The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
England, 1940. As World War II rages, three young women make their way to the gates of Bletchley Park: Osla, a London socialite entangled in royal ties; Mab, a towering young woman who will do anything to protect her family; and Beth, a meek mind long stifled by her controlling mother. At first, their arrival to Bletchley Park feels almost collegiate - shirtless young men race across the grounds, book clubs gather to whisper beneath shady trees, and the compound buzzes with excitement. But behind the Bletchley Park gates holds a top secret mission: intercepting and interpreting Axis war transmissions. As Osla, Mab, and Beth rise through the ranks of codebreakers, they uncover something far more dangerous than enemy signals - a traitor in their midst. What follows is a war for reputation, freedom, and the truth.
I’m usually not one to immediately reach for historical fiction. It’s not because I am a book elitist but because I am lazy. Too lazy to set down the book and Google how much of what I am reading is actual fact or fiction. But Kate Quinn makes it clear that everything in The Rose Code actually happened in some capacity and I was surprised to learn just how historically accurate the novel is.
Bletchley Park was real. So were the brilliant young women; many of whom, like Osla, Mab, and Beth, worked in secret for years decoding enemy messages. Even the betrayal at the heart of the book has roots in reality.
With that level of authenticity, I thought it best to keep the cocktail historically accurate too. The Gin and It was a wartime favorite in England, born of necessity and ingenuity. With massive supply chain disruptions and rationing due to the war, many English imbibers turned to ingredients they had in their kitchens to make a stiff drink. And thus the Gin and It was born. It’s a simple drink consisting of just gin, vermouth, and bitters.
And it is a telling drink for this story. Gin is fresh, spicy, and often has soft floral undertones. The liquor is our three protagonists:
Osla is fresh. She may seem like just another city socialite (a deb as they called them back in those days) but she is so much more; sharp, witty, and strong spirited. She brings a refreshing dimension to the typical debutante character she is so often presumed to be.
Mab is spicy. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind and doesn’t shy away from confrontation. Mab isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the dirty work, especially when it comes to winning the war. She loves wholly and protects her loved ones fiercely.
Beth is soft and floral. She is quiet, introverted. Her mind is meant to crack codes, often thinking in spirals and filling in blank spaces that no one else sees. As her friendship with Mab and Osla blooms, so does her drive to win the war. But she quickly learns that her determination to crack codes comes with costs that can end lives.
The Rose Code is more than meets the eye. It’s a powerful story rooted in truth, filled with refreshingly complex characters and heartfelt tales of love, friendship, and loss. It’s a reminder that behind every great work of fiction are the real stories we almost lost to time.
