The Women of Oak Ridge

By: Michelle Shocklee

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt

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 Austin
• A compelling dual-timeline novel set during WWII and the 1970s about the weight of secrets and the power of forgiveness
• Includes discussion questions for book groups

©2025 Michelle Shocklee (P)2025 Tyndale Fiction

Suspense

I definitely felt a great deal of tension in the middle and end of the book. I love the southern accents.

Women of Oakridge

Such a good listen. I couldn't stop listening. I couldn't stop. The quality of voices was superb.

History, war, romance and suspense all in one!

You could tell the author really research things about the city. The details were rich and vivid, and as I drove through the city of Oak Ridge, A book should make you visualize the atmosphere and make you feel as if you were immersed in it and this certainly did.

Great Story

Michelle Shocklee is a great story teller. This is a fascinating story based on a true story. The story is told with just enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well crafted individuals that stick with you.

Started out well, too predictable at the end

I live in Oak Ridge, and enjoyed hearing about places that are still here today (Big Ed's Pizza, the guard shacks, etc). And the story started out well. But 2/3 of the way through it became fairly obvious where the story was going. Which was disappointing. Also, especially at the end, there are more than undertones of the Christian perspective, which for me was a turn off. All in all, I did enjoy the book, but would not likely recommend it.