The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a historical fiction novel set in England. It alternates between the years 1940 - WW2 - and 1947 - Post World War normalcy. The book features three British women - Osla, Mab, and Beth - working as code breakers in 1940 at the secretive estate of Bletchley Park. They are part of a big mission and crucial to the outcome of the war. Recruited for their unique abilities and minds, they work all day cracking German codes, including the infamous Enigma machine. The codes they crack helps the military defend against possible enemy attacks as well as plan their own. Forced to live a life of extreme secrecy about their jobs, they are limited in their social interactions and relationships. Eventually, the consequences of war like loss as well as the pressure of secrecy pits them against each other and turns their sweet friendship bitter. Fast forward to 1947, Britain is getting ready for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, hoping to bring life back to normal. Amongst the wedding frenzy, a mysterious, encrypted note appears that reunites the three friends-turned-enemies against a last code-cracking mission to capture a mysterious traitor from Bletchley Park.
This book was absolutely amazing! I was captivated by the unique personalities of the three girls and the different backgrounds they came from. The plot was fairly suspenseful and kept me on my toes, especially given the fact that it was based on secrecy and making sure no one knew what they were actually doing. The character growth and blossoming were also amazing, especially the way Beth grew as a person since she joined Bletchley Park. The relationship development between the characters was beautiful and the plot twists shocked me with every turn of the page. Overall, a fantastic read!