The Rumor Game: A Novel
Description
A determined reporter and a reluctant FBI agent face off against fascist elements in this gripping historical thriller set in World War II-era Boston.
Reporter Anne Lemire writes the Rumor Clinic, a newspaper column that disproves the many harmful rumors floating around town, some of them spread by Axis spies and others just gossip mixed with fear and ignorance. Tired of chasing silly rumors about Rosie Riveters' safety on the job, she wants to write about something bigger.
Special Agent Devon Mulvey, one of the few Catholics at the FBI, spends his weekdays preventing industrial sabotage and his Sundays spying on clerics with suspect loyalties—and he spends his evenings wooing the many lonely women whose husbands are off at war.
When Anne’s story about Nazi propaganda intersects with Devon’s investigation into the death of a factory worker, the two are led down a dangerous trail of espionage, organized crime, and domestic fascism—one that implicates their own tangled pasts and threatens to engulf the city in violence.
With vibrant historical atmosphere and a riveting mystery that illuminates still-timely issues about disinformation and power, Thomas Mullen delivers another powerful thriller.
Praise for The Rumor Game: A Novel
Praise for The Rumor Game
“Attractive characters, plenty of action, and a solid grasp of history make this a superior thriller and also a snapshot of a particularly shameful moment in the history of the United States.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“The best historical fiction evaluates the past while offering a perspective on the present, and Mullen keeps the suspense high in presenting the political climate of the time, persuasively illustrating the antisemitism that, chillingly, echoes 2024 events.” – Shelf Awareness
“A remarkably good book, smartly conceived and beautifully executed.” —Booklist
“An unnervingly timely tale of prejudice, hatred, and violence.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Mullen’s novel, his eighth, draws heavily on research, as evident by the historical sources cited in an author’s note. The tale begins as a slow burn and then races at a breakneck pace to a dramatic conclusion." —Associated Press
“The Rumor Game, set in Boston, is brilliant.” –Toronto Globe and Mail
"With its sharp characters and turbo-driven plot, The Rumor Game is a mystery not easily unraveled.” –The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The Rumor Game is a mystery and a thriller and a spy novel. It is also one heck of an engaging read.” –Dayton Daily News
“Mullen should be every bit as big as Lehane…Fans of Lehane and of spy novelist Joseph Kanon (The Good German) will enjoy how Mullen explores the complexities of the home front while focusing on two flawed characters who are trying to figure out how to do the right thing.”—Star Tribune
Praise for the Works of Thomas Mullen
“Time and again, Mullen’s suspenseful storytelling pulls us forward.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Mullen unfolds his multifaceted plot with a sure hand and lively characterizations.” —The Wall Street Journal
“A brilliant blend of crime, mystery, and American history . . . Terrific entertainment.” —Stephen King
“Mullen is a wonderful architect of intersecting plotlines and unexpected answers.” —The Washington Post
“A novel that will stay with you for a very long time.” —Booklist (starred review)
“It’s rare to find a thriller with such a fantastic and original concept. I was gripped.” —Anthony Horowitz
“An exciting page-turner that’s also full of sharp writing and thought-provoking ideas.” —Charles Yu
“Terrific . . . brimming with imagination.” —Jason Rekulak
