I’ll admit I sometimes bog down in the history in Kate Quinn’s novels, and I love history. Quinn is the author of The Diamond Eye and The Huntress, among other books. But, The Briar Club! I only slowed down toward the conclusion of this book because I didn’t want it to end. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year.
On Thanksgiving, 1954, Briarwood House in Washington D.C. holds two bodies and seventeen suspects. The house itself is worried about the stories that will be told to the police. It’s a scary time to be involved with the police during the McCarthy era. And, every woman at Briarwood House has a secret.
Mrs. Nilsson is the owner and landlady of Briarwood. No one, including the house, likes her. She’s not welcoming to the women in her boardinghouse, and she squelches all joy or happiness to be found there, including in her own two children. But, when the widow Mrs. Grace March takes the last room there in June 1954, the atmosphere slowly begins to change.
Grace might have the tiniest room in the house, but she finds a way to bring the women together, from Fliss, the wife and mother whose doctor husband is overseas, leaving her with a fussy baby, then toddler, to Nora, a policeman’s daughter who falls for a man with a mysterious life. The women in the boardinghouse work in the National Archives, or as teachers, or in libraries. But, on Thursday nights, when Mrs. Nilsson plays cards, they gather in Grace’s room for makeshift dinners.
In four years, each woman has the chance to tell her story, revealing her secrets. But, they all come to together on a Thursday, Thanksgiving 1954. Will the last secrets crumble in the face of the police, or will the women hold themselves together in this terrifying tine?
The Briar Club is a story of women’s friendship set against the frightening backdrop of McCarthyism. Despite the number of people living in Briarwood House, each one has a distinct personality. Backgrounds are perfect to offer a variety of lifestyles and opinions during this difficult time. Quinn’s format offers each woman the chance to step into the spotlight, to share their voice. By the conclusion, when they have the chance to speak up, the reader waits with bated breath to see how their personalities will be reflected at a time of crisis.
As I said, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Kate Quinn’s website is https://www.katequinnauthor.com/
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. William Morrow, 2024. ISBN 9780063244740 (hardcover), 432p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received an ARC through NetGalley in order to review the book for a journal.
I am glad you reviewed this. I have not read anything by Kate Quinn and I thought I should try something by her. This one sounds like it might be very good. The boardinghouse setting is one of my favorites.
Thank you, Tracy. As I said, I’ve started several of her books. This is the only one I finished and couldn’t put down.
You had me from the opening paragraph! Thanks for being the trusty scout for so many readers…guiding us to the bushes with the ripest berries and encouraging us to try the paths we may have otherwise shied away from.
Laurie! I love your description of my favorite job – trusty book scout. Thank you. I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Lesa, ever since you mentioned a few months ago that this is one of your favorites of the year, I’ve tried to get it on NetGalley, with no success. Even my library doesn’t have copies yet. But I’ll keep trying! Thank you for the review.
I’m sure your library will get The Briar Club, Margie. I’ll look forward to your comments.
You sold me back when you first mentioned it.
It is now on my Kindle Fire and I intend to spend my day enjoying it.
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Kaye. I hope you love it!
I am really looking forward to reading this one. And I think it’s funny that you have had a bit of a hard time with the history side of her writing and I’ve got other friends who think her books are too ‘light’. I guess I’m in the middle. Have you read The Rose Code by her? I loved that one.
I haven’t read The Rose Code, Kay. I think I’d like that one. Time! I need time!
I enjoyed this book, but I felt like Mrs. Nillson’s character got “lost” at the ending of the book. They mention her in the Thanksgiving flashbacks, but when the Thanksgiving event actually happens, Mrs. Nilsson seems to be MIA when the police get there (about when she could have arrived home). Just a small oddity that bothered me. I didn’t really like her character; just noticed her lack of making a scene. But overall this was a fun read!
You’re right, Andrea, but I have to admit I never missed her at all because I didn’t like Mrs. Nillson.