Extremely solid and compelling historical fiction, grounded in true stories and good writing. With relative economy of words, the author creates scene after scene that you can really see in your mind.

I love fiction that expands on the bare-bones knowledge I have of various points in history, and makes them come alive. And I find my way in to the story when there’s a relatable, intelligent, self-aware heroine. Check, and check, this book does both.

My knowledge of the “McCarthyism” of the 1950’s could be summed up in a couple of sentences filed away in my brain from English class 20 years ago... A time when people believed there was a communist on every street corner, and even the briefest hint of a “Red” sympathy was enough to get a person blacklisted from employment, and hauled up before congress to testify, and hopefully name other names. The pressure was intense: point the finger at friends and workmates to prove your loyalty, or see your life and reputation in ruins. And possibly go to prison.

In this story, Phoebe Adler is an up-and-coming writer for a third-rate TV show. Just as it seems that she’s about to go places, she finds out she’s been named as a suspected communist.

Phoebe needs to work, but not just for herself. She’s supporting her seriously ill sister in a nursing home, and cannot fathom what will happen to both of them if she responds to her subpoena and appears at a court hearing that offers virtually no way back to normal life.

So she runs. She flees to England, where there are whispers of a woman TV producer who may be able to help blacklisted American writers. This woman, along with many of the other characters Phoebe meets in England, and the daring project they embark on to earn their living, are based on fact. It’s such an interesting story, and such a sobering setting.

Content: Occasional PG/PG-13 type innuendo. ( )

Great background story, well worth telling. Not such great writing though. ( )

What happens when you are blacklisted from Hollywood?

This story piqued my interest in this part of history, one I was previously unfamiliar with. It is unlike the typical WWII historical fiction usually written about!

Phoebe heads to London to escape the problems she's found in NY, despite no truth to the accusations, and befriends Hannah. Their friendship and support of each other provide deep characters and an enjoyable read.

If you're interested in historical fiction and the red scare, this is worth your time!

Thank you Edelweiss for allowing me to read and review this! ( )

radio girls was much better

two daring women who escape McCarthy-era Hollywood for London, where they find creative freedom and fight the injustices of the Red Scare. ( )

Phoebe was finally making some money for her scripts and getting well known, but then for some reason she was tagged as being a communist by the government and blacklisted by the playwrights.

Phoebe had no idea what she did to be tagged, but she decided to leave the country and head to London where there was someone who would take her scripts no matter who or what she was.

We follow Phoebe on her trip across the ocean and when she arrives in London determined to make a name for herself in the seven weeks she was granted to be in the country.

I enjoyed the characters in RED LETTER DAYS. LOVE the cover.

Phoebe was funny and lovable and eager to take chances. Hannah was talented but flighty. Phoebe’s sister, Mona, was upbeat even though her life wasn’t.

We see the historical struggles and worries that play writes had at this time and how the blacklisted writers could get into deep trouble.

Historical fiction fans, fans of the theater and television productions, and fans of Robin Hood will enjoy RED LETTER DAYS.

Ms. Stratford did marvelous, in-depth research, but The Robin Hood pages that took up a great deal of the book actually were of no interest, and that did make the story drag for me. 3/5

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )