Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City's theater district in the mid-20th century, 'The Chelsea Girls' follows playwright Hazel Riley and actress Maxine Mead as they navigate the heady world of performing arts at the Chelsea Hotel. Amidst the artistic fervor, the threat of McCarthyism looms, ensnaring the duo in a maelstrom of political paranoia that threatens to destroy their Broadway aspirations, and more perilously, their cherished friendship. As the Red Scare intensifies, Hazel and Maxine are caught in the crosshairs of a political witch hunt that forces them to confront the dire consequences of an era smitten with fear, censorship, and persecution. Spanning two tumultuous decades, Fiona Davis's novel is a poignant exploration of ambition, loyalty, and the inexorable pressures of an unforgiving political landscape.