The Spy Coast
Ratings11
Average rating4
15
Ratings11
Average rating4
From Amazon:
A retired CIA operative in small-town Maine tackles the ghosts of her past in this fresh take on the spy thriller from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen.
Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she’s living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement.
But when a body turns up in Maggie’s driveway, she knows it’s a message from former foes who haven’t forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends—all retirees from the CIA—to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This “Martini Club” of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they’re eager to use again, if only to spice up their rather sedate new lives.
Complicating their efforts is Purity’s acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau. More accustomed to dealing with rowdy tourists than homicide, Jo is puzzled by Maggie’s reluctance to share information—and by her odd circle of friends, who seem to be a step ahead of her at every turn.
As Jo’s investigation collides with the Martini Club’s maneuvers, Maggie’s hunt for answers will force her to revisit a clandestine career that spanned the globe, from Bangkok to Istanbul, from London to Malta. The ghosts of her past have returned, but with the help of her friends—and the reluctant Jo Thibodeau—Maggie might just be able to save the life she’s built.
Featured Series
1 primary bookThe Martini Club is a 1-book series first released in 2023 with contributions by Tess Gerritsen. The next book is scheduled for release on 3/18/2025.
Reviews with the most likes.
This was so much fun.
You know when you read a book and just know it would be a fantastic movie? The Spy Coast is that for me. I could practically see the scenes play out in my head and I loved it.
This was so brilliantly paced and I didn't want to put it down. I devoured this book.
I loved that the story jumped between the two storylines of the past and the present.
I loved all of these characters. I loved that underneath all the action-packed moments, this book was truly about friendship and I loved the found family aspect of the book.
I am so excited to read more about the Martini Club.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This year has been very very lucky in terms of reading. I've come across some really amazing books, a lot of them between 4 and 5 stars.
I've read a few Tess Gerritsen books, several years back, mostly because I loved the Rizzoli & Isles TV show. When I read those books, I didn't enjoy it as much because it wasn't like the show at all, and that was my mistake.
The Spy Coast is the first non-Rizzoli and Isles I've read of hers, and I absolutely loved it. The book features a group of ex-CIA operatives living a retired and quaint life in Purity, Maine, when the past comes back to haunt one of them.
I think this book builds the suspense and the thrill of the mystery so well. The characters all feel so lived in, and are just amazing. I love the fact that we are focussing on older spies, giving me a John Le Carre vibe.
This looks like the start of what is to be an amazing series.
A great blend of Richard Osman's “older former spies bound together” with a James Bond-type plot of international intrigue and super bad guys, but written not as a satire but a straight-up action/mystery, I'll love Gerritsen's writing and ate this up in two days. Sequel, please.
