Thank you @williammorrowbooks #partner for making my dreams come true and sending me an early advanced reader copy.

Kate is one of my top all time favorite candidates-do-no-wrong authors that I will automatically buy no matter what. She is the queen of finding such amazing women and ideas to write about and this book just solidifies once again why I will forever read her books. This book is so rich with such wonderful people and ended up being one of my favorite tropes, found family. 🫶 I actually thought this book felt a bit different from her others that I have read over the years but different in a good way. Within the first few pages of this book I was completely absorbed and captivated by the womens boarding house called Briarwood. Each character has their own story and although there are a lot of characters in this novel, Kate flawlessly writes them so uniquely it was easy to keep everyone straight. I loved how everyone came from different backgrounds and places yet each found their place in this story! I also enjoyed how the book started out with a murder and then then slowly led up to what actually happened in between the rest of the story. Like I said, this book was perfectly executed, an easy 5 star and will keep me coming back for more. Do not miss the authors note in this one! It makes the story that much more interesting to think about!

Thank you so much to William Morrow for the gifted book!

This book started off SO WELL! It's basically a murder mystery from the first page and I was SO excited for how instantly drawn in I was. When a body is found in a women's boarding home in 1954, you know it's' going to be a crazy story!

The book starts out during Thanksgiving of 1954 and then is told mostly in flashbacks. Each flashback chapter is centered around one of the characters in the home and all of those chapters are LONG! To give you an idea how long, the book is 430 pages and there are only 9 chapters! There are very short chapters in-between each long chapter called "interstitials". Those chapters were definitely my favorite part because they dealt with the murdered woman in the house.

Of all the character's chapters, I really only felt connected to Nora and Fliss. Nora's chapter was incredibly well-written and I was CAPTIVATED the entire time. Since that was only chapter 2, I had extremely high hopes for the rest of the book. If that chapter was a stand-a-lone book (which it almost could be), I would rate it 5+ stars!

Unfortunately, all the other character's chapters dragged for me and I didn't need 50ish pages on each one of them, especially when it didn't always directly relate to the story I was most concerned with: the murder on Thanksgiving in 1954. I hate to complain about the length of a book since that's something that is easily known going into reading a book, but in this case so much of the character's background was just not necessary and could have been easily enjoyed had it been cut down to a 3oo page book.

This is the lowest I've ever rated a Kate Quinn book, but it just didn't work for me like I hoped it would! I'm still going to read what she puts out next!

A departure from a typical Kate Quinn book, but a good read, nonetheless.

In a cheap boarding house in 1950s Washington D.C., an eclectic group of women form friendships, keep secrets, and live their lives until one violent night changes everything.

Having read some of Kate Quinn's historical fiction books, I was expecting something along those lines. The Briar Club is very different. The book is more character driven than plot driven.

The book opens with a body being found in one of the rooms, but we do not learn who it is. Each subsequent chapter is told through the POV of a different character. The ladies who live in Briarwood House are an eclectic group of women, each with her own story and secret.

There were definitely some characters I liked better than others, meaning that I enjoyed some chapters more than others. The chapters were very long, as a character's story was told in each one, and each chapter also contained a recipe, which was interesting.

The setting in 1950s Washington D.C. made a good backdrop for the story. There are lots of historical references, with the main one being McCarthy's Red Scare.

If you like character driven books with a twist, I'd recommend this one.

A delectable novel set in a fascinating time in history. I love a good ensemble cast, and Kate Quinn knocks it out of the park with this one. Each section narrated by a different character, each one building on and enlightening the ones before and after it. So cleverly crafted, bringing us to a nail-biting climactic reveal. But what really sets this novel apart is the depth of character, the way their interactions change and uplift them, and the ultimate takeaway that community and friendship are what we really have in this world--no matter how divisive politics and the media can be. I loved it.

It’s 1950’s Washington, D.C. and Grace March has just moved into the tiny attic of the Briarwood women’s boarding house where the landlord is nosy and the rules are strict. Grace brings the hodgepodge group of tenants together for Thursday night suppers (when the landlord is at her bridge club) and the Briar Club is born. Each chapter, narrated by a different tenant, reveals more clues about the people and mystery at hand. Recommended for historical fiction fans who want a storyline they haven’t read before.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this story, so, at this time, I do not feel that I am able to give it an accurate review. I have seen many rave reviews and am a big fan of Kate Quinn, so I will need to come back to it.

I really enjoyed the journey of this one! The Briar Club follows Grace, Fliss, Nora, Beatrice, and Arlene, all residents of a boardinghouse in Washington D.C. in 1950. Each character had their own chapter, which kind of felt like mini books within this book. I was fascinated with their stories, and inspired by the challenges they overcame. This was a very powerful story about female friendships and I found myself loving and embracing each character even with their flaws. They were real, vulnerable, and unique and I loved getting to know all of them as their friendships blossomed. And to make this book better…I loved the thrilling mystery aspect woven throughout the story. It added a layer of suspense and the tension got REAL at the end!

Overall, I thought this book was well executed and kept me engaged despite the slow burn/long chapters. I think if you go in prepared that this is a long book with long chapters, then you will enjoy the journey. It’s not a book you can read in one sitting. Each character has her own story to tell and it was a pleasure reading about each one!

Also don’t skip out on the author’s note at the end!

If you are a fan of Kristin Hannah, be sure to add this one to your TRB!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about female friendships in a boardinghouse in Washington DC during the McCarthy era. The book is broken into several parts with a short chapter in between each section from the point of view of the house. It starts with a murder and many suspects and then breaks into what each had been doing up to the time of the event. It was a very entertaining story and I give it 4 1/2 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the digital ARC!

Kate Quinn takes readers inside a 1950 Washington, D.C. home called Briarwood House where a group of women rent cramped rooms on different floors but share one bathroom. We are shown in the first few pages a murder has happened but first we learn of the buildup to the killing. All the women have ho-hum jobs as they try to save money as the Communist Red Scare sweeps the country. When charismatic 30-something Grace March rents a fourth-floor room, she immediately forms pot-luck dinners and the women begin to bond. That said, each of the women withhold secrets about their current and past problems. This is a fine mix of historical fiction laced around a whodunit. Hint: The Briar Club would be a super choice for book clubs.

I couldn't wait to start this book and when the ARC became available I was beyond thrilled. Putting all other books aside I picked up my Nook and began reading, and reading. The beginning hooked me but, then that was it. The pacing was slow, the chapters overly long. I honestly, didn't see the purpose of the recipes being included into the story, they should have been a little extra treat at the end of the book. The different POV's were interesting but didn't grabbed my attention as much as the beginning had.


Thank you to NetGalley and to William Morrow for giving me a copy of the book.

A thoroughly enjoyable historical novel with great characters and lots of real history incorporated into the story. Loved the pages at the end that the author dedicated to each character and the real life people each was based on.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

If you love historical fiction, you are going to want to grab this upcoming release by Kate Quinn. While it took me a short bit to become invested in the story, once I was hooked, I was all in!

This book is set during the early 1950s at a women's boardinghouse in Washington DC. You have the backdrop of McCarthyism (the Red Scare), the Korean War, and the shifting attitudes about women who are trying to find their place at work and home as life has returned to somewhat normal post-WW2. The story opens in 1954 with two murdered women in the boardinghouse. Readers do not immediately know who they are until the story begins to unfold. Each chapter/part focuses on one individual boarder, her life, and how she interacts with others. Sometimes this involves flashing back to 1950 or so.

Kate Quinn can write multiple POVs and timelines with relative ease it seems. When you get close to the end and the little twist, you see the big picture behind the book. Additionally, and I thought this was kind of clever, the house is sentient and tells pieces of the story. This device is used between parts to connect one woman's story to another's. I liked it- it worked for me, but I can maybe see where it won't work for all readers.

Great read!

I throughly enjoyed this book! I love historical fiction. This was my first Kate Quinn book and I truly adored it. I had never read a book that took place during this time period and I learned a lot. There were so many different POVs but each character had really clear voices. Looking forward to reading more Kate Quinn books.

This story opens with 2 dead bodies in a woman's boarding house in 1950s D.C. This is the opening, The body of the book tells us how the two deaths came about and the identities of the victims. The backstory begins when Grace moves into the attic apartment of this grim boarding house. It is run by a grasping, self-absorbed mother of a teen age boy and young girl. The residents have always kept to themselves, ignoring each other except for occasional fights over bathroom privileges. Grace changes things, The house becomes a community. But the residents still have secrets, Grace included.

Kate Quinn should absolutely teach a masterclass on character development. Her talent for crafting compelling characters is unparalleled, drawing readers in within just a few sentences. This brilliance extends to her latest masterpiece, "The Briar Club."

"The Briar Club" brilliantly depicts a diverse group of women who protect, support, and love one another. Quinn excels at writing about women supporting women, weaving together camaraderie, loyalty, and empowerment into an inspiring tapestry.

The novel has the intriguing undertones of a whodunit while delving into significant historical moments. Quinn masterfully illustrates the backwardness of 1950s America, yet she also highlights the country's evolution through the perspectives of outsiders. Her nuanced portrayal beautifully balances flaws and progress.

"The Briar Club" explores an era many historical fiction authors avoid. As usual, Quinn masterfully balances humanity's darkest moments with its brightest, making readers reflect on the past while appreciating the present. This book is an experience that touches the heart and stimulates the mind, showcasing Quinn’s unmatched ability to blend historical insight with emotional depth.
Thank you to NetGalley & William Morrow for this ARC. I will read anything Kate Quinn puts out...including a grocery list.

I am ashamed to admit that this is the first book by Kate Quinn that I have ever read. I was quickly hypnotized by this amazing saga of women living in a Washington DC boarding house during the insane McCarthy years. The author pulled me into the complex lives of these amazing women. Quinn tells us each story, and involves the reader into the lives of the characters.

