The Trap by Ava Glass

THE TRAP by Ava Glass, while perhaps not quite as harrowing as earlier thrillers in this series (Alias Emma and The Traitor), is still highly entertaining. Emma Makepeace poses as Anna Case, an executive in the energy sector, in order to get close to a Russian oligarch, Nick Orlov, who lives in London and has recent ties to the Russian intelligence community. The majority of the action takes place in Edinburgh, site of a G7 Summit where political leaders plan to issue sanctions against the Russian government. A plethora of national security resources, including MI5 and MI6, plus the “Agency” for which Emma works, are involved with planning and protection against a possible assassination. One of the more appealing aspects of the latest novel from Ava Glass is the introduction of “Mack,” a Scottish cop who partners with Emma and just might be involved in future exciting assignments. THE TRAP received a starred review from Publishers Weekly (“In the crowded field of contemporary spy thrillers, this series continues to lead the pack”). 

Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes

COLD VICTORY by Karl Marlantes (Matterhorn) begins in 1946 Helsinki where American Arnie Koski and his wife, Louise, have just been assigned to a US military-diplomatic (read: intelligence gathering) post. They meet Russian Mikhail and his wife, Natalya Bobrova, at a social gathering and the men realize they know each other from the European battlefield. Some friendly joshing turns into a decision to race each other on skis over five hundred kilometers and much of the book deals with that harrowing experience. In the meantime, the two wives, using their ability to communicate in French, develop a close friendship and work together to benefit a Finnish orphanage. Both strong women are tested in the post WWII environment. Of course, there is a pervasive sinister element due to the seemingly constant surveillance by the Soviet secret police. Lives are jeopardized in this well-written, action-packed adventure story.

The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak

THE HELSINKI AFFAIR by Anna Pitoniak is an espionage thriller that begins with the disguised assassination of a US Senator on foreign soil. Reverberating through Langley, CIA stations in Europe, and between generations of the same family, the cause is partially revealed in some documents the Senator kept hidden. There appears to be a real threat to economic systems and democratic values, but family loyalty will also be tested. Amanda Cole is a relatively young and ambitious agent stationed in Rome. Her father, Charlie, currently working at Langley, has a checkered past with the agency – particularly involving his time in Helsinki when Amanda was just a child. Who should be trusted is a big question - there are spies, double agents, and maybe even double crossing double agents. The multiple time periods and multiple narrators add to the tension in this fast-paced adventure. Commenting on THE HELSINKI AFFAIR, Library Journal says, “Pitoniak does everything well in this twisty spy thriller that should please the most discriminating connoisseur of the genre.” 

Alias Emma by Ava Glass

ALIAS EMMA by Ava Glass is an exciting British spy story and an Amazon Best Book of August 2022. Glass’s debut work with this pseudonym deserves the many accolades she has received (author Lisa Gardner: “Totally addictive … Once you start reading, you won’t stop.”). There are chase scenes, cliffhangers, and twists similar to Michael Herron’s Slow Horses (on Apple+) or the Australian TV show Wanted (on Netflix). The main character, who uses the name Emma Makepeace, is a young secret agent tasked with her first real mission: get Michael Primalov, the adult son of Russian dissidents, safely across London. There are a few complicating issues, though, especially since Russian spies with full access to London’s many CCTVs are after them. Emma has been mentored by Charles Ripley who taught her “There are three things that will keep you alive in this business … One: Paranoia will protect you. Two: What you don’t know will kill you. Three: You must always have an escape plan.” Emma and Michael need all that and more as they travel mainly on foot and at night from one side of London and across the Thames to MI6’s offices. It’s a harrowing chase: disguises abound and quick thinking is essential (“No calls. No tech. Move fast. Stay dark.”). ALIAS EMMA received starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. Highly recommended; read the beginning excerpt here. 

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

THE DIAMOND EYE is the latest work of historical fiction from Kate Quinn (The Alice Network, The Rose Code and more). Based on a true story, this novel shares the adventures of a female WWII sniper, Lyudmila "Mila" Pavlichenko, credited with 309 kills. I particularly liked the cynical comments about the Russian military and about propaganda in general which were sprinkled throughout. Many chapters even begin with memoir excerpts like this: “My memoir, the official version: On the morning of the second day of October, our mighty military machine moved crisply into action at Tatarka, organized and efficient. … My memoir, the unofficial version: it was about as organized and efficient as a monkey shit-fight in a zoo.”  

In addition to Pavlichenko’s military exploits, Quinn has crafted tales of Mila's travels in the United States, including time as the first Soviet citizen invited to stay at the White House. The fictionalized tête-à-têtes with Eleanor Roosevelt offer an interesting contrast to the military exploits as does the mystery associated with an assassination attempt on FDR. Ultimately, that turns into a very exciting chase near Rock Creek Parkway. THE DIAMOND EYE received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal. Pick up this title (or listen to the excellent audiobook version) if you like strong heroines and historical fiction.                      

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki

THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by best-selling author Allison Pataki begins in the late 1800s and spans roughly three-fourths of the twentieth century. Along the way, Pataki alludes to or describes much American history, including the founding and growth of the company that became General Foods. She portrays the lives of wealthy elites and their philanthropic gestures during two world wars in a story which centers on Marjorie Merriweather Post, a businesswoman and socialite. The beginning of this novel felt a bit slow, but it established young Marjorie’s strong affinity with her father which seemed to influence her relationship with the other men in her life. Post was married four times – including to the financier founder of E. F. Hutton and later, to the US Ambassador to Russia in the 1930s. Thus, Post’s “lives,” her homes (she built Mar-a-Lago and other estates), and her legacy in promoting easy to make foods mirror some of the social changes that were underway. Book clubs will enjoy reading and discussing THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Pataki several years ago just after her own story, Beauty in the Broken Places, was published. I highly recommend both titles.

The Daughters of Yalta by Katz

THE DAUGHTERS OF YALTA by Catherine Grace Katz is based on actual events surrounding the WWII conference at Yalta.  Katz cleverly weaves historical happenings around the actions and background of three young women: Sarah Churchill, Anna Roosevelt, and Kathleen Lanier Harriman Mortimer. Each, of course, has a very famous father and the text also explores those relationships as well as social mores and expectations of the time.  It is a fascinating glimpse “behind the scenes” at a significant international conference between leaders at the end of WWII as well as the personal lives of those involved. THE DAUGHTERS OF YALTA received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers’ Weekly.  You, too, can “meet” the author virtually on Thursday, Feb. 18 at a program sponsored by The Wilmette Public Library and The Bookstall. There are more details available here.