HarperCollins nets Quinn's Bletchley Park 'heart-stopper'

HarperCollins has bought a “heart-stopping” historical novel from New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn, following three female code-breakers at Bletchley Park.

Lynne Drew, publishing director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to The Rose Code from Carolyn Bodkin at HarperCollins US.

Billed as “'The Crown' meets 'The Imitation Game'”, the novel moves between the war years at Bletchley Park and the eve of the Royal Wedding in 1947, telling the code-breakers' story and the spy they must root out after the war is over.

Quinn’s previous novels The Huntress (HarperCollins) and The Alice Network (William Morrow) were New York Times and Canadian Globe and Mail number one bestsellers.

The new novel's synopsis states: “As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park. Vivacious debutante Osla has 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 code-breaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. Local woman Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, soon 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.”

Drew said: “This is the most absorbing, gripping and fascinating historical novel I’ve read in an age. Along with going behind the scenes at Bletchley Park, Kate Quinn brilliantly weaves in glittering post-war London as Princess Elizabeth prepares to marry. It’s absolutely unputdownable—and unforgettable.”

Quinn added: “The top-secret code-breaking achievements of Bletchley Park are an awe-inspiring piece of Britain's history. I can't wait to work with HarperCollins UK again, as we bring this Second World War story to readers in the 21st century!”