I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book - in fact, I don't think I have enjoyed a historical fiction spy story as much this for a very long time.

Why is that, I hear you ask? Well, the reasons are many actually, but mainly because this is written by a very talented writer who brilliantly takes you into the less travelled land of the life of a female SOE operative in World War II; and that this is a story that that plays out against a very unusual backdrop for a tale about this period - the historic and beautiful, Lisbon.

When we first meet Elisabeth de Mornay she is deep undercover in Paris as Nathalie Lafontaine, an Allied radio operator, or pianist as they are more colloquially termed by those in the trade. When her cover is blown, she has to flee across country, relying on her training and wits keep her out of the hands of the Gestapo, and meeting both friends and foe along the way. This is actually quite familiar territory for a tale of wartime espionage, but our author balances just the right amount of danger and suspense with Elisabeth's skills as a operative to make this build up to the main event exciting and surprisingly emotional.

Elisabeth's flight takes her to neutral Portugal, where she finds herself adopting the persona of Solange Verin, a wealthy French emigree, who is given the unenviable task of infiltrating a German spy ring, whilst maintaining her cover in a city that is known to be a hot bed of spies. It is in Lisbon that the majority of this novel is placed and this is what makes the story so very, very good.

I have not read anything about the Lisbon of this period before, so really enjoyed that Mara Timon works the historical facts into her fictional tale about the world that Elisabeth must now become familiar with. This is new and fascinating territory, for both Elisabeth and myself - a city where British and German soldiers and diplomats rub shoulders, ostensibly on neutral ground, among a population of local Portuguese swollen with the presence of refugees from across war torn Europe. Here Elisabeth must carry off her new identity as Solange to perfection in an environment where it is impossible to trust anyone and true loyalty is hidden well.

It is here, in Lisbon and it's environs, that the story really comes alive. We are treated to the very best in the espionage genre, full of as much detail about the nitty-gritty spy stuff to keep any fan of this kind of book happy, as our protagonist is skilled, resourceful, and undertaking dangerous and important work.

But that is not all: Solange is a wealthy woman and the trappings that come with this new role are not to be sniffed at. It is wonderful to revel in these long forgotten luxuries alongside Elisabeth - the elegant villa, the food, the gowns and jewellery - and it adds beautifully to the glamour and period feel of the piece.

This is an espionage tale of a different class: a novel that is more the nature of an iron fist that is wrapped seductively in a velvet glove. Elisabeth is a very competent spy, but she is also a woman, and it is the combination of these things that give depth and feeling to the story - love makes a welcome appearance too, but it is love of country that holds sway.

I have spent a fair bit of time in Portugal over the years, and it is a country that I love. It is clear from Mara Timon's descriptions that she has fallen for the charms of Portugal too. I particularly enjoyed the fact that our author has even included an appendix about 'Touring the City of Spies', and cannot wait to visit beautiful Lisbon once again with Mara Timon's guide in hand to soak up the wonderful locations she uses in this book.

This is an accomplished debut from an author who is most definitely one to watch, and I am hoping from the hints at the end of the book that a sequel will be on the the way before long - I will definitely be along for the ride!

