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…
From the Publisher
The Rose Code is a sweeping, emotionally rich historical novel that combines wartime intrigue, intellectual suspense, and the enduring power of female friendship. Set against the secretive and high-stakes world of codebreaking during World War II, the novel offers a compelling blend of history and drama, bringing to life the unsung women whose brilliance helped shape the course of the war. With meticulous research and a gift for character-driven storytelling, Kate Quinn delivers a novel that is both thrilling and deeply human.
The story unfolds across two timelines, beginning in 1940 at Bletchley Park, the British codebreaking headquarters, where three very different women answer the call to serve their country. Osla Kendall, a glamorous debutante with social connections and fluency in German, arrives determined to prove that she is more than a pretty face. Mab Churt, fiercely intelligent and shaped by a difficult upbringing in London’s East End, is driven by ambition and a desire to secure a future on her own terms. Beth Finch, shy and socially awkward, possesses an extraordinary talent for puzzles and patterns, making her one of the few female cryptanalysts at the Park. Together, their contrasting personalities form a dynamic and engaging trio at the heart of the novel.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its characterization. Each woman is fully realized, with distinct motivations, insecurities, and strengths. Osla’s journey explores the tension between public perception and private capability, as she struggles to be taken seriously in a world that values her connections more than her intellect. Mab’s storyline delves into class, resentment, and survival, portraying a woman who has had to fight for every opportunity and who guards her vulnerabilities fiercely. Beth’s arc is particularly moving, capturing the quiet courage of someone who finds confidence not in society but in numbers, logic, and code.
Kate Quinn excels at showing how friendship can be both a source of strength and a point of fracture. Under the immense pressure of war, secrecy, and exhaustion, the bond between the three women is tested in profound ways. Misunderstandings, betrayals, and painful choices slowly drive them apart, creating emotional stakes that are just as gripping as the external threat of enemy spies. The novel handles these conflicts with nuance, never reducing them to simple rivalries, but instead showing how fear, ambition, and love can complicate even the strongest alliances.
The Bletchley Park setting is vividly rendered and central to the novel’s impact. Quinn brings clarity to the complex and often opaque world of cryptography, making the intellectual challenges accessible without oversimplifying them. The clatter of codebreaking machines, the relentless pace of shifts, and the suffocating weight of secrecy are all portrayed in a way that immerses the reader in the daily realities of wartime intelligence work. The novel pays respectful tribute to the real men and women whose contributions remained classified for decades, emphasizing how their victories were often invisible yet crucial.
The second timeline, set in 1947, adds an additional layer of suspense and emotional depth. As Britain celebrates a royal wedding and attempts to move beyond the scars of war, the three former friends are drawn back together by a mysterious encrypted letter. The shift from wartime urgency to postwar reckoning is handled skillfully, highlighting how the end of conflict does not automatically heal old wounds. The lingering effects of trauma, guilt, and unresolved betrayal create a powerful contrast with the optimism of the era.
The central mystery—rooting out a traitor connected to their past—drives the narrative forward with steady tension. Rather than relying on constant twists, the novel builds suspense through atmosphere, character revelations, and the gradual uncovering of truth. Each step closer to solving the final code raises the emotional stakes, forcing the women to confront not only an external enemy but also their own past actions and choices.
Thematically, The Rose Code explores loyalty in its many forms: loyalty to country, to friends, to oneself, and to truth. It also examines the cost of secrecy, particularly for women whose contributions were minimized or erased in official histories. The novel underscores the idea that intelligence and bravery come in many forms, and that quiet, uncelebrated work can be just as heroic as acts performed on the battlefield.
Kate Quinn’s writing is confident and engaging, balancing detailed historical context with accessible prose. Her dialogue feels natural, and her pacing keeps the story moving without sacrificing emotional resonance. Moments of humor, tenderness, and camaraderie provide relief from the darker aspects of the plot, making the characters’ relationships feel authentic and lived-in.
What ultimately sets The Rose Code apart is its emotional payoff. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying, but even more impactful is the resolution of the relationships at its core. The novel acknowledges that forgiveness and reconciliation are rarely simple, yet it offers a hopeful perspective on resilience and second chances. The final chapters leave a lasting impression, honoring both the intelligence and the emotional complexity of its characters.
In conclusion, The Rose Code is a masterful work of historical fiction that successfully blends suspense, history, and character-driven drama. It is an engrossing tribute to women whose intellect and perseverance changed history, and a powerful reminder of the bonds forged—and broken—under extraordinary circumstances. Readers who enjoy richly detailed historical settings, strong female protagonists, and stories that combine heart with intrigue will find this novel deeply rewarding and memorable.