Praise for The Five O’Clock Follies

"A freelance writer struggles to find her place among hard-nosed newsmen covering the Vietnam War in this depiction of wartime journalists.

In her debut, former Associated Press editor Tuohy describes the Vietnam War through a journalist’s lens. Freelance writer Angela Martinelli arrives in Saigon in 1968, wearing her “greenness” in the form of high-heeled shoes and a gorgeous mane of red hair. As one of the few women correspondents in a war zone, Angela is greeted with misogyny, skepticism or disdain by her male colleagues, except for Nick, who works for a Chicago newspaper and gives her the benefit of the doubt. She soon proves her merit and bravery in the middle of a covert operation in Cambodia, surviving capture by the Viet Cong, living in a bunker during a siege and chasing truths that the military denies and her fellow reporters doubt. Angela also finds romance in the midst of this chaos; eventually she must choose: her career or love. Angela’s determination is commendable as she forges ahead in spite of incredible dangers and an unconscionable lack of professional support. She’s a model for young women seeking equality in male-dominated professions. Some portions of the book are slow, but they accurately reflect the downtime journalists endure between scoops—hanging out at bars, drinking Scotch, swapping gossip and waiting for the next gig. The story picks up steam when Tuohy describes pivotal moments of the war: the Tet offensive, the siege of Khe Sanh, soldiers on the line and the horrific injuries they sustained, even the psychological torment of walking endlessly through the jungle. The action is riveting and the writing is clear, detailed and highly readable.

An engrossing portrait of a woman among men in wartime."
-KIRKUS

"Tuohy's book smacks the reader with powerful descriptions of heat and fire, blood and guts, subterfuge and camouflage in what was probably the least loved conflict in America's history... Divorced and determined to be her own person, the talented writer and daughter of privilege gets short shrift in the male-dominated reporting scene covering Vietnam. Angela proves she's as hard-boiled as the men attending the five o'clock follies, briefings that separate the guys from the gal. Testosterone reels while the gorgeous redhead churns scoops like rotors on flawed helicopters... This is a riveting tale of a female correspondent who dives into danger and love with equal abandon."
-Mary McReynolds, The Oklahoman

"It is obvious the author knows quite a bit about the subjects of journalism, Viet Nam, war correspondents, and the prejudice against women in the workplace during the timeframe of this novel. This a beautifully crafted novel by an author that has really mastered words - well-written, evenly paced, wonderful descriptions, a little romance, and relatable characters. She really made that time in American History come alive for me. I will recommend this book to our adult book clubs as I think it touches on so many subjects that evoke emotional responses and lends itself well to discussion. I ranked it 4 stars because it was so beautifully written as well as being a good read."
-Janet, Net-Galley

"This is a powerful military historical thriller that focuses on journalists covering the Vietnam War especially a feisty courageous woman crashing through the glass ceiling. The excitement occurs during the major events like the Tet Offensive and the insight into the psychological and physical injuries sustained by the soldiers and reporters. When the storyline concentrates on the mundane between the key war moments the plot slows down yet is even more discerning as the audience observes the journalists (and soldiers) dealing with ennui yet anticipating the next bipolar explosion to report on. The Five O'Clock Follies answers 'What's a Woman Doing Here, Anyway?' with reporting the news."
-Harriet Klausner, GenreGoRoundReviews

"On the downside of a broken marriage, Angela Martinelli is out to make a name for herself, and a new start. When she lands in the oppressive heat of Saigon during the Vietnam War as a Freelance Journalist, she is met with much prejudice. The war is no place for a lady. But she quickly turns her heels in for jungle boots and meets the challenge.

Facing situations most tough guys avoid, Angela fights to get her story and prove her worth in the man's world of journalism. Arranging flights for herself into battle to capture the real stories, visiting field hospitals and seeing for herself the ravages of war, and the horrid stench of gangrene, she eventually becomes a prisoner of the Viet Cong. But Angela isn't done yet, and soon the "man’s war" that's being fought makes room for one tough bird.

I had a hard time believing this was a fictional book, as the writing and detail were so great. With the Vietnam War being such a controversial war, this book handled it, warts and all. It never came across as political, although there were some definite political slants. It is the story of the soldiers, the people, and the journalists, as they fought to cover a thankless war. Totally engrossing, occasionally grandiose, but immensely entertaining."
-Charlene, Literary R&R

"Theasa Tuohy's charming first novel The Five O'Clock Follies follows a charismatic and beautiful American journalist through her travels and travails in war-torn Vietnam of the late sixties. Ms. Tuohy explores with deep honesty a woman's struggle to be free of the constraints of American society, and the incredible chauvinism of the time. It will amaze the reader to see how far we've come since then, but also how far back we've gone. This novel will remind you that freedom, in any form, is worth fighting for, and worth holding onto, no matter what the cost."
-Kaylie Jones, author of A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries

"This story, of a young woman's odds-against struggle to survive as a war correspondent in Saigon, takes readers behind the grim 1960's headlines and into the minds and hearts of the military people who fought the war and the reporters who wrote about it. Tuohy, herself a former journalist, has written what may be the best novel yet to emerge from the Vietnam War."
–Albert Ashforth, author of The Rendition

"Angela Martinelli, a raven-haired journalist, arrives in war-torn Saigon in a pair of killer heels and leaves in jungle boots after earning her stripes in work and love. Tuohy writes with the precision of Hemingway and the romantic fire and heart of Margaret Mitchell. This debut novel will transport readers to another time and place and leave them forever changed."
–Nina Solomon, author of Single Wife

"Theasa Tuohy’s gripping novel immerses us in the chaotic world of war reporters. In the late sixties in steamy Saigon, correspondents find that their everyday experiences of street explosions, hospitals, and helicopter crashes conflict with the stories spun by the politicians and military brass at the official press conferences, soon dubbed the ‘five o’clock follies’ by the skeptical journalists. Stateside problems of racism, sexism, and political divisions about the war haven’t been left behind. We follow three reporters–– successful, well-connected Ford, savvy loner Nick, and talented rookie Angela–– as they try to make sense of the war and of their personal yearnings for home, for adventure, for truth, and yes, for bylines. Tuohy’s deep knowledge of reporters, editors, sources, and the pitfalls of reporting from foreign lands enriches every page of The Five O’Clock Follies."
–P. M. Carlson, author of Murder in the Dog Days

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