There were elements of this book that I really enjoyed but ultimately it wasn’t quite gripping enough. The scene was set that there was a murder and then each residents lives and tribulations were explored. It was interesting but just a bit long without much pace for me. Thanks for the read

THIS BOOK! My first read of 2025 was an epic.

Part murder mystery, but SO much more, we get the stories of the women living in Briarwood House. I loved every single one of the sections on each woman, I got so engrossed in their lives and loved how character driven it all was.

Right from the beginning we know there’s a dead body in Briarwood House but boy I was not ready for that bombshell as we got to the end.

Also loved the notes at the end of the book, it all blew my mind and I learned so much from the whole book. Although as the author says - don’t read the notes before reading the book otherwise there’s serious spoilers!

Can’t wait to read my next Kate Quinn book! Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A fabulously written 1950s murder mystery set in a guest house. Every single character has their own compelling back story and you get to know each one of them behind the facade they present to each other. It's an excellent read as you would expect from the brilliant Kate Quinn.

Set in the 1950 Washington. Kate Quinn waves (as always) a wonderful tale of women's stories. She brings to life each character, flaws and all. A character driven, more than a plot driven book, this is Kate Quinn at her best.

In this remarkable work of historical fiction, we meet a group of very different women in a boarding house in 1950s Washington, DC. The book begins with the revelation that a murder has taken place, and we then jump back in time to learn more about each of the residents of the boarding house and see what led up to this crime taking place.

As ever with Kate Quinn’s work, this is a perfect combination of plot, pace, and characters. The details are incredible and, although there are a lot of characters, each person sings off the page and feels completely realised. I loved the sense of time and place, with the ever-present tension of the McCarthy era hanging over each of the residents in different ways.

The reveals are satisfying, and the conclusion of the book is masterfully told. Highly recommended to any fans of historical fiction.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Kate Quinn is one author who never disappoints!
In so so glad I requested this one and a special thanks to NetGalley for the approval request. It has to be one of my top reads of the quarter!
The storyline, the characters and the plot twists...all bang on. Can't wait to see what she churns out next.

I really enjoyed this book.

A group of very different women are brought together in a shared house in Washington DC. The landlady is strict and unwelcoming, but the women she rents to slowly develop strong bonds of friendship.

The book begins with a murder at the boarding house. Who has been killed and who has committed the crime are not revealed. It takes place in Grace Marsh’s room.

The story jumps back to the past with the arrival of Grace at the boarding house. Glamorous and friendly, Grace brings all the other boards together despite their differences.

Among them are Fliss is a young mother, struggling to maintain a perfect domestic life while her husband is serving in the army. Nora works at the National Archives . Her family are all involved in the police force, yet she is falling in love with a very charming gangster. Beatrice is a former baseball player, forced out of the game because of injuries and is now a PE teacher.

Along with Reka, Claire and Arlene, the women begin to get to know and support each other. Brought together by food and companionship, the individual stories are revealed and explored.

This book explores some really big themes – gender expectations for women the 1950s being among them, as well as Macarthyism, racism and domestic violence. The unlikely friendships are interesting and heartbreaking warming.

I really enjoyed the book. It’s definitely a character driven slow burn and some of the women’s stories are more interesting than others. It’s beautifully written. I also enjoyed the omniscient narrative voice of the house itself that comes alive as the women thrive with love and friendship.

Thank you NetGalley for the gifted copy of The Briar Code.

2.5 stars - This is definitely more character driven, compared to plot driven, which is why I sadly didn’t love it. Each section of the book focuses on a different character, I liked being able to learn more about them but this felt disconnected from the present day plot. It also appeared disjointed, moving on from one woman to the next, and the mystery element lacked atmosphere.

Each of the women’s lives were all heartbreaking in their own way and I was pleased that each voice was distinguishable. I also enjoyed reading about this time period and the connections to social and political history.

I was so happy to have received an early copy of this book in exchange for a review as The Rose Code is one of my favourite books! Sadly I couldn’t connect to the characters, I definitely think I’m a plot girl rather than characters, even though likeable characters are super important.

A huge thank you to Harper Collins for gifting me this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this! Actually listened to the audiobook and the narration was brilliant.
A wonderful book told from multiple perspectives - I was left wanting more from each of the characters.
Will be searching out more from this author as a result.

Very good. Enjoyed the suspense and the build up to the conclusion. Loved getting to know all the characters and their stories. Rich in details which makes you feel part of the story. Also loved how the house is a character all of its own which gives it an extra layer.

When I think of historical fiction in general, or the author in particular (The Alice Network by Kate Quinn) I do not think of happily-ever-afters or anything along those lines. This book is a mish-mash of emotions and the detailed historical notes at the end enhance the overall experience by not only getting us into the author’s head at the time of writing, but also gives us the relevant American historical context.