They are drawn together by the newest resident, Grace March. She manages to unite the residents and the struggling children of the cruel landlady into an ad hoc family. They begin by meeting for home cooked dinners, made on the hot plate of Grace’s tiny room. They are The Briar Club.

There is an unlikely narrator of the story, it is the house. She (is a house a she?) begins by taking us to a final Thanksgiving dinner that produces 2 murder victims. With that start, I was pulled into this compelling story. I was so taken by the novel and so curious about the victims that I spent a “sick” day at home finishing the book.

I can’t wait to share this book with my reading groups. I have already alerted my daughter that this is a must read. Thank you Netgalley for this incredible book and introducing me to Kate Quinn!

Like many, I'm a big fan of Kate Quinn, and I was especially intrigued by the time and pace setting of the book: the Cold War era in Washington D.C. There were several things I liked about this book (the writing was excellent, as was the historic detail and character development), but I will admit that I did not find it as strong and compelling as many of Quinn's books. Part of this might be do to the unusual structure (multiple points of view, each represented in a single long chapter) or with the inclusion of recipes (I'm not usually a fan) or the sentient house. All in all, I just found this to be a bit more "cozy" than my typical preferences in historical fiction. So though it was a decent read, I would definitely recommend others of Quinn's books (or other books from this era) when making recommendations to readers.

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn - eBook ARC
5 Stars!

Kate Quinn has once again proven herself a maestro of historical fiction with her latest masterpiece, "The Briar Club." Set against the opulent backdrop of New York City in the Roaring Twenties, this novel sweeps readers into a world of glamour, intrigue, and the secrets that lie beneath the glittering surface.

At the heart of the story are two captivating protagonists: Violet, a sharp-witted socialite navigating the complexities of high society, and Astrid, a talented but underestimated journalist hungry for the truth. Quinn skillfully intertwines their lives as they unravel a web of scandal and betrayal within the exclusive Briar Club, a bastion of wealth and privilege where appearances are everything.

Quinn's meticulous research shines through in every detail, from the sumptuous descriptions of flapper fashion to the lively jazz-filled nights that pulse with energy. The atmosphere is palpable, drawing readers into a world where champagne flows freely, and every whispered conversation holds the potential to unravel carefully guarded secrets.

The characters in "The Briar Club" are as vibrant as the era they inhabit, each with their own motivations and hidden agendas. Violet and Astrid's unlikely partnership is a delight to follow, their banter crackling with wit and intelligence as they navigate a world where power and influence are wielded like weapons.

Beyond the glamour and intrigue, Quinn explores deeper themes of class, gender, and the price of ambition. The novel deftly examines the societal constraints faced by women in the 1920s, juxtaposing the freedom of the Jazz Age with the rigid expectations of the upper echelons of society.

"The Briar Club" is not just a compelling mystery; it's a testament to Quinn's storytelling prowess. Her prose is as elegant as a Gatsby soirée, flowing effortlessly from one page to the next, keeping readers spellbound until the final revelation. Whether you're a longtime fan of Quinn's work or new to her novels, "The Briar Club" is sure to satisfy your craving for a richly textured historical tale filled with suspense and sophistication.

In conclusion, "The Briar Club" is a must-read for anyone who loves immersive historical fiction that transports them to another time and place. Kate Quinn continues to shine as a master of her craft, and this novel is yet another shining gem in her impressive literary crown. Treat yourself to a journey through the glittering streets of 1920s New York—you won't regret it.

Kate Quinn is an amazing writer and storyteller! Fans of historical fiction are going to love this one.
It is set during the Cold War in a women’s boarding house.
It starts on Thanksgiving 1954. There is a dead body and blood everywhere. We don’t know who’s dead or what happened. But we go back a few years to see what led up to that.
The women are each so different. But they come together each Thursday night for supper. It’s set up so each character has their own part in a chapter. The chapters are long but I was able to stop and start with no issues. I loved getting to know each character. It was almost like a short story each chapter.
There is soooo much history in this book and it’s so fascinating to read about it.
Definitely read the authors note at the end when you’re finished!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of Kate Quinn's newest historical novel. I loved The Rose Code and the description of this taking place in DC in a boarding house sounded like a story I would enjoy. Though some of her novels have some darkness and hard things, this took a lighter tone while still showing Quinn's great storytelling. There are still terrible things that the women go through in each of their stories, but the book is about this found family coming together over the years to support one another while we the reader try to figure out the overarching mystery set up in the prologue. I tried to figure out throughout the story how Quinn's novel structure would come together. I shouldn't have worried though because she pulled it off brilliantly! I loved being able to see the house from each woman's perspective at a point in time at this boardinghouse in Foggy Bottom. The only thing I would have liked more of is more DC. I thought the setting was a bit under utilized. All in all though, another great story by Kate Quinn!