This is a very accomplished debut novel set in the world of espionage during World War II in Europe.
In a brave and creative departure from the familiar struggle in occupied France, Mara Timon brings the combatants into the neutral location of Portugal. Lisbon is the City of Spies and is as a much a character as the “diplomatic” staff of the Allies and Axis powers.
Politically Portugal is trying to remain even handed and maintain a balance of power without favouring either party. As the war progresses the leadership become more pragmatic but the situation on the ground remains as fraught with danger as ever.
SOE agent Cécile has fought against the Germans in France, now she needs fresh skills with the ability to adjust to a fresh and dangerous environment.

This is a thrilling novel, melding fact and fiction to draw out the balance of power, the almost hidden struggle that was instrumental in the outcome of the war. Since the sides are so blurred with their agents less defined and individual allegiances perhaps governed by financial gain Cécile struggles to find people she can trust. Matters take a turn for the worse and more dangerous for her, when aspects of her betrayal and escape from France re-surface.

I really enjoyed the tension the author was able to generate in this well chosen location that brought intrigue and a sense of autonomy where previously one worked under strict orders and where you life depended daily on others being like minded and diligent in their covert operations.
I liked the list of characters at the start. Don’t let this put you off as the piece is well written and as such you will be rarely need to refer to this list, to resolve who is who. Cécile could have done with a copy to find out who was who and definitely who was who they pretended to be.
In addition I found the author’s comments at the close of the book and what drew her to this unique environment during a worldwide struggle, that was so key. Mara has been inspired by true events and her imagination and inherent skills of a story-teller has produced a stunning book full of intrigue and danger.

The characters are believable and their courage deserves these fiction accounts that celebrate their efforts. The role of women spies was a courageous move that matched the bravery of those who enlisted and took the war into Europe. 
Along with the often unsung heroes of those civilians who resisted occupation; the women Mara highlights through Cécile’s wartime efforts were truly fearless. One in three never returned to receive the medals they deserved, nor the life of freedom their sacrifice brought about.

I absolutely loved this book, a wonderful espionage story set in Europe during World War Two!
I knew a little bit about Lisbon being a city full of spies during World War Two, from reading Solitaire, the fifth book in the Clara Vine series by Jane Thynne. I didn’t realise to what extent the government of Portugal played though, keeping all the different spy networks under surveillance, and benefiting from them.
Elizabeth de Mornay was a fantastic main character, who I rooted for right from the start of the book. I loved following her escape from Paris, through France to Lisbon. It was an intense journey she took, both physically and emotionally.
There were so many twists and turns in this book, with some brilliant unexpected moments, that had me gasping with shock at times. The author certainly knew how to surprise me!
There were lots of dodgy characters, and situations that had my heart in my mouth hoping that Elizabeth would be safe and not discovered by her enemies! Who exactly who were her enemies? Who could she trust?
A brilliant novel that I thoroughly recommend and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next!

Oh my goodness, what a stunning read this is! A fast paced and stylish WW2 espionage thriller that kept me completely gripped throughout, it introduces SOE agent Elisabeth de Mornay who, pursued by the Gestapo, flees Paris and makes her way to neutral Lisbon. There she receives a new assignment along with a brand new identity.

With its vividly portrayed and unique cast of characters, Mara Timon’s debut novel City of Spies is an exciting espionage thriller that moves along at a cracking pace, the action never losing momentum right up until the final page has been turned. Elisabeth is a character I loved from the outset, with her strong, feisty personality, breathtaking bravery and loyalty to her country. But there’s also a vulnerability to her that makes her resilience in the face of danger all the more admirable, bringing an authentically human aspect to the story that I loved.

Mara Timon’s beautiful writing transported me to WW2 Lisbon, bringing it so vividly to life I almost felt like I was there. I had no idea that Lisbon was neutral territory during the war, so that was an interesting historical aspect of the story that I found fascinating! 

From the opening page right through to its final, thrilling denouement, City of Spies had me on the edge of my seat throughout. An exhilarating and highly entertaining read that took my breath away, I honestly can’t recommend this wonderful espionage thriller highly enough. 

And after that ending, I’m so pleased to learn there is going to be a sequel. I can’t wait to read it!

The debut novel from Mara Timon is a fast-paced espionage thriller about a female spy set in 1943 Lisbon.

I have little to none experience with spy stories, but I love to read one from time to time simply because I enjoy them greatly. That was also the case with "City of Spies", which took me on a great adventure and allowed me to disconnect from the real world for a few hours. It's deeply atmospheric, the characters are full-fleshed and interesting, and the writing style is just on point with the tone of the story. Moreover, I love urban settings in novels, and Lisbon did not disappoint.

By and large, this was a fascinating and thrilling read that kept me at the edge of my seat. A great debut by Timon, to say the least!

Atmospheric, funny, dark and surprising voices I loved this very modern historical fiction. The main character was uniquely relatable and twists and turns will keep you hooked in

An excellent debut. I am not usually a fan of novels set in war time but the premise, pace and constant twists and turns kept me hooked. The characters were believable and I will be looking out for other works by the author.

