Sarah Jane Stratford

London, 1926. American-raised Maisie Musgrave is thrilled to land a job as a secretary at the British Broadcasting Corporation, whose use of radio is still new, strange and electrifying. As she becomes caught up in growing conflict between her two bosses she uncovers a shocking conspiracy.

This was fun to read as Maisie comes across many different personalities at her new job with the BBC. There was lots of activity in preparing various types of broadcasts and the conflict between the two bosses: one who wants only to broadcast conventional ideas and the other wants all kinds of ideas. I thought it got a bit far-fetched when the unconventional boss, Hilda Matheson, had connections to MI5. But in the author’s notes at the end, it said that she was a real person who did do some work in the Secret Services, although this was not a fictionalized biography. I enjoyed this story and would read another by this author.… (meer)

Well researched and moved along at a breathless pace by a vibrant collection of modern women, real and imagined, who worked at the BBC when radio was so new that it was still considered a passing fad at best, or the work of spiritualism at worst.

I'm a sucker for British period pieces and this one did not disappoint. Can anyone pass this along to the folks at Masterpiece Theatre? A mini-series would be just the thing.

I'd love to know more about Hilda Matheson and her pioneering work as Director of Talks. So much fun! A satisfying read for a holiday or long weekend.… (meer)

Extremely solid and compelling historical fiction, grounded in true stories and good writing. With relative economy of words, the author creates scene after scene that you can really see in your mind.

I love fiction that expands on the bare-bones knowledge I have of various points in history, and makes them come alive. And I find my way in to the story when there’s a relatable, intelligent, self-aware heroine. Check, and check, this book does both.

My knowledge of the “McCarthyism” of the 1950’s could be summed up in a couple of sentences filed away in my brain from English class 20 years ago... A time when people believed there was a communist on every street corner, and even the briefest hint of a “Red” sympathy was enough to get a person blacklisted from employment, and hauled up before congress to testify, and hopefully name other names. The pressure was intense: point the finger at friends and workmates to prove your loyalty, or see your life and reputation in ruins. And possibly go to prison.

In this story, Phoebe Adler is an up-and-coming writer for a third-rate TV show. Just as it seems that she’s about to go places, she finds out she’s been named as a suspected communist.

Phoebe needs to work, but not just for herself. She’s supporting her seriously ill sister in a nursing home, and cannot fathom what will happen to both of them if she responds to her subpoena and appears at a court hearing that offers virtually no way back to normal life.

So she runs. She flees to England, where there are whispers of a woman TV producer who may be able to help blacklisted American writers. This woman, along with many of the other characters Phoebe meets in England, and the daring project they embark on to earn their living, are based on fact. It’s such an interesting story, and such a sobering setting.

Content: Occasional PG/PG-13 type innuendo.… (meer)