Kate Quinn is an autobuy historical author for me which means my expectations are always super high - and The Briar Club did not disappoint. A 1950s boarding house in Washington DC, home to a skinflint landlady and her two neglected and overworked children and the women who rent rooms from her. The boarders are unalike in every way: Nora, a local Irish girl determined to better herself and escape her family, Fliss, an English mother waiting for her husband to return from medical service overseas, Reka, elderly, poverty stricken Hungarian refugee, bitter with how her life has turned out, Bea, resentfully teaching unable to accept that her once glittering sports career is at an end, Claire who refuses to let her tragic childhood define who she is and will stop at nothing to achieve security and Arlene, who just wants a ring on her finger. They have little in common until Grace March shows up and rents the smallest of the rooms and somehow brings this disparate group of women and children together.

We start the book in the future, knowing there is a dead body in the house, the police have been called and the women are all under suspicion and then head back in time to the day Grace rents her room, each section of the book propelling us towards the murder and one by one unveiling the secrets each woman keeps. Through each story Quinn examines life for women in the 1950s exploring poverty, racism and segregation, abuse, sexuality, birth control, immigration, sexism, careers, criminality and motherhood. But although Grace is adept at finding out secrets, her own life remains off limits, her origins as much a mystery as the day she first turned up.

McCarthyism underlies every chapter as the US gets red fever and being suspected of communist sympathies can lead to ruin, and this theme is deftly woven through every chapter as Quinn creates both a compelling thriller and a fascinating historical read. Unputtdownable and highly recommended.

This story was not what I have come to expect from author Kate Quinn. As she outlines in her author’s note at the end there is not the same action as in some of her previous stories.

This story is told at a much slower pace and it caused me to read it at a much slower pace. Taking place at a women’s boarding house in Washington in the 1950s each character tells their story and what led them to being at the boarding house.

Each character’s story was interesting and detailed. Sometimes with multiple character pov’s you lose the ability to really get to know and relate to the characters but this wasn’t true for this book. I felt I could understand where all of them had come from and the actions that they took in the book.

It is not my favourite Kate Quinn story but I still enjoyed it. I think I like the thrill and the action stories better and a slightly faster pace. As always, Kate Quinn outlines the people and times that her characters are based on and that is always an enjoyable ending to her books

What a story! The setting, a 1950s boarding house for women where the landlady is a real martinet with two young children. The story evolves through the lives of the different characters lodging together under the Briar House roof, brought together for a Thursday Supper Club by one of the lodgers, Grace........... and what incredible lives they live! I loved the way the author manages to capture so much of 1950s America through the experiences of these characters including gangsters, Jewish immigrants, McCarthyism and the 'Reds under the Beds' scaremongering, women's baseball, the Rosenberg trial, the Lavender persecution and the general day to day lives of everyday American women of the 50s. The authors in-depth research shines through in the writing, which I really valued as I love a book where I can also learn a little about the true history of the period. The characters are engaging and I found myself willing them on to win through the trials facing them. I loved that each character had their own gripping storyline that kept me learning and reading late into the night!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful novel and recommend it highly! A fabulous read!

Another masterpiece of writing from Kate Quinn. We know immediately that a death has occurred but how and who is it? Briarwood boarding house in a suburb of Washington DC is run by a strict, moody woman who has two unfortunate children dragged down by her own selfishness. The story goes back to a few years before the death, soon after the war in a time of great hope but also deep suspicion when Grace March arrives in a breath of fresh air looking for a room. She is shown a tiny attic room with few facilities and told the strict rules, she agrees to take it and promptly disregards all instructions. Wondering why a house full of women keep themselves to themselves she sets about getting to know each one and very gradually brings them together as friends. Well, most anyway. As the years roll by we get to know each lady and their secrets. A diverse group who only have their address in common are brought together through a Thursday evening meeting in Grace’s room, the Briar Club. They enjoy a meal cooked by someone different each week, usually a recipe from their past or childhood. The characters with their interesting pasts and shocking secrets are woven seemlessly into the story. The imagery of early 1950’s America is vividly described with the style of clothing and homes, the smell and tastes of the food but also the difficult way of life with what we would now deem as hardship is beautifully portrayed in speech and actions. With prejudices and sexism that would not be tolerated now, it was an accepted normality. As the story reaches its conclusion several years later, many lives have changed along the way and Grace March was the instigator in helping these women and children to believe in themselves. A beautifully crafted story that has many shocks and a huge twist but ultimately is a lesson in humanity. Another huge success for Kate Quinn.

This was a book of two halves for me, the first two-thirds which was an intriguing insight into the backgrounds of the residents of the house, and the final third where the pace and tension picked up as we finally caught up on Grace’s back story.
Having read The Rose Code and loved it, while this wasn’t quite in the same league for me personally, it’s still another great piece of meticulously researched historical fiction from Kate Quinn, with a lovely little Rose Code Easter egg!
I loved the characters and the insight into post-war America, which Quinn weaves artfully into a plot that gathers momentum as the story progresses. I read the first two thirds over the course of several days, and the final 40% in one sitting.
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.
The Briar Club is out now.

After having read “The Alice Network” I definitely wanted to read more of Kate Quinn, and I loved this new novel for sure! It’s a remarkable story of a number of women with completely different backgrounds who live in a boarding house in Washington D.C. in the 1950’s. They get to know each other during their weekly Thursday evening dinners hosted by the mysterious Grace, of whom they know very little. A shocking event makes clear what Grace’s background is and forces the group of friends to decide who their true enemies are and who are considered a friend.

Definitely read the author’s note at the end. The background of the story is very interesting and some events I was sure were fictional because they seemed so ridiculous appeared to be true! The story begins with a murder which gets you intrigued right away, and bit by bit you’ll see it’s all not what you expected…

The book also deals with important issues like the development of birth control and how secretive this was at the start because of religious ideas, the male dominance in certain areas and discrimination. I partly listened to the audiobook which is narrated very well!

Really enjoyed this detailed and character driven historical fiction written by a wonderful author. I love the way. She entwined the characters ‘ lives with the Thursday night supper club. It also bit had a bit of a “who done it “in it, which made it even more compelling.

I’m not going to lie, I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. The characters, the writing and the house. This book has so much heart and soul to accompany this brilliant historical novel.

So, so good!

A boarding house full of lady boarders, (each gets their own chapter so we get to know them more) - and the Briar Club is their Thursday night supper club.

The stories behind each individual are fascinating, and the way they all thread together simply brilliant. I loved The Rose Code from Kate Quinn previously, but I think I love this even more!

Once again Kate Quinn weaves a compelling story with great characters. The 400+ pages slip by easily as we try to solve the mystery in the opening pages of the dead body at Briarwood House. Each resident and the wider cast has their flaws and redeeming qualities (apart from one or two). The Easter egg linked to The Rose Code was very much appreciated by a fan of that book. The novel moves seamlessly to a satisfying conclusion. I loved it.

The Briar Club is another fabulous read by Kate Quinn. Set in 1950s America, in Washington DC, new boarder Grace March sets out about bringing the residents together. Landlady Mrs "Doilies" Nilsson has so many rules and badly neglects her children, so when the residents come together and form the Thursday supper club, Pete and Lina find themselves with a family who cares for the first time since their dad left. We get to know the stories and lives of the boarders apart from Grace who is adept at getting others to talk about themselves but herself stays quiet. The book begins with a massacre in the house in 1954. We have no idea who is dead and who is the killer until the very end. We see the build up over four years and rejoice in the building of friendships, love and family ties. So many lives entwined, so much real history involved. A great read and I encourage you to read the author's notes at the end which clarify what are real events and what parts are fiction. #netgalley #TheBriarClub

A slow burning story demonstrating the possible intensity of female friendship when individuals are cocooned together in a shared house. A catalyst emerges to bring some unity but not always harmony. Set against the backdrop of 1950s America with its trials and tribulations. Two dead bodies are found in the house and the police need to unravel find out who and why. Told through the stories of the individuals and working towards its ultimate climax. Expertly researched bringing characters to life through their experiences

The Briar Club by Rose Quinn is a wonderful story, full of amazing characters that is such an original and entertaining read.

Mrs Nillson runs a boarding house in Washington DC during the early 1950s which is home to five women. The arrival of new boarder Grace March changes the atmosphere in the house and a new chapter begins.

The incredible back stories of each of the characters and how they live together following the arrival of Grace forms the body of the narrative which catches the reader up to the present day of Thanksgiving in 1954.

Rose Quinn is already an impressive author and The Briar Club will further enhance her reputation. This is an excellent story.

Excellent novel that will keep you guessing to the end. Set against the background of 1950s Washington, the McCarthy hearings and trial of the Rosenbergs, The Briar Club is set in a house let of single working women with a variety of jobs - an English woman married to an absent naval doctor, an artist from Vienna, a widow from Iowa, and others (and are they what they seem? - some are).

It is about friendship, loyalty, trust and like all Kate Quinn's novel is a superb read. I can't recommend it highly enough. If there were 6 stars this would deserve it.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins.

Another glorious book from Kate Quinn. Set in the McCarthy years of 1950s America and woven through with well-researched historical detail and period feel, the novel tells the disparate stories of the residents of a boarding house, drawn out by the observation and subtle listening skills of Grace March, the occupant of the tiny attic room. She transforms the lives of each of the residents and improves the atmosphere of the whole house. A clever device lets us view Briar House from the perspective of the building itself, as it struggles to make sense of the crime scene it discovers and returns to throughout the book, intriguing and engaging the reader in it's characters and events that lead up to the crime. A warm, feel-good book with fascinating tales and dramas, but also a strong sense of kindness and understanding. I thoroughly enjoyed it. An excellent read!

The Briar Club takes place in 1950's Washington DC in a boarding house solely for female tenants. It tells the stories of these women and how they share the same destinies without realising. The background is the McCarthy era and how it affects the racial, social & political issues of that time
There is humour, anger, sadness and hope. There is a murder mystery and recipes. Very satisfying read.

A cracking read, good characters, gripping story, good twist, based on true events, the whole package. I loved The Rose Code and recommended it widely and I shall do the same with this one. Warmth, laughter, shock, fear all abound to make a great read.

Another brilliant read from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club has a different feel at the start to her other novels I have read. Set in 1950's America, Mrs Grace March arrives at Briarwood House, an all female boarding house that has seen better days. Her warmth and firiendliness gradually brings together her fellow residents, each one has a secret which they open up to Grace, but Grace herself remains a mystery.
I loved Grace, the other ladies (even the unlikeable ones) and the men that make this story so captivating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Briar Club.

Kate Quinn does write a good book - there are great characters, top plot and enough historical information to make you believe that you learning and therefore improving your mind! I have to be careful not to drop any breadcrumbs, but gosh what a great twist! I very much enjoyed my time with the people and house of the Briar Club - perfect on a sunlounger this summer!

Set in 1950s Washington DC in a boarding house, the story begins with police arriving at the house to a double killing. The rest of the story examines each tenant's story and is a great insight into the McCarthy era, and various facets of American life. They are all very different but when Grace comes to live there and begins her supper evenings as a way to help the landlady's children have some care and good food. Gradually the women (along with their various friends) learn to support each other and their lives.
A clever, well crafted story. I learnt a lot.