reveled in. I loved the characters' dramas, their relationships, and their stories which Grace seamlessly extracted from them. I really didn't want this book to end, as satisfying as that ending is. The Briar Club elicited all the emotions from me - it is sad, funny, touching, appalling and entertaining. A perfect mix.
Don't finish this read without reading Kate Quinn's explanation of how this book and its characters came about. It is worth five stars on its own.
There is also the bonus of recipes for Grace's Sun Tea, and the various other dishes served at the Thursday evening supper club and a musical recommendation to accompany the food. I had tears of laughter running down my face at Arlene's Candle Salad.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheBriarClub #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: A native of southern California, Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Briar Club by Kate Quinn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Briar Club is due for publication 18 July 2024.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 3, 2024
Briarwood (Boarding) House, Washington DC, Thanksgiving 1954. Turkey, pumpkin pie and murder. Which of the characters present on this catastrophic night will end up clapped in handcuffs? The house knows…..
Backtrack to June 1950, maybe the answers lie there when widowed Mrs Grace March arrives seeking a room, that’s when the house wakes up that’s for sure. Why so? Maybe its because Grace draws all the ‘motley’ collection of boarders into the unlikely friendship of The Briar Club. There’s English Fliss and her young daughter Angela, who’s trying to be a perfect mother while her husband is in Korea, Nora holding a gangster at bay, injured former baseball star Bea, Arlene an ardent supporter of McCarthy, Hungarian born artist Reka Takacs to say nothing of Peter and Lina, the lovely put upon children of the less than lovely owner of Briarwood, Mrs. Nilsson. All of them from very different backgrounds, but in November of 1954 all having a huge decision to make- will their friendship hold good?
Fantastic, quite simply fantastic. I love the way that Kate Quinn writes, she pulls you into her well researched sagas immediately and keeps you utterly riveted. The characterisation is outstanding as I find myself caught up in each of their lives. There are quite a lot of characters, but as each has their own distinctive voice, it’s not in the least hard to keep track of them. Their backstories are fascinating and you need to brace yourself with one or two as the odd surprise or even a bombshell is dotted along the way! They’re all fantastic characters but for me Grace, Pete and Bea stand out in differing ways.
The early 1950s are captured to perfection, this author is known for her extensive research and ability to convey a strong sense of time and place. Here we have an America deep in the reds under the beds with the paranoia of McCarthyism, a time of deep suspicion. Mind you, Mrs. Nilsson is suspicious of everything, just ask the house. There’s the Korean War in the background, gangs, crooks, corruption, prejudice, and judgement to name but a few of the themes and of course, close friendship.
This is a terrific slow burner intense novel with the author cleverly keeping you in suspense on the number of things. It builds to a very good ending with a few sharp intakes of breath.
Overall, I find this a cracking read. I love the use of actual characters such as Senator Margaret Chase Smith and little inclusions like JFK proposing to Jackie in the Martin Tavern on Wisconsin Street. June 1953 FYI! It’s also worth reading all the authors notes at the end. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
Backtrack to June 1950, maybe the answers lie there when widowed Mrs Grace March arrives seeking a room, that’s when the house wakes up that’s for sure. Why so? Maybe its because Grace draws all the ‘motley’ collection of boarders into the unlikely friendship of The Briar Club. There’s English Fliss and her young daughter Angela, who’s trying to be a perfect mother while her husband is in Korea, Nora holding a gangster at bay, injured former baseball star Bea, Arlene an ardent supporter of McCarthy, Hungarian born artist Reka Takacs to say nothing of Peter and Lina, the lovely put upon children of the less than lovely owner of Briarwood, Mrs. Nilsson. All of them from very different backgrounds, but in November of 1954 all having a huge decision to make- will their friendship hold good?
Fantastic, quite simply fantastic. I love the way that Kate Quinn writes, she pulls you into her well researched sagas immediately and keeps you utterly riveted. The characterisation is outstanding as I find myself caught up in each of their lives. There are quite a lot of characters, but as each has their own distinctive voice, it’s not in the least hard to keep track of them. Their backstories are fascinating and you need to brace yourself with one or two as the odd surprise or even a bombshell is dotted along the way! They’re all fantastic characters but for me Grace, Pete and Bea stand out in differing ways.
The early 1950s are captured to perfection, this author is known for her extensive research and ability to convey a strong sense of time and place. Here we have an America deep in the reds under the beds with the paranoia of McCarthyism, a time of deep suspicion. Mind you, Mrs. Nilsson is suspicious of everything, just ask the house. There’s the Korean War in the background, gangs, crooks, corruption, prejudice, and judgement to name but a few of the themes and of course, close friendship.
This is a terrific slow burner intense novel with the author cleverly keeping you in suspense on the number of things. It builds to a very good ending with a few sharp intakes of breath.
Overall, I find this a cracking read. I love the use of actual characters such as Senator Margaret Chase Smith and little inclusions like JFK proposing to Jackie in the Martin Tavern on Wisconsin Street. June 1953 FYI! It’s also worth reading all the authors notes at the end. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
There's a reason Kate Quinn is the Queen of Historical Fiction. She's just a brilliant writer and a masterful storyteller. Though this is a bit of a departure from her previous books, her fans are in for another treat with THE BRIAR CLUB. Set in a woman's boarding house in Washington DC during the Cold War, Quinn brings together a rich ensemble cast combined with lyrical prose, a touch of romance, and equal measures of heart and suspense. This novel has it all and will keep you turning pages until the surprising end.
June 29, 2024
Briarwood House is a run-down boarding house in Washington, D.C. for ladies, and each of its occupants has a past and is keeping secrets. A mysterious widow Grace March moves into the smallest room in the attic, for her the green walls and window are perfect.
The boarding house is owned by a frugal Mrs. Doilies Nilsson, her teenage son Pete and she has a younger daughter Lina. The borders are: English rose Fliss and her baby Angela, Nora who works for the National Archives, Bea a high school physical education teacher, Arlene the snippy girl from Texas, Claire who likes to be left alone and Reka an elderly lady. Thursday nights Mrs. Nilsson goes out, everyone breathes a huge sigh of relief, Grace introduces the idea of holding dinner parties in her room, she serves her famous sun tea, Pete and Lina are keen to attend and slowly each of the ladies start making an appearance.
When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart on the 28th of November 1954, The Briar Club women have to decide who they can trust, do they have an enemy living amongst them and slowly they reveal via the narrative what they have been hiding about themselves and their vulnerabilities and all is not what it seems.
I received a copy of The Briar Club from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a big fan of Kate Quinn’s novels for years and her latest book is well written, captivating and a real page turner.
Not all what I was expecting and in a good way, it covers topics such as where women lived in 1950’s America and boarding houses were a popular choice, unlikely friendships and loneliness, food and sharing it with others, insecurities and jealously, fear of communism in the US at the time, post-natal depression, access to birth control and what was available, sports women played and did it make a lady less feminine to be an athlete, gangsters, crime and corrupt cops and controlling men.
Most of all it's a story about secrets, what goes on behind closed doors, and in people's minds. Five stars from me, The Briar Club is brilliant read and full of so many twists and turns and I predict it will be a best seller!
The boarding house is owned by a frugal Mrs. Doilies Nilsson, her teenage son Pete and she has a younger daughter Lina. The borders are: English rose Fliss and her baby Angela, Nora who works for the National Archives, Bea a high school physical education teacher, Arlene the snippy girl from Texas, Claire who likes to be left alone and Reka an elderly lady. Thursday nights Mrs. Nilsson goes out, everyone breathes a huge sigh of relief, Grace introduces the idea of holding dinner parties in her room, she serves her famous sun tea, Pete and Lina are keen to attend and slowly each of the ladies start making an appearance.
When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart on the 28th of November 1954, The Briar Club women have to decide who they can trust, do they have an enemy living amongst them and slowly they reveal via the narrative what they have been hiding about themselves and their vulnerabilities and all is not what it seems.
I received a copy of The Briar Club from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a big fan of Kate Quinn’s novels for years and her latest book is well written, captivating and a real page turner.
Not all what I was expecting and in a good way, it covers topics such as where women lived in 1950’s America and boarding houses were a popular choice, unlikely friendships and loneliness, food and sharing it with others, insecurities and jealously, fear of communism in the US at the time, post-natal depression, access to birth control and what was available, sports women played and did it make a lady less feminine to be an athlete, gangsters, crime and corrupt cops and controlling men.
Most of all it's a story about secrets, what goes on behind closed doors, and in people's minds. Five stars from me, The Briar Club is brilliant read and full of so many twists and turns and I predict it will be a best seller!
June 6, 2024
“It’s seen three wars, ten presidents, and countless tenants….but until tonight, never a murder.”
Although not my favourite of this author’s work (I prefer her previous style/genre), I think I’ll remember it come Thanksgiving for the next few years! Quinn has taken a different approach and created a character-focused slow burn cozy mystery centered around female friendship and secrets and set against the backdrop of a boardinghouse in Washington, DC during the McCarthy era.
As you can tell from the quote, Briarwood House has a character-like role in this story. Miss Nilsson runs a boarding house for ladies and is at full occupancy with 8 eclectic boarders. Quinn devotes time to each of the tenants and shares their backstory; what led them to Briarwood House, and the secrets they don’t share when they meet with the other ladies in the top-floor apartment. Some of the characters were so interesting, I was sad to arrive at a new chapter and a new boarder! I love Quinn’s message about the need for connection and friendship.
This book is not as fast-paced and intense. Yes, as readers get closer to Thanksgiving 1954 and the aftermath of the tragic event, the story gains speed and the mystery deepens. Yes, the paranoia of the McCarthy era/Red Scare comes through loud and clear in her writing, but the readers’ focus is on the unity and friendships forged during this time in history when anyone could pose as a friend and confidante. I loved the mystery and the chance to become involved in the story.
If you’ve read The Rose Code, you’ll remember Beth. She’s Felicity ‘Fliss’ Orton from 2A’s auntie.
I loved the fantastic cover and the recipes inserted! I made Grace’s Sun Tea and sipped it on the deck as I read this book yesterday.
