The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen

I enjoy Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles series, so was eager to give this, the first book in a new series a go.

Maggie is a retired CIA spy, living an anonymous life far removed from the international adventures of her younger days. Her peace is threatened when a stranger comes knocking...

Spy fiction is hit or miss for me, but this is definitely a hit. Maggie is a fantastic main character with her memories of the life she used to live and her desire to hold onto the calm retired life she's carefully created.

It's tightly plotted, and I was thoroughly entertained. I'll definitely want to read the next in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam

Tess Gerritsen, renowned for her gripping Rizzoli and Isles series, takes readers on an exciting departure with her latest offering, "The Spy Coast." While it may deviate from her well-loved detective duo, this book promises a thrilling experience that you won't want to miss.
Maggie Bird, a retired spy now living on a tranquil Maine chicken farm, finds her peace shattered when an old mission's secrets are exposed, putting her and her former CIA colleagues at risk. They unite to uncover the identity of their potential assassin, leading to encounters with formidable police chief, Jo Thibodeau.

Maggie Bird emerges as a standout character, her resilience and determination stealing the spotlight. Her collaboration with "The Martini Club," her former comrades, showcases the resilience of their bond, adding depth to the narrative. Gerritsen skilfully weaves multiple timelines and perspectives into the plot, ensuring that readers remain captivated without being bewildered. The flashbacks are artfully executed, hinting at past traumas while heightening the story's tension through gradual revelation.

The story reaches a dramatic, promising climax that leaves readers eager for more. Tess Gerritsen's storytelling prowess remains unparalleled, and I can't wait to explore Maggie's captivating journey further. Whether it's Rizzoli and Isles or "The Spy Coast," Gerritsen's ability to craft gripping tales is truly remarkable.

3.5 rounded up

Diana Ward has to leave Paris, disguised and in a hurry, saying goodbye to her comfortable life as she blends into the Parisian night. Who has she angered? Does it relate to events of 16 years ago? Why come for her now? Meanwhile, in Purity, Maine, sixty year old Maggie Bird lives quietly on her farm, keeping as low a profile as possible. However, it seems she too is being tracked down as she receives an unexpected visitor who is later killed and left on her driveway as a warning. Maggie turns to her old friends, all retired CIA agents, for help in uncovering who is after her and why. This is the Martini Club (Maggie, Ingrid, Ben and Declan) who also want a quiet life, which is clearly not happening now. Complicating their investigations is Purity’s acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau who may foil the Martini Club’s clandestine efforts to keep Maggie safe. The story is told principally by Maggie and Jo and goes backwards and forwards in time.

We have to wait a while for this novel to get up and running as the start seems to prevaricate, it’s needlessly complicated which makes the reading choppy as Tess Gerritsen establishes the various scenarios. However, I can see there’s a good story in there and once it settles it’s an entertaining thriller. It appears that all roads lead to Diana as the plot becomes really intriguing with danger levels rising when the Operation (code name Cyrano) which kicks off the present day events are revealed. These are some of the most exciting scenes in the book. The pace rises and falls appropriately, there’s plenty of tension and suspense alongside heartache and tragedy. The situation escalates, there are multiple twists, revengeful actions in which innocents get caught up and there are traitorous attempts to save skin. Part of the ending is surprising but it also fizzles our somewhat too.

The characterisation of Maggie is good, I think we see and understand her more clearly via past events and the portrayal of Jo Thibodeau is good too. She’s an excellent cop, intuitive, dogged and likeable and you feel her frustration with the Martini Club being one step ahead. The other members of the club are not yet fully developed though that may come on book two as it seems we have yet another retiree series on our hands!

I love the settings of the novel which the author uses very effectively, taking us from Maine to Bangkok, Istanbul, Malta and Italy. Thank you for the entertaining tour!

Overall, despite the minor issues, I can buy into the plot of this as it feels authentic and I’m definitely up for number two!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Transworld, for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Maggie Bird lives a tranquil life in rural Maine, but when her past comes back to haunt her, it's up to her and her friends to try and work out who is hunting her down and why.

This is another fun book by Tess Gerritsen - I wasn't sure how a new series would go, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. I must admit, the book was very self-contained, so I'm intrigued as to how there'll be a secret! 4* for me.

Absolutely loved it. Loved the characters. The writing is well paced and well written. I have never read one of this authors books before and if this is anything to go by then their other stuff is worth the read!

The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen

Maggie Bird is many things. A chicken farmer. A good neighbour. A seemingly average retiree living in the seaside town of Purity. She's also a darned good rifle shot. And she never talks about her past.I

Love that the author has done up with a new series , and going by this it looks like I will quickly become invested in Maggie and her members of the Martini Club.

I have long been a fan of Tess Gerritsen and looked forward to this series.

I think this is definitely a promising start however I am slightly getting a bit underwhelmed by yet another elderly crime fighting group