Alias Emma was read in full on a very long and dull train ride. It was an interesting take on spies and felt a bit James Bond-y with all the guns and black SUVs. Emma Makepeace works for neither MI5 or MI6 and her unnamed agency has an important job to do - protect the Primalovs from the Russians!

The plot was interesting, and though the action a little far fetched for London (and Knightsbridge!) it was an interesting break from the monotony of a train ride when you can’t see out the window. Perhaps the thing that you could disbelieve the most was that a Russian was employed by the British government as a spy, though something to that effect has been in the news recently, so maybe not 😅

The ending was almost satisfying but two key elements of the story were not tied up and I kept looking for it - leading to a slight sense of disappointment (I wanted retribution!). However, if you’re after a bit of low stakes, high action fiction - this is the one for you! 3.5 stars rounded to 4!

Enjoyable, fast-paced spy series featuring a female main character and based in London.

Emma has wanted to be a spy since her father was killed in Russia. Luckily Emma and her mother, a prominent scientist prior to her defection, were able to escape and build a new life. But they can never relax too much, especially now someone is methodically killing off other scientists.

Newly recruited Emma is tasked with convincing a man at risk from these Russian assassins to come in so the government can relocate and protect him. He is very reluctant, and to make matters worse, she learns that the London camera surveillance network has been hacked. She somehow has to locate and transport him across London whilst avoiding being spotted by any cameras in one of the most surveilled cities in the world.

With a rogue agent within the ranks and her boss off the radar, she has to accomplish this without any back up.

Really enjoyed this - will definitely be recommending and looking forward to the next one by this author!

I enjoyed this for the most part. It was a good spy novel, with most chapters full of suspense keeping you turning the page. I feel like the ending was a bit anticlimactic compared to the rest of the book but overall it was a good read

Contrary to public belief I just did not like this book at all. It just felt too far fetched for me. I went back to it a few times to see if I could enjoy it but really did not.

Spies, thrills, hi speed chases, and a kick arse female secret agent. This makes for a thrilling read, and I really enjoyed the book!

I devoured Alias Emma. It felt less like I was reading a book and more like I was watching a movie / tv series. Loved it and cannot wait for the next book in the series..

Alias Emma (Makepeace). joins a secret band of spies and we are taken through all the thrills and spills you want in a spy caper. This is edge of the seat, just one more chapter stuff. It doesn't take itself too seriously, this is fun, no frills, and the pace doesn't let up for a second.

London Espionage, what a draw card.
On the back of reading and watching a lot of Slow Horses, I was very intrigued by a new British spy thriller and was looking forward to finding out what it would be offering up.

In comes Emma Makepeace, newly qualified, ambitious, and ready for action.
Emma suddenly finds herself thrown into the world of Russian retribution, tasked with protecting an asset (well, similar to an asset let’s say) and ensuring his safety. What follows is action packed and engaging, interspersed with information on Emma’s background, as well as the backstory to this sudden spree of assassinations.

The plot is solid and executed well. The characters are enjoyable and believable. And there certainly isn’t a lack of intrigue and mystery throughout the story.

Favourite Quote - “Never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence”

This book has me gripped from start to finish - A 24 hour life and death dash through London - couldn't put it down

Highly recommended

Excellent story. Action from the start to the finish. Thoroughly enjoyable. Looking forward to more from Ava Glass

Emma Makepeace has all it takes to become a must read heroine in spy thriller. This is fast paced, action packed and an exhilarating read. Emma os talented, young, and determined to succeed against almost insuperable odds.

The book is well plotted and written and an easy read and should be the precursor to successful series in this genre.

This is a wonderfully entertaining espionage/spy thriller. Emma, fairly new operative is charged by her boss to collect and bring in an asset. Easier said then done as the enemy closes in and she is left out in the field without support. But Emma is resourceful, gritty, trained and determined. So watch out! A good story with hints of the way James Bond started out except a female lead and without the gadgets or dodgy hook-ups. Thank you to Random House Uk, Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I was HOOKED from the first few pages, I read this within a day as it is incredibly pacy and plot driven. With the strong and likeable Emma racing against the odds through modern London in this spy thriller to rival Bond. It also feels relevant for the Russian enemy element. Heartily enjoyed myself and didn't want this to end, so am looking forward to the next in the series.

I really enjoyed this. A believable heroine and an exciting story. I look forward to the next one - more please !

Very exciting and thrilling novel with a young woman as the spy heroine trying to protect a man from kidnap or assassination. A real page-turner.

This novel had a promising start. I was instantly intrigued by the simple premise, hoping that it would be executed well. Unfortunately, the story felt like it had more padding in it than plot.

Emma had a no-nonsense approach to her job, always planning out possible escape routes or ways to preempt disaster. I appreciated how she would walk through her reasonings behind certain actions and decisions as this helped me ease into the novel. Despite her proficiency as a spy, it was repeatedly made clear that Emma wasn’t invincible. This worked to make her feel more realistic and helped ground the story.

The only other character that was given a degree of focus was Michael Primalov – Emma’s asset. His naivety could be be frustrating. I knew he meant well but his warped hero complex actually often made Emma’s job more difficult.

The novel soon started to drag due to the constant running. Emma and Michael were either being chased or in hiding. The longer this went on for, the less I felt they were in actual jeopardy. I wish there were more side characters or complications to keep things interesting but instead the author relied heavily on flashbacks to add something extra. These gradually increased in frequency, with each one taking me out of the story in a jarring way. While they may have fleshed out Emma’s background and training, I didn’t think they were essential to the plot and only really accomplished slowing down the pace.

OVERALL: Despite a promising start, the excitement and intrigue began to wither the longer the main characters were on the run. The pace slowed and I didn’t feel like they were in any real danger.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A good premise, good writing and good characterisation made this a very enjoyable read.

Alias Emma is an original and different take on the usual spy and espionage books. It's the first in a series and one that makes you want to read more.

The first in a new series this is a fast paced spy thriller featuring Emma Makepeace who works for ‘The Agency’, a covert British government department. Emma is a former army officer who determines to become a British agent to find and kill the Russian responsible for her fathers death. Having achieved her goal she is about to undertake her first major operation.

Briefly, Emma’s job is to protect Dr. Michael Primalov. The Russian’s are aiming to snatch him to payback his mother who defected to the West. Emma’s first job is persuade him he needs protection. Her second to get him to MI6 before the Russian agents capture or kill them both but it’s not that easy - the Russians have control of London’s CCTV and Emma’s boss, Ripley, is incommunicado and his deputy won’t provide assistance.

An Emma Peel (The Avengers for anyone not of an age!) meets Lara Croft adventure as she leaps and runs her way across London. It’s very well written, mainly in the present over the course of 24 hours, with flashbacks explaining how Emma ended up working for ‘The Agency’. A thrilling cat-and-mouse chase that will have you on the edge of your seat. A really good start to this new series and I look forward to book 2.
4.5⭐️