The Enemy at Home: A Thrilling Historical Suspense Novel of a WWII Er Paperback – 22 August 2023

This was a good murder mystery with some historical fiction mixed in. Not a lot of WWII books that take place at home during the war.

In The Enemy at Home, Kevin O’Brien takes this Seattle-focused thriller back in time, to World War II. It’s a brilliant and refreshing move. The Seattle of that period becomes one of the characters: those with a knowledge of Seattle will appreciate the descriptions of familiar neighborhoods as they were at that time. Even if one is not familiar with Seattle, O’Brien evokes the culture of dancehalls, movies, and music of the period convincingly.The story centers on Nora, a thirty-something housewife whose husband is in the armed forces overseas, whose teenage son is being bullied at school, and whose precocious pre-teen daughter can be very annoying. Nora decides to do her bit for the war effort, and make some much needed cash, by becoming a riveter in the legendary Boeing B-17 bomber plant in Seattle.Nora must face one challenge after another. First, there is nightly vandalism, apparently inspired by the fact that she used to rent a back apartment to a Japanese-American couple. Then there is her male boss at the plant, who makes no secret of his disdain for having women do the work of men. The trifecta of challenges is complete when Nora’s estranged brother turns up out of the blue.The plot takes the inevitable dark turn when one female riveter after another is attacked or killed in a similar way. It strikes Nora close to home when a woman who befriended her at the plant becomes one of the victims after having dinner at her house. The police don’t seem to be able to connect the dots, so Nora does her own sleuthing, based on some disturbing evidence she keeps to herself.We get the taut pacing fans have come to expect from O’Brien throughout. We follow Nora through a maze of dangerous turns and false leads that will keep the reader guessing right up to the final climactic scene. And there are more surprises even after that scene.One of the fun things about an O’Brien book is that it always contains allusions to movies, and the 1940s is rich with possibilities. There is the baseball “pocket puzzle” movie buffs will remember from the film Laura, with Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. And there are several nods to Hitchcock along the way, as always in an O’Brien book. Although not a movie reference, some readers will note a sly nod to Chekov in the climactic scene.Most fiction about the “Greatest Generation” side-steps the racist, sexist, and homophobic attitudes prevalent and socially acceptable during that time. One thing I really liked about the book is that, instead of avoiding it, the author makes those prejudices central to the plot and subplots. Racism is the backdrop to a subplot involving several Japanese-American neighbors caught up in the post-Pearl Harbor hysteria that sent them into hiding or internment camps. Sexism is illuminated by the backlash Nora feels toward “Rosies” like herself, and even forms a dark motive for the killer. Homophobia is integral to a subplot where Nora’s sleuthing leads her to a group of closeted gay men, terrified of being outed. Fortunately, the author does not judge those with these prejudices as “deplorables.” Most are decent people caught up in the attitudes of the time. Even the “Greatest Generation” had flaws, as we all do.O’Brien is clearly onto something by resetting his focus on the “good old days.” Even they had their dark sides. I hope there is more to come!

Another A+ from KO…if you don’t have all his books already, do yourself a favor and buy them all

As an Asian American I don't often see myself in mainstream thrillers, but Kevin O'Brien's latest book makes me feel seen and understood. This book is not only entertaining and suspenseful, but filled with interesting historical details. I loved every moment of it!

Just finished THE ENEMY AT HOME and loved every second of it. Everything Kevin writes is fantastic and this one tops the charts AGAIN!! The research for this book was amazing and you felt like you were right there in that time. Creepy, suspense filled and educational. I'm just upset that I'm done reading the book. Loved it!!! Thank you Kevin for blowing us away with your books. Best author ever!!!!!