Radio Girls

London, 1926. American-raised Maisie Musgrave lands a job as a secretary at the upstart British Broadcasting Corporation, whose use of radio — still new and electrifying — is captivating the nation. The hectic pace, smart young staff, and intimidating bosses only add to Maisie's insecurity at first, but she is soon seduced by the work, gaining confidence as she arranges broadcasts by some of Britain's most famous writers, scientists, and politicians.

Maisie is caught up in a growing conflict between her two bosses: John Reith, the formidable Director-General of the BBC, and Hilda Matheson, the director of the popular Talks programming, who each have very different visions of what radio should be. Under Hilda's tutelage Maisie discovers her own talent and ambition — and when she unearths a shocking conspiracy, she and Hilda join forces to make their voices heard on and off the air, and face the consequences of telling the truth for a living. The novel spans 1926 to 1932 and weaves real BBC history with fiction.