Not the usual sort of spy story. What do you do when you discover that your dead husband was a spy, and you had no idea? Of course, become a spy yourself for MI5. Set in London in 1965, the cold war and plenty of Russians who need keeping an eye on in London. But are the Russians the only “baddies”. A good story, including references to London and the culture scene of that time. A good read. My thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC

Mrs Spy follows the Cold War path of espionage, Russians and a male dominated profession. Set in 1960s London Maggie Flynn is the Mrs Spy of the title and she is intelligent and witty bringing a different narrative to the genre. Maggie is dogged through the book with a bunion who makes very witty appearances, almost as a character.

Interesting plot-line set against the Swinging Sixties which is quite funny – she uses a pen camera and hides in phone boxes.

I have always found Molly Robotham doesn’t disappoint and with Mrs Spy I would be hoping that there will be a second novel in the series.

Something new and bright in the espionage genre.

"Mrs Spy" opens in London, May 1965. Maggie Flynn works for MI5 as a Watcher - tasked with following and observing persons of interest, at a time when revelations about Burgess and Maclean still hurt, and Communist spies are seen everywhere. We learn that Maggie is a widower, dealing with a teenage daughter and a bohemian mother. However she is good at her job, and enjoys it, so when she is asked for specifically, to babysit a recent Russian defector, she follows orders. However a chance comment by the defector plunges Maggie into a maelstrom of emotions, when she realises not only did her husband also work for MI5, he was murdered, and not killed in an accident, as she was told.

And with that the reader and Maggie are drawn into the true world of espionage - not the following of suspects, but the Game of lies, deceit, revenge and conspiracy. As she moves slowly closer to the secret behind her husband's murder, she uncovers plots, counter-plots and betrayals. As a lowly Watcher she has to work hard to navigate the old-school network that is MI5 and MI6, but she uses her natural talents, and her ability as a woman to invisibly worm her way through the maze of secrets. Helped by Frank, another of the Watchers, and an ex-copper, she is soon neck-deep in the mystery.

The book is alive with the sights and smells of 1960's London. Every page has a little observation on Carnaby Street fashion, coffee bars, tube rides, Beatle-mania and so much more. The writing is light and airy for a spy novel, with more than a little pathos and humour to offset the darker story of a woman whose life has been turned upside down. Indeed, it's unusual to read a spy story, written in the first person, through the eyes of a woman, and this alone adds a further dimension to what is a very satisfying read. The story moves along at a brisk pace, and the plot unfolds nicely. There's more than a few reflections on the intelligence establishment's lack of foresight, when it came to female operatives, but by the end of the book, things look set to change, and hopefully this is not the last we'll see of Maggie.

The book may not appeal to die-hard espionage fans of Len Deighton or John le Carre, and indeed, the authors admits her love of spies comes from The Man from Uncle more than The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. But any fan of spy books deserves to read this refreshing new take on the Cold War shenanigans.

What an unexpected delight this book was! I was not expecting such a fun and ironic heroine in Maggie Flynn, but she's such a delight. And Frank, the perfect sidekick to Maggie's sleuthing. I was particularly drawn in by Maggie's wit, the incredibly attention to detail, and how this felt one of the most relatable 'spy' stories I've read. I don't want flash Bond, I want bunion-toed Maggie Flynn!

I really hope there is more to come for Maggie's adventures. Absolutely one to add to your TBR!

M. J. Robotham's »Mrs. Spy« plunges readers into the cloak-and-dagger world of espionage through the lens of Maggie Flynn, a London widow juggling motherhood and covert operations in the 1960s.

Maggie may appear to be an ordinary mum, but she is far from it—an MI5 agent adept at disguise and deception. The narrative weaves her personal struggles with her professional life as she navigates raising a rebellious teen while delving into her late husband's enigmatic past.

The plot takes off when Maggie crosses paths with a Russian agent who claims to have known her husband, triggering a chain of events that compel her to question her understanding of loyalty and betrayal. This serendipitous encounter ignites a thrilling pursuit for truth within the murky realm of espionage, where trust becomes a perilous gamble. The stakes soar as Maggie realizes that someone close to her might be ensnared in a web of deceit.

Robotham's writing is both captivating and easy to digest, enabling readers to experience the tension and urgency of Maggie's plight. The suspense is heightened by vivid portrayals of London’s streets, which serve as a dynamic backdrop that breathes life into the story. The emotional weight of the narrative is tangible; Maggie's internal conflict between her maternal duties and spy responsibilities crafts a rich tapestry of relatable human experiences.

The characters are well-rounded, particularly Maggie, whose resilience and vulnerability strike a chord. Her relationship with her daughter layers the narrative, highlighting generational divides and the complexities of parenting in turbulent times.

»Mrs. Spy« transcends the spy thriller genre, emerging as a heartfelt examination of love, loss, and the lengths one will go to safeguard family amidst disorder. Robotham's infusion of wit adds a lighthearted undertone that imbues this riveting story with charm and warmth.

This is a great spy- espionage thriller set in 1960's London. I loved that the main character was a middle aged woman who was feisty and clever. I would happily read more books featuring Maggie Flynn.

It was nice seeing this kind of storyline from a different perspective. Usually, it's a male protagonist who is either ex-military or comes from a rough and dysfunctional background. So, seeing a female protagonist with a family getting in all kinds of scrapes and dangerous situations was a fresh take.

This story follows Mags; it's the 1960s, and she lives with her teenage daughter, who is Beatles obsessed and her mother, who is.... colourful. After the death of her husband, Mags finds out his life and death were anything but normal. After an encounter with a suspected KGB defector, Mags is forced on a path of coffee, Gin & Tonic, and deception as she battles against the Establishment to find answers and right a number or wrongs.

I couldn't get on board with this one, unfortunately. I really liked the premise - a 1960s housewife masquerading as a spy, but when I think of spies I want glamour, things that don't cross my mind happening right under my nose. Unfortunately, the opening chapters seemed to be intentionally highlighting how dull the world was. I'm aware this may have been the set-up, and things will suddenly heat up, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to grab me and keep me reading to find out.

Interesting story told with a witty undertone I found this writers writing had matured a lot from her last book. The plot held up well and the characters were solid. I want to hear from Mrs Spy. Fun read that left me feeling empowered and wanting more...who runs the world GIRLS