Elisabeth de Mornay is an SOE agent working in France during WWII, but when her cover is blown she escapes via Spain and ends up in Lisbon which is supposedly neutral.  Her Godfather a diplomat at the British Embassy sets her up with a new cover in order to befriend the German officers who are living in Lisbon to find out what they are up to.  A war story with surprising differences, thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already recommended it to a friend.

As I might have mentioned once or twice I’m a huge fan of books set in World War 2 so this book instantly appealed to me. Stories about women working for the resistance are always really interesting and I find it incredible to think of these ordinary people doing such brave work.

The author does a great job of setting the scene in her book and her vivid descriptions helped me imagine what Lisbon was like during the war. It must have been an atmospheric though dangerous place to live and I liked how the author manages to reflect this with the short or incomplete sentences in the first part of this book. I felt this helped build the atmosphere and gave the story an edge to it as you became aware that everyone had secrets and no one could be trusted.

Elizabeth (codename Cecile) is a wonderful main character who I really enjoyed following throughout the book. She was such a brave, together character and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what she gets up to. Some of the situations she finds herself in were very tense and I found myself reading faster and faster until she was out of danger. I always think it shows great skill to make a reader care about a character like that.

Overall I really enjoyed this interesting read which had plenty of twists and turns to keep me glued to the page. It was fascinating to learn more about wartime Lisbon, especially as it’s a setting I don’t think I’ve read much about before. I’m now very excited to read more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Zaffre for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

How did this book end up in my hands? I was given a digital review copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was it a page-turner? This is certainly a very compelling book and there are so many intriguing characters that – even when tired after a long day – I just wanted to keep going to find out what happened next.

Did the book meet my expectations? I started reading it without too many expectations. While I was interested in both the historical period and the location of the novel, I am not normally a fan of spies and political intrigue. I can now safely say that I am glad I picked this up as it both entertained me and gave me new knowledge. Surely there will be a sequel though? I am all for open endings but the last paragraph left me wanting a little more closure. Unless, as I’m hoping, there’s more to come!

Three words to describe it. Atmospheric. Well-researched. Fascinating.

Do I like the cover? I love love love the cover. I’m not normally drawn to novels about war and spies so when I read the title I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this at all. Then I saw the cover and there was no going back!

Have I read any other books by the same author? This is the author’s debut novel and I will make sure I keep an eye on what comes next.

Mara Timon’s debut novel is one of intrigue and espionage in World War II. With little preamble, we are thrust straight into the action as, betrayed to the Gestapo in Paris, our heroine goes on the run. Following a thrilling escape through the French countryside to the coast, Elizabeth arrives in Lisbon, a city whose neutrality means that British and German agents mix with French refugees and locals, where the war is fought in the shadows, kidnappings and assassinations a daily event. Working undercover for her godfather, an English ‘diplomat’, Elizabeth finds herself entering this society, where anyone might be an enemy or an ally, where she will need all her training and guile just to survive. The core of the novel is tense and claustrophobic as Elizabeth , alias mysterious French widow, Solange Verin, tries to find those responsible for betraying Allied ships to the Nazis, only to explode into a breathtaking climax as she confronts the enemy. 

CITY OF SPIES is a “Girls Own’ thriller, an adventure set against the complex and confusing theatre that is wartime Portugal. I was unfamiliar with events in Lisbon during the war but Mara Timon vividly brings the city to life. The espionage is much more towards the Fleming end of the spectrum than the Le Carre, and none the worse for that, but this is a fresh take on the genre, glamorous, romantic and exciting.

An excellent debut. This is a highly entertaining, fast paced and action packed spy thriller that kept me hooked.
I loved the well thought characters, the well researched historical background, the solid and tightly knitted plot.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am totally bowled over with this story, it is courageous, emotional and brings out the best and worst of people on both sides of the second world war.

Elisabeth de Mornay is working for the British Secret Service in Europe in 1944 when she has to flee. She isn’t a woman that easily blends in society being five ten inches tall and strikingly attractive but she works her assets to her advantage when ever she can. She is the most likeable of characters so I had an instant connection to her which made the story even more intense. She puts herself into situations that she feels will make a difference to the war. Her personal connections are to some pretty high ranking officials from the British side, which could endanger her even more, if they were to be discovered.

I literally read this book cover to cover in one sitting and the world just had to carry on without me. From opening the book it was tense, daring and exciting. She is a people person who is brilliant at the roles she plays but her emotions are for real. I loved how the characters were brought to life, some that raised the hairs on the back of my neck in terror, while others I swooned over.

I really loved that the author created her characters as people, not divided on different sides of the war not making them good or bad because of where they had been born. This is one of the best best of this type of story that I have read. It felt real. Oh wow! there had better be a follow up to this, I have been left with an OMG feeling that really needs a fix very soon! Awesome, give me more!

The stunning debut from the new name to watch in espionage thrillers. City of Spies is set in neutral Lisbon, Portugal, in 1943 and follows Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent Elisabeth de Mornay, codename Cecile. When her cover is blown, she must flee Paris leaving Nazi-occupied France behind her. She receives new orders: despite being hounded by the Gestapo and bad luck she must infiltrate high society in neutral Lisbon and find out who is leaking key information to the Germans about British troop movements. As Solange Verin, a French widow of independent means, she will be able to meet all the rich Europeans who have gathered in Lisbon to wait out the war. One of them is a traitor, and she must find out who before more British servicemen die. Complications arise when 'Solange' comes to the attention of German Abwehr officer Major Eduard Graf. As they get to know each other, she struggles to keep her lies close to the truth. But in a city that is filled with spies, and with no one being who they claim to be, how can she tell who is friend or foe? 

Mara's superb debut novel is a potent mix of fact and fiction and the importance of Lisbon to both the Allies and the Germans is conveyed by the sheer number of spies present in the city at the time, making Elizabeth's mission all the more dangerous. The tension was palpable throughout and the disquieting feeling of never knowing who can be trusted really gets under your skin and into your psyche. There is plenty of intrigue and the twists and turns of the plot are beautifully executed. For a debut, this is an accomplished work of historical fiction and hints at what we readers can expect from Timon in her future publications. Elizabeth is a great protagonist who is intelligent, bold and holds her own in a world dominated by men. What she holds in her heart means she fearlessly applies herself to do whatever it may take to halt the plans of the Nazi regime. Overall, an absorbing, entertaining and interesting read. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.

Wow! This is an action packed, fast paced spy thriller and I loved every second of it.  With an amazing feisty female protagonist, this book will put you in the heart of Lisbon during WWII and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Elisabeth is such a brilliant character.  I loved everything about her.  She’s brave but has a vulnerable side, she will do whatever it takes for the people she cares about and for her country, and she really does put herself into some dangerous situations.  I connected with her from the very beginning, and enjoyed every heart stopping moment that she took me on.  But it’s not just her – the other characters in this are all brilliant too.  I don’t want to say too much about any of them because I want you to experience the full intrigue when you read this, but just know that you will love so many of them, and detest more than a few!

The fact that this is set in neutral Lisbon was eye opening and brilliant.  You’d think a neutral country would be exactly that – neutral…..but there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes, and Lisbon was the perfect setting for the City of Spies.  Timon, having been to Lisbon, does a wonderful job of immersing you into the glamorous City and fully submerges you into the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, told from Elisabeth’s point of view.  It was easy and enjoyable to read, and the style easily made me feel like I was in the 1940’s.  The action is incredible – there is always something going on, whether that’s a full on fight or Elisabeth off investigating and finding information.  You honestly won’t want to put this down for a minute.  And the ending……I literally had a ‘what!’ moment and didn’t want it to end.  I’m just so happy there will be another book so I can catch up with this amazing heroine.

And finally, the other thing worth noting, and I found added a fantastic amount of added value, was the character list at the beginning of the story which tells you which characters are historically accurate; as well as the historical notes at the end which fills the reader in on what really did happen.  If you’re a history fan like me, this made such a difference.

Overall, an absolutely stunning and intense debut.  If you’re looking for your next action packed thriller/spy thriller/historical fiction novel then you need to check this out.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.  100% recommended by me – I can’t wait to read the next one!

Really enjoyed City of Spies. It's a bit of a different angle to the run of World War II books. I didn't really know much about Portugal during that period, and the high society Lisbon, with its rich socialites and deep undercurrents, is very intriguing. 

Code name Cecile, posing as a rich widow, Solange is given the mission of finding a traitor... but is anyone who they seem?

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy the love story angle, but it worked in well.

Those who know me well know that not only am I a book geek but I am also a history nerd with a special interest in stories set during both World Wars.  So you can probably understand why I was so excited about ‘City Of Spies’ by Mara Timon.  Let’s just say that I couldn’t wait and dived straight in.  Oh boy, was it a read and a half or what?  I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘City Of Spies’ but more about that in a bit.
I can’t say that I especially took to any of the characters but at the same time, I found that I cared about what happened to some of them.  Elizabeth de Mornay is with the Special Operations Executive and to say that she has been in some dangerous situations is a massive understatement.  She is one seriously brave, determined and at times stubborn young woman.  I found it interesting that despite her privileged upbringing, she still chooses to flirt with death as it were.  I can’t say that I especially warmed to her but at the same time I certainly admired her nerve and bravery.
It didn’t take me long to get into ‘City Of Spies’.  In fact the synopsis was enough to grab my attention and then the story just drew me in.  I was intrigued as to what was going to happen to Elizabeth and I felt compelled to keep reading to find out what happened to her.  The pages turned over rather quickly and during the more dramatic bits they turned so quickly that the page numbers seemed to blur into one.  I seemed to sprint through the latter half of the story and then all too quickly I had to bid farewell to the characters of this thrilling read.
‘City Of Spies’ is superbly written.  I was impressed with the quality of the story and of the storytelling.  I found it hard to believe that ‘City Of Spies’ was a debut novel as the writing style is so polished and confident.  The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with.  I loved the way in which the author told the story using such vivid and realistic descriptions.  I actually felt as though I was part of the story myself and I went through every experience, ordeal and emotion that Elizabeth went through.  I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘City Of Spies’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers.  I will certainly be reading more of Mara’s work in the future.  The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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.