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!

A powerful and heartwarming historical mystery about the power of women, friendship and found family. The Briarwood House has been home to legions of borders but with the arrival of Grace things start to change. Tenants become friends over Thursday night supper but there is more to all the women than meets the eye.

As much of a fan of Kate Quinn I am, I can say that in my opinion The Briar Club doesn’t meet the strength of her other books. The story and characters are lacking and compared to The Huntress or The Diamond Eye this book pales in comparison.

This is another great book from the very talented Kate Quinn. This one is set in 1950 Washington DC during McCarthy's red scare. The story is about the residents of an all-women boarding house, Briarwood House and how the arrival of the intriguing Grace March turns the disparate residents into a strong community. All the characters are interesting, as is the depiction of the fervent anti communist sentiment of the time. The book is fascinating, one of Quinn's best.

First of all, I LOVE Kate Quinn. I’ve read The Rose Code and The Diamond Eye, and I always recommend her for historical fiction fans…But this one was not for me. However, I do think it will be a hit for plenty of people.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
🐢 Slow, character driven books
❌ Long chapters (I’m talking 50 pages)
🕵️‍♀️ A little mystery
🦄 Unique structure
👯‍♀️ Female Friendships

The book starts off with a murder in The Briarwood House, so it immediately grabs you. Then, it goes back 4 years, and the murder is barely mentioned at all. There are little snippets at the end of each chapter from the house’s POV, but it wasn’t enough.

Each resident of The Briarwood House gets their own chapter (which is why they were so long). I thought this was a very unique way to structure the story, and while I enjoyed some of the women’s chapters, most I found slow and repetitive. We get told a lot of information instead of experiencing it with the characters.

The most mysterious lady, Grace, is hiding secrets. Of course her chapter was one of the last, but once we got there, the ending exploded 🙌. The last 50 pages had all the action and their friendships were put to the test.

While this book wasn’t for me, I can appreciate what Kate Quinn was doing here. She brought together a very diverse group of women during a rough time in our country and united them over Thursday supper club….and that is what people are going to love about this story.

This historical novel from Kate Quinn is a bit of a departure from her previous works. This 400-page book unfolds rather slowly, focusing on four of the many characters readers will meet at Briarwood House, a rundown boarding house in Washington DC. As is evident from the title, the house is a character of equal importance to the women who inhabit Briarwood House’s tiny rooms in the early 1950s. The Briar Club, which refers to the comaraderie among most the renters, Mrs. Grace March, takes care of its own. The novel focuses on themes such as the meaning of freedom and patriotism, the meaning of friendships, racial injustice, class, gender, and sexuality. There’s much for the thoughtful reader to ponder even if the book is overlong. Few will see the big twist coming or the ensuing actions. Kate Quinn fans will not be disappointed.