Read @ Joe’s

Title: The Rumor Game (2024)  
Author: Thomas Mullen  
Publisher: Minotaur Books  

Book jacket: 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.

Joe says: An entertaining thriller of historical fiction. 

Leaving Atlanta behind, author Thomas Mullen heads north to Boston while also jumping back a couple decades and writes up an entertaining thriller of historical fiction that, sadly, could have easily been set during the 45th presidential reign. 

The Rumor Game is set prior to America’s entry in the World War II European theater. Bostonians are hard at work in supporting the US War Machine while certain anti-semitism and isolationist groups want to (oh why not say it) “keep America great” and not fall to the internal Jewish “threat” while also preventing the blood from young New England men soaking the soil in France and Italy. Such groups decide that staging a violent attack on the homefront is the only proper solution. And that Hitler might only be the victim of bad press. 

Right.

Enter Special Agent Devon Mulvey who is good at his job and actually wants to stop this conspiratorial threat. Likewise, reporter Anne Lemire heads up the “Rumor Circle” column for a Boston newspaper where she attempts to dispel gossip while subtly protecting Jewish shop owners. Faster than you can say “Mulder and Scully,” Mulvey and Lemire meet up, team up, and hook up. And it is all good. 

  

Similar to the instance portrayed in Darktown, Mullen masterfully fictionalizes a relatively unheard event. He adds intrigue, action, mystery, and a couple well-placed feints that keep those pages a’turning. Additionally, Mullen scripts, at times, keen observational points that leap outside the narrative. These allow Mullen to artistically lend insight to Anne’s thoughts, or Mulvey’s actions, or even as background info. These beautiful pieces of prose contain their own style and act as a palette cleanser for the remaining procedural. 

Mullen carefully avoids the cliche climax of the shoot out or the last minute rescue. The tension builds, and boils, but eventually comes down to a smooth simmer. The Rumor Game is political, romantic, and frighteningly real. Mullen’s story is also authentically patriotic; he recognizes and embraces the diversity of America that only strengthens – never weakens – this nation. 

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Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this exciting advance read. I remain a Thomas Mullen fan.