The Rose Code: A Novel

· William Morrow Paperbacks · Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
31 reviews
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16 hr 2 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling 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. Award-winning narrator Saskia Maarleveld’s emotional delivery cracks the code of bringing each heroine to vivid life.

“Effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the Enigma codebreakers through the eyes of three extraordinary women… gripping and beautifully executed.”—Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author

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.

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...

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling 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. Award-winning narrator Saskia Maarleveld’s emotion...

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Ratings and reviews

31 reviews
Anna Maria DAVIS -AISPURO
August 5, 2026
The setting, the era, the history and culture of this period was brought to life for me in every word, character, location and historical moments I have heard about throughout my life. I learned something new about my British ancestors, the war efforts, transported not only as a reader but as a woman feeling witness to the evolution of female, colored and economic rights and abuse. I so enjoyed the humor, satire and dialogue of the period while appreciating the history perspective behind the curtain of the British Royal family and aristocracy.
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Peter Labelle
May 10, 2026
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a gripping and beautifully written historical novel that brings the secret world of Bletchley Park vividly to life. Quinn, a female author with a clear gift for writing complex women, creates unforgettable characters whose intelligence, friendship, and courage drive the story. The blend of wartime codebreaking, emotional depth, and postwar mystery is expertly paced and deeply engaging. A smart, moving, and suspenseful read that highlights women’s often-overlooked contributions to history. I highly recommend it.
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Donna Diorka
January 30, 2025
I love hx books, especially of women in WWII. The bravery and need to contribute and make a difference. I would've been apart of the spying since my math is not as sharp! As a CSI, I loved this brilliant work of research and detail!
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About the author

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including The Phoenix Crown with Janie Chang and Ribbons of Scarlet with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. The Astral Library was her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their rescue dogs.

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in ...

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