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Spymom: The True Story of a Soccer Mom Turned Private Eye
A breast cancer diagnosis at age forty-six inspired a churchgoing suburban soccer mom to make her biggest dream come becoming a real-life Nancy Drew. Until her diagnosis, few knew how passionately Val -- a lover of Nancy Drew mysteries as a child -- fantasized about becoming a hardboiled female gumshoe. Motivated by her illness to finally pursue her goal, Val opened her own PI firm and became an undercover mother. Val invents wildly funny and unique ways to get at the truth, like using her 'feminine weakness' to cajole a man suspected of health insurance fraud to lift heavy bags of soil for them. She does stake-outs in between grocery store runs and drug busts before picking her kids up from school. She finds lost loves, reunites adoptees with birth parents, uncovers insurance fraud, and nabs internet scammers. Her weapons are woman's intuition and mom smarts powered by a deep faith in God. Together with her various business partners, she turns everything that might be considered a liability -- gender, age, family, illness -- into assets, and becomes an inspiration to anyone pursuing their dreams despite tremendous odds. Poignant and moving, it explores the determination of one mom to make her life count, even when the worst happens. Spymom is part detective story, part cancer story, and 100 percent inspirational tale. Afterword written by Christine Agosta Quintana.
- GenresNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 1, 2013
I have to admit: I'm a biography/autobiography junkie. There is something absolutely fascinating to me about getting into the head of a person, seeing their life and its myriad experiences shared, analyzed, and pondered upon. Throughout the many years of my exploring various memoirs, there have been some that have profoundly moved me, entertained me, and even a few that have altered my outlook on life.
With Val Agosta's amazing memoir, 'Spymom', not only has she managed to move me, entertain me, and intruige me, she has also caused me to relate to an autobiography writer on a very personal level I've not experienced before.
Val's childhood and upbringing is an all-American one--she is the daughter of a military family, Navy, and as a child, she loves Nancy Drew mystery tales. She also fantasizes about growing up to be a lady P.I.
This brought back quite a few memories of my own, growing up a Navy brat, and devouring stories of that penultimate girl detective, Nancy. I even had a few fantasies of going on investigative adventures, myself!
As Val grew up, she like every other child, put aside her girlhood dreams and met and married a nice man and started a family of her own, moving around from place to place because of her husband's job.
After years of laughter and pain, joy and tragedy (she almost loses a child to a serious illness), she comes face to face with a tragedy which directly affects her own health: she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Thus begins a riotous, colorful, at times painful, but supremely satisfying journey that leads to a surprising new career.
Her own potentially fatal diagnosis is terrifying news and a wake-up call at the same time. However, instead of sinking into an understandable depression, she uses her cancer as a way of seizing what her life can offer both to herself and to others, and to kickstart her goal of long ago: she decides to become a P.I. There are people around her who are both doubtful and amused as to this suburban soccer mom jumping into such an unfamiliar field, but with her mind and heart set on it, Val bravely treads on to amazing new horizons.
With her detective agency "Hanady Investigations" swiftly becoming a reality (the name she chose years ago in childhood when she first dreamed of being a girl detective), she convinces her at-first reluctant sister Jan to be her partner in *busting* crime and off they go! Their cases range from going undercover at a music store to see if mature-rated music is sold to minors without parental permission, to tracking down sneaky cheating spouses to investigating insurance claims to locating missing teens. As time goes on, Hanady Investigations (or what they dub 'Two Moms In A Minivan'), gets more exposure and bigger, more complicated cases. Tragedy strikes again in the form of her sis and partner being diagnosed with breast cancer herself, and eventually retiring from the business. Val continues on, however, by taking on several other female partners throughout the years and this is when the cases really started drifting into more hard-core areas...Val and co. began investigating allegations of family abuse, one case that nearly tormented her and dragged on for several years, and at one point, even a case her clients claimed was murder. Every case she took on, however, from the smallest and most trivial to the biggest and most dangerous, was with courage, integrity, and warmth.
What strikes me the most when having read the book, was the sheer tenacity of Val Agosta throughout everything she endured--her illness, the illness of her family, the stress of her cases, and the treatment she had to go through. She maintained this incredibly positive outlook on her life and in the midst of something sorrowful, she actually took as an opportunity to give something of value to others. Not only did she help other individuals and families through her professional endeavors, I happen to feel that through her life efforts and written story, she has inspired numerous people who have been afflicted with cancer themselves as well as those who've seen their loved ones struggle through it.
Val Agosta's life was a meaningful one because she MADE it so. I'm sad to say that her memoir was published posthumously, but even though she passed away, she was a survivor in nearly every sense of the word.
I give 'Spymom' a strong 5 stars. Highly recommended!
With Val Agosta's amazing memoir, 'Spymom', not only has she managed to move me, entertain me, and intruige me, she has also caused me to relate to an autobiography writer on a very personal level I've not experienced before.
Val's childhood and upbringing is an all-American one--she is the daughter of a military family, Navy, and as a child, she loves Nancy Drew mystery tales. She also fantasizes about growing up to be a lady P.I.
This brought back quite a few memories of my own, growing up a Navy brat, and devouring stories of that penultimate girl detective, Nancy. I even had a few fantasies of going on investigative adventures, myself!
As Val grew up, she like every other child, put aside her girlhood dreams and met and married a nice man and started a family of her own, moving around from place to place because of her husband's job.
After years of laughter and pain, joy and tragedy (she almost loses a child to a serious illness), she comes face to face with a tragedy which directly affects her own health: she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Thus begins a riotous, colorful, at times painful, but supremely satisfying journey that leads to a surprising new career.
Her own potentially fatal diagnosis is terrifying news and a wake-up call at the same time. However, instead of sinking into an understandable depression, she uses her cancer as a way of seizing what her life can offer both to herself and to others, and to kickstart her goal of long ago: she decides to become a P.I. There are people around her who are both doubtful and amused as to this suburban soccer mom jumping into such an unfamiliar field, but with her mind and heart set on it, Val bravely treads on to amazing new horizons.
With her detective agency "Hanady Investigations" swiftly becoming a reality (the name she chose years ago in childhood when she first dreamed of being a girl detective), she convinces her at-first reluctant sister Jan to be her partner in *busting* crime and off they go! Their cases range from going undercover at a music store to see if mature-rated music is sold to minors without parental permission, to tracking down sneaky cheating spouses to investigating insurance claims to locating missing teens. As time goes on, Hanady Investigations (or what they dub 'Two Moms In A Minivan'), gets more exposure and bigger, more complicated cases. Tragedy strikes again in the form of her sis and partner being diagnosed with breast cancer herself, and eventually retiring from the business. Val continues on, however, by taking on several other female partners throughout the years and this is when the cases really started drifting into more hard-core areas...Val and co. began investigating allegations of family abuse, one case that nearly tormented her and dragged on for several years, and at one point, even a case her clients claimed was murder. Every case she took on, however, from the smallest and most trivial to the biggest and most dangerous, was with courage, integrity, and warmth.
What strikes me the most when having read the book, was the sheer tenacity of Val Agosta throughout everything she endured--her illness, the illness of her family, the stress of her cases, and the treatment she had to go through. She maintained this incredibly positive outlook on her life and in the midst of something sorrowful, she actually took as an opportunity to give something of value to others. Not only did she help other individuals and families through her professional endeavors, I happen to feel that through her life efforts and written story, she has inspired numerous people who have been afflicted with cancer themselves as well as those who've seen their loved ones struggle through it.
Val Agosta's life was a meaningful one because she MADE it so. I'm sad to say that her memoir was published posthumously, but even though she passed away, she was a survivor in nearly every sense of the word.
I give 'Spymom' a strong 5 stars. Highly recommended!
June 3, 2013
This was awesome. I didn't realize it was a biography of the author until about halfway through. The end made me tear up but this book is great. I hope every mom has a chance to do something they're really passionate about
February 20, 2013
Was very inspired by this TRUE story. Was written more like a novel making it easier to read. Loved it!
July 2, 2024
Why did I pick this book up? My cousin and I were talking about what we want to do in our next chapter of our lives -- as we are getting older and older. She said she wanted to be a PI. That day, I found this book in a favorite used book store; I figured I could school her with the particulars.
I love reading nonfiction books, and this one did not disappointed. Val's life seems so cookie cutter, until a life changing diagnosis made her realize that cookie cutter or not, she still has dreams she wants to achieve. With Nancy Drew as her mentor, some fearless friends, she opens her own private investigator agency, and before she realizes it -- she becomes a very successful PI.
Fun and poignant read.
I love reading nonfiction books, and this one did not disappointed. Val's life seems so cookie cutter, until a life changing diagnosis made her realize that cookie cutter or not, she still has dreams she wants to achieve. With Nancy Drew as her mentor, some fearless friends, she opens her own private investigator agency, and before she realizes it -- she becomes a very successful PI.
Fun and poignant read.
February 11, 2011
Val Agosta didn’t let breast cancer hold her back. This book is all about her journey through the cancer while she tries to enjoy her life as a private investigator.
The stories told in the book make for a fun and quick read. The adventures and unique cases this "Spy Mom" handles would make a great family movie.
You can feel the love for life and family when you read this. Even though you know the end is not happy, as the author lose her battle with cancer, you put the book down with a smile on your face. Val Agosta’s story is a good one to read when you feel discouraged by your own difficulties.
I was given this book by http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/ to review
September 8, 2014
This is the true story of a woman who achieves her dream of becoming a PI after she is diagnosed with cancer the first time. She had no prior experience in law enforcement, but loved to "make up" detective stories and "solve" them as a shy child. Her firm in Boise, Idaho became very successful, working cases involving insurance fraud, child custody and abduction, infidelity and drugs.
Cancer attacks her three times over a 10 year period. The third time she achieved her dream of writing a book. It is an interesting story of perseverance, faith, humor and a positive approach to life under dire circumstances.
Cancer attacks her three times over a 10 year period. The third time she achieved her dream of writing a book. It is an interesting story of perseverance, faith, humor and a positive approach to life under dire circumstances.
February 23, 2011
This book was interesting and funny. It took me only 3 nights to finish it. It's amazing how brave the author and her partners were! They investigated serious issues with no professional training and did an amazing job. Through it all, the author dealt with recurring breast cancer. I was so sad to learn she lost her battle. But what an inspiring story. I'm so glad I happened across it at the library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2012
A funny, unique story about a middle-aged woman diagnosed with breast cancer who follows her fondest dream and becomes a private eye, just like her heroine, Nancy Drew.
The book outlines her cases, her partners who join her on her escapades, and her ongoing battle with the biggest criminal of all - cancer.
It is a poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes sad story that is a quick read and a good one.
The book outlines her cases, her partners who join her on her escapades, and her ongoing battle with the biggest criminal of all - cancer.
It is a poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes sad story that is a quick read and a good one.
April 22, 2010
I had no idea that the author, whom I knew, led such an exciting life! I enjoyed thoroughly the odds and ends of spymomming, even though it's not a vocation that has ever appealed to me, my own love of Nancy Drew notwithstanding! I recommend this to anyone who needs a push to discover what she wants to be when she grows up (you know, at about 50), or anyone who just wants a fun, real read.
August 9, 2010
This book was really intriguing. It tells (at least) two stories at once, but does so in a skilled, seamless manner. I enjoyed the blend of humor, persistence, daring and common sense that characterized Val Agosta's approach to life, even when dealing with sad and scary things. I recommend it, and I would read it again.
April 19, 2010
Good book! I loved reading what was going on in my backyard while I lived there. There's so much behind the scenes that we don't see! This is a fun story... suprise ending that I didn't LOVE, but a great book nonetheless.
May 28, 2010
This was written by my next door neighbor. I wish I had known her better she was so fun, witty, and entertaining. She did a great job of telling her life story and battle with cancer and also covering funny spy mom experiences.
April 2, 2014
This was an interesting and inspiring memoir! It definitely made me want to jump right into life and pursue my dreams! The many aspects of private investigating were also fun to learn about. I'm glad I read it!
May 9, 2010
I've seen this story mentioned in several publications and it's well written and engaging.
August 16, 2011
Very interesting story - I was totally unprepared for the ending. I always wanted to be a private investigator - with none of the danger aspect though. I am impressed with what she accomplished.
September 8, 2011
I enjoyed the energy and fun that Val and her friend had with their detective agency, but was surprised at their using their children for some of the assignments.
June 29, 2012
I think I would have given another star if it were more clear what the book was really about. I wanted a fluffy private eye book but it wasn't.
January 8, 2013
I loved that all of these experiences take place here in Idaho. It was so fun to read and know right where they were staking out people! Recommend for anyone local!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews