The Nightingales of Boston

The novel centers on the devastating 1942 fire at Boston's Cocoanut Grove nightclub and follows three women whose lives become intertwined because of the disaster. The Grove is Boston's most glamorous nightspot, packed with movie stars and sailors home on leave.

It follows three women. Alice is an aspiring wife and mother out on a Thanksgiving-weekend date with her boyfriend George, quietly holding onto a happy secret she plans to celebrate that night. Inez is a young reporter at the Grove hunting for a juicy story or a hot tip, hoping to break into the Boston Globe. Nina is the ambitious head nurse at the nearby hospital, stuck working the holiday weekend and hoping for a quiet night.

A fire breaks out. Alice survives but cannot find George. Inez almost gets trampled. At the hospital, Alice frantically looks for George while Inez wants to know who caused this. Nina feels she should help, so the three women come together to face this tragedy.

Chapters alternate between the three women's perspectives, and the book is described as fast-paced and full of medical detail, since the fire became a turning point in burn care. It's described as a story of resilience, courage, and friendship, perfect for fans of The Nature of Fragile Things and The House is on Fire

Is It Worth it? The Nightingales of Boston looks like a compelling historical novel that brings a little-known side of a real tragedy to life, always a favorite for me. With its focus on courage, resilience, and the women whose lives were forever changed by the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire, it promises an emotional, thought-provoking story with plenty of book club appeal, and will also appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction based on true events, strong female characters, and emotionally engaging stories about courage and resilience.

For more information check out the publisher's official book summary

"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


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 acity 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