An interesting memoir, though quite thin on the ground. Fox writes a good story and manages to convey some of what it may be like to work for the CIA, but that part of the memoir is far from being the main part.

As a non-American, this was an intensely interesting look inside the life of an undercover operative. These stories are all too often written by men so it was refreshing to read one from a woman's perspective. There are frightening things in here, from the training regime to the fear when entirely alone facing a horrifying and imminent disaster. But there are also moments of tender hope and love, family life and expectation. It wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, and I think that's why I liked it.

Really excellent, emotionally charged account that’s full of fascinating insights into undercover work, recruitment into the CIA and terrorism/geopolitical issues. Her style is accessible and engaging with a huge self awareness and never dumbing down or glossing over issues. Genuinely compelling and extraordinary life.

Wow, if I didn't know that this was a memoir I would have thought it was fiction. A breakneck book that whips you into shape and doesn't let go until the very end. Loved it.

Life Undercover is a stunning account of growing up, and growing into a career at the sharp end of the spy game. Amaryllis has to put her life on the line while lying to her family and friends. The more she excels at her training, the more Amaryllis has to sacrifice. Her greatest learning experience comes from having a child, and the capacity for empathy that creates in her. There is a revelatory scene where our hero is able to save the day by finding common ground with someone who ought to be her enemy. This is essential reading for anyone who loves spy stories, and is looking for something a bit different. Five stars.

I found this disappointing after the blurb: Fox keeps things pretty shallow and isn't a natural writer (a bus is like a dragon, lots of her sentences start 'I' so that they don't flow with rhythm). The first 30% or so percent is her pre-CIA life and isn't especially interesting. Once she does get recruited, there isn't enough specific detail to make this worth reading. We're all pretty clued up these days about what goes on in the intelligence services so if you're familiar with le Carré and real accounts such as 'The Looming Tower' then this feels rather naive.

Of course, one of the hooks is that Fox is a woman in a male-oriented arena but even here the book doesn't really deliver. For example, Fox has to bring her overseas lover to the US, she meets him at the airport, tells him they're going to her apartment, drives him to CIA HQ where he's put straight into a lie detector machine *without even knowing she works for the CIA*, doesn't protest for a moment and comes out saying, yeah, it's all cool... I mean, really? If so, it's just not a scenario I can relate to.

So I have to say I found this a messy narrative, lacking in the promised tension and excitement, but also light on details and a real feel for a woman living life undercover.