The Enemy at Home

A Thrilling Historical Suspense Novel of a WWII Era Serial Killer

By: Kevin O'Brien

Narrator: Hillary Huber

Tantor Audio

ISBN: 9781496738509

Publisher: Kensington Books

Publication Date: 08/22/2023

Format: Audio & e-book

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)

AUG 2023 MUST-READ BOOKS

As WWII rages overseas, a serial killer preys on women working in Seattle’s factories in this provocative blend of vivid, richly detailed historical fiction and taut suspense from New York Times bestselling author Kevin O’Brien.

1943, Seattle. While raging war reshapes the landscape of Europe, its impact is felt thousands of miles away too. Before the war, Nora Kinney was one of countless housewives and mothers in her comfortable Capitol Hill neighborhood. Now, with her doctor husband stationed in North Africa, Nora feels compelled to do more than tend her victory garden or help with scrap metal drives . . .

At the Boeing B-17 plant, Nora learns to wield a heavy riveting gun amid the deafening noise of the assembly line—a real-life counterpart to “Rosie the Riveter” in the recruitment posters. Yet while the country desperately needs their help, not everyone is happy about “all these women” taking over men’s jobs. Nora worries that she is neglecting her children, especially her withdrawn teenage son. But amid this turmoil, a sinister tragedy occurs: One of Nora’s coworkers is found strangled in her apartment, dressed in an apron, with a lipstick smile smeared on her face.

It’s the beginning of a terrifying pattern, as women war-plant workers like Nora are targeted throughout Seattle and murdered in the same ritualistic manner. And eclipsing Nora’s fear for her safety is her secret, growing conviction that she and the killer are connected—and that the haven that was her home has become her own personal battlefield . . .

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My Review

NYT Bestselling author Kevin O'Brien masterfully blends historical fiction and gripping suspense thriller in his latest—THE ENEMY AT HOME. Set in WWII-era Seattle, a serial killer targets women while men are off fighting at war—when dangers at home are as fearful as the battlefield.

From a month in time the author takes us from day one to the month end. It is 1943 in Seattle. We meet wife and mother, Nora Kinney (Pete-husband doctor), and children—son (Chris, 17) and daughter (Jane, 12). Before this time, she was living in her comfortable Capitol Hill neighborhood. The war has changed everything.

Her husband, Pete, the doctor, feels he must join the ranks to help servicemen in Africa. Nora also participates in the war effort by helping with scrap metal drives. They also need more income, so she takes a job at the Boeing B-17 plant in Seattle, part of the assembly line, using a riveting gun.

What Nora did not expect was what she encountered at the plant—Racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Some men were angry at the women taking men's jobs; however, someone had to do the jobs while the men were away.

Then the unthinkable occurs. Someone is targeting women riveters (later called the "Rosie the Riveters" murders). A serial killer is on the loose. A man has been attacking women who work in factories. One of them is Nora's friend.

The perp strangles them with a pair of pantyhose, dresses them in an apron, and draws a smile on his target's face. Then leaves a pair of pants hanging outside the home.

Her gay friend was also caught up in the killing, also a friend of the victim. Soon three people are murdered that had dinner at her house. She later finds that her hose, lipstick, and aprons are missing. What is going on?

In the meantime, her son Chis is acting strange, bullied at school, and gone from the house at odd hours, and she finds some incriminating evidence. Then more killings. It appears the serial killer is threatened by women doing important wartime work. Could he be right there among them?

Then her younger brother Ray visits and stays in their garage apartment. He is unhappy with his sister since he wants her to help him with a scheme to concoct an injury so he can get out of service duty.

After he leaves, she puts an ad out for a tenant for the garage apartment. They all like Joe, but is Joe who he says he is? Who can Nora trust?

With many suspects and red herrings, Nora faces the enemy, leading to a jaw-dropping conclusion— when her home is no longer a haven but a battlefield.

It has been a while since I have read a Kevin O'Brien novel, and I was delighted to read THE ENEMY AT HOME. The author skillfully explores high-charged topics and injustices with compassion and sensitivity.

