The Rose Code

A Novel

By: Kate Quinn

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

“The hidden history of Bletchley Park has been waiting for a master storyteller like Kate Quinn to bring it to life. The Rose Code effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the Enigma codebreakers through the eyes of three extraordinary women who work in tireless secrecy to defeat the Nazis. Quinn’s meticulous research and impeccable characterization shine through this gripping and beautifully executed novel.” (Beatriz Williams, New York Times best-selling author of Her Last Flight)

The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.

The year 1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything - beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses - but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious, self-made Mab, product of East End London poverty, works the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts. But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.

The year 1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter - the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger - and their true enemy - closer....

©2021 Kate Quinn (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Well balanced story

It started a little slow and it took awhile to sort out all the characters but once that happened it was golden from there.
The story has several story lines and just when you thought it was coming to conclusion there is more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed

I really enjoy listening to stories set in during World Wars. The strength of people to endure, serve and help each other at the lowest of times. The weight of women doing what at the time would be considered “mans work” and being fully successful is enlightening. I felt like I knew each of the women in this story. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Wonderful Story

I loved this book. It was engaging and I enjoyed all the characters. Some reviewers said moving back and forth in time periods was confusing but I didn't - I always knew when it was taking place. I really recommend this book - it's a great story about three very different women working in jobs that were critical and great that they were able to get involved in the war effort. It's got funny, sad, mystery and love! Narrator was wonderful too!

Accurate, great read

9/28/22 Having just visited Bletchley Park, this book brought to life the daily lives of BP workers. There were so many instances when I said to myself, “Yes, I saw that or experienced that.” So very fun for me!!! Great narration, loved this book!!!

If you love strong female protagonists…

…then you’ll adore this tale, complete with accents, adversaries, and academics.
Kate Quinn, well done!

The Rose Code

I enjoyed most of the story but I could do with less of the romance.
I do enjoy historical fiction.

Gripping

I could hardly stop listening to this audiobook . The Women at Blechley Park gave up so much to maintain secrecy. Just like The Alice Network, this is very well written. The third quarter of the book is quite tough to read. Everyone feels betrayed and it is hard to imagine a good ending. Of course, the ending is excellent!

Great historical fiction

I could tell the author did her research for this book and I always appreciate when historical truths are woven into a fictional book with as much accuracy as possible. I followed this book with the historical book The Spendid and the Vile about Churchill during the blitz. Several times in that book Churchill and others referenced intelligence received from Bletchley Park. As a young American with limited background on England’s perspective during WW2, the existence of this place has intrigued me. This story was woven together well, characters were well developed, suspense was well-timed and the ending was just right.

Almost as great at The Alice Network

Although it was a little slow at the start, it turned out to be an excellent listen. My wife and i really enjoyed this book. Interweaving real history with fictional characters is a Kate Quinn specialty. The narrator was great as usual. We look forward to the next great book.

Perfectly read

What an amazing voice! I knew who was speaking among the most chaotic group scenes! Just phenomenal!