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The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell Book

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I am not usually a fan of mystery and suspense novels, but this one is something special. I was asked to review a first novel by a doctoral student and I am so happy I did. In this book nothing is what it seems and yet it is all so innocent. You have to check out
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Reprint edition
Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0425268421

Summary: For fans of The Talented Mr. Ripley and The Great Gatsby comes one of the most memorable unreliable narrators in years.

Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose is like a high priestess. Confessions are her job. It is 1923, and while she may hear every detail about shootings, knifings, and murders, as soon as she leaves the interrogation room she is once again the weaker sex, best suited for filing and making coffee.

This is a new era for women, and New York is a confusing place for Rose. Gone are the Victorian standards of what is acceptable. All around her women bob their hair, they smoke, they go to speakeasies. Yet prudish Rose is stuck in the fading light of yesteryear, searching for the nurturing companionship that eluded her childhood. When glamorous Odalie, a new girl, joins the typing pool, despite her best intentions Rose falls under Odalie’s spell. As the two women navigate between the sparkling underworld of speakeasies by night and their work at the station by day, Rose is drawn fully into Odalie’s high-stakes world. And soon her fascination with Odalie turns into an obsession from which she may never recover.

My Thoughts: I did not know what to expect with this book. It started off innocently enough as the story of a typist at a police precinct in the age of change for women. Rose was different – raised by nuns, she was somewhat of a prude and did not allow herself to have fun or understand women that did. She had no friends and when the precinct hired another typist, her curiosity about the woman got the best of her. Odalie was different too and not what you expect. Throughout this book, there are twists and turns and what you think is happening is something different all together. You have to read the entire book to even find out what happens in the end.

The author did a fabulous job sucking me in to the era of the speakeasy and underground world of NYC in the 1920’s. Her details and characters were spot on and I could feel the uncomfortableness of Rose as she extended herself more and more. Her obsession with Odalie is strange and yet the storyline flows around it, dragging you in too. You watch as Rose grows bolder and let her deepest thoughts and feelings step up and you wait for the crash. The foreshadowing in this book is awesome. You know something is going to happen that is bad but you really have no clue of who, what or when it will occur.

For a first novel, this author did a great job and I found myself turning the pages as fast as possible. I even had the urge to read ahead a few chapters to find out what was going to happen; it was making me crazy! But I resisted and I am glad I did. I Love unexpected endings and this book certainly has that.

Disclaimer: Chris has received no compensation for this post but did receive free product for purpose of review. These are her thoughts and views; your may vary. All Content on this site is Copyright of the Two Classy Chics All Rights Reserved.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Buddy Garrett says

    I would love to read this book because it is set in the 1920’s. I find this era to be fascinating.

  4. Charlene S. says

    Thanks for free entry. I’d love to win because I enjoy reading everyday & this looks interesting 🙂

  21. Anita Yancey says

    I would like to read this book because I love historical books and this one sounds so good. I also have never read any of Suzanne Rindell’s books, so this one would be great to start with.

  23. friederike graedener says

    I liked and commented on the Two Classy Chics facebook post about the Aegean Cotton review and giveaway.

  25. Beth says

    Thanks for the free entry, but I sure wish you had posted the entry form here as well as on Facebook. This computer blocks Facebook, meaning I can’t enter.

  26. heather says

    I would like to win this book because I am a big fan of mystery books and this one sounds interesting.

  29. Sherry Compton says

    I commented on this FB post Good Morning and Welcome to Monday! I am not ready for today yet. I need a day to veg. So coffee is brewing and I am about to grab my first cup. Have one with me as we get the day going.

    Name: Stephanie Compton

  31. friederike graedener says

    I wouldlove to win this book because I love feminist historical fiction and the roaring 20s were an amazing time period. Thank you for the review and giveaway