Engrossing and timely! A fabulous whodunit mystery with a vivid historical flair and well-developed characters. You will enjoy Nora's character as she is caught between right and wrong while keeping things secret where you have Japanese-American citizens threatened, closeted gay communities, racism, and misogyny—all the while, these brave women in the workplace in a man's world trying to keep their family safe with sacrifices and restrictions.

I enjoyed reading about the challenges of the courageous women during WWII, with stressful events worrying about their loved ones away at war while juggling home life, solo, parenting, blackout rules, rationing, and re-joining the workforce with even more struggles.

If you enjoy suspense thrillers and historical fiction, you have the best of both worlds in THE ENEMY AT HOME! Beautiful front cover. Ideal for book clubs and further discussion—a reading group guide is included.

AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by a favorite, Hillary Huber, for an engaging performance for all voices.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Tantor Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley for an honest review.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

Pub Date: Aug 22, 2023

My Rating: 5 Stars

Aug 2023 Must-Read Books

Praise

“Equally excellent as historical fiction as it is a mystery…A richly detailed, wonderfully compelling tale set in Seattle in the midst of the second World War…O’Brien takes the reader along as he tells several stories: the experiences of the gay and lesbian community, Japanese-American incarceration, the navy service of Nora’s brother…This is a perfect read for a book discussion, marrying the experience of domestic life during the War and an awfully good mystery.”

—Brian Kenney, firstCLUE

“A tantalizing whodunnit set in WW II Seattle with a cast of red herrings that had me guessing and turning pages right up to the final, shocking reveal—which I never saw coming.”

—Charlie Donlea, USA Today bestselling author of Twenty Years Later

“Nobody writes suspense better than Kevin O’Brien. Read The Enemy at Home, but do so with the lights on.”

—Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author

"A sweeping, addictive story of bravery and sacrifice, told in Kevin O'Brien's cinematic style. Authentic period detail creates a suspenseful, chilling atmosphere in this grand historical novel." —Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

“A classic Kevin O’Brien page-turner, with a new historical twist. O’Brien takes us deep into Seattle during WWII, as his heroine juggles work, misogyny, solo parenting, and a serial killer on the loose. Nora is a heroine to root for, and the curves in the plot kept me reading late into the night (while checking the locks on my doors!).”

—Erica Bauermeister, New York Times bestselling author of No Two Persons

“Kevin O’Brien’s latest is a compulsively unputdownable, keep-you-guessing-to-the-end, pages-flying whodunit, and as if that weren’t enough, The Enemy at Home is also packed with compelling, complicated characters in a fascinating and meticulously-researched time and place. World War II Seattle where women were newly considered workers, Japanese-American citizens were newly considered threats, and closeted gay communities were newly considering a place for themselves all combine to bring this timely novel vividly to life. A new Kevin O’Brien book is always cause for celebration, and this is his best yet.”

—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is

“Kevin O'Brien's new book takes us to Seattle in the opening years of the US involvement in World War II, when a serial killer is on the loose, targeting women who are contributing to the war effort by becoming Rosie the Riveters. The book is fast-paced, suspenseful, and intriguing, and it kept this reader guessing about the killer's identity nearly till the big reveal. Super enjoyable.”

—Elizabeth George, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Kevin O’Brien delivers again in this fast paced, page turning historical novel. The rich details of World War II era Seattle and deeply drawn characters combine to pull the reader through the twists and turns of this thought provoking read. I couldn’t put it down!"

— James D. Shipman, acclaimed author of Irena's War and Before the Storm

The Enemy at Home

World War II Brings Dangers Beyond the Battlefield

Audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber

Author: Kevin O'Brien

Publisher: RB Media | Tantor Media

13 hours and 9 minutes

About the Author

Before his thrillers landed him on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists, Kevin O’Brien was a railroad inspector. The author of 21 internationally-published thrillers, he won the Spotted Owl Award for Best Pacific Northwest Mystery and served on the board of Seattle 7 Writers. Press & Guide said: “If Alfred Hitchcock were alive today and writing novels, his name would be Kevin O’Brien.” Kevin O’Brien’s latest nail-biter, THE ENEMY AT HOME, will be available in August, 2023. WEBSITE