The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

 

Do you have a group of friends that regularly get together for a book club, meal, or something else?  Do you belong to a group, church, Rotary, Lion’s, etc.?  The act of routinely getting together with friends or acquaintances is important.

In 1950s Washington DC, a murder occurred at the Briarwood boarding house on Thanksgiving.  In a series of flashbacks telling the story of each occupant, the reader learns the unique story of each woman while also coming close to solving the murder mystery.

My thoughts on this book:

·       I read this book while on vacation at the beginning of August and it was my favorite read of the month. 

·       This is different than other Kate Quinn Books I’ve read, and I enjoyed her different, unique storytelling in this book.

·       Each chapter is the story of each woman in the house.  It gives her background and how she ended up in the house.

·       The house also narrates chapters in the future to give brief glimpse into the murder.

·       Grace gives weekly potluck dinner parties in her tiny attic apartment where they take turns cooking.  They get to know each other better and become a family of sorts.

·       I also thought the recipes that were throughout the story associated with the weekly potlucks were fun.  Each character had their own recipe and song that went with the recipe.

·       Mrs. Nilsson owns the boarding house.  She is a nasty woman with lots of rules and little sympathy.  Her two children, Peter and Lina, receive little affection as well.  The ladies of the house help them out.

·       I couldn’t put this book down.  I loved learning about each character, and I wanted to know who was murdered and why.  Each character is well developed and interesting.

·       Great topics of the 1950s were included such as communism, McCarthyism, the Korean War, working women, birth control, women’s sports, etc.

·       I loved each character and learning their secrets.

·       I loved the Easter Eggs for those that have read The Rose Code and The Huntress.

·       There are historical tidbits throughout the book and real historical characters.  There was a great author’s note about real history at the end.

Favorite Quote: “I sometimes think this country is an eternal battle between our best and our worst angels.  Hopefully we’re listening to the good angel more often than the bad one.”

Overall, The Briar Club by Kate Quinn is a must-read historical fiction novel that is set in the 1950s and has great characters and a mystery that you won’t soon forget.

Book Source:  Review copy from William Morrow Books. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.