This is a WW2 mystery about three young women who work at Bletchley Park. Perhaps rather predictably, one is a society girl and debutante, another is from a dirt-poor East-End London background, and the third is a shy local girl who has the most brilliant of brains. The novel follows their lives at Bletchley Park, their work and friendship. Then the story is picked up again in 1947, months after they had become estranged, when they reconnect to work together to unmask a traitor and spy who had been living and working alongside them through the war, hiding in plain sight. In places I found the story pretty harrowing but the characters are entirely believable and it's a gripping plot. Review by: Granny Weatherwax, Oundle Crime

As my followers know I'm really into my World War 2 novels this year, and when I saw The Rose Code, I just knew I had to buy it. Now it is a HUGE book 600+ pages, but don't let that put you off and it, it is an immense and thrilling read. Kate Quinn has obviously done a lot of research in writing The Rose Code, because the depictions of Blethcly Park and its team of cryptoanalysts and the women who worked there are totally realistic and the pages came alive in my mind whilst reading, rather like a movie. I loved the three main characters of Osla, Mab and Berth and the story and plot that involves all three, is immersive. But the thing that stood out was the realism of the settings, from Bletchley Park to London to Coventry, it really is a marvellous read. And I must be going a bit soft in my old age because I adored the love story that flows with each character - and the addition of Prince Phillip, Queen Elizabeth's to-be husband was frankly amazing! I have to also admit at one stage to crying over characters and events that happened! The Rose Code is a tremendous novel about courage, love, betrayal and of what it was like to live and work during WW2 as a woman. The plot and storyline are impeccable as is the cast of characters, this was a real page-turner and I couldn't get enough of The Rose Code. I was gripped right up to the last page. If you like novels set during World War 2 then I urge you to read The Rose Code, it really sets the standard of this period and I rate it a well worthy 5 Stars.

A stunning read with so much substance! Three young women find themselves doing their bit for the war effort in Bletchley Park; with secrecy so stringent that no-one is really sure what anyone else does. Osla is very much a society girl - and one who has the eye of dashing Prince Philip - desperate to prove that she is more than a debutante. Mab hails from the east-end of London and has hauled herself up out of poverty purely by her own efforts - and she's not finished yet. Beth meets the other two when they are billeted in the home where she lives with her parents, very much under her mother's thumb. Seven years later, with the country is anticipating the marriage of our now Queen to Prince Philip, these three are estranged due to betrayal and secrets. Can they work together to crack one final and vital code? Like most, I am familiar with what went on at Bletchley Park during WWII and how important it was to our nation; however, this story is on a different level to any other and much more informative about what life was like for those sent there. From the very beginning, we are made aware there is a mystery surrounding the friendship of our three main characters and this slowly dissolves throughout the book almost imperceptibly as there is so much else to take the reader's attention. A lengthier read than most, there is never a lull in this one; the author has created a marvellous tale and one which would transfer perfectly to the big screen. The characters are beautifully described and come alive on the page. The sacrifices made in the name of saving this country are clearly shown and the mysteries are attention grabbing throughout. I had my suspicions of what was going on in the bigger picture but, not for the first time, I was spectacularly wrong. Very cleverly written, creating a compulsive and enthralling read which absolutely deserves my highest recommendation and all five sparkling stars!

Unputdownable!

Thanks to this book, I am suffering from lack of sleep. Seriously, I tried to put it down and go to sleep but had to go back to reading and finishing this book, meaning a past 3 am bedtime for me. The Rose Code is a story set in 1947, just before the Royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Phillip, and jumps back to 1940, where the story starts. Three women, tied together by a huge wartime secret, are brought back together to solve a huge mystery. Osla, Mabs and Beth couldn't; be from more different backgrounds. Osla is one of those 'scatty debs' who people just assume has no brains. Mabs has pulled herself up from a tough life, and is in search of a life that she feels she deserves, Beth is a timid, mousy girl, who is in fear of her overbearing mother. The summons to work at Bletchley Park as a part of the WW2 codebreakers brings much-needed purpose into their lives until things start to happen... I love books with a hint of truth in them, and ones that take history, and twist it slightly (artistic license) to add flavour to the plot, and this was perfectly done in The Rose Code. I don't want to give the story away, but if you like a bit of wartime in your books, spiced up with twists, this is definitely for you! Codebreaking excitement throughout the whole book! There is suspense, romance, history, and a gripping plot that keeps you reading until the very end! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.