This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish
The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, the writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
Really enjoyable

Stella Rimington has earned an excellent reputation for writing a series of excellent and accurately depicted spy thrillers based on her long service and top level experience with the Secret Service and this, the second in the Manon Tyler maintains her customary high standard and can also be read as a standalone thriller.

Without revealing too much of the plot, this is a highly topical book outlining the dual threat to our security from both AI and the Chinese and Manon Tyler is sent to Oxford University to avert the danger.

A good, solid read which I enjoyed very much.

The book is about the Chinese government using students at universities as spies. Li Min is working for the Chinese government first at Harvard and then is moved to Oxford to orchestrate an espionage attempt.
I enjoyed the story but it didn't seem very realistic, there were some things that just wouldn't happen as they did. The story was entertaining and I was invested in Manon and Charles from the get go.

This novel feels up to the minute. There are growing concerns about China and AI, both perceived as potential threats for a whole range of reasons. This is a fairly lightweight outing where Ms Rimmington clearly uses her knowledge of security services to give authenticity to the plot. A Chines student transfers from Harvard to Oxford and the plot revolves around the use of AI to deepfake and blackmail. It’s a troubling concept which provides much food for thought. The characters are a little wooden and superficial and although I enjoyed the story overall, it somehow felt lacking in substance.

Li Min a Chinese student is ordered to go to Oxford from America. This is the first Manon Tyler thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mason has to find out why Li has been transfered to the UK. Good plotting with good characters. Though this is book two you don't need to read the first one as it reads as a standalone. Thanks to Bloomsbury publishing and Netgalley for this review ARC.

A young Chinese student, Ji Min, is told by the Chinese Government that she must transfer her studies from Harvard to Oxford. She moves across the Atlantic, aware that she is about to be asked to do something around her expertise in AI. However the CIA are aware of her move and link with MI5 to monitor Li Min and her college, St Felix’s, as there is a concern about large numbers of state-sponsored doctorial students in this particular college and it’s sinophile former master. Manon Tyler is placed undercover in the college.

This is another really solid novel by Rimington in which she brings her experience of the secret services into play. Here the theme is around ‘deepfake’ technology being used for blackmail and it does cause reflection about where AI technology is going. Although it’s not a long read I did feel there was a fair amount for repetition in terms of the plot going round in circles. However, it’s a generally pacy and entertaining read.

Another excellent book by Stella Rimington!

I enjoy the realistic feel of her stories, which is understandable given her background as Director General of MI5.

Li Min, a doctoral student in computer science at Harvard specializing in artificial intelligence, receives a summons from her handler, Deng. She is informed that she will be leaving soon as she has been given a significant opportunity. She will continue her studies at the Institute for the Study of International and Cultural Affairs, established by Oxford University, where she will continue her AI work, specifically her research on deepfakes. She is also instructed to cultivate a friendship with an American student.

Manon Tyler, a CIA operative, is deployed to the UK to investigate suspicious activities at the college, which appears to attract a disproportionate number of Chinese students, and to establish contact with Li Min, who they believe may be of assistance in their investigation.

Is there a chance they can succeed before time runs out?

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

It's an interesting novel about the placing of Chinese students into Western universities by the Chinese government, in order to gain intellectual property and conduct unwilling espionage on the Communist Party's behalf. Rimmington's previous career must have given her a clear insight into the inherent dangers of the growing tensions between China and the Western nations.

The book is an easy read and from my perspective has a fairly predictable plot. The main characters are stereotypical of the spy genre and lack any truly believable personalities.

Good intense story,first time have read a novel by this author and will be teading Book 1 and her orevious seeies’
Liked the characters and the settings and was annall round good read

I thoroughly enjoyed this and was desperate to get through it. Such a good page turner.
I liked the premise of the story, the characters, and every twist and turn.
Such a good author, will definitely read more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hidden Hand Stella Rimington

5 stars

Li Min is a brilliant Chinese student very skilled at Artificial Intelligence, studying at Harvard. University. Suddenly she is told she will be moving to . Oxford University to continue her studies and she must make friends with an American student, Sally Washington although she has no idea why.

Meanwhile, Manon Tyler, fresh from her success as detailed in the first book of the series is also sent to Oxford where her remit is to befriend Li Min and discover what she is being asked to do. When Manon discovers that Sally's father,Donald works in the Department of Defence specialising in nuclear submarines it is obvious what the Chinese are trying to gain knowledge about,

I really enjoyed this book as I found the plot very interesting and not at all far-fetched. I enjoyed the different characters from the grieving Charles Abbot to the threatening Mr Chew. Knowing the author's previous employment I can well believe that this sort of thing could well be going on in our universities and it also made the threat of Artificial Intelligence even more real..



Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

Manon Tyler returns in Stella Rimington’s The Hidden Hand which despite having a promising storyline didn't quiet deliver on its potential and left me feeling slightly disappointed.

A Manon Tyler story. We are in Oxford with Manon investigating a Chinese student who was a friend of Manon's friend in America. We follow the lead characters through a tense and at times exciting and dangerous time. This book is well written and an insight into spycraft and international politics. A fascinating read which has left me hungry for more by Stella Rimington. With thanks to Netgalley,Bloomsbury Publishing and the author for this advanced copy.

An enjoyable book but a bit slow. Having read only one of Rimington's books before, which was brilliant, I was disappointed with this one. It was all very predictable. Maybe I was expecting too much. Despite my negative comments, I still enjoyed it.

Brilliant idea hat a fantastic roller coaster of a read. No one can do it better than this author she is the one who knows!! Thanks

Manon Taylor is undercover for the CIA in an Oxford college. She’s there to find out what exactly a Chinese student who is brilliant at AI deep fakes is working on.


The style of writing in the book started off a bit clunky but got better as it went along. Despite this it was an enjoyable pacy spy thriller.

What are the Chinese government up to? How are they manipulating their country’s students who are studying in the USA and the UK and who else is being persuaded to help them? CIA agent Manon Tyler goes undercover to find out. An enjoyable read and I would recommend. Thank you to Net Galley and the author for an ARC.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - instead, I recommend that you read this for yourself!

Although I've read other novels by Stella Rimington, this was the first "Manon Tyler" book for me. Although it is apparenty the second in the series, I had no problems following it, and would say it can be read as a standalone novel.

There is an excellent cast of characters - all well written, and with good contrasts between them and their motivations. Having read several newspaper articles covering the topic of foreign espionage in universities (not just in the UK), I found the plot very interesting.

The pacing was good - I stayed up late to finish the book = and I enjoyed the setting - largely in and around Oxford and the University there - and could picture the locations.

A very enjoyable "page turner". Looking forward to reading more in the series (including the first one now!)

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I hadn't read a Stella Rimington book since the early Liz Carlyle novels so wasn't sure what to expect from this new Manon Tyler thriller. I found little has changed with Rimington's style. It is an easy read but has the same weak character development and is a little formulaic but then many espionage novels are like this and that's not necessary a bad thing so long as the story holds the attention. It's a good enough read but if you want something more indepth and challenging you'd need to look elsewhere. Still worth a read though.

The Hidden Hand is the second book in the Manon Tyler series but it can be read as a standalone novel. It's a pacy and entertaining read with a plausible storyline. I liked the academic setting and the topical issue of foreign espionage in UK universities. Recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.