Thanks to Bonnier Books for a review copy.
Mara Timon’s debut novel tells the story of Elisabeth de Mornay, a female SOE agent in 1940s Europe. The story opens in Paris where our protagonist (who narrates her tale in the past tense) has been engaged in resistance operation against the Nazi occupiers. Within a few pages she is betrayed and needs to make a hasty departure from the city planning to contact a resistance group in another city and arrange passage back to London. This part of the novel has all the tension of an episode of Secret Army as ‘Nathalie’ (as she is calling herself) tries to avoid or bluff her way past German road blocks whilst trying to help an injured British airman (Alex) whom she meets on the way.
The images of wartime France with all the inherent mistrust and resentment of an occupied area are beautifully conjured up by the writing style. To say too much more about this opening section would be to spoil the story so suffice to say that the reader is unlikely to want to leave ‘Nathalie’ and Alex before they have reached the end of their terrifying journey.
After travelling to Madrid, where we learn more about ‘Nathalie’s’ past she finds herself spirited to Lisbon rather than London where she has been seconded to British Intelligence. Here, in this neutral city, many nationalities gather including German and British officers and spies. Natalie is warned that someone is always watching as she begins her mission, now calling herself Mme Solange Verin, a recently widowed French lady, to infiltrate herself into the local society and find out as much as she can about what plans are afoot.
As she mingles with the local residents and starts to learn about them she soon finds herself thrust deep into a secret war where no one can be trusted and few people are what they seem. The plot moves along swiftly and there is something for everyone as romantic entanglements at cocktail parties, evenings at the casino and sightseeing visits are interspersed with shoot outs, kidnappings and covert rescue operations.
Keeping an eye on the German and British residents of the city are the Portuguese Secret Police whose commander will do whatever he deems necessary in the interests of Portugal and anyone whom he deems to have crossed the line of neutrality will face the consequences very quickly.
The book as a whole is enjoyable and fast paced with some well drawn and easily visualised characters. There are no stereotypes here; all the nationalities are portrayed as flawed but patriotic human beings trying to do what they see as their duty as best they can, with some taking extreme risks to do so. Whilst superficially this makes for a believable novel it also, on a deeper level, reinforces the fact that those involved in wars are normal people who, in most circumstances, would prefer to be friends than enemies.
The story ends on something of a cliffhanger which suggests that perhaps a sequel is planned telling more of the story of the people we have come to know as they battle their secret war. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to learn more of what happens after the story closes, as some of those we have learned to care about during the months we have joined them in Portugal are in a much less enviable position at the end of this volume. It would also be nice to discover more about Elisabeth’s past. The family feud which started with her wilful disobedience in marrying them man she loved and is clearly far from resolved and a meeting between her and her mother would, I feel, be a priceless clash of the titans!
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written and researched story which moves along at a cracking pace but which is peopled by believable characters all trying to do their best for whatever cause they believe in. And remember – in the City of Spies no one is who they seem.

When I read the description for City of Spies, by Mara Timon, I got very excited. It's an historical fiction set in neutral Portugal during WWII. At it's center is a female SOE agent named Elisabeth who is a literal femme fatale. I've read several books lately about these SOE agents recruited during the war. The level of danger they willingly welcomed is hard to fathom, which is why I find novels about them so fascinating. With the intrigue of spies, rich expats and threats from all sides, this novel was an exciting page turner, and highly entertaining.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Strangely, I have recently set my sights on visiting Portugal as my first big trip post pandemic, so I was really happy that the setting was in Lisbon. It's 1943, and in theory, Portugal is supposed to be neutral, welcoming both Allied and Axis sympathizers. But the reality is that the government seems to sway to whichever side is winning the war at any given time. This makes it a tricky political climate for the rich expats living there. The book only hints at the local unrest of the ordinary citizens. But, it's the motivation for the tight control the government has over everyone.


Historical Details:

I especially loved the details of clothing, and the lack of technology in 1943 Portugal. As a spy, Lisbet (Elisabeth) has an array of disguises and I loved all the details about how she was able to make herself look like a variety of different people. Using wigs, changing outfits, and even using pads inside her cheeks helps her to become different people. Because Lisbet has this background, she take special notice of how others dress and can glean all sorts of information from details such as how worn a person's shoes may be, or how they carry themselves.

Due to the time period (and the distinct possibility of phones being tapped), the character used various methods of communication that was indicative of the time. Letters, dead drops, and secret code were used by the spies to pass along information. But what struck me was how people could easily lose track of loved ones in the chaos of a war. How do you locate someone who isn't listed on a public record? If a family member disappears while you have to evacuate, will you ever be able to reconnect?

Story:

There are plots, conspiracies, and hidden agendas that make this a very complex story. Add to this an array of people who are not what they seem to be, and this becomes a novel that keeps the reader enthralled. As Lisbet navigates Lisbon high society, she has to decide what side each person is on. She can't trust anyone. But, using disguises, safe houses, and her training as a spy, Lisbet finds ways to get useful information to the British. She is always just on the edge of being discovered. This tension is what makes the book so fun.

What I Was Mixed About:

Ending:

While I was glad that the main plot point in the book was resolved, the book didn't answer many questions. I hope that this means that this might be the first book in a series. But when I checked on Goodreads, there was no mention of a sequel. This was a frustration.

This is a tense read, following the undercover exploits of Elisabeth de Mornay, an SOE operative we first meet as she is evading the Nazi’s in occupied France. She is assisted by the Resistance and finishes up in Lisbon, capital city of neutral nation Portugal. Lisbon's position on the edge of the war attracts in exile, or seeking to exploit the war for their own gain, as well as spies from all nations. Mara Timon includes real characters from history to give this book an authentic feel, and I learnt about Portugal’s role in the Second World War, something I was ignorant of before reading City of Spies. Despite being a debut novel, this book sometimes had the feel of a sequel, and I found myself wanting to know more of Elisabeth’s exploits before the opening scene.

A really good debut novel. This is a very well written story set mainly in Portugal in World War 2. It is a fast moving thriller which I read in one sitting. I found the events fascinating. I hope that this is not the last we see of Elisabeth de Mornay.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A great debut novel with a story full of fiction and reality moments. This book wasn't what i was expecting at all and i am not disappointed at all by the characters or events.
It reads out much more like a contemporary novel, in my opinion, it doesn't have at all that historical poetic veil and the heroine is sassy and determined, very opinionated and proves in many occasions what a strong heroine and character she is, facts that i absolutely loved. She spends no time wasting when she wants something and goes for it.
With all the spies and suspenseful events, i read it more like a romance or at least the subplot is way heavier in the romance department and probably that's part of me enjoying this book so much.


Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

This was a great, rip-roaring espionage thriller! We meet Elisabeth (codename Cécile) in 1943, just as her cover as a member of the French resistance is blown. She runs and shortly finds herself in the supposedly neutral Portugal, where she is given another mission by her godfather, Matthew – to infiltrate a circle of high-ranking German officers and their friends. She quickly learns that everyone in Lisbon has their own agenda and that nothing, and no-one, is quite what they seem. As she grows closer to a German Abwehr officer, Eduard Graf, and finds herself under increasing amounts of surveillance, she must use all of her training and skills to both survive and remember why she is truly there.

This is an action-packed tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the different perspective of a female spy in WWII. Elisabeth was feisty and very likeable, and the supporting cast of characters were well-drawn and interesting. I particularly liked the inclusion of real figures and events from the time, which helped to anchor the plot in its setting. I found many of Elisabeth’s antics a little far-fetched, particularly her actions towards Eduard, which were very much heart over head and would go against all of her training. However, this didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the story, which licked along at a good pace and had plenty of action. The ending hinted at a sequel, and I would be very happy to meet the characters again. This was a great debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Lisbon 1943 - Portugal was a neutral country during the Second World War, but that doesn’t mean it was a safe country! The capital city became a place of exiled aristocrats, diplomats, refugees, and secret operatives, all covertly watching each other.

It’s against this backdrop that Mara Timon’s debut novel is set. Protagonist, widowed SOE agent Elisabeth de Mornay ( code name Cecile) escapes from Nazi occupied France, and is given orders to infiltrate high society in Lisbon.

Her mission is to discover who is providing the Germans with information about British troop movements. Not unnaturally, this is an extremely dangerous mission, infiltrating the social circles of high ranking German officers, and, to ensure her mission succeeds, it involves a romantic liaison with Abwehr Officer Major Eduard Graf. A very dangerous game to play!

We first meet Elisabeth in Nazi occupied France, where she’s working as a wireless operator with the Resistance, that is, until her cover is blown, and the main part of the story then begins in Portugal.

Packed full of intrigue, (as all good espionage thrillers should be) this highly atmospheric storyline is a mix of both fact and fiction. Our protagonist got herself into some really tight situations, and I was left wondering at times, how the devil she would get herself out of this one, but of course it made for an exciting read! And speaking of Elisabeth, she’s self assured, opinionated even, but ultimately very likeable.

In ‘City of Spies’, no one is who they say they are, not even our protagonist. Trust no one!

