What a timely novel. Truly, it could've been written about this day and age, considering some extremist movements taking place in our nation. However, the story takes place in 1943, at the height of the unease about the US entering WWII. Strangely, this is one of 3 books I have read this past week that took place in the USA during or shortly after WWII, and it has been fascinating to see how the US handled rising tensions of the time - not so dissimilar to today's strategy, tbh. Although I have always assumed the US was strongly united in their views during this period in history, I learned from these novels and further research that this couldn't be further from the truth.
Mullen did a fantastic job writing this story from a dual third-person limited POV. I appreciated him throwing in the history of both the pro-fascist and the anti-semitic movements of the time through the eyes of the protagonists. It seems as though Mr. Mullen really did his homework as we take the journey with Anne, a determined reporter, and Devon, a rather licentious FBI agent in this combined historical fiction/murder mystery novel.
I loved that it took place in Boston! Having been born in MA, and later spending every summer in the area, I felt drawn to the setting and immigrant characters. Mullen's character development was very well done.
If you're looking for an enlightening read that gives readers hope that the US can pull through even the most divided and trying times (such as we find ourselves now), look no further!
So grateful to partners, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this gifted review copy.
Read 2/27/24
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