Book By: Michelle Shocklee
Another fantastic read from Michelle Shocklee.
I found this story so fascinating – how the atomic bomb was constructed from several different areas of the US while America was at war. The secrets and the extent that the military went to in order to keep the project a secret was phenomenal.
Maebelle Willet is a sweet character, but the secrecy wears her down until she’s unsure of whom she can trust. She has a beautiful relationship with her roommate, until things take a strange turn. Mae is caught between a rock and a hard place – being in the wrong places at the wrong time. She’ll carry the knowledge of what she knows about Oak Ridge for decades to come.
I loved the relationship that developed between Mae and her niece who visits her later in the seventies. Laurel is determined to finish her doctorate and write about the experiences of people who lived and worked in Oak Ridge, including her aunt. But her aunt isn’t talking.
The setting and background is rich in detail, educating readers while immersing them into Oak Ridge. I learned so much, but it didn’t read like a textbook. In a place full of secrets, there’s bound to be conflict at every turn. Michelle Shocklee didn’t disappoint.
An excellent story with lots of historical detail, intrigue and mystery, and a light thread of romance.
This is a must read for 2025!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.