Watch Out For the New Girl: The Typist by Suzanne Rindell

This intriguing story captures the tone of New York City in 1924 and has a great premise: Rose Baker, a young female stenographer works in a Manhattan police office, taking the confessions of witnesses and criminals. The arrival of glamourous and independent Odalie, 'the other typist' adds flavour to Rose's otherwise routine life; spicing it up with exotic characters at underground speakeasys/bars. Rose falls right into this lifestyle as her obsession with Odalie grows. But, who is Odalie? Will her life irrevocably damage Rose's?

Rindell has a clean, concise writing style that is engaging. Rose's first person narrative is enticing in that you're not quite sure what's going on and what is going to happen. The mini-cliffhangers make for a page turner. There were a couple of plot lines that I thought were going to be the focus for the story, but they ended up not really developing.

What I loved: The style of the book that captures the stylistic feel of the 1920s, and the way Rose speaks and observes.

What I didn't love: The ending. I won't ruin it further except to say that I felt it was a bit too vague and easy to read in a number of ways -- hence the "WHAT?!?" rating.

Rindell’s The Other Typist will probably appeal to fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn.

Because there are book group discussion questions in the back, I might also recommend this to lovers of psychological thrillers and book groups who like to lively discussions on open-ended finales.

This novel was made into a movie by the same title in 2015 and stars Keira Knightley.

Favourite quote (this reference is to the telephone/landline telephone back in 1925):

"It is interesting to me how technology has in many ways facilitated and refine the practice of deception."

If you are interested in this book, you might enjoy these titles:

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. https://www.turquoisemaya.com/post/review-something-in-the-water-catherine-steadman

The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney https://www.turquoisemaya.com/post/review-a-thoughtful-wife-may-not-be-the-perfect-wife-by-jp-delaney

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

https://www.turquoisemaya.com/post/review-the-perfect-nanny-leila-slimani

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

https://www.turquoisemaya.com/post/review-catherine-house-elisabeth-thomas