The Women of Oak Ridge

By Michelle Shocklee

Book Overview

In the hills of Tennessee, two women work at a Manhattan Project site during World War II and uncover truths that irrevocably change their lives in this captivating new story from award-winning Southern fiction author Michelle Shocklee.

1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she's told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae's roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation--one that comes at significant cost.

1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae's friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences.

Standalone Southern historical fiction great for fans of Lisa Wingate, Donna Everhart, and Lynn AustinA compelling dual-timeline novel set during WWII and the 1970s about the weight of secrets and the power of forgivenessIncludes discussion questions for book groups

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496484223
• ISBN13: 9781496484222
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Tyndale Fiction
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

engrossing historical fiction

"All we can do is seek God's forgiveness for things known and unknown, and trust in his grace to cover it all." It's another stunning novel by Michelle Shocklee. I don't usually read historical fiction set in the 60s and 70s but have grown to love and appreciate how the author masterfully juxtaposes the 40s with the 60s/70s in her novels. In this book, she takes us to Oak Ridge, TN - in 1944 when the Manhattan Project is at its height and in 1979 when secrets from those war days come to light. Mae's first person voice in 1944 showed how a naive, optimistic, and patriotic young woman found herself in the midst of a secret project that no one was allowed to speak about. I learned so much about the facilities and the way of life at Oak Ridge which literally rose from the ground with the uranium purification facilities. I loved Laurel's kind, thoughtful, inquisitive first person voice in 1979 as she delved into the personal history of those who worked and lived in Oak Ridge during the war. It's crazy to think what happened to Mae in 1944 could have happened to so many others. There was plenty of intrigue, mystery, and secrecy happening in 1944 timeline which all hinted at the why of Mae's reactions. I loved the elements of faith, grace, and forgiveness that Velvet and Roonie brought into the story. Mae and Garlyn's friendship and Jonas and Laurel's relationship added nice touches of romance to the story. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will definitely want to read this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.