really enjoy historical fiction, and a mystery/thriller element is a clear added bonus, but just could not get into this one. While the through line seemed promising, a lot of the scene setting just felt so heavy handed and, at times, repetitive. For me, the characters fell flat, and I had to encounter the worst sign of all time with an audiobook: catch myself needing to jump back repeatedly because I kept losing focus on the narrative.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the audiobook!

The blurb for THE RUMOR GAME by Thomas Mullen caught my attention, and I wanted to listen to it. “A determined reporter and reluctant FBI agent face off against fascist elements in World War II-era Boston.” I love historical fiction novels in which a woman has a crucial role, especially when they aren’t considered equal citizens. This one was interesting because Anne is a reporter working with Devon, the agent, and they have to work past the man vs. woman issue, Irish vs. Catholic vs. Jewish in Boston, the Mob vs. everybody, and the war going on overseas.

I was drawn in right away by Mullen’s writing. He’s excellent at describing places that made me feel like I was in Boston during WWII. Each person had details that made it easy to tell them apart and figure out whether I should trust them—sometimes, my trust changed as the story progressed! THE RUMOR GAME could easily be called The Trust Game since it’s all about figuring out who can trust who, as neither main character knows who to trust or if they even trust each other.

It’s a WWII book set in Boston during 1942, which was not an easy time, so you should expect some rough moments. But you should also expect some good ones. People have been discussing Jewish joy books, and I wouldn’t put this under that label. But I would put it under Jewish strength and resilience.

Megan Tusing did an excellent job as the audiobook narrator. The different voices were wonderful, but I especially loved the passion and fierceness of Anne’s voice.

If you like an excellent historical fiction mystery, pick this one up!


Content warnings: antisemitism, violence, racial slurs, religious bigotry, sexual harassment, war

World War II-Era Boston Thriller

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen is set in Boston during World War II. The novel follows two central characters: Anne Lemire, a determined newspaper reporter, and Devon Mulvey, an FBI agent. Anne writes a column dedicated to debunking Nazi propaganda and other destructive rumours, while Devon is investigating a series of antisemitic attacks, including the murder of a Jewish refugee. Their paths cross as they both look into the fascist elements threatening their city, and they find themselves entangled in a complex web of violence, prejudice, and political intrigue.

The Rumor Game stands out as a thought-provoking historical thriller that skillfully combines elements of mystery, romance, and social commentary. Mullen's characters are well-developed, and the plot is both engaging and informative. The novel's strengths lie in its historical accuracy and the relevance of its themes to contemporary issues of propaganda and misinformation. However, the pacing might feel slow at times, which could detract from the overall suspense for some readers.

Overall, The Rumor Game is a recommended read for those interested in historical fiction and stories that explore the darker aspects of human nature and society.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

The Rumor Game is a historical fiction mystery of a determined reporter and an FBI agent wrapped in Boston World War II.

The characters are what made me want to read this, reporter and FBI agent, yes, please. I enjoy the push and pull between these roles. For me, this is a very character-driven story they go through so much. Fighting rumors, family drama, and a dash of romance, cover important themes set around race, gender, fascism, and more.

We follow both Agent Devon Mulvey and reporter Anne Lemire. I enjoyed Anne's plot line and view from this story more than Agent Devon's character. Seeing as she is a woman during WWII she had to deal with more, and more pressure, and fight for herself in a man's world.

I listened to the audiobook and felt it was well done by Megan Tusing. I liked the different voices and tones, and the drama and tension that is written are transformed well into the audiobook version.

A World War II atmosphere fighting rumors, solving mysteries, and the sabotage that comes with people who think they are better than
others.

In Thomas Mullen's audiobook "The Rumor Game," narrated by Megan Tusing, listeners are transported into a gripping historical thriller set in World War II-era Boston, where a determined reporter and a reluctant FBI agent confront fascist elements amidst the backdrop of rising antisemitism in America.

Megan Tusing's portrayal of the characters immerses listeners in the story, bringing to life the complexities and tensions that unfold as reporter Anne Lemire and Special Agent Devon Mulvey navigate a dangerous web of espionage, organized crime, and domestic fascism. The immersive storytelling captivates audiences, drawing them into a world where disinformation and power collide.

The synopsis introduces Anne Lemire, who writes the Rumor Clinic column to debunk harmful rumors circulating in town, and Devon Mulvey, an FBI agent balancing his duties investigating industrial sabotage with uncovering Nazi propaganda and domestic threats. As their paths converge in a perilous investigation, the audiobook delves into timely issues of espionage, loyalty, and the dark undercurrents of prejudice during a tumultuous period in American history.

Thomas Mullen weaves a vibrant historical atmosphere and a riveting mystery that sheds light on the insidious nature of disinformation and the consequences of unchecked power. The exploration of antisemitism in America during World War II adds a layer of depth to the narrative, challenging listeners to confront the uncomfortable realities of discrimination and persecution on home soil.

In conclusion, "The Rumor Game" is a powerful audiobook that combines Thomas Mullen's compelling storytelling with Megan Tusing's evocative narration to deliver a thought-provoking and immersive experience. Whether you're drawn to historical thrillers, mysteries that resonate with contemporary issues, or narratives that explore the complexities of human nature, this audiobook offers a captivating journey through a turbulent era in American history.

The Rumor Game is a fascinating story of Boston history that i knew nothing about.
Reporter Anne Lemire writes a column for the paper but is bored with the stories she is to write about. So she follows up a rumor that Nazi spies are alive and well in Boston and planning something big. She runs into Devon, who unbeknownst to her, works for the FBI trying to unearth some of the espionage. The two of them run up against the Church, Devon's father who is a bigwig in Boston, and people who simply don't believe that kind of treason is going on in Boston.
It took me awhile to get into the book but once I did, I found it hard to put down. The characters of Devon and Anne were okay, they could have been fleshed out more and of course there is a cat and mouse love story. The real attraction was the history itself. I was born after WWII and in school, we learned history and no bad guys lived in the US. Thomas Mullen does a bang up job of convincing us, his readers, that this was real, it happened and once again, I'm struck with what luck the Axis won the war. It could have so easily gone the other way.

I loved the narrator, she was using multiple accents and voices. But it wasn't enough for me to finish this audiobook. 40% through the book and I didn't really know what was happening. Or what was the point. Didnt finish.

Thank you netgalley for the prerelease audiobook.

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.

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Megan Tusing did an amazing job narrating this historical fiction story! She was very well spoken and articulate, making the story easy to understand. You could also feel the emotions through Tusing when Anne was in some nerve-racking situations.

🎧 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

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!

So this again was a very different take on WWII.

Anne Lamire is a journalist for a War Paper in Boston. She is in charge of writing the Rumor Clinic. A column that tries to debunk the many rumors floating about...ranging from woman helping in the war efforts getting pregnant, to finding out about pamphlets being passed around about Jews and their disloyalty. She investigates, and then reports on what is ACTUALLY going on.

BUT, she seems to have gotten herself into a big mess this time, and her life may just be in danger!

Then we have the handsome FBI Agent, Devon Mulvey. One of the few Catholics in the Dept. He has his own agenda, one that is NOT liked by many in his Catholic/Irish family...especially since there are many cops in that family.

Their lives intersect on a case, and they begin to investigate...kind of together, but not really, as they don't really know WHO they can TRUST at this point.

Seemed very realistic to me, and I was holding my breath on multiple occasions as the scenes played out!
Very scary at times to read what was going on during that time period for certain groups of people.

Terrific read, but I did not care for the ending. But then again, maybe this will be a series? I just feel like there were some gaping holes here...

In any case, 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which released on 2/27/24.

#TheRumorGame by #ThomasMullen and nicely narrated by #MeganTusing.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading!📚⭐️📖

Set in Boston during WWII, The Rumor Game is a historical thriller covering what is going on stateside while the war rages on across Europe. Anne Lemire is a reporter who writes the Rumor Clinic, a newspaper article that disproves the rumors floating around town. During her time covering the trivial rumors, Anne comes across a story that is bigger than what she’s worked on before and hopefully her big break. As she works on proving her story about Nazi propaganda to be true, Anne’s investigation intersects with Devon Muvey’s FBI investigation. together, the two are led down a path that could lead to uncovering espionage, dangerous crime and local fascism. This book takes the reader on an interesting journey rooted in the history of WWII and what was going on in the United States at this time.

When I picked this book up, I didn’t have any high expectations, but I was immediately pulled into this story and couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the way that Anne and Devon’s investigations were separate, but intersected in a way that pulled them together. This story was well written, easy to follow and build in a historical setting that was easily believable. I liked Anne and Devin’s characters and believe they worked well together. I’ve read a few WWII thrillers, but nothing set in the US and I enjoyed this new setting and the connection to the war. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am glad I got the chance to read it!

I hated being so disappointed. The book just dragged on and on. I am very interested in the time and the topic. We are practically falling into a reconstruction. Yet, this story was just boring. Nothing really happened, What a safe way to address all of this.

(rounded up from 4.5)

Thomas Mullen has a way of writing that pulls you into a story quickly. I loved his Blind Spots and I loved The Rumor Game too, which was a very different kind of story.

The Rumor Game takes place over a short period of time in the wartime summer of 1943 in Boston - and specifically in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. The main female character is Anne Lemire, who writes a column for the fictional newspaper, The Boston Star, in which she debunks various rumors, some of which sound ridiculous but were believed by a large number of people. And then there are the hurtful rumors, mainly focusing on the Jews of Boston, accusing them of all sorts of things - blaming them for the US being in the war at all, and then profiting from it, for example. The publisher’s blurb didn’t prepare me for how much the story centered on antisemitism. This was a major subplot of the story and it resonated with me, especially given the recent rise in antisemitism that we are experiencing in 2024. In addition to that, Mullen explores how much isolationism and fascist sympathy there still was in that area (and in other parts of the US, of course, but this book looks mainly at Boston). I didn’t realize that there was still so much isolationist sentiment in 1943. I found that fascinating and disturbing.

The other main character is Devon Mulvey, an FBI agent who is working to prevent sabotage of the local wartime industrial efforts. He is one of the very few Irish Catholic FBI agents. Lemire, on the other hand, is the product of the marriage of a French Canadian Catholic man and an Eastern European Jewish woman, the latter identity not being revealed until Anne was in her teens. Because of that identity becoming known, her family was then shunned in parts of Dorchester. Her younger brother Sammy has been beaten up by local thugs because of his identity - and he’s not the only one.

All of this was eye-opening to me. My husband grew up in another similarly ethnic part of Boston, but his mother grew up in Dorchester and reading this story made me wish so much that she was still alive so I could talk to her about her experiences at that time!

There’s a murder of a Jewish munitions worker that Devon winds up investigating and of course his path and Anne’s path cross. There are mob ties, racism (including discrimination in hiring at the munitions plant) and plots to create chaos in the city.

I moved back and forth between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Megan Tusing. She did a great job with both the female and male voices and the various accents.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Master storyteller Thomas Mullen returns following Blind Spots and his Darktown trilogy (loved)— Darktown, Lightning Men, and Midnight Atlanta with his latest THE RUMOR GAME— A riveting crime novel set in Boston during WWII—A perfect blending of crime, mystery, and American history.

Some of Mullen's previous books are set in Atlanta, where he currently resides, tackling racial injustices. THE RUMOR GAME is set in Boston, where he has family roots, with another riveting novel based on several pro-Nazi, anti-Semitic organizations that existed in the US after the country entered WWII.

Many members were arrested in 1940 by the FBI for hoarding weapons (some stolen from the National Guard Armory) and plotting to assassinate Jewish politicians. (Facist and Communist groups). Also, the distribution of anti-Semitic hate sheets contributes to hostile and violent environments.

The novel features and alternates between two main characters: Anne and Devon.

Anne Lemire, Jewish and raised Catholic, is an anti-fascist activist and reporter who writes for the Rumor Clinic but is tired of writing unimportant stories and wants to dig deeper into more in-depth topics. Her job currently is chasing down harmful war rumors.

She learned over the years through her reporting that there were different kinds of mistruths. Some are born of ignorance and lack of understanding of the world. Some were harmless, more mistakes than lies, until they were repeated often enough to convince a critical mass of people, in which case they became dangerous. Some lies were well-camouflaged, and some were obvious. The good news for her was that with each falsehood, there was the reward of chasing down and disproving. She loved her job.

Agent Devon Mulvey, Catholic, a handsome, philandering FBI agent who is quite the charmer and sleeps with married women whose husbands are at war. (he thinks confessing will make it ok). He is a bit of an outcast. He is to prevent industrial sabotage and spy on clerics with suspect loyalties. He is investigating a case of stolen munitions that ended in murder.

Anne's teenage brother, Sammy, is beaten up by an Irish gang targeting the city's Jews, and the national security concerns surrounding the fatal stabbing of Abraham Wolff, an employee of Northeast Munitions, bring Devon onto the case along with the Boston Police Department.

Devon finds himself at odds with the whole BPD, including his cousin, another officer.

The two intersect with the joint cases. They have known one another from childhood and are not sure they can trust one another, but they wind up in a romance complicated by their family involvements.

From Nazi flyers to counterfeit rations stamps, hoarding/stealing weapons, and corruption.

THE RUMOR GAME is meticulously researched, and the novel gives off a noir vibe with the time era and the smashing front cover, which draws you in. I loved Anne's character - tenacious and resourceful.

Masterfully written, the novel covers highly charged topics of prejudice, hatred, violence, and murder. The author has done his homework as usual with an extensive Author's Note, the inspiration behind the novel, and essential resources for further reading—an ideal book club pick.

This is the 6th book I have read by the author, and I thoroughly enjoy his writing and tackling important controversial topics of our history and how they collide with our present day. I highly recommend the author and all his books!

Mullen's inspiration (for Harold & Anne's project) ignited from a story from Arnold Beichman, 1943, "Christian Front Hoodlums Terrorize Boston Jews" in NY's PM Magazine.

He mentions some aspects of Anne's character were inspired by the Journalist Frances Sweeney, an Irish American writer who dedicated her life to exposing Fascists both before and during the war and who wrote a short-lived column debunking war rumors for the Boston Herald —until it was shut down via pressure from the Office of War Information which claimed the column did more harm than good. These stories and more will have you going down a rabbit hole to learn more!

AUDIOBOOK: I was fortunate to read the e-book and listen to the audiobook narrated by the talented and favorite Megan Tusing for an outstanding performance and listening experience. She made the characters come alive with emotion and suspense.

Thank you, St. Martins's Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley, for a gifted ARC and ALC for an honest opinion. #SMPInfluencers #CoverCrush

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 27, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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Early 1940s Boston

Lots of historical detail in this novel about WWII, racial tension and corruption stateside. The mystery kept my interest and had many twists and turns. FBI Agent Devon Mulvey and reporter Anne Lemire worked to uncover the truth. Both were willing to take risks to do the right thing. While I didn't love either main character, I had a lot of respect for how they handled their chosen vocations.

Great job by the narrator (Megan Tusing). Good cover!

This just wasn't my cup of tea. I found it a bit tedious and kept checking to see how much time was left. The narrator was quite good and did a wonderful job with all the characters.

This was an interesting tale of murder and mystery. I enjoyed the story, but I feel that those who are offended easily should beware this is full of racial epithets and racist slang for many different people groups. It was very cringey at points because of the words. I understand that this is how people spoke in years past, and the author was trying to be historically accurate, but it was a tad jarring at times, and slightly detracted from what was a good story overall.

The narrator was excellent. Well developed characters and engaging storyline, especially for historical fiction. It dragged a bit in places but really good overall and I felt that it tied up nicely.

Very well written novel with well developed characters that you feel a connection with and care about.
The narrator is excellent, maintaining a level of suspense while not overplaying the action. Will recommend particularly to those who enjoy historical fiction.