The Rumor Game is set in Boston during WWII and explores what was going on with Americans as many were divided about the U.S. becoming involved with the war. This novel is told from two different points of view. One is that of an FBI agent and the other of an idealistic young journalist who wants to stop the antisemitic and other hateful rumors targeting marginalized groups. The story revolved around Anne and Devon trying to discover what was really going on in Boston as pamphlets and then ultimately a murder begins to show some serious crime is happening and the local cops are doing nothing about it.

This book had some good moments but ultimately wasn't for me. I did like Anne, who was a strong female character but Devon, the FBI agent was a little off putting to me. I wanted more connection between these two characters. This book was well written and did move along but it felt like more of a true crime novel than a thriller. The author did include an author's note which told what events were true and what was not. I always appreciate this in a historical fiction book.

This book was so well written I couldn't put it down. I like how it starts out with Anna.Writing Is a rumor Call. C o l u m n For a newspaper called star in Boston in the 40s.. She was a Anti fascism Because she felt the christian league was up to no good. She also ran across a man she wen She used to play his name was devon. F b I guy trying to figure out this murder which took place in the boston north end based on factory who made ammunition and guns for the war. This is really interesting because there's a lot of things in this book which hit home. How the jews were being attacked in dorchester and how they were trying to figure out why this was happening. People in the factory really do not want to talk to him. But there was so many different plots and twist. S it was like a love story. Mixed in with like a murder mystery. Devon's father was also part of the christian league with a lawyer named nell. They were spreading hate around the community through pamphlets. I Anna wanted to be a writer and she graduated from radcliffe. She wrote a column called rumors for the newspaper called the stars and she wanted to see if they were two or faults. She did a lot of crazy things to prove herself. She had a brother named Sammy and somehow he got involved in this murder. You're talking about the dirty cops as well. D e v o n was irish and he had a Cousin named Brian , who is part of this christian leg. I like how the story We'll through different aspects of the time in the 40s..

A little bird flew onto my windowsill to tell me all about this fantastic historical thriller called The Rumor Game. Set in Boston in the year 1943, the story follows two characters: one, Anne, is a newspaper reporter who has a gossip column dedicated to the dispelling of wartime rumours. When her 17-year-old brother is attacked by a young gang targeting him for being half-Jewish, Anne wants to write about the story in her column, only to meet resistance at every level (including that of her source, who doesn’t want to see his name in print). Investigating these beatings further takes Anne down a whole new rabbit hole of treachery and corruption. The other main protagonist is Devon, a philandering, Irish Catholic FBI agent who is investigating the murder of a Jewish man who worked at a federal munitions factory. Soon, a crate of machine guns goes missing from the factory, leading Devon and his brass to think that there’s a connection between the killing and something possibly much more nefarious — though the Bureau seems reluctant to find out by just how much. Anne’s and Devon’s worlds seem to be very different, but they soon collide as both stories overlap with the other’s. And, yes, the birdie said excitedly, “There’s even romance!” So, as you can probably tell, there’s an awful lot of plotting in this book as red herrings get uncovered and plot twists involving disparate subjects such as union politics, pro-fascism leagues, and the Italian mafia get thrown into the mix.

There are a few things that are striking about The Rumor Game. One is that Boston is as much of a character as the human inhabitants of this story. We go to the dockyards where German threats may be lying in wait, we visit the various ethnic neighbourhoods where people of diverse ethnic origins exist in uneasy relationships with each other, and we even get a mention of “The Town,” or a certain area that’s known for being predominately Irish. However, that’s not all that the book has going for it. As the book is heavily driven by its roller-coaster plot, the tone of the book is conversational. While some may frown at author Thomas Mullen’s penchant for telling more than showing, it’s almost a necessity given the whiplash pacing of the book. As a thriller, the book succeeds, and perhaps too much as one is never sure where the plot is going, and, if you looked too closely, you might find some dangling plot threads or the odd MacGuffins that crop up and go nowhere.

Still, there is much to enjoy about this novel, including its characterizations. Anne is tough, yet vulnerable, and is likable as well as being tenacious in her job. And Devon is a man who wants to redeem himself for not signing up for the war effort. Anne’s and Devon’s coupling is pleasant enough and goes into some non-clichéd places. And this is also a book about family ties, and the bonds of loyalty that permeate through them through bloodlines and ethnic lines. (Devon wants to douse water on any flames that might be stirred up in his Irish community by getting to them first.) However, if you looked closely, this is a book that forwards the agenda of film noir (even if it isn’t a film — at least, not yet!) In film noir, we had protagonists working outside of corrupt institutions, such as the police, seeking to right wrongs outside of the system. In The Rumor Game, the main characters either work for major newspapers or federal departments, which are seen to be influenced by outside forces. It turns out that everywhere the characters turn, corruption and crime are everywhere and go hand in hand. To get things done (and move that zippy plot along), the characters have to act independently of the system, bending or outright breaking the rules — even if doing so could cost them their jobs or worse. It is the extent of the corruption that is striking here — there are no safe harbours — which is probably apt as the nation of the book’s setting is in wartime. To that end, the book is relevant even today — the overtones of antisemitism being felt in the current world are an echo of what is faced by Anne in this book, a problem that has never quite seemed to successfully go away.

All in all, that little birdie was right to be chipper about this read. Although it is a little long and goes into places that it doesn’t have to — we’re taken into a union meeting even though it has hardly anything to do with the main plot — overall, the book is a success and is wildly entertaining. A lot of research went into this (as detailed by the author’s note at the end of the novel) and it shows in spades in this wonderfully vivid recreation of World War II America. This is a book that knows how to grab readers by the throat and never let go, but it also has an educational function to it as well — to remind people of what it was like to live in the middle of a global conflict. Believe all rumours that you might hear about this book: The Rumor Game is a lively thrill-ride romp through the streets and alleyways of 1940s Boston, and proof that one should never be afraid to listen to the birds when they drop by on your windowsill with book recommendations for those who like this sort of thing. Worth examining by history and World War II buffs.

Book Review: The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen
Published by St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books, February 27, 2024

★★★☆☆ (3.25 Stars!)

Dorchester, Boston, MA

It is wartime. Out at sea, German U-boats are lurking as "The Battle of the Atlantic" rages on.

Enter Anne Lemire, raised Catholic with a French Canuck /Jewish working class background. She's a young gossip columnist for a fictional Boston daily called the "Star". Her gossip column called "The Rumor Clinic" picks up news tidbits based largely on hearsay (see excerpt below). Think NY Post Page Six, a fledgeling Rona Barrett or Cindy Adams, sans the gravitas and clout.

With the country in war footing, she tries to make herself relevant by taking on more serious matters, as in exposing the sexual abuse of the women of the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) in army bases, and instances of racism, treason, religious strife and antisemitism particularly those which fall close to home, being Jewish herself.

// Excerpt:
"....It had taken two days to chase this particular rumor down, but the gist was: the barkeep in Scollay Square said he’d heard it from a lawyer. The lawyer had caught wind of it from the secretaries. The secretaries all blamed Doris, the new one. Doris told Anne she’d heard it from a friend of hers, Marty. Marty? He lived in Central Square. He’d heard it from his buddy Joe, who’d heard it from his pal Mikey, who’d heard it from Hank..." //

Enter the novel's "Mulder", Devon Mulvey, Lemire's former neighbor, now a FBI Special Agent. He, in turn, is Irish, Catholic, comes from a wealthy family and is the son of John Joseph Mulvey, an isolationist (who still has IRA cousins in Ireland with severe grievances against the Brits), and a former business associate of prominent businessman and US Ambassador to Great Britain Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., who'd lobbied to keep his country out of the war with Nazi Germany.

The protagonists have their first date, despite the fact that he felt he was making a big mistake. // "She was some rabble-rousing leftist and a muckraking journalist..." //

It's neighborhood against neighborhood, tribe against tribe in author Thomas Mullen's fictional wartime Boston. At almost every turn, a clash of religions, races, colors of skin and countries of origin.

Replete with racial epithets, slurs and offensive cliches, the author uses the most despicable terms in his writing which I can't include in this review lest I violate the community guidelines of most book review sites.

The bigotry and hatred in this book is so palpable, dripping with vile, you could taste it.

And so tiresome too.

-----

Mullen's historical fiction genre appears to be molded on a divisive bend, fixated on systemic racism and identity politics. His 2016 novel "Darktown", set in 1948 Atlanta also explores "...race, law enforcement, and the uneven scales of justice..."

I'm fairly certain that there is an audience for this book, but it isn't exactly the type of historical fiction novel I'd care to read.

As I close the book, a certain war story comes to mind. The inspirational true story of Private Desmond Doss.

Private Doss was the Seventh Day Adventist conscientious objector, Medal of Honor awardee and hero of "Hacksaw Ridge", who, on that dreary night at the Maeda Escarpment (前田高地) in the Battle of Okinawa, at the risk of his own life, without carrying a gun, saved 75 American brothers-in-arms, inexhaustibly climbing up and down a rope. In the end, Doss cried. He wanted to save even more.

Among those he saved were his own captain, Jack Glover, a white protestant who'd put him in jail on non-aggression charges as he refused time and time again to carry a weapon. Along with 74 other brethren without regard to race, color, religion or national origin, exactly the same lot whom Mullen portrays in tribal warfare in wartime Boston.

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley.

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the ALC/ARC!

📰 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 📰
If you are looking for a very well researched, historical fiction mystery story set during the WWII era, look no further! The events in this book were very well thought out and researched by the author, based on similar events taking place around the Boston area.

The story features two characters Anne and Devon, both entangled in different aspects of the politically charged climate of the time. Devon is an Irish Catholic and Anne is half Irish and Jewish, in an area where a lot of anti-Jewish propaganda was going around. Devon works for the FBI and Anne is a reporter with a column called The Rumor Clinic, where she hunts down wild rumors of the time to prove them false.

A murder in the area draws both of these characters together, partly by circumstance and part from a shared history. They both have resources to help the other out and they both have reasons to not trust one another!

I admired Anne’s strong willed nature to chase down a story and to try to bring the correct information to light. I didn’t connect as well with Devon, although that may be because he had more character flaws to work through, and I think that was how he was supposed to learn and grow in the time period and climate he was in.

The ending of the book left me wanting a bit more information about the characters futures, but I can also understand why it ended how it did… during a time period of uncertainty.

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
📰 WWII Historical Fiction
📰 Boston in 1942
📰 Murder Mysteries
📰 War-fueled Propaganda
📰 Dual POV - FBI Agent and Female Journalist

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review The Rumor Game on NetGalley.

Published: 02/27/24

Stars: 1

Disappointing. I was exhausted, mentally fatigued. I was drawn to the Boston backdrop. However, I didn't anticipate such language. Every slang for every ethnic group, culture is used.

I was uncomfortable. I feel like there was a hidden agenda. I'm not giving the book any more credence.

The Rumor Game reads like a murder mystery historical fiction mashup. Based on actual events, the book takes place in the Boston in the 1940's. There are lots of interesting characters ranging from the FBI, reporters, the mafia and I found this to be an informative and entertaining read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a bit of a wild ride. I LOVE Anna and her take-no-shit and go-get-'em spirit, even though she gets into some scary & tight spots because of that spiritedness! The parallels to today's anti-Semitism and anti-anything not-white are quite terrifying to me. We really have not come that far and this book highlights that. This was my 1st book by Thomas Mullen but will not be my last!

Story set in Boston diring WWII. Anne Lemire writes a weekly column called the Rumor Clinic
that details the real story behind rumors. Anti-Semitic pamphlets being distributed have resulted
in Jews being attacked. Ann's investigation into uncovering who is behind the pamphlets leads to
crossing paths with FBI agent Devon Mulvey. Devon is investigating the murder of a munitions
plant worker. Is it because the worker was Jewish or is it industrial sabotage? The police, politicians, clerics
and the Mafia are all in the mix of misinformation. When Anne and Devon become targets, who can they
trust?
#TheRumorGame #NetGalley

Historical fiction meets mystery, fast paced and twisty throughout. The mention of Civil Air Patrol made my day! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Historical fiction set in Boston during World War II. Anne Lemire writes a gossip column that debunks mostly war time rumors not realizing at first how dangerous that can become. She involves herself in a story that surrounds a murder and other crimes and the real danger begins. Devon Mulvey from a neighborhood family is an FBI agent assigned to the Boston area. These childhood acquaintances re-meet and Devon agrees to aid Anne as she embroils herself in peril. Fighting corruption and prejudice while the political climate is taut these two take their stand.
Highly entertaining work during a difficult time in US history. Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books.

Anne Lemire writes the Rumor Clinic, a newspaper column that disproves the many harmful rumors floating around town, some of them spread by Axis spies and others just gossip mixed with fear and ignorance. Tired of chasing silly rumors about Rosie Riveters' safety on the job, she wants to write about something bigger.

Special Agent Devon Mulvey spends his weekdays preventing industrial sabotage and his Sundays spying on clerics with suspect loyalties while wooing the many lonely women whose husbands are off at war.

When Anne’s story about Nazi propaganda intersects with Devon’s investigation into the death of a factory worker, the two are led down a dangerous trail of espionage, organized crime, and domestic fascism.

This historical fiction novel takes on a subject I previously knew nothing of. It's easy to imagine rumors flying around at a time like that, but I never knew there was active attempts at disproving them. I enjoyed following Anne along as she worked to uncover the truth. Devon's story is more familiar but interesting as well.

It takes some time for the stories come together. At times I wished for a faster pace because there is a lot of detail to get through. There is an overall fun voice to the narration that I think readers will enjoy.

The Rumor Game is set in the racially divided neighborhoods of Boston in 1943. War fever, isolationist fervor, racial and religious hatred create a potent stew. The two main characters, a journalist and an FBI agent find their jobs and their personal lives entwined in dangerous and threatening ways.

The tension from this atmosphere is very well done. Neither the characters nor the reader know who they can trust. Mullen reminds us that racial hatred is a long-standing theme in American society, and that today's political nationalism and isolationism is nothing new.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I think I am over the WWII historical fiction that seems to have taken over the genre. I did like that this is set in the U.S. (more specifically, Massachusetts), because I think a lot of Americans think we were all in agreement about the war. And I did get the feeling that Anne was a more grown-up Nancy Drew in her sleuthing as a reporter. Devon was just okay. I liked the fact that the book showed the prejudices against Catholics and Jews. And let's not forget the way women were treated during that era.

I considered giving up at around 40% because the beginning of the book was just so overwritten and could have been much tighter, but I persevered. It ended up being a good book for me, but not great.

In 1943 Boston Anne Lemire is a reporter whose column debunks rumors and misinformation. Her editor prefers lighter columns, like disproving that women with perms could have their heads explode if working in the munitions factory. Anne would prefer to write something with more substance. She has been looking into the antisemitic propaganda that has been appearing, blaming the war on the Jews. There have been a number of attacks against Jewish residents, including her brother Sam. Devon Mulvey is an FBI agent responsible for preventing industrial sabotage at the munitions factory. When one of the workers is murdered, it leads to the discovery of missing rifles. Ann stumbles upon a plot to use counterfeit ration cards to discredit the Jewish community when she traces the propaganda to a warehouse. Her investigation crosss over into Devon’s and they have a common goal, but neither is in a position to share everything that they know.

Devon is a ladies’ man. He knew Anne as children and when he encounters her again there is an instant attraction. She is different from the other women he has met and he feels a respect for her. While he is working for the FBI, his father and other family members freely express their antisemitism and are working against America’s involvement in the war. Anne has been dealing with the attacks in her community and the indifference of the police, making it difficult to trust Devon. Thomas Mullen’s excellent historical fiction is atmospheric and you can feel Anne’s frustration as she deals with the corruption, the rationing and the community’s fear. This is a book that is highly recommended. I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

Set in World War II-era Boston, this gripping novel follows the intersecting paths of determined reporter Anne Lemire and reluctant FBI agent Devon Mulvey as they navigate a city teeming with espionage and domestic fascism.

Anne's column, "The Rumor Clinic," exposes the dangerous rumors circulating in town, shedding light on Axis spies' machinations and dispelling fear and ignorance. However, she yearns to tackle weightier subjects than Rosie Riveters' safety, leading her to delve into Nazi propaganda.

Meanwhile, Devon, grappling with his own complexities as one of the few Catholics at the FBI, juggles his duty to prevent industrial sabotage with his personal pursuits. When Anne's investigation collides with Devon's probe into a factory worker's death, they're thrust into a perilous journey fraught with espionage and organized crime, unearthing their tangled pasts and threatening to engulf the city in violence.

Mullen's masterful storytelling weaves a tapestry of vibrant historical detail, enveloping readers in the atmospheric setting of wartime Boston. The narrative's timely exploration of disinformation and power resonates profoundly, offering insights that reverberate in today's world.

"The Rumor Game" is a riveting thriller that captivates from start to finish, with its intricate plot and compelling characters keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Mullen once again proves himself a formidable storyteller, delivering a thought-provoking tale that lingers long after the final page.

If you’ve never read Thomas Mullen before, I consider him best known for his historical mysteries with strong themes of prejudice, racism, hatred, corruption, and violence. His latest historical thriller, The Rumor Game, is set in Boston, Massachusetts during World War II and centers around a newspaper reporter and an FBI agent whose work intersects leading to dangerous consequences.

A well-paced story that instantly transports the reader to Boston in 1942, Mullen quickly and effectively builds the sociopolitical context for the mystery. The US has joined WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Boston in the early 1940s is filled with anti-Jewish sentiment across the different communities. Tensions among different groups have escalated from unrest to fascism, brutality, violence, and targeted attacks.

Journalist Anne Lemire writes a newspaper column called the Rumor Clinic that debunks false information and rumors spreading around the city. Many of these stories gain traction quickly and lead to dangerous consequences when the information is untrue. One of the stories she is working on revolves around allegations that a doctor at Fort Gillem in Georgia is performing illegal abortions on women in the WAAC (non-combat roles in the army) impregnated by soldiers. Anne rapidly debunks allegations from sources and gathers the information she needs to correct the damaging story. Anne’s Jewish background and her political leanings prompt her to pursue a story about local gangs targeting Jewish kids.

Meanwhile Devon Mulvey is an FBI agent who engages in…extramarital activities with married women. Almost exclusively married women, and not because he targets them but because most women happen to be married after the rush of proposals before soldiers were shipped out to war. In the same way that Anne’s Jewish heritage make her an outsider in many parts of the city, Devon’s Irish-Catholic background make him an outsider within the FBI ranks. Furthermore, it leads to problems within his community because he feels guilt investigating his own people.

When Devon is called to investigate the murder of a Jewish refugee whose body was found with a swastika drawn on a cocktail napkin, he finds himself at odds with the Boston Police Department. Meanwhile Anne’s brother Sammy is attacked by an Irish gang, leading her to pursue deeper investigations into antisemitism. When Anne and Devon’s paths cross, they find themselves with a common cause in their investigations into the Christian Legion.

This is a politically charged novel which can make it heavy to read. A quick pace and interesting leading characters pull the reader into the story. The partnership (if you can call it that) between Anne and Devon is rocky. Their backgrounds prevent them from really trusting one another, despite a romantic connection between the two that seems ill-fated.

A compulsive historical thriller with a strong emphasis on prejudice and political unrest.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.

This is a surprisingly timely novel even though it takes place during World War II. It is all about hatred, antisemitism, racism, and the spread of hatred and misinformation. It raises some important questions. How far is it okay to bend the rules during wartime? Also, does family loyalty really trump all no matter the circumstances?

The book has a quite interesting but rather complicated plot with numerous characters. Accordingly, it is often hard to keep track of who is who and what exactly is going on. Most of the characters are extremely morally ambiguous even the two main characters. While Anne and Devon's tenaciousness and seeming desire to get to the truth and see justice served are admirable, their willingness to take unnecessary risks and bend the rules to suit their needs is not. However, their less admirable traits do add to the excitement of the story.

If you are looking for a book that plays like an action movie, this one definitely fits the bill. However, if you are in it for the romance, you will probably be disappointed. On the whole, the story is intriguing and remains interesting throughout. but even though in the end the mystery is satisfactorily resolved, some parts of the ending are not as satisfactory.

Thank you to the author Thomas Mullen, publishers Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE RUMOR GAME. All views are mine.

Some mistruths were born of ignorance, almost innocent in their lack of understanding about the world. Some were initially harmless, more mistakes than outright lies, until they were repeated often enough to convince a critical mass of people, in which case they became dangerous. Then there were the deliberate mistruths that all but dripped with venom, sharpened like fangs ready to sink into gullible flesh. Loc.30

THE RUMOR GAME by Thomas Mullen quite surprised me, but once I adapted to concept of a *spy* game from a more harmless, or at least domestic sort, I began to appreciate what I was reading. Stylistically speaking, this book is quite good and interesting. Beyond that, this book gives a detailed perspective of immigrant life in the US at the time of WWII. Fascinating insights on domestic spy activity and the immense pressure people faced from the government due to ideological suspicion. I recommend this one for readers of WWII fiction or US historical fiction or domestic spy stories.

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 . 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑤𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟 𝑢𝑝 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒’𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛. 𝐴𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑢𝑛. Loc.1269

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. Many WWII novels take place in Europe, or maybe the Pacific islands. I like that this book takes place in domestic, suburban US, and shows the affects fascism and tge war efforts on different kinds of Americans.

2. Some really great insights about the limitations women experience when meeting the social demands and commands of the many institutions holding authority over them.

3. I like the inclusion of union subplot. I don't come across it much and I think it's important history.

4. I adore that Mullen delivers dialogue in summary. It allows for an interesting distant and thus transparency on the narrative that is very entertaining.

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. This book is so over written at the outset, a common issue: Loc.636

2. One of the main reasons I chose this book is the title, which it turns out is an ill fit.

3. I didn't enjoy repeated use of the word
"n---o"; I found it unnecessary and thus inappropriate.

4. Characters are a bit impenetrable. This could a style issue, actually.

Rating: 🪖🪖🪖 / 5 war stories
Recommend? Maybe, for fans of WWII
Finished: Feb 24 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle
Read this book if you like:
⏳️ historical fiction
🪖 WWII stories
👩‍✈️ women's rights and feminism
🚔 law enforcement procedurals

What a timely novel. Truly, it could've been written about this day and age, considering some extremist movements taking place in our nation. However, the story takes place in 1943, at the height of the unease about the US entering WWII. Strangely, this is one of 3 books I have read this past week that took place in the USA during or shortly after WWII, and it has been fascinating to see how the US handled rising tensions of the time - not so dissimilar to today's strategy, tbh. Although I have always assumed the US was strongly united in their views during this period in history, I learned from these novels and further research that this couldn't be further from the truth.

Mullen did a fantastic job writing this story from a dual third-person limited POV. I appreciated him throwing in the history of both the pro-fascist and the anti-semitic movements of the time through the eyes of the protagonists. It seems as though Mr. Mullen really did his homework as we take the journey with Anne, a determined reporter, and Devon, a rather licentious FBI agent in this combined historical fiction/murder mystery novel.

I loved that it took place in Boston! Having been born in MA, and later spending every summer in the area, I felt drawn to the setting and immigrant characters. Mullen's character development was very well done.

If you're looking for an enlightening read that gives readers hope that the US can pull through even the most divided and trying times (such as we find ourselves now), look no further!

So grateful to partners, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this gifted review copy.