A wonderful debut novel, with a conclusion that clearly leaves the door open for a sequel - and one that I would be very happy to read.

A WW2 thriller set in Portugal in 1943, where we find Elisabeth (aka Solange, Veronique, Nathalie...) working undercover following an audacious escape from the Gestapo in Paris.

She is soon working to infiltrate a smuggling ring, moving wolfram (a metal used in the arms trade) along the coast. Along the way, she encounters an eclectic array of characters, with some new unpalatable relationships being formed.

I did like the premise of this story, and the historical references that Mara Timon explains at the end - however, the characters didn't really grab me I'm afraid. I wanted more on their backgrounds, more on their feelings. Still a good read though.

I love a thriller and I love a story about SOE. But I have to say I found this novel rather disappointing and formulaic. I’ve read much better versions of this story (fiction and indeed non fiction) but what really bothered me about it was the structure; it starts apparently halfway through a plot. There’s way too much cliche too for my liking. I guess if you know nothing about SOE or indeed French collaboration and so on, it’s a decent read but not for me.

This is a stunning debut. Spy novels don't get any better than this. It is beautifully written, with all the shenanigans of a spy sent to a country apparently neutral to the Allies and the Axis forces in WW2, told with precision. The pace never flags for a second and the whole book was an utter joy to read.
The characters are drawn with astute portraiture and touching empathy. The Lisbon of 1943 is brought to life in intimate detail.
When you read this novel prepare for surprises, shocks and tears. The sequel can't come quickly enough for me: I want more!

“City of Spies” is a debut novel by Mara Timon and is an easy to read, espionage thriller set in neutral Portugal in 1943.
“When her cover is blown, SOE agent Elisabeth de Mornay flees Paris. Pursued by the Gestapo, she makes her way to Lisbon, where Europe's elite rub shoulders with diplomats, businessmen, smugglers, and spies. There she receives new orders - and a new identity. Posing as wealthy French widow Solange Verin, Elisabeth must infiltrate a German espionage ring targeting Allied ships, before more British servicemen are killed. The closer Elisabeth comes to discovering the truth, the greater the risk grows. With a German officer watching her every step, it will take all of Elisabeth's resourcefulness and determination to complete her mission”
As ever in books of this nature, there is often some harrowing events that unfold. The plight of the French resistance in the story and their heroism and bravery made me realise how important they were to the war effort and how they all put their lives on the line, often to the point of being brutally murdered in public. The author covered this and highlighted just how important they were to helping the allies to safety. British Special Operatives who were recruited and trained to fight and spy on the enemy were also worth their weight in gold, something I certainly wouldn’t have had the confidence to do.
I enjoyed the bulk of the story, not too spy based so you didn’t know what was going on, though I would recommend you read in a few a sittings as possible for continuity. There is a helpful cast of characters at the start and I do admit I’d have being a bit lost without it.
The characters were true to their loyalties, however I was a bit suspicious of Elisabeth’s romantic behaviour, being so intensely trained, she let her heart rule her head on many occasion, even when duty didn’t call. This just didn’t sit right with me, in a war where you truly can’t trust anyone and your life depended on your identity staying secret. But, who knows what emotions are heightened when in danger or feeling fear.
Bertie Jones, a shipwrecked SOE was my favourite character, he brought some much needed, lighthearted banter in a time of war and death and I would love to see him in further stories in the series.
There’s some interesting sections at the end of the book with historical and geographical notes the author has detailed and it’s plain to see the author carried out extensive research regarding the era, the setting and the type of characters who would have been involved the world of espionage.
I believe there is a follow up story in the making, where Elisabeth and two other special operatives pave the way for the Normandy landings and I will be very tempted to read, to see how Elisabeth’s life and ‘career’ develops further.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

City of Spies is set during WW2,a story about espionage,murder,the Gestapo even love and a brave SOE Agent real name Elizabeth de Mornay but using many aliases.This is an exciting thriller travelling from Paris to neutral Portugal,full of intrigue,very atmospheric and many twists and turns.I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this Author .Many thanks to the Publisher,the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

A great book.
Elisabeth is an agent with SOE during World War 2. The book starts in 1943 Paris, when Elisabeth must escape after the Resistance is compromised. She manages to travel out of Paris, meeting an RAF pilot, Alex, who has been shot down and needs to get to a safe place. They find a local Resistance outfit who, eventually, help them. Elisabeth ends up in Portugal, Alex does not.
The story moves to Portugal, where Elisabeth is recruited by her godfather, who works in intelligence there, to be his eyes and ears among Lisbon society. Although Portugal is supposedly neutral, it is home to many German and Allied soldiers and spies. The story takes many twists and turns, well-written to keep the reader gripped. People are not what they seem, and Elisabeth's time there is far from straightforward. Will she be found out; by befriending a German officer is she risking everything, or is he not quite what he appears; who can she trust?
A real page turner. The ending leaves it open for a sequel - I look forward to reading it.

I usually steer clear of espionage thrillers for the simple reason that I find them hard going and although the character list at the start of this book didn’t bode well I found this debut novel surprisingly easy to follow. Featuring a firecracker protagonist in twenty-eight-year-old widow and SOE agent Elizabeth de Mornay and taking place in the so called city of spies and the neutral capital of Lisbon I found this introduction to the character of plucky Elizabeth tense and highly atmospheric. Providing an insight into the stress of living a lie and trusting nobody it also gives an idea of the personal toll such a role would have taken.

The novel opens in June 1943 when six months after being parachuted into Nazi-Occupied France, wireless operator and SOE agent Elizabeth de Mornay’s cover is blown and she is forced to flee Paris. As a childless and widowed woman with a difficult relationship with her mother, Elizabeth (codename Cécile) opts to continue working for the Resistance and after a few close scrapes with German soldiers she accepts her new commission from her diplomat godfather and finds herself in Lisbon with a mission to infiltrate high society. Famously neutral but with a port on the Atlantic, Lisbon attracted everyone from exiles and operatives to businessmen and refugees during WWII. Elizabeth recreates herself as Solange Verin, a glamorous and wealthy French widow used to high-living and keen to immerse herself amongst the rich European set. But in the city of spies, no one is who they claim to be and Solange isn’t the only one with an ulterior motive for being there..

Befriended by flamboyant neighbour Claudine, her casino loving Nazi-sympathiser husband Christophe allows Solange access to elite soiree’s hosted by German officers and military attachés, one of whom in particular catches her eye. As a member of the German military intelligence service (Abwehr) Major Eduard Graf should be off-limits to Elizabeth but in the course of identifying just who is leaking key information to the Germans their paths cross and sparks fly. Major Eduard Graf knows Solange is not all she appears but feels an inexplicable urge to protect her whilst Elizabeth in turn is aware that she is playing with fire and potentially putting her life on the line. Stumbling upon a smuggling operation that is giving the Germans the upper hand in importing shipments of wolfram alongside the crucial leaks, Elizabeth also teams up with a half-French East End boy to attempt to bring down both rackets and come one step closer to ending the war. An explosive denouement and a open-ended final chapter leaves Elizabeth’s story up in the air and primed for a follow-up.

Some of Elizabeth’s capabilities and proficiency in combat, outsmarting her enemies and recklessness have to be taken with a pinch of salt but for the most part watching her as she holds her nerve, switches disguises and gets too close to her enemies is worth a bit of eye-rolling! Indeed her appetite for men seems to be her only potential downfall! Whilst I would have appreciated learning more about Elizabeth’s background (family relations and divisive marriage) in order to fully understand her commitment to her work I hope and suspect this will be followed up in future outings. Engagingly written with a easily distinguishable cast of colourful secondary characters the story is pacy and whilst it might not be the most complicated of spy thrillers I found it a decent read. At times I did feel a little let down that everything seemed to boil down to sex with Elizabeth and found it impossible to believe that a highly trained and intelligent SOE agent would be so easily distracted from their mission and sidetracked by seduction.

An enjoyable story of espionage in wartime Lisbon,with an engaging central character,Elisabeth de Mornay, who is sent there by SOE to uncover a smuggling ring led by the Nazis in supposedly neutral Portugal. It moves along at a fast pace and has plenty of action and period detail.I was mystified at times by references to events in the past that are alluded to but never fully explained, and at one point I wondered if this was the second in a series,but that’s not the case.
However,it looks like there will be a sequel, and I would look forward to reading it.Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

This is an exciting war time story with a strong female protaganist who is a secret operative working for the British, first in France and then Portugal. It has great characters and details how Lisbon had all the nations part of World War II. I loved how Elizabeth gave her all for the war effort to the sacrifice of those she loved, and definitely feel that ending needs a sequel.

SOE female agents in WW2 were immensely valuable but not always written about..

Here we have a debut novel about one such fictional girl Elizabeth de Mornay and her adventures start with her dropping in France as a radio operator in 1943. She ends up trying to contact the Resistance and after a walk across a few fields finds some members of the Resistance!

Luckily, the book improves when she finds herself in Lisbon and takes on the role of a rich widow Solange Verin. Lisbon is a dangerous place during this phase of the war and Ms Timon puts this across very well. The book title sums it up neatly. Solange mixes with the more affluent of Lisbon society, together with her new friend and neighbour, Claudine. Some people Solange meets find that she has a dagger - which she uses to effect. A resourceful girl always ready to hotwire a car!

Whilst I enjoyed the Portuguese 'side' of the book, I felt the French episode was a waste of time as it took up 20% of the whole story. Also too many cliches and unbelievable characters.for me, both in France and Lisbon.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bonnier Books UK for the chance to read and review.,

A fantastic debut novel. In a City of Spies - who can you trust? When her SOE cover is blown our heroine escapes to Lisbon where intrigue, networks and people are not what they seem. One of the best books I have read for a while.

Mara Timon's debut is a blend of fact and fiction, historical fiction set during WW2, featuring widowed SOE agent, Elisabeth de Mornay, codename Cecile, operating in Paris, only to be forced to flee when her cover is blown by a neighbour. Her intention is to try and connect with members of the French Resistance, only to find herself having to fight and kill in her efforts to survive. She comes across RAF officer, Alex Sinclair, joining forces with him, only for tragedy to occur and Elisabeth finding herself in ostensibly neutral Portugal, deployed by her godfather, Matthew Harrington, to work for the allies. In Operation Black Cat, Elisabeth poses as the well to do French Madame Solange Verin, living amongst the ex-pat community in Lisbon, notoriously known as the city of spies, full of refugees, where no-one is who they claim to be.

There is a large presence of Germans, the Nazis being covertly supported by Salazar in numerous ways, such as supplying the essential element of Tungsten or Wolfram, needed to fuel the German war machine. There is concern amongst the allies at the number of their ships being hit, hoping to infiltrate and expose Nazi espionage operations and uncover traitors amidst the rank of the allies. In her search for the necessary intelligence, Elisabeth befriends her neighbour Claudine, married to Christophe, and before long starts to connect with a number of Germans, including Major Eduard Graf, military hero and member of the Abwehr, the German military intelligence unit. She finds herself drawn to Graf, a dangerous liaison in the war, but just cannot help herself. Finding herself under constant surveillance, warned by the PVDE, the state police, Elisabeth must rely on her wits, instincts and her SOE training in her battle to survive, her life in danger, yet unable to trust anyone, helped by a East End thug.

Timon successfully conveys the levels of intrigue that existed during WW2 in Lisbon, and the importance of Portugal to both the Allies and the Germans, which explains the numbers of spies in Lisbon. Elisabeth making an exciting central protagonist, a fearless, adventurous, and bright woman, operating in a man's world, willing to do whatever it takes to play her part in bringing down the Nazi regime. This is not a historical novel where I learnt anything new in terms of Lisbon during WW2, due in part to my historical knowledge and the fact that I have read a number of novels set here in this time period, some of greater depth, such as Robert Wilson's A Small Death in Lisbon. Nevertheless, it is a engaging and entertaining read, and those unfamiliar with Lisbon's history during the war will find it informative. Many thanks to Bonnier Books for an ARC.