The Rose Code: A Novel by Kate Quinn

The Rose Code is one of those books I've been wanting to read ever since I first heard about it, but it just seemed like I could never find the time. Well, since I found myself with lots of time this past February, it was the first book I reached for. And I'm so glad I did.

The story revolves around three very different women who become friends after they begin working on code breaking at the Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, England during World War II. Mab (rather than Mable) Churt was born and raised in a cramped flat with a shared bathroom in Shoreditch in London's East End. Wanting more out of life than what her mother settled for, Mab worked hard to self-educate, reading the classics and she had even come in tops in typing and shorthand. Now, with war, she was ready to do her part for king and country.

Osla Kendall's upbringing couldn't be more different than Mab's. A society debutante, her mother hadn't really wanted her around, and had shipped her off to cousins in Canada. Now, Osla was back in London and dating a navy lieutenant named Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince Philip of Greece). But once her mother cut off her allowance, Osla realizes she needs a job. Thanks to a German governess, Osla can speak fluent German and Philip suggests she use that skill to help the war effort.

After having mysterious interviews in London, Mab and Osla meet on the train the Bletchley, and instantly become friends, having received almost identical and very mysterious letters telling them where to go once they arrive. 

After another interview and signing the Official Secrets Act, the two women are taken to the Finch home where they will board while working at Bletchley. There, they meet Bethan Finch, the 23-yer-old daughter of their nosy, overbearing and overly critical landlady, Mrs. Finch. Meek and shy, Beth might have been beaten down by her mother, but she also is a whiz at crossword puzzles, able to finish the Sunday crossword in eight minutes. As Mab and Osla get settled into their respective jobs at Bletchley, they become more aware of what is going on in the Finch household, including the way Mrs. Finch abuses Beth. Thanks to Osla, Beth is soon working in Bletchley for expert cytologist Dilly Knox. 

Though Beth has always been shy and withdrawn, she shines at her job breaking codes at Bletchley. She even joins the book club that Mab and Osla start for the workers there. Then, on June 5th, 1944, as Beth is working on a difficult cipher file she had come to think of as Rose because the short messages reminded her of the way a rose's petals wrap it, she discovers that there was a traitor at Bletchley, but no matter what she says, no one believes her. The next day, as the Normandy Invasion was taking place, Beth finds herself committed to Clockwell Sanitarium for a supposed nervous breakdown. 

Now, it's 1947 and Beth is facing a lobotomy and desperately trying to get her former friends, Mab and Osla to come to her rescue. If they could decipher the Rose Code, they could expose the Bletchley traitor. But would they come? And if not, why not?

The Rose Code is a long, detailed, multi-layered novel and I couldn't put it down. The three main characters are so clearly defined and so deliciously flawed, as different from one another as they are united in their desire to do their part for the war effort. I loved the inclusion of real people like Dilly Knox and Prince Philip and even a mention of Alan Turing, but the other minors characters also fit the story so well. In fact, I became invested in everyone's story very quickly (even the horrible, abusing Mrs. Finch). Bletchley itself is so well depicted it felt like another character instead of just the place that brought everyone together for the sake of the story.

Beth, Mab, and Osla's stories unfold in alternating chapters, as well as in chapters where they all play a part. And the narrative covers two timelines - the war years, while the women were working at Bletchley, and 1947. Actually, 1947 covers only the weeks leading up to the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip (yup, Osla's old love interest). 

The Rose Code is a sophisticated, well plotted, well researched and well written novel My only objection is that I didn't really get why the traitor did what they did. I didn't like the character, but I also didn't suspect them yet I wasn't surprised when I found out who they were. 

The Rose Code was one of ten winning titles for ALA's 2021 Alex Award - adult books that also have appeal for young adult readers ages 12-18.

This book was purchased for my personal library.

The Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham

It's bonfire and housewarming night for Nathan Vane, 12, and his family.  All the excitement and people accounts for why he didn't notice the two men in suits until his dad did and then, before Nat knew it, they had arrested his dad.  But just before that, Nat's dad gives him a very cryptic message to follow Lily's trail. But who is Lily and where was her trail?  He also tells Nat not to trust anyone, or tell them anything about the mystery he needs to solve now for his dad, not even his mother - the less they know, the safer they are.

Leon Vane has reason to worry about his family.  Turns out, Nat's dad is accused of being a traitor/terrorist for breaking the Official Secrets Act.  It is believed that he had sold top-secret information to the enemy that ultimately caused the death of British soldiers, information that he was able to get because of his job at the Ministry of Defense.  This is serious stuff, but he seems to feel Nat is capable of figuring out the clues that will ultimately prove his  innocence.  Luckily, Nat and his dad always shared a love of puzzles, codes, and riddles.

Unable to imagine his dad doing such a thing, Nat must first figure out the mystery of who Lily is.  Apparently, she was someone who had lived in their house long ago.  But Auntie Hilda had always lived in the house.  Indeed, it was so full of all her old WWII memorabilia, it felt like a museum.  And didn't dad always say how happy he was whenever he was visiting Auntie Hilda as a boy?  So how did Lily fit into things now?

Following his dad's advice to always think literally and laterally when solving a puzzle, Nat does figure out who Lily is.  And, Lily did indeed live in the house - billeted there in 1940.  But when Nat finds a note written by her it only leads to yet another mystery that need to be solved.

And it doesn't take long for Nat's best friends, Josh and Sasha, to realize that something is up with him and Nat finally takes them into confidence.  With their help, the three kids begin following a trail of clues and coded messages, all of which leads them to Bletchley Park and the World War II code-breakers and one codebreaker in particular - Lily Kenley.

But how does the work of a wartime codebreaker connect to the trouble Nat's father is in?

Eastham has nicely incorporated Britain's wartime past, namely Bletchley Park, the Enigma Machine and the bombing of Coventry Cathedral, with the present to produced a fast paced, exciting mystery, ideal for young readers.

What a fun book this was to read, the more so, I suppose, because I have always loved codes, puzzles and riddles myself.  I loved the visits the kids made to Bletchley Park and reading about how they solved the mystery, although at times, finding a clue seemed a bit too easy.  But that certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story one bit.

All in all, The Messenger Bird was a compelling, skillfully done mystery with wonderful historical bits.  And best of all, the ending was a complete surprise.

This book is recomended for readers age 12+
This book was purchased for my personal library

Bletchley Park 

Bletchley Park was originally slated for demolition, but was saved and it in the process of being rehabilitated.  You can read about Bletchley Park and the WW2 Codebreakers HERE

The bombing of Coventry and the Cathedral, called Operation Moonlight Sonata by the Nazis, happened on the night of November 14-15, 1940.  It was carried out by over 400 Luftwaffe planes and lasted around 13 hours.  Coventry was bombed to destroy the factories there and to break the morale of the people.  You can read more about the bombing of Coventry HERE

Coventry Cathedral after the bombing