Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the audiobook! 

 

The blurb for THE RUMOR GAME by Thomas Mullen caught my attention, and I wanted to listen to it. “A determined reporter and reluctant FBI agent face off against fascist elements in World War II-era Boston.” I love historical fiction novels in which a woman has a crucial role, especially when they aren’t considered equal citizens. This one was interesting because Anne is a reporter working with Devon, the agent, and they have to work past the man vs. woman issue, Irish vs. Catholic vs. Jewish in Boston, the Mob vs. everybody, and the war going on overseas. 

 

I was drawn in right away by Mullen’s writing. He’s excellent at describing places that made me feel like I was in Boston during WWII. Each person had details that made it easy to tell them apart and figure out whether I should trust them—sometimes, my trust changed as the story progressed! THE RUMOR GAME could easily be called The Trust Game since it’s all about figuring out who can trust who, as neither main character knows who to trust or if they even trust each other. 

 

It’s a WWII book set in Boston during 1942, which was not an easy time, so you should expect some rough moments. But you should also expect some good ones. People have been discussing Jewish joy books, and I wouldn’t put this under that label. But I would put it under Jewish strength and resilience. 

 

Megan Tusing did an excellent job as the audiobook narrator. The different voices were wonderful, but I especially loved the passion and fierceness of Anne’s voice. 

 

If you like an excellent historical fiction mystery, pick this one up! 

 

Content warnings: antisemitism, violence, racial slurs, religious bigotry, sexual harassment, war