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.

A brilliant story, full of suspense. No doubt Stella Rimington's background in the intelligence services brings a very authentic feel to this novel and it may be more true to life than we would wish. Highly recommended.

Rather disappointed with this most recent book by Stella Rimington. I found it rather predictable with stereotyped and somewhat lightweight characters and with Stella's knowledge I would have liked to have read a better rounded and deeper plot. It was just not a gripping read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The second in the spy thriller series featuring Manon Tyler. This book is set predominantly in Oxford, in the university arena. It's an easy to read story and the characters are likeable. The main "thrill" was very predictable and had been signposted up at an early stage. The plot felt rather lightweight and I would have preferred a bit more intensity but overall a fast and entertaining read.

Second book featuring Manon Tyler, a CIA agent who is sent to St Felix college in Oxford to 'spy' on a brilliant female Chinese student studying AI.

Whilst the plot is clever, involving Chinese agents, the characters are flimsy and I struggled to a predictable end.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the chance to read and review.

As expected, an enjoyable read from start to finish. Always find Stella’s books keep you engrossed and she never disappoints.

A young Chinese AI genius, Li Min, is hauled off her research degree course at Harvard and sent to Oxford. The new head of the Institute she is attached to at St Felix's College has suspicions about the extent of coercive control the Chinese government has over the (large ) cohort of Chinese students at the college and that they are accessing other students' research to sent back to their CCC masters. A CIA agent, Manon, is put in place to get a handle on what is going on, When Li Min is eventually told what the task is that the chines want her to do, she realises it is totally unethical, and will betray a friend. Can Manon turn her or will the Chinese rumble her and take Li Min back to China. Its a can't put is down spy thriller and more than most of the genre is entirely plausible due to Stella Rimington's knowledge of the world of intelligence. Makes you think that if this is the kind of thing going on in our universities (it is), her chums back at MI5 ought to be doing a bit more about it.

Thanks to Stella and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Hidden Hand before the publication date.

It takes the reader into the hallowed halls of Oxford University, exposing the control which foreign powers exercise over the staff and students.

Stella has spun a yarn about Intelligence Agencies and Spooks which is a very easy read…..leaving the reader to ponder how much of the story is fact and how much is fiction.

It is 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 their 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.

Easy to read and not dependent on having read book #1. A well plotted book that highlights current concerns. However when the main protagonist puts her phone down before she walks into a situation which is telegraphed throughout the text as dangerous I lost patience . Pleasant enough read.

Very enjoyable spy thriller. In this second book with Manon Tyler as the central character she is now undercover CIA at Oxford, St Felix’s College. She has to befriend a Chinese student, who turns out to be a genius at AI deep fakes.

A convincing follow up to the first in the Manon Tyler series and I hope there will be more to come.

Easy to read and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed this. No plot spoilers.

Recommended. I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers.

Manon Tyler, a CIA agent is sent to St Felix college in Oxford to keep an eye on Ai Ming, a brilliant Chinese student studying AI and Deepfake, who has been transferred from Harvard by the Chinese government. Charles, the new director is aware of the mission and gives Manon a job, under an alias. Charles and Manon get on very well, and there is a lovely subtle hint of romance.
The plot is very clever, with Chinese agents, technology, blackmail plots and corruption.
Manon and Charles investigate with the help of MI5 and MI6 - I was impressed how well all the agencies worked together. There were some references to the previous book in the Manon Tyler series so it might help to read that first. I enjoyed this book as a standalone novel.
Recommended.

Relevant culturally at this moment in time. Paranoid, quirky and full of intrigue, a tale that resonates for 2024. I liked the ocean hopping university aspect too.