"The Rumor Game" by Thomas Mullen presents a historical mystery centered around the covert organizations active in Boston during World War II. The author's extensive research truly impressed me, shedding light on the prejudices prevalent in Boston during that era. While the wealth of information provided valuable insights, I personally found the writing to be verbose and challenging to engage with, leading me to skim through several chapters.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for affording me the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly it's not a book for me. After several attempts to get into it, I've given up. It just did not catch my attention.

Thomas Mullen delivers a riveting and atmospheric historical crime thriller with "The Rumor Game." Set against the backdrop of World War II-era Boston, this novel masterfully captures the tension and unease of a city divided by wartime suspicions and fascist elements. With compelling characters, intricate plotting, and a richly detailed historical setting, Mullen crafts a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

In June 1943, as the war rages on, reporter Anne Lemire finds herself at the heart of a web of rumors, misinformation, and fear that grips the city. Writing the Rumor Clinic column, Anne works tirelessly to debunk harmful rumors circulating in the community—some spawned by Axis forces, others by mere gossip and ignorance. However, Anne's hunger for a more significant story pushes her to uncover the truth behind Nazi propaganda disseminated by local businesses, leading her to a dangerous path of espionage and conspiracy.

Special Agent Devon Mulvey of the FBI, a devout Catholic navigating his own complexities, is tasked with preventing wartime sabotage and investigating suspicious activities. When Anne's investigation into Nazi propaganda intersects with Devon's probe into the death of an immigrant factory worker, the two are drawn into a web of organized crime, domestic fascism, and espionage. As they navigate this treacherous landscape, their personal histories become intertwined, and the boundaries between friend and foe blur.

Mullen's meticulous attention to historical detail immerses readers in the wartime atmosphere of Boston, creating a palpable sense of time and place. The characters, from the determined and sharp-witted Anne to the complex and conflicted Devon, come alive on the pages, their struggles and motivations driving the narrative forward.

"The Rumor Game" masterfully weaves a narrative that explores the intersections of fear, loyalty, and deception. Mullen skillfully navigates the complex threads of espionage and intrigue, leading to revelations that challenge the characters' perceptions and reveal deeper layers of conspiracy. The novel's pacing is relentless, propelling readers through a maze of twists and turns that culminate in a thrilling and satisfying conclusion.

In "The Rumor Game," Thomas Mullen delivers an engrossing historical crime thriller that captures the essence of a city in turmoil and the individuals determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. With its gripping narrative, multidimensional characters, and evocative historical backdrop, this novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, espionage, and suspenseful storytelling.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed both the female and male main characters and their growth throughout the book. While it's historical fiction, I learned a lot about things happening in the time of World War II that I didn't know about. I enjoyed the plot of the book and was surprised throughout.

“The Rumor Game” by Thomas Mullen is a historical mystery about the subversive groups that operated in Boston during WWll. The amount of research that was done by the author was quite amazing and it allowed me to lean an awful lot about the prejudices that existed in Boston at that time. However, I found the book wordy, and difficult to read so I found myself skimming many of the chapters.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s press and the author for allowing me to review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I felt both pleased and honored to receive a copy of Thomas Mullen's The Rumor Game in return for a review, as I have followed this author's novels for years. Perhaps somewhat predictably, on my part, as I am such a fan of police procedurals as well as novels that remind us that the sins of the past must be reexamined to keep us from repeating them, Mullen's Darktown series is my favorite (he could have written dozens in this captivating series, I would still like up to buy a copy at every release date.

However, even with my adoration of mysteries and crime novels, Mr. Mullen's sheer genius when it comes to delicately opening our hearts and our minds, as when we read his novels they are the closest thing to true-life accounts that fiction can ever be. We fall in love a little with Mullen's characters, and it is the same with the wonderfully brash female reporter in this novel, who pushes herself to be heroic, although she worries deeply when she sees her own personality traits and dedication reflected in her little brother.