Fans of slow-burn mystery and character-centered historical fiction will love this one.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Although not my favourite of this author’s work (I prefer her previous style/genre), I think I’ll remember it come Thanksgiving for the next few years! Quinn has taken a different approach and created a character-focused slow burn cozy mystery centered around female friendship and secrets and set against the backdrop of a boardinghouse in Washington, DC during the McCarthy era.
As you can tell from the quote, Briarwood House has a character-like role in this story. Miss Nilsson runs a boarding house for ladies and is at full occupancy with 8 eclectic boarders. Quinn devotes time to each of the tenants and shares their backstory; what led them to Briarwood House, and the secrets they don’t share when they meet with the other ladies in the top-floor apartment. Some of the characters were so interesting, I was sad to arrive at a new chapter and a new boarder! I love Quinn’s message about the need for connection and friendship.
This book is not as fast-paced and intense. Yes, as readers get closer to Thanksgiving 1954 and the aftermath of the tragic event, the story gains speed and the mystery deepens. Yes, the paranoia of the McCarthy era/Red Scare comes through loud and clear in her writing, but the readers’ focus is on the unity and friendships forged during this time in history when anyone could pose as a friend and confidante. I loved the mystery and the chance to become involved in the story.
If you’ve read The Rose Code, you’ll remember Beth. She’s Felicity ‘Fliss’ Orton from 2A’s auntie.
I loved the fantastic cover and the recipes inserted! I made Grace’s Sun Tea and sipped it on the deck as I read this book yesterday.
Fans of slow-burn mystery and character-centered historical fiction will love this one.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Read
July 9, 2024THE BRIAR CLUB is now out in stores everywhere across the US! Come see me on tour (tour information on my website, www.katequinnauthor.com/events/) or drop a review here on Goodreads--I'm so proud to see this book finally hit shelves!
Print, ebook, and audio versions all available from the vendor of your choice here: https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
Print, ebook, and audio versions all available from the vendor of your choice here: https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
July 9, 2024
4.5 stars
The Briar Club is a historical fiction novel taking place in the 1950s during the McCarthy era. Briarwood House is a boarding house in Washington D.C. and the story follows the different residents living there. There’s a bit of a mystery as you find out early on that police are investigating a murder at Briarwood House in 1954. The bulk of the story is what was taking place in the years before the crime but developments regarding the case are also included throughout the book.
I really enjoyed this one as it featuring some strong and fascinating female characters. After reading the book and then the Author’s Note at the end, I appreciate the historical content that was incorporated into the story. Having said that, the story does lean more to the creative side of historical fiction rather than being strictly fact based. However, Kate Quinn did a great job capturing this era and it’s a book worth reading if you are a fan of the author and the genre.
Thank you William Morrow for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
The Briar Club is a historical fiction novel taking place in the 1950s during the McCarthy era. Briarwood House is a boarding house in Washington D.C. and the story follows the different residents living there. There’s a bit of a mystery as you find out early on that police are investigating a murder at Briarwood House in 1954. The bulk of the story is what was taking place in the years before the crime but developments regarding the case are also included throughout the book.
I really enjoyed this one as it featuring some strong and fascinating female characters. After reading the book and then the Author’s Note at the end, I appreciate the historical content that was incorporated into the story. Having said that, the story does lean more to the creative side of historical fiction rather than being strictly fact based. However, Kate Quinn did a great job capturing this era and it’s a book worth reading if you are a fan of the author and the genre.
Thank you William Morrow for sending me an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
April 15, 2024
4.5⭐️Set during the McCarthy Era in Washington DC, The Briar Club tells the story of an all female boardinghouse in the 1950s. It is broken into 8 chapters, with each one following the life of a woman living there (so yes long chapters). The boarders come from different background, which gives the book a unique perspective and sheds light on life in the US during in the 1950s. This book is different than Quinn’s WWII books. It is more character-driven and a slow-burn, but when the action hits at the end, and everything you leaned about the boarders connects, you really appreciate Quinn’s talent and meticulous research. I particularly loved seeing how the women grew, learned from each other and became a family despite their differences.
Read if you like:
-The McCarthy Era
-Women’s history
-Mystery side storylines
*still deciding on final rating because I lovedddd it when I finished but found some chapters slow
Read if you like:
-The McCarthy Era
-Women’s history
-Mystery side storylines
*still deciding on final rating because I lovedddd it when I finished but found some chapters slow
June 30, 2024
Not sure how to review this one.
First off, it’s not your typical Kate Quinn book. If you’re picking this up expecting a deep historical fiction story it is not going to be that. Instead, it reads more like a collection of short stories, since each chapter is from a different character’s point of view without any repeats (well one does but it’s short).
I guess it’s best to break it down by chapters for ⭐️ rating:
Peter: 1.5
Nora: 4
Reka: 2.5-3
Fliss: 3
Bea: 2.5-3
Clair: 4
Arlene: 3.5
Author’s Note: Actually the best part of the book!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
This is a very slow character driven story. Most of the chapters feel like they become repetitive within their own character’s story and it made it hard to really get into and enjoy for some of the chapters.
Thank you, WilliamMorrow for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
First off, it’s not your typical Kate Quinn book. If you’re picking this up expecting a deep historical fiction story it is not going to be that. Instead, it reads more like a collection of short stories, since each chapter is from a different character’s point of view without any repeats (well one does but it’s short).
I guess it’s best to break it down by chapters for ⭐️ rating:
Peter: 1.5
Nora: 4
Reka: 2.5-3
Fliss: 3
Bea: 2.5-3
Clair: 4
Arlene: 3.5
Author’s Note: Actually the best part of the book!
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
This is a very slow character driven story. Most of the chapters feel like they become repetitive within their own character’s story and it made it hard to really get into and enjoy for some of the chapters.
Thank you, WilliamMorrow for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 5, 2024
Can I give it more than 5 stars, please?
June 13, 2024
Wow wow wow what a treat!!!! Obsessed! Its the early 50s and we’re in DC at the Briarwood Boarding House for Women. We meet seven women with very different lives who come together every Thursday for the Briarwood Supper Club. The book is split up into seven parts with each woman getting their own part. Since I was on my kindle, I know that each part took me 45 mins-1 hour to read. So they’re big chunks. You get to know the women SO well in their parts but then also see them appear in all the others. This book covers SO 👏🏻 MUCH 👏🏻 HISTORY 👏🏻 McCarthyism, Korean War, Mobs, the atomic bomb, I love Lucy, the women’s baseball league, segregation, I could go on and on. Oh and the book opens up with the house telling us that a double murder has just occurred. Classic Kate Quinn - historically rich, amazing characters, twists and turns. I feel like I lived in the boarding house with the women. Just loved this so so much. It’s out 7/9
May 12, 2024
It's 1954 in Washington D.C.
A group of women living in a boarding house called Briarwood House. There were three floors and a fourth, a small room in the attic.
Their landlady ; owner of the house Mrs. Nilson has many rules for the ladies living under her roof.
There was Grace, Nora, Fliss, Clare, Bea , Arlene and Reka. They all got along reasonably well.
They kept their secrets to themselves and were fiercely loyal.
I want to thank "William Morrow" publishing for sending me this book.
A group of women living in a boarding house called Briarwood House. There were three floors and a fourth, a small room in the attic.
Their landlady ; owner of the house Mrs. Nilson has many rules for the ladies living under her roof.
There was Grace, Nora, Fliss, Clare, Bea , Arlene and Reka. They all got along reasonably well.
They kept their secrets to themselves and were fiercely loyal.
I want to thank "William Morrow" publishing for sending me this book.
March 5, 2024
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 9th, 2024.
Writing: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 5/5
Thanksgiving 1954. Washington, DC. A women’s boarding house. A body. And blood — lots of blood. That’s how Kate Quinn’s latest book gets started. And yes, once I started, I never put it down as per usual with her books. She can really write!
Backing up from the Thanksgiving turmoil, the book starts in June 1950 and shifts the POV from boarder to boarder as the timeline makes its inexorable crawl towards the “exciting” date. This is an excellent device as not only do we get the events leading up to the end from different perspectives, we also get the stories of the women — all from different backgrounds and with different goals which together comprise a compendium of women’s lives at that time. An injured female baseball player from the short-lived women’s leagues; an older immigrant from Hungary; a young mother whose doctor husband has been overseas for two years; a secretary for the (real life) female Maine senator who goes up against McCarthy when nobody else has the guts; a secretary for HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee); a woman working for the National Archives in love with a gangster despite her best intentions; and the elusive Grace Marsh who brings them all together. These are just hints! Quinn does meticulous research and is able to bring so much of the McCarthy era to the surface — especially around the societal expectations of women. It felt like I was living it.
The book is non-stop action — but — I realized it is the kind of action I care about. Things change, people and their prejudices, fears, and disappointments have to be dealt with and some individuals actually use their experiences to shift their perspectives. Opportunities come up and people learn about themselves (for better and worse) when they choose a reaction. Action does not have to be long (and very dull) car chase scenes or long battles of any kind. Epiphany! Absolutely captivating characters — a couple of “bad men” with no real depth but plenty of men and women (and kids) who are each real in their own way. FYI two of the (fictional) characters were named after people who won the “name-a-character” raffle — what fun! Some impressive twists — do not read the end or the notes first. In addition to being a gripping read, I’m still thinking about it many days later. Always a good sign.
Highly recommended.
Writing: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot: 5/5
Thanksgiving 1954. Washington, DC. A women’s boarding house. A body. And blood — lots of blood. That’s how Kate Quinn’s latest book gets started. And yes, once I started, I never put it down as per usual with her books. She can really write!
Backing up from the Thanksgiving turmoil, the book starts in June 1950 and shifts the POV from boarder to boarder as the timeline makes its inexorable crawl towards the “exciting” date. This is an excellent device as not only do we get the events leading up to the end from different perspectives, we also get the stories of the women — all from different backgrounds and with different goals which together comprise a compendium of women’s lives at that time. An injured female baseball player from the short-lived women’s leagues; an older immigrant from Hungary; a young mother whose doctor husband has been overseas for two years; a secretary for the (real life) female Maine senator who goes up against McCarthy when nobody else has the guts; a secretary for HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee); a woman working for the National Archives in love with a gangster despite her best intentions; and the elusive Grace Marsh who brings them all together. These are just hints! Quinn does meticulous research and is able to bring so much of the McCarthy era to the surface — especially around the societal expectations of women. It felt like I was living it.
The book is non-stop action — but — I realized it is the kind of action I care about. Things change, people and their prejudices, fears, and disappointments have to be dealt with and some individuals actually use their experiences to shift their perspectives. Opportunities come up and people learn about themselves (for better and worse) when they choose a reaction. Action does not have to be long (and very dull) car chase scenes or long battles of any kind. Epiphany! Absolutely captivating characters — a couple of “bad men” with no real depth but plenty of men and women (and kids) who are each real in their own way. FYI two of the (fictional) characters were named after people who won the “name-a-character” raffle — what fun! Some impressive twists — do not read the end or the notes first. In addition to being a gripping read, I’m still thinking about it many days later. Always a good sign.
Highly recommended.
Want to read
February 18, 2024I want this book so badly! Yes, I am reading The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Jamie Chang, but I did not know another KQ book was also coming out. I want this one badly 💕💕💕 Now, I know I say that a lot, but I have read all of KQ’s last 4 books set in WWII Era and loved them.
Hoping this one I will get Early, but promise to be patient. Is anyone else reading this one? It sounds fascinating❣️
Hoping this one I will get Early, but promise to be patient. Is anyone else reading this one? It sounds fascinating❣️
June 17, 2024
One of my top picks of 2024! I can't stop thinking about it and recommending it. Review coming soon.
February 20, 2024
Wow! This doesn’t come out until July but I was lucky enough to receive an #advancereaderscopy from @netgalley
I just finished it (after reading half of it in one sitting) and am in awe. A twisty, big-hearted plot with a memorable cast of characters that bring 1950s #washingtondc to life
Quinn’s books are always amazing but this one is on a whole new level!
I just finished it (after reading half of it in one sitting) and am in awe. A twisty, big-hearted plot with a memorable cast of characters that bring 1950s #washingtondc to life
Quinn’s books are always amazing but this one is on a whole new level!
May 25, 2024
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn is a captivating historical fiction novel that completely immerses you in the intriguing world of 1950s Washington, D.C. Set against the backdrop of the McCarthy era, the story unfolds within the walls of The BriarWood boarding house, where a diverse group of women's lives become unexpectedly intertwined.
This novel feels a bit different from Quinn's previous works. It starts with a bang - a murder, or even two! But don't worry, I won't spoil the juicy details. As you read, you'll get to know the tenants of the boarding house intimately, but the house itself almost becomes a character, weaving its own story. And let me tell you, there are some delectable recipes sprinkled throughout that add a wonderful charm to the whole narrative.
The Briar Club opens on Thanksgiving 1954 with the discovery of a body and blood in the boarding house, then flashes back to June 1950 to trace the events leading up to this shocking moment. Each chapter focuses on a different boarder, each with their own secrets, struggles, and perspectives to share. There's Nora, a young woman working at the National Archives who's fallen for a gangster. Fliss, a seemingly perfect English mother. Reka, an older immigrant from Hungary with a hidden talent. Bea, a former female baseball player grappling with 1950s gender norms. Arlene, a Texas belle working for the House Un-American Activities Committee. Claire, a hustler with a secret lover. And the mysterious widow, Grace Marsh, who brings them all together.
Through these diverse voices, Quinn delves into powerful themes of friendship, love, and the profound impact of societal expectations on women during a tumultuous period in American history. Her meticulous research shines through, lending an authentic and immersive quality to the narrative. Quinn's rich character development and intricate plotting keep you engaged from start to finish, building to a suspenseful and deeply satisfying conclusion that ties together the threads of mystery and personal drama.
The Briar Club is a character-driven, slow-burn mystery that builds to an electrifying climax. Quinn's impeccable research brings the McCarthy era and the societal pressures faced by women to vivid life. This novel explores the complexities of female friendship, the weight of secrets, and how personal stories intersect with the larger political landscape.
The Briar Club is a testament to Kate Quinn's remarkable talent for blending historical accuracy with compulsively readable storytelling. Fans of historical fiction will be utterly captivated by this world of secrets, betrayal, and resilience, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates narratives that linger long after the final page. Quinn's latest novel is a triumph that solidifies her reputation as a master of the genre.
This novel feels a bit different from Quinn's previous works. It starts with a bang - a murder, or even two! But don't worry, I won't spoil the juicy details. As you read, you'll get to know the tenants of the boarding house intimately, but the house itself almost becomes a character, weaving its own story. And let me tell you, there are some delectable recipes sprinkled throughout that add a wonderful charm to the whole narrative.
The Briar Club opens on Thanksgiving 1954 with the discovery of a body and blood in the boarding house, then flashes back to June 1950 to trace the events leading up to this shocking moment. Each chapter focuses on a different boarder, each with their own secrets, struggles, and perspectives to share. There's Nora, a young woman working at the National Archives who's fallen for a gangster. Fliss, a seemingly perfect English mother. Reka, an older immigrant from Hungary with a hidden talent. Bea, a former female baseball player grappling with 1950s gender norms. Arlene, a Texas belle working for the House Un-American Activities Committee. Claire, a hustler with a secret lover. And the mysterious widow, Grace Marsh, who brings them all together.
Through these diverse voices, Quinn delves into powerful themes of friendship, love, and the profound impact of societal expectations on women during a tumultuous period in American history. Her meticulous research shines through, lending an authentic and immersive quality to the narrative. Quinn's rich character development and intricate plotting keep you engaged from start to finish, building to a suspenseful and deeply satisfying conclusion that ties together the threads of mystery and personal drama.
The Briar Club is a character-driven, slow-burn mystery that builds to an electrifying climax. Quinn's impeccable research brings the McCarthy era and the societal pressures faced by women to vivid life. This novel explores the complexities of female friendship, the weight of secrets, and how personal stories intersect with the larger political landscape.
The Briar Club is a testament to Kate Quinn's remarkable talent for blending historical accuracy with compulsively readable storytelling. Fans of historical fiction will be utterly captivated by this world of secrets, betrayal, and resilience, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates narratives that linger long after the final page. Quinn's latest novel is a triumph that solidifies her reputation as a master of the genre.
July 1, 2024
Thank you so much to William Morrow for the gifted book!
This book started off SO WELL! It's basically a murder mystery from the first page and I was SO excited for how instantly drawn in I was. When a body is found in a women's boarding home in 1954, you know it's' going to be a crazy story!
The book starts out during Thanksgiving of 1954 and then is told mostly in flashbacks. Each flashback chapter is centered around one of the characters in the home and all of those chapters are LONG! To give you an idea how long, the book is 430 pages and there are only 9 chapters! There are very short chapters in-between each long chapter called "interstitials". Those chapters were definitely my favorite part because they dealt with the murdered woman in the house.
Of all the character's chapters, I really only felt connected to Nora and Fliss. Nora's chapter was incredibly well-written and I was CAPTIVATED the entire time. Since that was only chapter 2, I had extremely high hopes for the rest of the book. If that chapter was a stand-a-lone book (which it almost could be), I would rate it 5+ stars!
Unfortunately, all the other character's chapters dragged for me and I didn't need 50ish pages on each one of them, especially when it didn't always directly relate to the story I was most concerned with: the murder on Thanksgiving in 1954. I hate to complain about the length of a book since that's something that is easily known going into reading a book, but in this case so much of the character's background was just not necessary and could have been easily enjoyed had it been cut down to a 3oo page book.
This is the lowest I've ever rated a Kate Quinn book, but it just didn't work for me like I hoped it would! I'm still going to read what she puts out next!
This book started off SO WELL! It's basically a murder mystery from the first page and I was SO excited for how instantly drawn in I was. When a body is found in a women's boarding home in 1954, you know it's' going to be a crazy story!
The book starts out during Thanksgiving of 1954 and then is told mostly in flashbacks. Each flashback chapter is centered around one of the characters in the home and all of those chapters are LONG! To give you an idea how long, the book is 430 pages and there are only 9 chapters! There are very short chapters in-between each long chapter called "interstitials". Those chapters were definitely my favorite part because they dealt with the murdered woman in the house.
Of all the character's chapters, I really only felt connected to Nora and Fliss. Nora's chapter was incredibly well-written and I was CAPTIVATED the entire time. Since that was only chapter 2, I had extremely high hopes for the rest of the book. If that chapter was a stand-a-lone book (which it almost could be), I would rate it 5+ stars!
Unfortunately, all the other character's chapters dragged for me and I didn't need 50ish pages on each one of them, especially when it didn't always directly relate to the story I was most concerned with: the murder on Thanksgiving in 1954. I hate to complain about the length of a book since that's something that is easily known going into reading a book, but in this case so much of the character's background was just not necessary and could have been easily enjoyed had it been cut down to a 3oo page book.
This is the lowest I've ever rated a Kate Quinn book, but it just didn't work for me like I hoped it would! I'm still going to read what she puts out next!
July 9, 2024
This book was a bit of a change in form from the “normal” Kate Quinn narrative. But as always, the story centers on women during a certain time in history. In this particular story, we are introduced to a group of women in the 1950s. They all live in a boarding house for women and have a weekly supper club, The Briar Club. Each section of the book is about a different woman.
As always the writing was fantastic, but it’s definitely harder to give a book a super high rating with a narrative structure like this one. You really have to love every single individual story and I definitely think in this case certain ones were more captivating than others. I would’ve read a whole book about Grace or Nora!
But what I think this narrative style did really well was showing the different kind of lives and backgrounds women living during this time might’ve had; from the wife of a deployed soldier to an immigrant who ran from the violence of Hitler to being in love with a gangster. Oh and throughout the stories, you are trying to find out why there may be a dead body found at the boarding house!
Kate Quinn is one of the queens of historical fiction. I’ve read 5 of her books and will continue to pick up whatever she writes!
Thank you so so much to William Morrow for the ARC and the finished copy!!
As always the writing was fantastic, but it’s definitely harder to give a book a super high rating with a narrative structure like this one. You really have to love every single individual story and I definitely think in this case certain ones were more captivating than others. I would’ve read a whole book about Grace or Nora!
But what I think this narrative style did really well was showing the different kind of lives and backgrounds women living during this time might’ve had; from the wife of a deployed soldier to an immigrant who ran from the violence of Hitler to being in love with a gangster. Oh and throughout the stories, you are trying to find out why there may be a dead body found at the boarding house!
Kate Quinn is one of the queens of historical fiction. I’ve read 5 of her books and will continue to pick up whatever she writes!
Thank you so so much to William Morrow for the ARC and the finished copy!!
June 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about female friendships in a boardinghouse in Washington DC during the McCarthy era. The book is broken into several parts with a short chapter in between each section from the point of view of the house. It starts with a murder and many suspects and then breaks into what each had been doing up to the time of the event. It was a very entertaining story and I give it 4 1/2 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC!
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC!
April 11, 2024
Taking place during the early 1950’s, a group of very different women inhabit a rooming house. Friendships are formed during Thursday night shared suppers and backstories are revealed. Two murders occur (not a spoiler). I don’t need recipes in my fiction and I’m not a fan of sentient houses.
July 7, 2024
Thank you to #NetGalley and William Morrow-- for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This publishes July 9.
What to expect in this book:
-1950s setting
-Multiple POV
-Women's boardinghouse
-Mystery and historical fiction
-Alternating timelines
Thoughts
Kate Quinn is a master storyteller of all things historical fiction and her newest, The Briar Club, invites readers into the Briarwood Boarding House in Washington D.C. in the 1950s. While this house might feel like any other, it is the women who live there that bring it to life. Each chapter tells the story of the women living there, each with their own secrets and dreams. Pete, whose mother owns Briarwood, Nora, Bea, Grace, Arlene, Fliss, Claire -- with each having their own chapter, this felt like a series of novellas that all came together in the end to connect their very different lives to a very powerful secret.
Set among the scare of socialism and communism in the 1950s, this story traverses just about every culturally relevant topic of the time including emigration, post WWII repair, segregation and racism, McCarthyism and politics in DC, fertility and birth control, sports and other pop culture, and of course friendships and the American family. I loved the diversity of the characters from their personal backgrounds to their reasons for seeking the boarding house. A fun element was the Briar Club itself--the dinner club the women created together where they shared recipes and fellowship with each other. If you are a foodie or loving reading about food, you will really enjoy this one!
Also at the heart of all of it is a mystery. There is a police investigation throughout for a death within the home and each of the Briar Club women's stories plays a role into the outcome. I loved the role that house itself played within the murder mystery parts of the story. The house itself became a main character. Ultimately, this is a story of found family among uncertainty. This is a story of female friendships and connections against all odds. Lastly, the author's note is a MUST but definitely needs to be read at the end. I applaud the author for her valiant work in making sure this piece of fictional is as close to historically accurate as possible.
What to expect in this book:
-1950s setting
-Multiple POV
-Women's boardinghouse
-Mystery and historical fiction
-Alternating timelines
Thoughts
Kate Quinn is a master storyteller of all things historical fiction and her newest, The Briar Club, invites readers into the Briarwood Boarding House in Washington D.C. in the 1950s. While this house might feel like any other, it is the women who live there that bring it to life. Each chapter tells the story of the women living there, each with their own secrets and dreams. Pete, whose mother owns Briarwood, Nora, Bea, Grace, Arlene, Fliss, Claire -- with each having their own chapter, this felt like a series of novellas that all came together in the end to connect their very different lives to a very powerful secret.
Set among the scare of socialism and communism in the 1950s, this story traverses just about every culturally relevant topic of the time including emigration, post WWII repair, segregation and racism, McCarthyism and politics in DC, fertility and birth control, sports and other pop culture, and of course friendships and the American family. I loved the diversity of the characters from their personal backgrounds to their reasons for seeking the boarding house. A fun element was the Briar Club itself--the dinner club the women created together where they shared recipes and fellowship with each other. If you are a foodie or loving reading about food, you will really enjoy this one!
Also at the heart of all of it is a mystery. There is a police investigation throughout for a death within the home and each of the Briar Club women's stories plays a role into the outcome. I loved the role that house itself played within the murder mystery parts of the story. The house itself became a main character. Ultimately, this is a story of found family among uncertainty. This is a story of female friendships and connections against all odds. Lastly, the author's note is a MUST but definitely needs to be read at the end. I applaud the author for her valiant work in making sure this piece of fictional is as close to historically accurate as possible.
July 7, 2024
The Rose Code was my favorite book from last year so I was beyond excited to read the author's newest. The Briar Club was unlike other books I've read by her but I enjoyed it just as much. I was unsure how to rate it as some of the "parts" were slower and not as interesting to me, but as a whole I loved it and it had a banger of an ending.
The story is set at a women's boarding house in 1950s Washington D.C.. The story of each tenant (plus the landlady's son) is told in parts, which are essentially long chapters. In between, through the perspective of the sentient Briarwood House, we are given small parts of the present day story/mystery - a murder has been committed and it's not until the end that we find out the full story of all the tenants and what happened that fateful evening.
