Kirkus Style Review

The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell

Rose Baker was an unassuming young woman who lived an ordinary, frugal life, until the charismatic and mysterious Odalie walks through the door at the New York city police precinct where she works. Her new relationship with the enigmatic Odalie will take the reader on a journey of love and betrayal as Rose's fascination with Odalie turns into raw obsession.

In the heart of the Prohibition Era, Rose works hard to eke out a living in a world dominated by men.  Rose is a stenographer at a police precinct where she is subjected to the amoral behavior of the criminal element.  She prides herself on being the best stenographer at the station by working diligently to type the fastest with the fewest mistakes.  Her moral values and professionalism make her the most sought after employee, until Odalie walks into the precinct one day.  There is something about Odalie that captures the attention of every one in her vicinity.  She has a special charisma that draws people to her with her quick wit and ready smiles.  Rose is fascinated by her and begins to keep a journal through her observations, detailing Odalie's every move while keeping her distance.  Circumstances evolve where Rose and Odalie's lives intertwine and Rose embarks on new adventures of an affluent lifestyle.  Her experiences include the introduction to speakeasies, elite living, private parties and bootlegging. The story takes a twist when Teddy, a person from Odalie's past, shows up unexpectedly and contradicts everything Odalie has indicated about her past.  Teddy's continued persistence pushes circumstances to the limit with his ultimate demise almost assured.  Rindell does an excellent job capturing the nuances of the main characters that leaves the reader intrigued as to what they will do and say next.  This allows the story to move quickly and keep the reader interested as the plot takes on new and compelling directions. 

The story is told in the first person and gives the perspective of Rose as she evolves into a person she hardly recognizes.  The many layers of contradicting information seeped in symbolism is meant to keep the reader guessing as to the truth of the actual story. Rindell does an excellent job weaving hints and innuendoes while moving the story along of Rose's transformation and though the culmination of her alter ego of Odalie. What makes this a worthy read is the unconventional character development, storyline, and the multiple twists and turns that allow the reader to savor the story long after the book is put down.