I have loved Thomas Mullen's creations for ages, it is as though he gives us a special window to witness past historical events or formative times, you feel like an invisible family member of the main characters in Mullen's novels. He is a very special author who, due to his skill in weaving a magical historical time that we feel so much a part of, his novels will always hold a place in my heart.

In the Rumor Game, Mullen's turns his very talented attention to the sins and nonsensical hatred, cruelty, judgement and prejudice surrounding World War II. Unfortunately, although we would prefer to imagine that the inequality of this time was restricted to Germany and Hitler's vile legacy, much to our shame, the United States and US citizens (as in EVERY shamefully prejudicial and hate-filled time) hated those who appeared or seemed to be "other" or "different" at least on the surface.

A beautiful novel and as usual, this talent author (without overtly doing so) reminds us of our countries past sins, while crafting an extremely captivating story, guaranteed to pull you in, you are so close to "there" when you read Mullen's novels, and this wonderful offering, about a few individualized who were quietly heroic, almost - is a gift that Mullen's deserves to feel proud to give us.


Until next time (my I do go ON, although this author deserves kudos for DAYS). Well, just set aside this clumsy "love letter to this author's talent" and as soon as it is on the shelves pick up a copy of The Rumor Game!

Thank you NetGalley for this book and allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed reading this book, while I’m not typically a fan of historical fiction I liked that this book still gave me the typical aspects of a thriller or crime novel.

Honestly in not the biggest HF fan, but this one kept me on the edge of my seat the absolute whole time. I liked that it has mystery, suspense, and it kept me guessing several times.

It was beautifully written and the author delivered in every way. Will from now on be incorporating more historical fiction books!

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen is a truly fantastic WWII era mystery.
Given this book is written by Mullen I didn’t except this story to be anything less than amazing and he really delivered here.
A riveting mystery that sucked me into this story and didn’t let up one bit.
I got pulled into the world and devoured this plot-driven mystery.
The story is gripping and has just enough twists and turns.
Everything about this book was done so well. And I look forward to more.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen is an entertaining WWII- era mystery that kept me entertained throughout.

I liked this historical fiction that has elements of mystery, suspense, intrigue, and kept me guessing several times. Devon and Anne were interesting and multi-faceted characters, and there was a large secondary character cast to keep the story line complex and intriguing. There were a few surprises and thrilling moments scattered throughout as the pace, conspiracy, and suspense heightened…all before coming to the conclusion and end.

I also liked how the author intertwined elements of historical events, groups, and facts within a novel of fiction. It definitely added an element of realism to the novel.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/27/24.

A suspenseful wwii era thriller novel. Nothing groundbreaking, but an enjoyable quick read. I'll be interested to see if the author continues writing these mysteries as there's potential for a whole series if well thought out. 4/5 stars.

📚Book Review 📚

First of all I would absolutely love to thank St. Martin's and NetGalley for allowing me early access to The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen with the publication date set for February 27th, 2024. I must say this is a much different type of book then I typically read. It was still fun nonetheless.

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

This book is set in war time and it does not let you forget it, with nearly everyone going who cares what is going on, there is a war. It is insane to think that is how life was at one point. And this book does use some racial slurs throughout the book. It is not all the time but it was there. Once again it is going for the time and it just makes you feel the hate the Jews or Black people got. And of course the corruptness of the police force and other high valued men. There was no getting away with anything if you were a target and this book proved that. One lady had to take off, the other was threatened, even the main guy had a big loss at the end of the story. And to think stuff like that really happened not too long ago.

The book has a few povs and towards the end it went down to two. It had some will-they won't-they moments, truly harsh realities, escaping reality, a strong female character who did not care what others thought, a sort of flirtatious man who loves the ladies, active war and the toll it causes. This book does paint such a vivid picture and you can place yourself in those people’s shoes. I would love to say more but it all builds up to the end as one thing leads to the next that leads to the next. Which I found entertaining. So if you thoroughly enjoy war era books, you will more than likely enjoy this one for sure.