The Briar Club: A Thrilling and Powerful Story of Female Friendships and Secrets

I know I’m in the minority, but this book wasn’t for me. I expected a typical historical fiction novel, but it turned out to be a collection of character stories woven into a mystery set in the 1950s. The story begins in Washington at Briar House, an all-women's boarding house. Quinn introduces various characters, including the owner and her children, as she explores the McCarthy era's impact on women. While it presents a murder mystery, the novel offers deeper insights into female friendship and the residents' struggles against sexism and racism in post-World War II America. The formation of the Briar Club brings the women together to share experiences and support each other. Though I initially found the story engaging, I felt the author included too many topics, which slowed down the narrative and made it hard for me to connect with the story.

this was a great book! i really enjoyed the deep dive into each character (character development) it was such an interesting way to tell the story! loved the recipes!!!! i learned some things about the 50’s that i never knew. the narrator was the absolute best ever! my new favorite! i highly recommend this book.

10 stars! I loved every second of this book.

Beautiful historical and warm story of unlikely friends who become a community in Washington DC

I loved the characters! There were so many. And maybe too many storylines. This book feels like it could have been a 3 part series. It is well worth reading to discover the characters you love the most. It will be an interesting discussion and my book group this afternoon. Besides the many personalities, there are whispers of the current political atmosphere. I am off to find a list of all the characters, I have forgotten several names.