Excellent - not read any Tess Gerrsiten before - best known for R&I/crime novels - so I believe this is a new area of thriller writing for her

My thoughts - excellent all round - liked the characters, plot and setting, which effortlessly move from small town Maine to the far east and evenb London.

The premise of retired people with "specialist skills" - intelligence agents etc, who find themeselves in a "situation" - has become quite popular over the past few years and not all authors carry this off well. Gerritsen does it excellently - I won't go into the story any more, so, as usual, no plot spoilers. Just to say that its a credible, engaging and well crafted story that keeps you on the page and guessing

Final verdict - get this whether you're a Tess Gerristen fan or not. If you like thrillers and/or novels with an espionage angle - it really is one for you.

#TheSpyCoast #NetGalley I do love a Tess Gerritsen book so I was excited to read this book and it did not dissappoint. An unusual perspective for a crime thriller following a bunch of retired spies who find themselves coming out of retirement to solve a murder plot to kill one of their own. I found I was unable to put this down as it combined action, twists and turns and a lot of humour. The characters were interesting and likeable and part of me didn't want it to end. Imagine my delight when I realised that this was the first book in a new SERIES by The author!!! I can't wait to read the next in the series. A very well deserved 5 stars!!

A new Tess Gerritsen book is always going to catch my attention so I was excited to read The Spy Coast, which introduces a fabulous cast of characters in a thoroughly entertaining thriller and the first in what looks set to be another engaging series from Gerritsen.

Maggie Bird is an ex-CIA agent who moves to a small town in Maine to pursue a quite life in retirement as a chicken farmer. But when her past catches up with her and a dead body is found on her property, her local group of friends and fellow former agents – The Martini Club – can’t help but get involved in the investigation, much to the frustration of the town’s acting police chief Jo Thibodeau who knows nothing of their past and struggles to understand why they always seem to be one step ahead of her.

This may be a book featuring an older set of protagonists and it is not without its humorous moments, but this is no cosy crime story! This is a group of retirees not to be messed with and with plenty of thrills and no shortage of action as the story moves from past to present across the globe and Maggie’s backstory is revealed, it proved to be a captivating read. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next as we get to know this entertaining cast of characters better.

A cracking read. Fast paced spy thriller. Retired spy Maggie Bird and the Martini Club investigate (under the radar) why a dead woman is on her drive,. Has the past come back to haunt her. Told in the present and flashback it's a must read. I received this book from Random House and Netgalley for a review.

The first book in a new series (Martini Club series book 1) is called The Spy Coast. It's out today! I received a copy from Random House UK via Netgalley.

We follow Maggie Bird an average retiree living in the seaside town of Purity. But she's not just a retiree and she never says anything about her past. When an unidentified body is left on Maggie's driveway, she knows it's her past calling. In comes the 'Martini Club' - a silver-haired book group (to anyone who asks), but in reality they're former spies. With their help, Maggie might still be able to save the life she's built.

I've read many books by Tess Gerritsen and I've honestly loved them all. She is a superb and brilliant author extremely gifted in telling an amazing story. And that's also the case with this book, the first in a new series. It did not disappoint whatsoever! The story is exciting, fast-paced and executed perfectly. Loved every bit of it and flew through the pages - that just shows how good an author she is. Can't wait for the second installment in this series!

5/5 ⭐

What a refreshing read from Tess Gerritsen!

I’m a fan of her books anyway, but this was like a breath of fresh air…..hints of the Murder Club meets Reacher….it was a fabulous read.

I’m looking forward to seeing if this series continues and where this group of retired professionals get themselves in the middle of.

No spoilers here - just a good old fashioned thriller - add it to your ‘To Be Read’ pile for sure!

I am a big fan of Tess Gerritsen and was really looking forward to reading The Spy Coast, which is the first book in a new series. I did enjoy it but found it to be a little difficult to follow in places. I guess because it is the first in a series it took me a while to get my head round the different characters and the multiple timelines giving the various backstories. That said, I am really looking forward to reading more books featuring these characters now that I have things straight in my head.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

So here we have the Tess Gerritsen take on the current vogue for a group of retirees investigating. Where other tales may have been condemned under the 'cosy' framing this one is by contrast fast-paced as we have come to expect from Tess Gerritsen. It is very much a first in a series whereby there seems to be a lot of extra detail given, often in flashbacks, to give an understanding of why things are as they are. Now that all of that is put the way I expect the series to fly and look forward to the next one in the series to see more of these characters.

I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, I will admit I’m not a big spy book fan but the author is one of my favorites. This is very different to her previous series and I had to keep reminding myself this is the first book so the characters are not fully developed. I found myself drifting in wanting to finish it but again I believe this is because I wanted characters like Rizzoli. I will definitely try the next book in this series as I think it will be more developed. The writing style of this author is fantastic and nobody can fault her creativity when writing.

I’m always keen to read Tess Gerritsen’s books and this one was absolutely brilliant. I hope it’s the beginning of a new series as the characters are a really interesting group of people that I’d like to learn more about.
The main character is Maggie who has escaped from her previous life as a spy to a quiet farm in Maine.
Maggie is happy here with her neighbours always on hand to help and as the story progresses, we learn that she also has friends close by from her previous life.
Maggie is alerted to a problem when a stranger is in her home and tells her she needs her help. That night a dead body is left on her drive with a bullet in their head.
The story goes back and forth into the past and we learn about Maggie’s last job and what it involved.
This is a great crime thriller that will definitely have you racing through the pages.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am a big fan of this author's Rizzoli & Isles series, and have also read and enjoyed a couple of stand alones. So I was quite excited to hear that she was beginning a new series. Even more so when I got my grubby wee mitts on a copy!
We start with Maggie, a former spy who has retired to the seaside village of Purity, Maine. She spends her days quietly on her chicken farm, trying to put her past behind her. Until one day when she receives a strange visitor, asking for help. She turns them away but is still intrigued enough to bring the topic to "book club" which is anything but about books. You see, she is not the only retired spook to be living in Maine. There are a bunch of them, all old friends, all trying to put their pasts behind them. Meeting as the "Martini Club". But they are forced to act, and quick, when Maggie's visitor turns up dead; her body being dumped on Maggie's drive. Enter Purity police chief Jo Thibodeau to investigate...
And so begins a cracking story with Maggie at the centre as she and the Martini Club try and work out what is going on and, more importantly, how to keep Maggie safe. All the time also trying to keep under the radar of the cops.
Ok so there is a big trend for authors to focus on oldies as heroes. And part of me was worried that it was just bandwaggoning. But I was swiftly put in my place as it gripped me right from the off and I was soon sucked into their world. I guess the difference is that these characters were the real deal once. Actually they still are, mentally, if not always physically. And I soon forgot their ages as that really wasn't the focus. I also loved the growing relationship they started to have with Jo, although I might like to see her given a bigger role in future books. Maybe a spin off of her own, she has a lot more to give than just being a bit-part player.
All in all, a good solid opener which left me satisfied and excited to see what the author has in store for next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This spy thriller comes with a great premise- there’s a small town in a remote area of Maine where retired CIA agents go to live.
Maggie Bird is enjoying her quiet life, farming chickens when she is suddenly interrupted by an unexpected visitor who tries to drag her back into her old life. One of her ex colleagues is missing and they want Maggie to help locate her.
This brings up many memories as well as a murder which definitely seems to be connected to Maggie’s last mission in Malta and an event that completely changed her life. With the help of “ The Martini Club” Maggie tries to work out what is going on. Her friends, Declan, Ben, Lloyd and Ingrid, all retired from the same agency, try to help but it’s really Maggie who holds the key.
This is an exciting and entertaining dual time line novel where the author slips effortlessly between an earlier period in Maggie’s life and the present day where violence is on her tail.
I really liked the idea that spies retire and live near each other- what an interesting concept. I also found it fascinating that their unique skills have not left them and that they are still able to step back into the field at a moment’s notice.
Maggie is a great character, feisty, brave and loyal, unwilling to give up even when the odds are stacked against her.
This reminds me slightly of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, although a more American version and with professionals rather than amateur sleuths. The characters are just as endearing and I certainly look forward to reading more about their adventures if this book morphs into a series which seems to be the intention.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Shaken not stirred ★★★☆☆

I’m a big fan of Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series so was intrigued by this new retired spy series.

Maggie Bird is trying to live a quiet life in Purity, Maine, raising chickens and making few connections except with her farmer neighbour and his granddaughter and a secret “book group” of ex spies – Ingrid, Lloyd, Ben and Declan.

Maggie retired from a dangerous life after the mission in Malta that cost her everything 16 years ago. After refusing to come back in, a dead body on her drive forces her back into the game.

Aided by the “Martini Club” and closely watched by local detective Jo Thibodeau, Maggie chases the ghosts of her past across the globe.

Gradually the story of Operation Cyrano, Danny and Hardwicke unravels as Maggie races against time to identify and eliminate her enemies.

A good crime thriller with interesting characters and backstory, although it’s a story which is difficult for the reader to guestimate.

This is the first book of the Martini Club. A group of retired special agents living in a town called Purity.
This book centres on Maggie Bird. She left the service over 15 years ago after an event that changed her life. Now she’s living the single life as a chicken farmer.
A murdered woman is left on her drive. Someone is sending Maggie a message and they want answers. The Martini club must come together to find out who is behind the calling card.
A brilliant start to a new series for Tess Gettitsen. I look forward to further books in the series.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book .I am a big fan of Tess Gerritsen ,but generally not a fan of spy novels ,so I had a dichotomy , and wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book .Oh boy I am so glad I thought I would give it a go .It is honestly one of the most exciting complex and thrilling books I have read in a long time .I have already recommended it to two other readers ,and I absolutely loved it. The characters are well drawn ,the main character is very real, and so are the others, and the story had me totally page turning as fast as I could read. What a plot ,I had no idea what was going to happen next. I feel like I may have already read one of the best books I am likely to read in 2024,it will take a very good book to knock this one off the top spot. Read it if you get the chance and I am sure you will love it as much as I did.

Maggie has retired to Purity, busy farming chickens and keeping to herself. A woman appears at her door wanting information about someone in her past. Then the woman's body is left on her drive and we begin to learn about Maggie's past, her loves and her life. The result is a really gripping read, taking us back into a murky world of espionage.

The Martini Club itself is a group of Maggie's former operative colleagues, who all have gravitated to the same area and who meet periodically. Its great to see these oldies using their cleverley honed skills to right a wrong and protect a friend. Looking forward to more in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this pacy spy thriller from one of my long time favourite authors. Skipping between two timelines and crossing continents it is a great story about a retired CIA agent confronted by her past. Two thirds in I guessed who the antagonist would be but this did not detract from my interest and I look forward to the next instalment in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

The Martini Club #1

Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she's living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement. But when a body turns up in Maggie's driveway, she knows it's a message from former foes who haven't forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of former old friends = all retirees from the CIA - to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her and why. This "Martini Club" of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they're eager to use again.

Maggie Bird and a few other retired CIA officers have retired to Purity, Maine. They spend their days doing leisurely pursuits, and they get together for Martini fuelled book nights. After a body was left on Maggie's driveway, and her neighbours are threatened, her fellow CIA retirees band together. Acting police chief Jo Thibodaux is also investigating, and the CIA retirees are always one step ahead. This is a great start to a new series.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #TessGerritsen for my ARC of #TheSpyCoast in exchange for an honest revieew.

An unusual set of elderly characters are what gives this book its edge. A fast moving plot with plenty of twists. A good read.

I am a huge fan of this author so was interested to read the first book in a new series.
I'm not usually a fan of spy novels but this was very good and I loved the concept of the older protagonist. Excellent storyline travelling through different countries with very interesting characters. I look forward to book 2 in this series.