A Beautiful Spy
From the million-copy Sunday Times bestseller
by Rachel Hore
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Pub Date 1 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 10 Feb 2021
Simon and Schuster UK | Simon & Schuster UK
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Description
'Fantastic… Exciting, impeccably researched and full of powerful period atmosphere' Daily Mail
Minnie Gray is an ordinary young woman.
She is also a spy for the British government.
It all began in the summer of 1928...
Minnie is supposed to find a nice man, get married and have children. The problem is it doesn’t appeal to her at all. She is working as a secretary, but longs to make a difference.
Then, one day, she gets her chance. She is recruited by the British government as a spy. Under strict instructions not to tell anyone, not even her family, she moves to London and begins her mission – to infiltrate the Communist movement.
She soon gains the trust of important leaders. But as she grows more and more entangled in the workings of the movement, her job becomes increasingly dangerous. Leading a double life is starting to take its toll on her relationships and, feeling more isolated than ever, she starts to wonder how this is all going to end. The Russians are notorious for ruthlessly disposing of people given the slightest suspicion.
What if they find out?
Full of suspense, courage and love, A Beautiful Spy is a stunningly written story about resisting the norm and following your dreams, even if they come with sacrifices.
‘A superb novel. I absolutely loved it. Rachel Hore brilliantly contrasts the thrilling world of high-stakes politics with the inner life of a passionate woman leading a dangerous double existence’ Wendy Holden, author of The Governess
'Phenomenal! Absolutely loved it. I was rooting for Minnie from page one right to the very end... What a treat of a read' Tracy Rees, author of The House at Silvermoor
Praise for Rachel Hore:
'Absorbing’ BARBARA ERSKINE
‘An emotive and thought-provoking read’ ROSANNA LEY
'A poignant story, rich in period detail' SUNDAY MIRROR
‘Readers are sure to be engrossed and swept away' JANE JOHNSON
'Engrossing, pleasantly surprising and thoroughly readable' SANTA MONTEFIORE
‘Her women are brave and good and you desperately want them to win’ DAILY MAIL
‘Rachel Hore's research and mastery of the subject is deeply impressive' JUDY FINNIGAN
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781471187179 |
| PRICE | US$20.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 416 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Educator 479100
As a huge fan who reads every book Rachel Hore writes, I was thrilled to receive an advance review copy of 'A Beautiful Spy'. I had just finished reading 'The Spy who Loved' about the incredible life of World War 2 spy, Christine Granville' and this segued perfectly. It is a thrilling slow burner of a read following the entry into espionage of Minnie Gray. Minnie represents a fitting fictional tribute to the real life espionage heroines through the decades as asserted by the novel's foreword '...it is curious in the history of espionage and counter-espionage a very high percentage of the greatest coups have been brought off by women.' These are the real-life words of British spymaster (and reputed inspiration for 'M' in James Bond). Minnie's story is utterly compelling laying bare the isolation and psychological impact of leading a double life. Rachel Hore skilfully explores the toll exacted by a life of subterfuge and I was gripped by every twist and turn. When I reached the end of the novel my initial reaction was that it seemed a trifle rushed. However, I had cause to revisit and completely reverse my initial reaction when I read Rachel's acknowledgements and discovered that Minnie's story is based event by event on the real life espionage experiences of Olga Gray whose handler was Maxwell Knight. 'A Beautiful Spy' is a compelling work of fiction but to reach the end and discover that it was a fictional recreation of true events added layers of poignancy and pathos to an already moving piece of writing.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Saffy Y, Reviewer
A Beautiful Spy is based on a true story and tells the story of Minnie Grey who is recruited to spy for the British government in the 1930s. Her mission is to move to London and infiltrate the Communist movement. This is an absolutely beautifully written novel which looks at the danger, isolation and fear involved in being a female spy and the appalling way in which Minnie was treated by the British secret service. The period detail is exquisite and Hore portrays what it was like to be a woman during this time, who goes against the norm.
This is only the second book I've read by Rachel Hore and like her previous novel, The Love Child, I adored it and would highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.
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