The plot has a back and forth narrative style. Each time we move backwards in time, it’s to a point closer to when the book opened and reveals just a little more about one more person. The scene is a boarding house and a dead body has been reported to the police. They are at the scene and are utterly confused as to the direction in which they should move their enquiries. With each visit back and forth in time we have more information than the police do.

Finally, as readers we know the truth before the book ends. Not everyone knows all the information we have, but several do. I will not go into the individual details, even that of Grace because the author’s choice in telling us a story in this manner only works if we go in blind.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the genre and a little tired of the standard dual timelines.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

A lovely book which shows how strangers become friends and how people aren’t always what you expect. Would recommend this book

Kate Quinn’s writing is impeccable! Her stories just flow and carry you along.

I adored the idea of a house as a narrator and loved the parts written in this way. Who would be more invested in solving a murder than the house where it took place?

A brilliant cast of characters all flawed, all well rounded and all who you will want to know more about.

A brilliant read that looks at the roles of women, children and spies. A unique and gripping tale with exceptional writing.

Another triumph of a book from Kate Quinn. I am in awe of this author, she writes so brilliantly on so many different topics and types of situation. Her stories are very much character - driven, which I love. . Even minor characters are fully rounded, and have their place in the narrative. I felt I knew every player by the end of the book.
I loved this book, set in 1950s USA in a boarding house, full of women and family. It gripped me from page one to the end. The murder mystery is so cleverly woven through it, but it is the women, and the dynamic amongst them that is central to the story. I can’t wait for the author’s next work. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

This is a moving and superbly written story set in the backdrop of Washington in the 1950s. Cold War tensions are high with the paranoia of the McCarthy era at its peak. Into this historical context, the author gives us both a thriller and a beautiful story about a boarding house which breathes and feels alongside its inhabitants. The stories of Pete, Lina and their dad, the enigmatic, warm Grace, and the other women in the boarding house are skilfully woven throughout. I felt so many different emotions as I read this compelling novel.

What a beautiful book which has something for every type of reader.

I would strongly recommend this book for Kate Quinn fans or those lucky enough to only just be discovering her!

2 people have been murdered but that's not important right now, because we need to learn about the characters of Briar House five years previously up until present time before we find out more about that...

The wholesome 1950's America isn't usually my favourite timeframe in history, but Quinn picks her characters and their backstory so well, I was hooked pretty much from the start. Each and everyone of them was fascinating, having a very different and very colourful story to tell.

Briar House is a nondescript house for women in Washington DC. The landlady is the typical nosy, grouchy, intolerant type that needs careful management. Then there are the tenants whose lives start to interchange through the Thursday night supper club.

Quinn focuses on each character in turn so that we can appreciate, in detail their very individual and differing backgrounds, their struggles and challenges - many of which they try to keep hidden. But Grace the listener and feeder of the house, who implements their supper club, quietly draws them out of themselves; for everyone needs to the support of somebody else from time to time - don't they? A trust of sorts builds and a kooky community develops within and quietly beyond the walls of that house. Flawed personalities find they have strengths who can also help others when the need arises. The stories are cleverly intertwined with lesser known historical people and events of the time, from the development of contraception, to the atom bomb, communism, spying, warfare, racial intolerance, sexuality and more.

Without spoiling the enjoyment you will get from learning about all these characters, it embraces tough living with human spirit, the perils of revealing who you are, with living your best life while you can and above all the virtue of kindness. A thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking rich story, that allows you to enter the lives of people you wouldn't normally experience. The character development is a joy and escapism a pleasure. Enjoy the afterburn these characters leave you with.

Grace March woman of mystery. Grace moves into a boring, dim boarding house for women in 1950s Washington. All the residents go about their business in a quiet and business like manner that is until Grace opens her door to all and rocks the foundation. A sad, happy 5 star must read.

Absolutely brilliant. I love the historical settings of Kate Quinn’s books. This one is in Washington DC in 1950 in an all female boarding house. You get caught up in the lives of all the women who reside there as well as learning more about the time. An excellent read. .

I love Kate Quinn's books and this one was just as brilliant as her previous ones. Set in Washington DC in the 1950s going back and forth over a 4 year period, each chapter tells the story of each woman in a boarding house run by the unpleasant Mrs Nilsson. Very clever and full of twists and turns, with a murder mystery at the centre of the story, great characters and so well written, this is Kate Quinn at her finest.

I loved, loved, loved this book!!

Initially, I was hesitant to read it because I am somewhat weary of anything involving politics at the moment. However, I decided to give it a try, and I am delighted that I did!

The book introduces a plethora of remarkable characters, each grappling with their own unique challenges. My personal favourite character is the house itself, which often had me in fits of laughter.

I also loved the recipes that are scattered throughout the book and will definitely try some of them. Even more special is the fact that the recipes are paired with some amazing songs.

This book just proves that Kate Quinn is one of the best historical fiction writers out there!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion