The Briar Club

A Novel

By: Kate Quinn

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

The New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye and The Rose Code returns with a haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, DC, boardinghouse during the McCarthy era.

Washington, DC, 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 room, 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; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end 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 the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?

Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

Includes a bonus conversation with Kate Quinn, Saskia Maarleveld, and Tessa Woodward, editor of The Briar Club.

©2024 Kate Quinn (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Creative

This story drew me in so quickly! Each character was unique and interesting. You will love the ones you’er suppose to love and dislike the ones that are not likable.
Such an interesting format that was both creative and enjoyable.
Enjoyed it to the very end.

This is my new favorite book. The concept, the characters, the story and the narrator!

I’ve read a LOT of historical fiction, but never set in this time frame. I love strong women characters.

FANTASTIC LISTEN!

My favorite so far. Loved the way the different character were developed and given a voice, including the house! Will be recommending to all my bookish friends!

Exceptional

Exceptional characters and voice acting. Incredible story telling in an historical context. It’s a must read for lovers of historical fiction.

A great book

This is one of the best books I've read/listened to in a long time. Great character development. I loved the story, the surprises..the history...some authors are so amazing at the build up, the climax etc. and Kate Quinn is one of those.. there's not many 5 star worthy books out there... it's actually really frustrating because when you read great books like this one, you have expectations and unfortunately not many live up to Quinn's ability...this is definitely a 5 star book!

Brilliantly written

Cleaver, historically correct with a fictional spin. The reader is not persuaded by any ONE thing. Each character has a story that everyone today can empathize with, if not share totally.
The recipes were a delightful addition that is wholly original.
I’m impressed completely and appreciate totally the whole of this piece of artful literature. Thank you. It was truly a breath of fresh air. An intriguing perspective from an otherwise (of late) boring and predictive host of readings I’ve had. Did I say it was a breath of fresh air?! It is and brilliant!

didn't know much of what went on in early 50's

always like a group of strangers getting together and how thier lives intertwine in a great story!

Excellent

This book deserves more than 5 stars, perfect character development and incredibly written as related to the time period. Love, love, love!!!!

Grace

Nothing I really enjoyed the entire book and cannot name something that I didn’t enjoy.

Loved Every Second

I'm highly critical of long books being engaging 100% of the time - this one takes the cake. So we'll done with historical references embedded throughout. I have already bought a hard copy for my classroom library for those students who drink up real writing to borrow!