The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen is the first book in a new series featuring five retired CIA agents who have moved to a small town in Maine, hoping to live a quiet and normal life. But their past is not so easily forgotten, and when a mysterious corpse appears on one of their properties, they are drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and danger.
“Bad memories are as permanent as gravestones.”
The book is a refreshing and entertaining take on the spy thriller genre, with a cast of characters who are not your typical spies. They are older, wiser, and more experienced, but also more vulnerable and human. They have their own quirks, flaws, and histories, and they form a close-knit group of friends who support each other through thick and thin. The Martini Club, as they call themselves, is a delightful mix of humour, camaraderie, and intrigue.
The book also explores the themes of ageing, identity, and loyalty as the characters struggle to adjust to their new roles and realities.
“Gray hair is the best disguise.”
They face prejudice and discrimination from the younger generation, who underestimate and dismiss them. They also have to deal with the consequences of their past actions and decisions, which come back to haunt them in unexpected ways. They have to question who they can trust and who they really are.
“And that’s what we must learn to deal with: Our place in a world that sees us as used up and irrelevant. This new generation looks only to the future, with little regard for the past and what it could teach them. What we could teach them.”
The plot is well-paced and well-crafted, with a balance of suspense, action, and mystery. The book switches between different timelines and perspectives, revealing the backstory of the characters and the events that led to the present situation. The book keeps the reader guessing and engaged, with twists and turns that are surprising but not implausible. The book also has a satisfying and realistic ending that sets up the stage for the next installment.
“The truth is far more complicated, but when you live in a world of mirrors, the truth is always distorted. Too often, it’s what we choose to see while ignoring all the inconvenient bits, the nagging details that distort our view. We crave clarity, and so we lie to ourselves.”
The Spy Coast is a fun and thrilling read that will appeal to fans of spy novels as well as readers who enjoy stories with strong and relatable characters. It is a promising start to a new series, and I am looking forward to reading more about the Martini Club and their adventures.
“Living hard doesn’t mean dying early; sometimes it just means those hard years end up on your face.”
Thanks to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book.
About the book: Penguin Random House SA – The Spy Coast
About the author: Tess Gerritsen – Internationally Bestselling Author
