"Gemma Tizzard reminds us that ordinary lives could be changed forever by a tragedy far from the battlefield. At its heart, this is a story about friendship, resilience and the bittersweet bond three women form in the face of fear and heartbreaking circumstance. Rich in historical detail and full of heart, The Nightingales of Boston introduced me to a tragedy I'd never heard of, gave me characters I genuinely cared about, and sent me straight to Google to learn even more when I turned the final page."
– Laura Anthony, author of The Women on Platform Two
"Based on a true story, Tizzard’s tale of tragedy, resilience, and the power of love is historical fiction at its most riveting." – Library Journal
"Gemma Tizzard's gripping second novel shines a light on the strength of women who choose courage and compassion under pressure." — Shelf Awareness
Description
The lives of three heroic women collide in the wake of Boston’s 1942 Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in this inspiring and uplifting novel from the author of Grace of the Empire State.
1942: Alice, an aspiring wife and mother, is hiding a happy secret and decides an evening at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub with her boyfriend George is the perfect way to celebrate. Inez, a young reporter, knows the Cocoanut Grove is as popular with the rich and famous as it is with young revelers, and she’s eager for a hot tip. Nina, the ambitious head nurse at a nearby hospital, is halfway through her shift and hopes it will be a quiet night.
But when a single spark at the club quickly explodes into a blazing inferno, all three of their lives change in an instant. A novel of survival, healing, and hope for fans of The Nature of Fragile Things and The House Is on Fire, The Nightingales of Boston is a novel that explores persistence, courage, and female friendship in the face of the unthinkable.
Reviews
Praise for Grace of the Empire State
"Set to the desperate backdrop of the Great Depression, Grace of the Empire State is a thoroughly enjoyable story of family, sacrifice and first love that reminds us that true strength comes from within--and that women have been quietly saving the day since the dawn of time."
– Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names
"Page-turning debut...Tizzard evocatively depicts the workers’ camaraderie and the breathtaking dangers they face. Readers will love this tale of derring-do."
– Publishers Weekly
"Set in 1930s New York during the construction of the Empire State Building, this is a thrilling, heartbreaking, original story about the power of family, friendship and women struggling to survive in a man’s world. I love novels featuring strong female characters and was consequently swept away by Grace’s strength, determination and sheer resilience from the very first page. A must-read for historical fiction fans."
– Annie Lyons, author of The Air Raid Book Club
“An inspiring story…With engaging characters and a vibrant depiction of Manhattan—its glittering possibility and its stark heartbreak—Tizzard's novel soars like its namesake building, and moves along as elegantly as its nimble, determined heroine.”
– Shelf Awareness
"This is a gorgeous, evocative story about the struggles of building a city from the ground up—literally! Grace is a bold, brave heroine and her adventures on the steels of the Empire State Building are so vividly described that they made me feel dizzy! I loved the 1930s New York setting, the brilliantly drawn cast of characters and their gritty resilience, and the romance. And the theme of immigrants working hard and making their mark on their new home really resonates in today’s society. I thoroughly enjoyed this thought-provoking, entertaining read."
– Kerry Barrett, author of The Book of Last Letters
“Themes of love, responsibility, and duty enhance the reader’s emotional investment…Populated by a cast of delightful supporting characters and set in a working class milieu we don’t always see in historical fiction, this is a good choice for fans of Marie Benedict, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, and Fiona Davis.”
– Booklist
“Tizzard does a marvelous job bringing Depression-era New York City to the page…Grace is a believably complex and good-hearted heroine, and Tizzard’s construction scenes are dizzyingly clear… A vibrant and heart-stopping novel.”
– Kirkus Reviews
