Member Review

I loved everything about this book including the cover! I’m a big fan of spy fiction and M J Robotham’s novel is an excellent example of the genre with a cast of very likeable characters.
Maggie Flynn is a widow who lives with her mother and teenage daughter in 1960s London.Her late husband, Davy, died in mysterious circumstances and only after many enquiries does Maggie discover he was a spy. Keen to have a better career than that of store detective she persuades his former employers to take her on as a watcher, the lowest echelon of spy. She is tasked with tailing various suspect people and occasionally babysitting defectors.
When she inadvertently discovers that Davy was probably murdered by colleagues within the service, Maggie sets out to investigate with the help of Frank, a retired Detective who also works as a watcher.
This is a classic espionage novel set in the perfect Cold War time period. There are lots of twists and turns as Maggie gradually pieces together her husband’s last moments. She is a great hero, brave and fearless but with all the worries of a middle aged single parent including trying to source Beatles tickets for her daughter, Libby.
I raced through the book, thoroughly enjoying every minute and when I got to the end I thought to myself that I’d love to see another outing for Maggie Flynn!
Note to the author- I grew up in the 60s and 70s and also enjoyed the spy programmes on tv mentioned in the end note, even telling one of my teachers I wanted to be a secret agent like “Avenger” Emma Peel when I grew up!! Thanks for writing such a wonderful book taking me back to my childhood.
Definitely a recommended read worth every one of the five stars given.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.