I Spy: A Novel

by Claire Kendal

Overview

From the author of The Book of You and The Second Sister, a twisty new thriller—perfect for readers of J.P. Delaney and Emily Elgar.

“A psychological thriller and le Carré-esque mash-up--really well done.” —Steve Cavanagh, author of Thirteen

Holly Lawrence always wanted to be a spy, but the experience proved more dangerous than anything she imagined. Now, Holly lives under an assumed name, hiding from the man who nearly destroyed her life. She avoids relationships and trusts no one.

But Holly’s new life begins to unravel when she encounters a young mother and her two-year-old child… a child who reminds her of a past she has tried hard to forget. This time, someone is spying on her, and Holly will need to decide how far she is willing to go to survive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062834713
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	427
Sales rank:	583,793
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Claire Kendal was born in America and educated in England, where she has spent all her adult life. Her first novel, The Book of You, was translated into more than twenty languages. Claire teaches English literature and creative writing, and lives in England’s South West region with her family.

Editorial Reviews

03/01/2019

Holly got her wish to become a spy, though with consequences so brutal that she lives under an assumed name. Now she's drawing close to a mother and her little daughter yet feels her cover is being blown. With a 75,000-copy paperback and 20,000-copy hardcover first printing.

Library Journal

Tense, gripping and packed with twists. I Spy is a tightly-plotted psychological thriller that kept me reading late into the night.”
— Lucy Clarke, author of Swimming at Night and You Let Me In

“As good as the author’s previous novels—if not better. Don’t miss this thriller.” — BookLoons

From the Publisher

Tense, gripping and packed with twists. I Spy is a tightly-plotted psychological thriller that kept me reading late into the night.”

Lucy Clarke

As good as the author’s previous novels—if not better. Don’t miss this thriller.

BookLoons

Listeners will enjoy narrator Imogen Church’s ability to develop multiple characters as the plot of Kendal’s novel becomes increasingly complex. Holly’s story is told in alternating timeframes that allow listeners to understand how she evolves from being a failed applicant to MI5 to a woman involved in an abusive relationship. The narration takes advantage of Church’s ability to add English, Irish, and American accents to the dialogue, as well as infusing the characters with the necessary emotions to spur their actions. Holly’s character, in facing danger, trauma, and grief, gains sympathy as listeners are exposed to more twists, each giving them more reasons to understand what a difficult situation she finds herself in. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile

Listeners will enjoy narrator Imogen Church’s ability to develop multiple characters as the plot of Kendal’s novel becomes increasingly complex. Holly’s story is told in alternating timeframes that allow listeners to understand how she evolves from being a failed applicant to MI5 to a woman involved in an abusive relationship. The narration takes advantage of Church’s ability to add English, Irish, and American accents to the dialogue, as well as infusing the characters with the necessary emotions to spur their actions. Holly’s character, in facing danger, trauma, and grief, gains sympathy as listeners are exposed to more twists, each giving them more reasons to understand what a difficult situation she finds herself in. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile