She had always known this job would be a kind of loneliness in the midst of the crowd. It was always a question of trust, an all too precious a commodity in this nervy atmosphere. Moscow extorted a price. They all lived on their nerves, suspicious of everyone and everything.
The Secretary by Deborah Lawrenson is a compelling espionage thriller, set in Moscow, 1958.
There are several themes, masterfully developed in the novel, from power dynamics and ideology restraints to the fundamental basis and balance of truth and deception. Living a lie takes a toll, and when you don't know who to trust, the world becomes truly chilling.
These themes have been explored before in the espionage genre, however, the author expands the concept, challenging our preconceptions by introducing a leading female character into the game of spies.
Blurb:
The Secretary
Moscow, 1958. At the height of the Cold War, MI6 secretary Lois Vale is on a deep cover mission to identify a diplomatic traitor. She can trust only one man: Johann, a German journalist also working covertly for the British secret service. As the trail leads to Vienna and the Black Sea, Lois and Johann begin an affair as love grows, so does the danger to Lois.
A tense Cold War spy story told from the perspective of a bright young working class woman recruited to MI6 at a time when men were in charge of making history and women were expendable.
Authentic and historical details are provided by the 1958 diary kept in Moscow by the author's own mother, who worked for British intelligence.
Lois Vale is a MI6 operative, who is sent to Moscow to find out a mole in the British Embassy. She is quickly learning the ropes of her new position, while observing the people and surroundings.
Lois is told that she would never be able to tell anyone what she does. "Oh, you can say you work as a secretary. You must always stick to as much truth as you can. Beyond that, if anyone asks, even your own family, you are simply a young woman who wants to see something of the world".
On the train to Moscow, Lois encounters a mysterious Russian who claims that he knows exactly who Lois is. This confrontation, albeit very short, is just a tiny glimpse into the dangers Lois is facing. Her mission is high risk and treacherous.
The only person Lois can trust is a German journalist, Johann Dreschler, who's working for the British secret service. "He was a trusted and highly effective operator, especially in the political sphere".
Johann is intelligent, astute and attentive. There is a mutual attraction, but is there any hope for a romance amidst danger?
Lois finds herself sharing a flat with Sonia, a volatile, unpredictable woman, who keeps petty grudges against her new flatmate. Sonia's not well-equipped to the tense conditions of life in Moscow.
The claustrophobic atmosphere feels authentic. On the surface, Lois's job is not glamorous, it's very much plain routine, navigating social class inequalities, office intrigues and prejudiced housemates.
The search for answers draws Lois into grave peril, as the walls seem to close in around her. Is there anyone she can trust?
The Secretary is a captivating thriller, riveting and unputdownable, meticulously researched and well-written. Lawrenson brings history to life with this superb story of trust, love and betrayal. A book not to be missed!
This review is part of the blog tour for The Secretary.
Many thanks to Deborah Lawrenson, The Book Guild and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secretary-Deborah-Lawrenson/dp/1835741436
https://www.amazon.com/Secretary-Deborah-Lawrenson/dp/1835741436
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-secretary/deborah-lawrenson/9781835741436
https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/the-secretary/
Author Bio –
Deborah Lawrenson spent her
childhood moving around the world with diplomatic service parents, from Kuwait
to China, Belgium, Luxembourg and Singapore. She read English at Cambridge
University and worked as a journalist in London. She has written eight novels
and her writing is praised for its vivid sense of place. The Art of
Falling was a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick in 2005. The Lantern was
published to critical acclaim in the USA, chosen for the Channel4 TV Book Club
in the UK and shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2012. Her
novel 300 Days of Sun, set in Portugal, was selected as a Great Group Read
for the WNBA National Reading Group Month in October 2016 in the USA. Her
novels have been translated into twelve languages.
Social Media Links –
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DeborahLawrensonAuthor
Twitter:
https://x.com/deb_lawrenson
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/deborah.lawrenson/
Website: https://www.deborah-lawrenson.co.uk/
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