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The Rose Code

A Novel

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The Rose Code

Written by: Kate Quinn
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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About this listen

“The hidden history of Bletchley Park has been waiting for a master storyteller like Kate Quinn to bring it to life. The Rose Code effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the Enigma codebreakers through the eyes of three extraordinary women who work in tireless secrecy to defeat the Nazis. Quinn’s meticulous research and impeccable characterization shine through this gripping and beautifully executed novel.” (Beatriz Williams, New York Times best-selling author of Her Last Flight)

The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.

The year 1940. As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything - beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses - but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. Imperious, self-made Mab, product of East End London poverty, works the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts. But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.

The year 1947. As the royal wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip whips post-war Britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter - the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. A mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their Bletchley Park past, and now Osla, Mab, and Beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. But each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger - and their true enemy - closer....

©2021 Kate Quinn (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
20th Century Espionage Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Fiction War Royalty England Exciting Heartfelt Military Historical Fiction Thriller

What listeners say about The Rose Code

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An epic and heroic "herstory"

Character is the most important element for me in a novel, and I was completely caught up and entranced by these three unique women. The narration truly enhanced the audio experience of each woman's individual personality. Secondary characters were also well-drawn and provided significant additional interest as the supporting cast. I particularly enjoyed the story's unpredictability and was actually sorry when this exceptional book concluded. I was pleasantly surprised, intrigued and gratified by what was revealed in the book's epilogue.

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Loved the Rose Code!

Loved listening to this story every night. The narrator was amazing. I have loved listening to many of this authors books as well as others of this time period. I find historical fiction so interesting.

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Right On!

My first Kate Quinn book won't be my last. I love to learn through historical fiction and this account and story doesn't disappoint. Great characters that are fully fleshed out. A powerful, detailed story including some real historical people. Gripping to the end. The Narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, is wonderful. The writing divine. The world of Bletchley Park is a shining beacon of how human creativity and acumen can work for good.

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Absolutely topping!

Really enjoyed this story. Definitely worth a listen if you enjoy a light mystery and WWII era historical fiction.

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Delightful

Thoroughly enjoyed this story!
Love that it is loosely based on facts… what an incredible era to have lived, loved, lost and survived!

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Loved it!! Couldn’t stop listening

Greatly enjoyed listening to this book. Huge respect for the men and women who broke the code to help end the war early!! 💖

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Absolute gem

My daily commute is a tedious 3hour round trip. This book was my absolutely topping listening pleasure for several days. I have revisited it every few months since, and each rendition triggers another click of revelation in the overall story. I finished it wanting to visit Bletchley Park whilst wearing a stunning, dip brimmed hat then zoom off to York for a delightfully scrummy cream tea. The Rose Code is my favourite of Kate Quinn’s books.

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Jolly good story

Excellent! Writing, narration, intrigue to climax, plot, explanation in Authors Notes. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Absolutely topping, Darling

I'm constrained from saying too much due to my lifetime oath of secrecy, so I'll just describe it as WUDNE ABR ;)

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Best Audible I’ve heard

Wonderful story, I would highly recommend this book
Fantastic narrator
Put it on your wish list!!!!!

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