Reporter Anne Lemire dispels harmful rumors by writing The Rumor Game. Ladies' Man, Special Agent Devon Mulvey works to stop industrial sabotage. The two meet when Anne's story on Nazi propaganda intertwines with Devon's investigation into the death of a factory worker leading the two on a deadly journey involving espionage, organized crime and domestic fascism. A power thriller, THE RUMOR GAME unfolds through alternate points of view of both Anne and Devon. The pace increases through several twists and turns leading to the explosive climax. Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction and mystery.

I enjoy murder mysteries set somewhere in the past: “The Rumor Game” by Thomas Mullen is set during World War II in Boston. The story is told by two distinct points-of-view: (1) An FBI agent; and (2) a young journalist with strong idealistic views on all things liberal. I recommend this book that is both well written as well as storytelling.

Thomas Mullen’s The Rumor Game is a thrilling historical novel set in post-World War II America, where lies, secrets, and political intrigue take center stage. This isn’t your typical "whodunnit"—it’s a gripping exploration of how rumors can fuel social unrest, transform lives, and spiral into dangerous territory. Mullen expertly crafts a story that feels both deeply personal and eerily relevant in today’s world of misinformation.

The plot revolves around a few central characters whose lives become entangled with a rumor about a local politician—a rumor that quickly spreads, causing ripples through the community. In a time when the threat of communism and paranoia were omnipresent, the stakes are high, and the consequences of believing or spreading a rumor are far-reaching. Mullen does an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere of the era, from the fear of the unknown to the ever-present tension of McCarthyism.

The book’s pacing is steady, drawing you in with its character-driven narrative. Mullen’s focus on personal relationships adds layers of depth to the story, making the stakes feel all the more emotional. His characters are well-developed and complex, each one navigating their own personal dilemmas as they’re forced to deal with the fallout from the rumor. What stands out is how these ordinary people are caught in the powerful grip of something much bigger than themselves—how a single lie can transform lives, sometimes for the worse.

The Rumor Game is a captivating historical fiction novel with thoughtful social commentary, complex characters, and a plot that twists in unexpected directions. If you enjoy tales that mix suspense with a deep dive into history’s darker corners, this one’s definitely worth picking up. Just be prepared: the line between truth and fiction is never as clear as it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

I love when I read historical fiction that teaches me about local history I didn't know, that was the case here. The author was inspired by journalist Frances Sweeney, who had a column for The Boston Herald debunking war rumors before it was shut down. Frances wrote exposes about the Catholic Churche's treatment of the Jews.

I've read past books by Thomas Mullen and am consistently impressed with his ability to create such compelling characters while weaving a great story. This book will be sticking with me for a bit. Looking forward to more by this author..

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen!

I was looking forward to enjoying a WWII book with the main character being a woman on a mission. And while I enjoyed Anne and her storyline the books fell flat at times just as it was ramping up storylines at various points. It starts strong and is set in Boston as a woman of dual religious ties tries to find her identity. She battles domestic fascists and racists with her reporting but then falls flat as secondary characters are dropped at will when their storylines seem to need a quick exit. Mullen is an excellent writer but I feel editors may have cut the story short for whatever reason.

Readers become invested in Anne and Devon's world and the friends/family surrounding them. The historical details and rich and draw the reader in and their romantic burn is perfectly timed without overpowering the real storylines of what Anne and Devon are investigating. Sadly jettisoned characters feel more like speedbumps because you feel like questions aren't answered sufficiently like most writers are wont to do with aside that closure for them. Not knowing the outcome of characters like Devon's father and the collaborators was a bit of a letdown because Anne and Devon did so much work to prevent the damage they could have caused. I'd enjoyed a follow-up about Anne and what she gets up to next in her life and as the war progresses. She was the character that drew me in the most and had me rooting for her to get a solid win with all the obstacles thrown at her.

I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and thrillers. It's a powerful and timely novel that reminds us of the importance of truth and the dangers of unchecked power.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

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.

This was a really interesting read. Not how I usually describe historical fiction, but I was fascinated by the subject. Living in Boston, and being Jewish, I had never heard of the Irish-Jewish conflict that happened in the years leading up to WW2. I shouldn’t be surprised that it existed—but it’s not talked about, not taught, and definitely hasn’t been written about widely.

The characters were lovable in their own ways—each had a personal mission. I love that their paths crossed, but didn’t love that their encounters gave the impression that this would have a romance element to it.

The author description of Boston in the 40’s was so immersive, I felt like I was walking down a street, or up to Charlestown, alongside the characters.

Overall, a well-written read that should be read widely!

This work of historical fiction presents a fascinating account of the efforts of pro-Nazi groups n the Boston area as the U.S. prepares to enter Europe in the Second World War. The story is well documented but told through the eyes of a young local reporter trying to track down false rumors about the war and an FBI agent whose investigations brings him in conflict with the bigotry of Boston police. Both the reporter and the agent are from the local community and have endured prejudice of their own. Their personal stories give them a determination to challenge their superiors and bring these traitors to justice.
The story is gripping and leads you to an understanding that our country was not as united in our fight against Hitler as propaganda would have you believe. It was also eye-opening to realize that the poor treatment of the Irish by the British in their homeland had a direct impact on how the police — many of whom were from the Irish community — felt about coming to the aid of the British against Germany.. Even more disturbing was seeing that antisemitism was deeply embedded in a large part of American society.
In general, this fast paced, well-written book added a dimension to my understanding of World War II and helped me see the complexity
of the situation, both politically and socially.

I absolutely loved it. A mystery set in the time period of World War II and it took place in Massachusetts, Boston and it’s surrounding areas. Many of the men are away at war and the women are working in factories helping build planes, parachutes, or help with the war effort anyway they can. This book touched on so many themes, feminism, masculinity, and anti-semitism was a primary plot point in the story. I did like that there were only two main characters and a few supporting characters. There was plenty of character development for the two main characters, Anne Lemire and Agent Devon Mulvey. I appreciated how the author brought these two characters together and subtly inserted the history of their acquaintance. Annie Lemire was one tough cookie with a good head on her shoulders, tenacious and thorough. Agent Devon was such a typical Casanova, but he definitely came with a bit of family baggage. The storyline moved along at a good pace, since these two were trying to solve a murder. The narrator did a wonderful job with voicing the different characters and pronouncing the litany of different cities surrounding Boston. I have to admit that every time she said “Dorchester,” I was waiting for that Bostonian accent to come out and pronounce it as “Door Chester!” This was an entertaining historical novel, that was a quick read. I will have to check out Thomas Mullen’s backlist, I have a feeling that I will enjoy his books.

Decent historical fiction set during WWII. A reporter and an FBI agent investigate an isolationist group trying to keep America out of the war. It was a little heavy handed at times.

What I liked about this book:

1. WW2 era book that takes place in the US vs. overseas - really interesting.
2. Book was well written - in that it had good pacing and flow.
3. Liked the main character - Anne - strong female lead is always a favorite with me.

What I wished was different:
1. The context of the book felt shadowy and sinister which is normally a great thriller combination, but I had time staying engaged.
2. Some of the language was overused - I don't mind some, but thought was too much.



Thank you to the author Thomas Mullen, publishers Minotaur Books, and Net Galley for an advance digital copy

The Rumor Game comes from two different perspectives: Anne, a journalist and Devon, a FBI agent. The setting is Boston during WWII. I disliked Devon from his first appearance, which made getting into the story difficult for me. Anne was ok. The setting and plot were interesting, but I couldn’t get into the characters affecting my overall enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Thomas Mullen for the eARC.

Thomas Mullen’s The Rumor Game is a gripping historical thriller that shines a spotlight on the dangerous power of misinformation and prejudice.

Set against the backdrop of World War II Boston, the novel follows journalist Anne Lemire as she uncovers a sinister plot involving anti-Semitic propaganda and domestic terrorism.  

Mullen masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, while simultaneously offering a chilling commentary on the enduring nature of hate. The novel’s exploration of the ways in which rumors can be weaponized to sow discord and violence is particularly relevant in today’s world.

I found the Rumor Game to be an unexpectedly delightful historical mystery involving a young female reporter seeking to dispel rumors and gossip in wartime Boston. Anne, the young journalist, is tasked with identifying and disproving the harmful wartime rumors floating around town. While much of her job is routine and mundane until she comes around a story that is much larger than she expects.

The story was compelling and fast-moving, which kept me engaged. I appreciate that this books has multiple different story lines that unfold at different times, which makes it more than a standard thriller/mystery. I also found the characters to be likeable despite their flaws and somewhat questionable life choices. The possible love interest between Anne and Agent Devon Mulvey also added to the story's interest.

Overall, I would rate this book 4 stars and hope that there is possible sequel in the works at some point so I can read more about Anne. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. I will post reviews on post this review on Goodreads, Bookbub, Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen a story set during WWII that follows a reported named Anne who is a reported with a newspaper column called The Rumor Game where she researches Rumors around Boston. While she aspires for bigger things, She finds out she is part Jewish after her father's death as she was raised Catholic. This story also follows Devon, an FBI agent to find spies and sympathisers.

I typically do not prefer historical fiction but I enjoyed this story.

Thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of The Rumor Game via NetGalley.

"The Rumor Game" by Thomas Mullen is a gripping historical thriller set in World War II-era Boston. The story follows two unlikely allies - reporter Anne Lemire and FBI agent Devon Mulvey - as they navigate a web of rumors, misinformation, and rising antisemitism in the city.

Mullen skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, from Anne's investigation into the spread of Nazi propaganda to Devon's probe into the death of a factory worker. The novel is particularly timely in its exploration of the dangers of disinformation and the way prejudice can quickly spiral out of control.

The characters are well-developed and compelling. Anne is a determined and principled journalist who refuses to back down in the face of threats, while Devon is a complex figure - an outcast in his own right who must confront his own biases. Their burgeoning romance adds an emotional layer to the high-stakes plot.

The novel's historical setting is vividly rendered, with Mullen capturing the tensions and fears of a nation at war. The threat of fascism hits close to home as the characters uncover a sinister plot by the Christian Legion, a group of anti-Semitic agitators.

While the pacing can be uneven at times, "The Rumor Game" is an engrossing read that will keep you turning the pages. Mullen's sharp writing and keen eye for detail make this a standout historical thriller.

Fans of Mullen's previous works like "Darktown" will find much to enjoy here, as will readers who appreciate well-researched fiction that sheds light on little-known corners of history. "The Rumor Game" is a timely and thought-provoking novel that reminds us of the power of truth in the face of hatred and fear.

The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen is well written historical thriller with a strong and intelligent female protagonist.

Set during WWII this novel will have younengrossed from the start

The Rumor Game is set in Boston during WWII and it was a change from the usual European WWII locations I read. So that part of the story intrigued me immediately. The book is dual POV with the first being Anne, a reporter for a newspaper who mostly disproves local rumors, and Devon, FBI special agent. Eventually their jobs cause their stories to intertwine as they both investigate organized crime and more.

I found both main characters well-written and interesting but I do wish I would have felt more of a connection between them. The plot was solid but it did feel drawn out through the middle which made it hard for me to get excited about picking it back up. But overall, a decently entertaining historical suspense novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.