Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Another cracking read in this series and I continue to love Kate as a character. I'm a sucker for a good spy/political thriller and the author plays a good hand in this series. I hope it's not the last we see of Kate!

Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.

Enjoyable follow up to Secret Agent which follows Kate Henderson and her family dealing with the aftermath of her husband and his actions.

I felt this was a bit darker as Kate tries to keep her family together whilst still continuing to try and put on a strong front at work.

Really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to the follow up.

An interesting read that I'm glad to have discovered. I'll definitely be seeking out more by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this spy thriller. Tom Bradbury continues to provide a fast moving plot and lots of excitement. I enjoyed the way it moved between London,Venice and Russia. I would recommend this book and am grateful to Netgalley and Random House for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

Following on from the first book in this series, Kate finds herself in the thick of things once again. Previous events mean that not only is her professional life difficult but her personal life is in a bit of a mess.

This story has Kate questioning her instincts so much, and not all of her decisions are the right ones.

I am really enjoying reading more about Kate and can’t wait to see what comes next.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

This is the second book by Tom Bradby featuring Kate Henderson, and I think you really need to have read the first book for a lot of this one to make sense. But believe me that is no hardship. Mr Bradby is an excellent writer and knows how to plot a novel, build tension, and describe places you’ll never visit in way that makes you see them. There is a lot happening here and for a large part of the book, I wanted to grab Kate, make her a cup of tea, get her to put her feet up and throw a blanket over her to make her snooze. Bloody hell, she flits about and never sleeps and encounters death, trauma, and suspicion every time she turns round. Well, maybe not every time but there are parts of this that will leave you breathless.

Kate is driving and flying all over the world, never quite sure of who could be on her side or against her or on her side and also working with other UK agencies so slightly not on her side. There is loads of subterfuge and it is excellent. I enjoyed the insight into UK politics and it’s obvious as a journalist that Mr Bradby knows of what he speaks.

Recommended if you just want to escape the nightmare of real life at the minute and disappear into the nightmare of Russian spies, double crossing Brits, and suspicion everywhere. And the family stuff with her children, her aunt and her estranged husband all add to the journey.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This was an exciting spy thriller. The interactions between the characters were fascinating and felt very real. The story was non stop action with a convoluted conclusion which was entirely expected. Great read!

A little disappointed by this follow up (as others have mentioned the first book is necessary reading) as even for a spy novel a little too unrealistic. The last plot twist was badly executed. I think I’ll pick up the next book by simple curiosity but sadly not a must read

A cracking second book following on from Secret Service. Secrets and lies abound. Will keep you guessing and turning the pages right to the very end. More please!

I enjoyed this as much, maybe more, than the first of Tom Bradby's books featuring Kate Henderson and her MI6 "Russia Desk" team. The plot was full of action and the characters were distinctive and well, full of character! The book had everything you'd possibly want from a spy thriller - deceit, affairs, kidnapping, trailing suspects and being followed, children in danger, foreign travel on false passports and secret trysts with old flames. Lots of fun!

There were also nasty lying politicians and obsequious ladder-climbing special advisers (OK, that's obviously not fiction).

It would be best to read "Secret Service" first as "Double Agent" picks up a little after the former finishes (although previous events are explained so it's not essential). I do hope there's a third book in the offing because some key points are left unknown. Definitely recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the very last. Its a thoroughly addictive spy thriller and a follow up to Secret Service. which is an equally good book by News Reader Tom Bradby. It's an action packed thriller which takes you between London, Venice and Russia.

I'd recommend you read Secret Service first as both are so good, you wouldn't want to miss out on the background to characters and their history as could be a little difficult to understand the plot if you don't..

Kate Henderson is back and her world has been turned upside down. She has to deal with the possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family, along with her own family issues. In exchange for a safe place to stay, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy - but is he? Who can be trusted? Can the evidence be believed?

I really hope this series of books get made into a film or tv series as would be fantastic and hope there will be a third instalment n the not too distant future!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read another fantastic ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I really enjoy Bradby and despite wondering at far fetched premise (although it looks like Trump is at least manipulated by Russians if not wholly aware of it) , I was keen to see if Bradby could convince me. It's true that current events helped with my persuasion, but Bradby does make it work. Kate's relationship to defector who is feeding her info drifts into stereotype but that's inevitable. (I also didn't buy the obligatory female central protagonist here .. why her? so that Bradby and publishers have female there?) in any case utterly enjoyable if not as razor-sharp as his earlier thrillers.

The sequel to Secret Service is even more of a page turner than its predecessor. It's a very modern spy/political thriller and you can see journalist Tom Bradby putting his experience to good use. The identity of the mole in MI6 kept me guessing right until the end. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Good spy thriller, a follow on from "Secret Service". Kate Henderson's world has been turned upside down but she has to carry on and try and resolve the credibility question of the UK Prime Minister. This is mix of the normal spy stuff I love and relationship problems at home which have been become intertwined. Who done it or who could of done it dominates with Kate and her colleagues trying work it out and if any of them were involved. It is pretty routine spy stuff but entertaining nonetheless and if you like the genre worth trying and reading the first book helps.

Another rollicking spy tale from Tom Bradby, who I’m sure has some extremely well informed sources to draw on when developing his plots. When there’s a possible traitor at the heart of government, Britain’s secret service are at full stretch trying to prove it. There’s some threads still to tie up so room for another book in the series, but an enjoyable diversion all told.

I thoroughly enjoyed Secret Service, which is the prequel to Double Agent and recommended it to lots of people. For .much of this book I felt the same but towards the end it felt rushed, as though the author had to save enough for the third book and needed to wrap this up quickly.
I also thought that if the top people in the British Security Service are really pill popping insomniacs and philanderers with little emotional intelligence then our coutry is in serious trouble.
I hope that the next book in this series (I am making an assumption here) is as enjoyable as the first and answers all of the questions raised for the reader.

The book provides a continuation of the first book Secret Agent, The events as related in the previous book and the need to salvage her credibility needs urgent action. Unable to sleep with pills and suffering nightmares she stubbornly presses on undertaking high risk operations while even while suffering PTSD .and the risk of burn out. However, nothing works out, more agents and assets are killed as she is seemingly betrayed and foiled at every turn even when the required evidence is nearly within her grasp. Her failures results in a need for suitable story to be concocted to settle maters and not rock the boat, to which she has to agree as a price to be allowed retire with honour.

This was very good. I had read Tom’s previous novel in this series and I enjoyed this one just as much. The plot moved quickly and the locations were well described. Overall I would recommend this.