The Other Typist

By: Suzanne Rindell

Narrated by: Gretchen Mol

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct, Rose is like a high priestess. Confessions are her job. It is 1923, and while she may hear every detail about shootings, knifings, and murders, as soon as she leaves the interrogation room she is once again the weaker sex, best suited for filing and making coffee.

This is a new era for women, and New York is a confusing place for Rose. Gone are the Victorian standards of what is acceptable. All around her women bob their hair, they smoke, they go to speakeasies. Yet prudish Rose is stuck in the fading light of yesteryear, searching for the nurturing companionship that eluded her childhood. When glamorous Odalie, a new girl, joins the typing pool, despite her best intentions Rose falls under Odalie’s spell.

As the two women navigate between the sparkling underworld of speakeasies by night and their work at the station by day, Rose is drawn fully into Odalie’s high-stakes world. And soon her fascination with Odalie turns into an obsession from which she may never recover.

©2013 Suzanne Rindell (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"From the first page [I] was absorbed...Suzanne Rindell’s story of a 1920s police stenographer who becomes increasingly obsessed with a glamorous new typist reminds me at points of Notes on a Scandal and Patricia Highsmith, but has creepy charms all its own.” (The Paris Review)

“Take a dollop of Alfred Hitchcock, a dollop of Patricia Highsmith, throw in some Great Gatsby flourishes, and the result is Rindell’s debut, a pitch-black comedy about a police stenographer accused of murder in 1920s Manhattan.... A deliciously addictive, cinematically influenced page-turner, both comic and provocative.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Rindell's debut is a cinematic page-turner.” (Publishers Weekly)

Worth the Listen

It took about 2.5 hrs before things got going in this audiobook and even then things would drag at times throughout. It has a lot of character development as opposed to action, I think that's why it seemed to drag to me. However with that said I would recommend listening to it. The story is interesting and well written. The characters, because of the character development given to them by the author (especially the main character) really pull the story along without a lot of action. The narrator is very good. The main character is quite complex. I thought I had her figured out but she is a doozy! Have fun with this one, it is something of a mystery.

First Half is slow going, second half picks up

I didn't like the beginning of the book at all - it was a chore to continue listening to it - I skipped ahead quite a bit. I didn't like that it was mostly narration and little dialogue. I did not like the main character Rose and how goody goody and naive she was. I did however like the ending and the era it was set in.
This book would be for people that enjoy a good twist in the story - if they're willing to wait for it and be okay with it only being at the very end.
I gave it a 3 star rating because it was just okay and I would never listen to it again. I probably won't even think about it much ever again either.

Didn't see it coming

This is an evocative, fast-moving book about two women, one innocent and starry-eyed, the other hard-bitten and amoral, and the relationship they develop. We are drawn into Odalie's net with Rose, and learn about her as Rose does. Rose, however, doesn't guess whom she is dealing with until it is too late for her. I imagine that she just didn't want to face facts, and neither did I.

Gretchen Mol is a terrific reader. I'll look for more books she narrates.

Future movie

I really enjoyed the book and was surprised by the ending. I can totally see Hollywood making a movie out of it. Kept me interested all the way.

LOVED IT!

This seems to be the kind of book you either love or hate. I am in the former category. First off it was an original story with interesting characters and good descriptions of the time period. I loved Gretchen Mol's narration unlike some others, I though the pace and tone was perfect for the story and the characters. The ending was ambiguous and can really be debated. I think I would like to read the hard copy knowing the ending and see what I missed the first time. All in all, its a pleasant way to spend your time and your credits! I am going to recommend to my book club! #fairytaletwists #dark #mindbending #tagsgiving # sweepstakes

better than GONE GIRL

Clever Prohibition-era suspense, charmingly performed by Gretchen Mol.
I dont often write reviews, but really enjoyed this one.

Worth a listen and pay attention! Will look for additional work from this author.

Research required

The only issue I had with the narrator was that sometimes she sounded like she might be sick.

I struggled to finish once I heard in chapter 5 that the author clearly didn't bother to research Catholicism.
Mentioning that the nuns made the girl wait to take vows for years (it takes about 8 years to become a nun. At least)
Mentioning how beautifully the communion bread rose when a certain nun kneaded it (it's unleavened bread)

It really isn't that hard to research for just a bit. Nuns aren't that hard to find. Ask a priest to see a host. It more than likely got more lenient since 1924(when the story is set) so I find it hard to believe that it was actually as such.
Seriously, hold authors accountable.

Proactively Picturesque Writing, Great twist

What did you love best about The Other Typist?

The setting and the on the edge of your seat-because you THINK you know what is coming up, writing.

What other book might you compare The Other Typist to and why?

The Great Gatsby or the old detective dramas of the 60's. I would mention others but it would mess up the ending.

What does Gretchen Mol bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She did a fine job.

If you could take any character from The Other Typist out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I wouldn't trust any of them. Maybe Rose just to interrogate he.

Any additional comments?

Some may not like or get the ending of this book, but you will be talking about and debating it for days after you are finished. Then, you will listen to it again. Bring on the movie is all I can say.

Best book of the year

What did you love best about The Other Typist?

Intrigue, lots of hidden messages...I listened twice and enjoyed it even more

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure who is my fav...they all had a lot to offer to the plot...

Have you listened to any of Gretchen Mol’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I would love to

If you could rename The Other Typist, what would you call it?

Intrigue

Worth every minute!

It took a while for me to really get into this story, but once it had sucked me in I was completely entranced. The narrator was excellent and her voice was perfect for the characters and time period.