The Spy Coast

Tess Gerritsen's latest is the first in her new series, set in remote small town Purity, in Maine. Retired 60 year old Maggie Bird is a woman unlikely to attract a second glance, a former spy, who brought Blackberry farm, after carefully vetting those living around her, finding a measure of peace as she settled down as a chicken farmer. She was drawn to the location by other retired colleagues and friends, Lloyd and Ingrid Slocum, Ben Diamond, and Declan Rose, forming a book group, the close knit friends are The Martini Club. However, Maggie's past comes to haunt her after a dead woman is dumped at her home, and soon after she is being shot at. In a narrative that goes back and forth in time, we learn of her professional and personal life, in Bangkok, Istanbul, London, and in Malta.

In the present, 5 old spies, with 5 lifetimes worth of experience come together, bringing their specific tricks and expertise, more than ready to jump back into the fray to look after their own, running up against the tenacious but frustrated acting Police Chief, 32 year old Jo Thibodeau, who begins to wonder who exactly these people are. Spies are by the nature secretive beasts, but Maggie is going to have to disclose the details of her previous life if they are to work out who is after her now, including Operation Cyrano and its tragic consequences. An urgency is led to the proceedings which has Maggie hoping to find answers in Milan.

On finishing the novel, Gerritson reveals what inspired this compulsive new espionage series, featuring a wonderful character in Bird, and the supporting cast of former spies with their still razor sharp skills that they utilise, a reminder that they may getting older, but it would not do to underestimate any of them. This is a entertaining, enjoyable and engaging beginning to what promises to be a great series, a tense and suspenseful read that will likely appeal to fans of author and those who love the mystery genre. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.