This was largely a character driven story with all of them being unique and endearing in their own way. I loved Thursday night Briarwood supper club night and the way all the ladies formed a close friendship. There's a lot of 1950s pop culture and world news references (I Love Lucy, Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, McCarthyism, the Korean War, and much more) and in the author's Historical Note at the end, she explains the accuracy and/or if the timeline matched for a lot of what's included in the book.
This comes out this Tuesday the 9th! Definitely add it to your TBR if you like stories of female friendships and historical fiction with a sprinkle of murder mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing me a digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.
*You can find my review for The Rose Code here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The story is set at a women's boarding house in 1950s Washington D.C.. The story of each tenant (plus the landlady's son) is told in parts, which are essentially long chapters. In between, through the perspective of the sentient Briarwood House, we are given small parts of the present day story/mystery - a murder has been committed and it's not until the end that we find out the full story of all the tenants and what happened that fateful evening.
This was largely a character driven story with all of them being unique and endearing in their own way. I loved Thursday night Briarwood supper club night and the way all the ladies formed a close friendship. There's a lot of 1950s pop culture and world news references (I Love Lucy, Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, McCarthyism, the Korean War, and much more) and in the author's Historical Note at the end, she explains the accuracy and/or if the timeline matched for a lot of what's included in the book.
This comes out this Tuesday the 9th! Definitely add it to your TBR if you like stories of female friendships and historical fiction with a sprinkle of murder mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing me a digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.
*You can find my review for The Rose Code here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Briar Club by Kate Quinn.
I have to start off with that one of my favorite books is Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. I came into this book with really high expectations. I hate that I am giving this book 3.5 stars out of 5.
This book is about events that happened at Briarwood house and the people that who there. You start off with a murder and the mystery of who were they, who killed them, and who is innocent. The story takes you through several of the boarders and their lives before living there and the present time.
I really struggled with this book. Unlike Diamond Eye, which I inhaled...this book took me two weeks to finish. There are so many characters and things going on that it became confusing at times.
I do love that one person can bring a whole group together even if they are polar opposites. Grace brought them together, listened to them and became friends with most of them. You learn about their hardships and victories. You grow to care for these characters. It is about racism, same sex relationships, abuse, going for what you want, finding your place in this world, taking care of others and standing up for yourself and others.
I have to start off with that one of my favorite books is Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. I came into this book with really high expectations. I hate that I am giving this book 3.5 stars out of 5.
This book is about events that happened at Briarwood house and the people that who there. You start off with a murder and the mystery of who were they, who killed them, and who is innocent. The story takes you through several of the boarders and their lives before living there and the present time.
I really struggled with this book. Unlike Diamond Eye, which I inhaled...this book took me two weeks to finish. There are so many characters and things going on that it became confusing at times.
I do love that one person can bring a whole group together even if they are polar opposites. Grace brought them together, listened to them and became friends with most of them. You learn about their hardships and victories. You grow to care for these characters. It is about racism, same sex relationships, abuse, going for what you want, finding your place in this world, taking care of others and standing up for yourself and others.
June 18, 2024
A haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C. boardinghouse during the McCarthy era. Set in the 1950s the Briarwood House is an all-female boarding house in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. However, when the mysterious Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into an unlikely friendship. The weekly Thursday dinner parties in Grace’s room with window-brewed sun tea and rotating cooks for each weekly meal there is a healing that begins to take place for all of them, but when a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide who is the true enemy in their midst.
I love Kate Quinn’s writing and her strong female characters. The Briar Club is no different and this story is told from the pod of seven different women and the Briarwood House. I absolutely loved the house as a character and the house itself has a wicked sense of humor. With each woman we are introduced to the day to day life of women and all the issues they faced during this era. I also loved the side characters that appeared from her previous novels, this was an unexpected treat! Oh, and the recipes she included from each Briar Club member’s weekly meal was a very nice touch.
I love Kate Quinn’s writing and her strong female characters. The Briar Club is no different and this story is told from the pod of seven different women and the Briarwood House. I absolutely loved the house as a character and the house itself has a wicked sense of humor. With each woman we are introduced to the day to day life of women and all the issues they faced during this era. I also loved the side characters that appeared from her previous novels, this was an unexpected treat! Oh, and the recipes she included from each Briar Club member’s weekly meal was a very nice touch.
May 31, 2024
I absolutely adored this story of a women’s boarding house in Washington DC in the early 50’s, told consecutively in the voices of the inhabitants (and even the house itself now and then). The structure and pacing are beautiful, and while there’s a LOT packed into the pages, it never feels like too much. It’s got mystery, thrills, love, art, war, sadness, and lots of food and community. Another winner from Kate Quinn.
July 9, 2024
This book tells the stories of a group of woman who all live in a boarding house and the history of how they ended up there.
A slow moving book with that jumped about in timelines with individual stories.
There were some interesting characters and friendships that developed along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in return for an honest review.
A slow moving book with that jumped about in timelines with individual stories.
There were some interesting characters and friendships that developed along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews