The Briar Club by Kate Quinn Review

 Title: The Briar Club

Author: Kate Quinn

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Series: Standalone

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

The Briar Club was the November pick for one of my book clubs at the local library, and I was so excited to dive in. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres; I feel like it gets a bad rap and called boring. But The Briar Club was anything but boring. I was immediately drawn into the story, the pacing was breakneck and smooth. I devoured this book in four days, even with its lengthy chapters. This book is what I call a genre-bender: it was a murder mystery wrapped in an informative and surprising historical fiction. I really enjoyed it! It reminded me of just how much I love the genre. It also prompted a lot of good discussion in the group, and it made me really happy! This is my first Kate Quinn novel, and it certainly will not be my last! A favorite of the year, and maybe ever! Quinn is a rare, shining talent, and I cannot wait to delve into her body of work!

Washington DC, 1950. The women in Briarwood House keep to themselves, but their lives change in a huge way when a new boarder, Grace March, comes to stay. In the midst of the fog that is McCarthyism, the female boarders bond through secret dinners and shared glasses of sun tea. But everyone is hiding secrets, and some could be fatal. What is Grace March hiding, and why? With The Red Scare looming over everyone’s lives, death soon comes to call at The Briar House. With two bodies on the floor and fingers pointed at each other, the mystery must be solved. But who committed the ultimate crime?

I really loved this book! It reminded me why I love the historical fiction genre. When it is done well, as in this case, it is captivating, riveting, and informative. This book is one of my favorites of 2025, and maybe ever. It was just so beautifully done. I was immediately drawn into the narrative, especially by what started the narrative. I enjoyed the recipes a lot also; that was such a nice touch in the book! Quinn juggles two different genres, blending them expertly. I adored all of the characters, with my favorites being Pete and Reka. Usually, with long chapters, it’s hard for the pacing to remain smooth, but that wasn’t a problem here. My one quip was the chapters were too long, and I had to take breaks in between, but this was minor. I suspected the ending, but I didn’t guess it completely. It wrapped everything up nicely, and I was very happy with the book overall; it was a great fit for book club! The bottom line: Heartwarming, honest, and with a thrilling twist ending, I loved The Briar Club! Next on deck: Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino!