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Loose Lips
After sending her résumé to the CIA on a whim, New Yorker Selena Keller is contacted by an Agency recruiter, who asks her how she would feel about convincing another human being to commit treason. Despite her checkered past, Selena passes the background investigation and a battery of bizarre aptitude tests. Living under cover as a government budget analyst, she begins her education in espionage at the Farm, the CIA’s covert facility.
All CIA officers must survive a demanding training program, and it is there that Selena becomes romantically involved with Stan, a brilliant but darkly paranoid fellow student with presidential ambitions. What happens next is a fascinating inside portrait of the Agency—how spies are recruited, how they are trained, who they meet, where they go, and most important . . . what happens when they fall in love, and begin spying on one another.
All CIA officers must survive a demanding training program, and it is there that Selena becomes romantically involved with Stan, a brilliant but darkly paranoid fellow student with presidential ambitions. What happens next is a fascinating inside portrait of the Agency—how spies are recruited, how they are trained, who they meet, where they go, and most important . . . what happens when they fall in love, and begin spying on one another.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
21 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Claire Berlinski
16 books31 followersCLAIRE BERLINSKI WAS born in 1968 in California, and grew up in New York, Seattle and California. She received her undergraduate degree in Modern History and her doctorate in International Relations from Balliol College at Oxford University. She has since lived and worked in Britain, Thailand, Laos, France, and Turkey as a journalist, academic, consultant and freelance writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 20, 2025
I hated this book. I hated the ending even more than the book.
February 7, 2014
Claire Burlinski has written a clever story of a young woman who decides to join the CIA and the strange and at times weird training she undergoes after being accepted. But why such an intelligent woman would fall in love with a man who is obviously screwed up, I could not understand and one of the mysteries to be faced. There is another mystery which makes this a page turner, but what gave it 4 stars is the female protagonist's wonderful sense of humor. The reason I did not give it five stars? You'll have to read it to find out.
November 22, 2023
The book drags on and the ending was quite a let down. Also, seems like the author went to google to replace some words with their fancier sounding adjective and most don’t make sense.
April 3, 2020
After sending her resume to the CIA on a whim, Selena Keller is surprised when they actually contact her and accept her. She heads to the Farm for training on all things covert: learning how to spot a tail, how to spot and use weaknesses of targets, and how to convince someone else to commit treason. While there, she befriends a number of classmates with varying degrees of depth and falls for a fellow trainee, who seems to have mastered all the skills she's still struggling with, knows everything about everything, and has presidential ambitions. As time goes on and Selena gets closer to passing or failing the course, she begins to wonder who she really can trust and if others around her and simply practicing their recruiting tricks on her.
I'd bought this book probably 15 years ago and read it then; I remembered liking it but being disappointed with the ending. I recently rediscovered this book in my collection and decided to reread it, especially since I could only remember a few details about the plot. Considering that there are books I read within the last year that I can barely remember, the fact that I remembered anything about this is impressive! I think I enjoyed it even more this time around and the ending was better than I expected - it didn't neatly wrap up or explain every detail, but I suppose that's about right for a book about spies!
This was such an easy read. The writing was engaging, the story moved along at a quick pace, and I was continually curious what they'd learn about next. It's not quite a mystery or thriller, and it's not quite chick lit; it's somewhere in between, I suppose. The characters were all different and all motivated for different reasons, leaving a class where people were thrown together for a shared goal but not shared personalities. They weren't even all that likable or necessarily made good decisions, but I understood where they were coming from, which made for a good story. I loved seeing how suspicious everyone became of one another, having their trust in others basically shattered during the training.
Even though I had a general idea of where the plot was going, thanks to having read it before, I still enjoyed this enough to look forward to picking up it again each time. It's funny, this didn't really have a lot of "action" - the bulk of the book takes place while they're in training and dealing with manufactured situations - but it seemed like something was constantly going on or happening. No part of this felt slow. It was a lot of fun to read, the training was believable and well thought out, and it kept me guessing about the true motivation behind each character. Definitely an interesting read and one I'd recommend to others. Very fun!
I'd bought this book probably 15 years ago and read it then; I remembered liking it but being disappointed with the ending. I recently rediscovered this book in my collection and decided to reread it, especially since I could only remember a few details about the plot. Considering that there are books I read within the last year that I can barely remember, the fact that I remembered anything about this is impressive! I think I enjoyed it even more this time around and the ending was better than I expected - it didn't neatly wrap up or explain every detail, but I suppose that's about right for a book about spies!
This was such an easy read. The writing was engaging, the story moved along at a quick pace, and I was continually curious what they'd learn about next. It's not quite a mystery or thriller, and it's not quite chick lit; it's somewhere in between, I suppose. The characters were all different and all motivated for different reasons, leaving a class where people were thrown together for a shared goal but not shared personalities. They weren't even all that likable or necessarily made good decisions, but I understood where they were coming from, which made for a good story. I loved seeing how suspicious everyone became of one another, having their trust in others basically shattered during the training.
Even though I had a general idea of where the plot was going, thanks to having read it before, I still enjoyed this enough to look forward to picking up it again each time. It's funny, this didn't really have a lot of "action" - the bulk of the book takes place while they're in training and dealing with manufactured situations - but it seemed like something was constantly going on or happening. No part of this felt slow. It was a lot of fun to read, the training was believable and well thought out, and it kept me guessing about the true motivation behind each character. Definitely an interesting read and one I'd recommend to others. Very fun!
June 27, 2019
Selena is the book’s main character, an academic who completed a PhD in Sanskrit and lived in India for a while. Back in America she’s struggling to get tenure and is stuck at a university she doesn’t like. While reading an article she ends up on the careers page for the CIA and applies on a whim. Much to her surprise she is invited for an interview and is eventually accepted onto the CIA case officer program. This involves lots of lectures, paramilitary training, and a gruelling stay at The Farm, the CIA’s training ground. Selena makes friends and enemies with her fellow trainees and fails one course due to her lack of driving skills. Fellow trainee Stan offers to help her, and they end up a couple.
The book looked more interesting from the back than I think it ended up being. At first I was kind of forcing myself to read it, though it got more interesting as it went along. I struggled to warm to Selena, and it annoyed me that she told her family things about her training so openly. Surely it’s pretty obvious that you don’t email that kind of thing? The book was written/set in the early 2000s however, so maybe that kind of danger wasn’t as well known.
The information about the CIA was interesting though I’m not sure how factual it was. The author has written quite a bit about the CIA apparently, but I’m not sure what her sources are. It didn’t make the CIA sound like a particularly nice place to work. It also seemed a bit ridiculous in its patriotism at times. At one point Selena says that she thinks the world would be a better place if the US just ran it. Both she and Stan talk about the US being the greatest, most creative country in the world etc etc which was a little irritating to a non-American :P
The book looked more interesting from the back than I think it ended up being. At first I was kind of forcing myself to read it, though it got more interesting as it went along. I struggled to warm to Selena, and it annoyed me that she told her family things about her training so openly. Surely it’s pretty obvious that you don’t email that kind of thing? The book was written/set in the early 2000s however, so maybe that kind of danger wasn’t as well known.
The information about the CIA was interesting though I’m not sure how factual it was. The author has written quite a bit about the CIA apparently, but I’m not sure what her sources are. It didn’t make the CIA sound like a particularly nice place to work. It also seemed a bit ridiculous in its patriotism at times. At one point Selena says that she thinks the world would be a better place if the US just ran it. Both she and Stan talk about the US being the greatest, most creative country in the world etc etc which was a little irritating to a non-American :P
March 23, 2020
When I was 18 or 19 and believed all career paths were possible, I thought I could be a spy. I don't know why . . . the romance of TV and movies, I imagine. In retrospect, that was never a path that I could have pulled off, but I still enjoy the intrigue, the mystery, the subterfuge of spies doing their thing undercover.
In Loose Lips, Sanskrit scholar Selena narrates her own story of how she joined the CIA, how she trained to be a spy, and how she got caught up in her own intrigue at the Farm. Selena is one of those flawed protagonists who are interesting because of their flaws. And when I saw flaws, I don't mean she is evil or has ulterior motives. She is honest. She is thoughtful. She is arrogant. She is judgmental. She is not entirely likable, and that makes her likable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narration, the character development, the references to current events (really past events since this happens in the 1990s), and the plot arc.
The end of the book wasn't entirely satisfying to me. I like a little more closure. Yes, I know most of life doesn't fully have closure. we don't get to know everything, blah, blah. In fiction, I like more.
Still, a great read. On to the next book.
In Loose Lips, Sanskrit scholar Selena narrates her own story of how she joined the CIA, how she trained to be a spy, and how she got caught up in her own intrigue at the Farm. Selena is one of those flawed protagonists who are interesting because of their flaws. And when I saw flaws, I don't mean she is evil or has ulterior motives. She is honest. She is thoughtful. She is arrogant. She is judgmental. She is not entirely likable, and that makes her likable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narration, the character development, the references to current events (really past events since this happens in the 1990s), and the plot arc.
The end of the book wasn't entirely satisfying to me. I like a little more closure. Yes, I know most of life doesn't fully have closure. we don't get to know everything, blah, blah. In fiction, I like more.
Still, a great read. On to the next book.
November 7, 2016
Berlinski gives us a peak at CIA training and culture from a flunkie's point of view. Not an exceptional book but entertaining and humorous in spots. Because the central character is not particularly likeable and because she ends up going precisely nowhere in career or relationships, the book falls flat in the end.
October 1, 2018
Kept my interest - a humorous story involving a love affair amid training for entry to the CIA. I didn't care for the man in whom the female protagonist was interested - limiting the appeal of the book. (Yes, he was meant to be comic - but if he's just unappealing, you don't care for what the protagonist wants - and that limits the book's reach for the emotion).
May 23, 2020
This is very good, especially for a first novel. Claire's characters are well drawn and consistent throughout the book, which is not always true for first-time novelists. I found the plot a little predictable but it has a nice twist that I won't give away.
If you like Claire Berlinski's urbane writing style (and you SHOULD), you will see it developing here.
If you like Claire Berlinski's urbane writing style (and you SHOULD), you will see it developing here.
March 17, 2022
I enjoyed this book in sections. What drove the 2 was the lackluster ending in addition to poor character development.
The ending is basically just: I quit because it got to hard
And the characters aren’t developed in a way that makes you understand or feel much emotion towards them. Except Stan, he’s the worst.
The ending is basically just: I quit because it got to hard
And the characters aren’t developed in a way that makes you understand or feel much emotion towards them. Except Stan, he’s the worst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2019
What a surprise! I loved this book.
The blurb didn't really impress me, but I decided to read it anyway because I am curious about the CIA. However, the story turned out to be really entertaining.
The blurb didn't really impress me, but I decided to read it anyway because I am curious about the CIA. However, the story turned out to be really entertaining.
November 5, 2019
Hoping for more action, less drama
I was hoping for more action, less drama... i wish that there was less on the ‘farm’ training and more on assignments actions... and the ending was disappointing
I was hoping for more action, less drama... i wish that there was less on the ‘farm’ training and more on assignments actions... and the ending was disappointing
September 21, 2025
I really enjoyed the book. It was so nice and dramatic and not the kind of drama i expected since it was set in the CIA. Also loved the plot twists..they weren’t too intense but had a great ohhhhhh moment..
great read overall..just not mind blowing..
great read overall..just not mind blowing..
March 2, 2020
The first half of this book is so boring and the 2nd half isn't much better.
November 20, 2020
It was interesting to hear it from her perspective. Unfortunately we'll never know the truth of what happened.
April 17, 2022
I really wanted to like this more but Selina does really stupid things and that always annoys me (see Edna Buchanan books). At the end we still don't know what really happened.
August 20, 2023
Read a coupke of decades ago, in paperback.
February 27, 2024
Boring. Lots of pointless stories.
May 25, 2025
Interesting about CIA training and it wasn’t too dated despite being written 20 years ago. But plot was thin and ending was not satisfying.
March 7, 2021
Fun read and some interesting insights into trading of CIA agents.
January 20, 2016
The book “Loose Lips” by Claire Berlinski, is an action drama, following the life of Selena Keller and her quest to join the CIA. After falling short at her first attempt at becoming an agent, Selena finds herself grouped in with the other failures. There she meets Stan, a fat, red-haired man who quickly becomes her friend, and significant other. Throughout the book, we follow the story of this pair who wind their way through government secrets, betrayal, and isolation. Although the book was written well, it is not something I would recommend to others who are easily bored, or are of a younger age. “Loose Lips” has many mature themes throughout the story, from romantic relations, to cheating and adultery. Altogether the book should be read by middle-aged women, not teenagers. Claire Berlinski’s writing is also very monotonous. Many of the same things occur over and over, and she often goes into detail about every little thing, which could be good in small amounts, but goes overboard throughout the story. Although the concept and idea formed from the book is entertaining, I often found myself not wanting to read the story, and became tired of it early on. The ending of the book was surprising, and unique, differing itself from common books, but the read was not worth it just to get to the ‘grand finale’. I would not suggest that others read this book, unless they are older and can appreciate the extremely descriptive writing of Claire Berlinski.
July 4, 2010
you know... this book was interesting. i don't think i would go so far as to say that it shows you what it's like to join the CIA though (as it says on the dust cover). i also wouldn't relate it to Alias in anyway. I loved the show Alias (until it jumped the shark a couple of times). this book is about a flighty girl who bumbles her way into the CIA and quickly bumbles her way right out again by falling for a conman and running her mouth too much. the worst part is that the book never quite wraps up what happened clearly so you never know who turned on who - you have to surmise. to me, after reading however many pages that book was, it's a rip off to not give a tidy conclusion of what happened to the girl. whatever. i didn't like it. that being said, it was a quick read, i read it in one afternoon while i was sick in bed. otherwise i probably wouldn't have wasted an afternoon on it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 25, 20112003- This is a story about Selena Keller, who on a whim, decides to send her resume to the CIA. What follows is a battery of tests and then finally training, to become a spy. I'm not sure how much of the book is actually based on fact, but I found all Serena's training to be incredibly interesting. Besides being trained, we see Selena fall in love with Stan, another spy in training, or is he? About 75% of the book focused on Selena's job and the other 25% was on her personal life, so I found it harder to get attached to the characters. Her boyfriend, Stan, seemed like a particularly strange guy for her, but maybe it's because Selena's character wasn't explored so much, so I didn't feel like I really knew her. All in all, an entertaining read for anyone who has ever dreamed of being a spy, or has seen ""The Recruit"".
August 11, 2012
I found this on a bookshelf at a house in the Cape I was vacationing in. For some reason, I decided to read it. It was a pretty mediocre book; not awful, but certainly not great.
The writing had it's funny moments and it was pretty suspenseful at times, but, overall, the writing was amateurish, the plot line boring and cliche, and the ending predictable. The ending was not happy, but it was not the good kind of sad that shows a good writer (i.e: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green), and, because of that, there seemed to be a lack of closure.
It's not a terrible book and, if you happen to find it on a shelf at a vacation home, it wouldn't kill you to pick it up. However, it's not one I'm recommending to all my friends, or intend on reading a second time.
The writing had it's funny moments and it was pretty suspenseful at times, but, overall, the writing was amateurish, the plot line boring and cliche, and the ending predictable. The ending was not happy, but it was not the good kind of sad that shows a good writer (i.e: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green), and, because of that, there seemed to be a lack of closure.
It's not a terrible book and, if you happen to find it on a shelf at a vacation home, it wouldn't kill you to pick it up. However, it's not one I'm recommending to all my friends, or intend on reading a second time.
March 9, 2016
This book surprised me. It was highly original to me- a inside look at the CIA and its operatives from the female perspective. It's got all the intrigue you'd expect from a book dealing with spies, plus the obligatory romantic subplot. But the romance isn't what you'd expect. The glamorous protagonist, Selena Keller ends up with the unassuming Stan, an overweight, socially inept, minimally successful loner. Their romance begins ideally, but soon sours. The plot is pretty fast pace, but lags towards the end, and the ending itself was somewhat unsatisfactory. On the whole, though, and I'd recommend to anyone who wants to read something other than the usual fluff that gets written about twentysomethings.
January 1, 2012
Selena Keller is a PhD sanskritist who decides to join the CIA. After going through a series of training exercises, she becomes a clandestine agent. However, her affair with another one of the agents leads her into trouble with the CIA's security bureaucracy. A light-hearted book that describes the CIA from the inside. The agency culture is portrayed as a soap opera crossed with a soviet-style bureaucracy. It is hard to tell how realistic a portrait it paints of the agency, but it rings pretty true, especially compared with the book Blowing My Cover that I read several years ago. The narrator was very good as well.
July 30, 2012
This novel is skillfully written and sometimes funny but in the end -- and perhaps inevitably -- a downer. Berlinski is at least as smart and observant as her main character, Selena Keller, yet her snapshot of life as a CIA case officer-in-training suffers because CIA culture depends unapologetically on manipulation. People deliberately use each other. If you're okay with that (or, more charitably, realistic writing about that), you might like the novel more than I did.
In short, you have to be in a particular frame of mind to appreciate roman à clef writing, even when it's as polished as this semi-biographical story is.
In short, you have to be in a particular frame of mind to appreciate roman à clef writing, even when it's as polished as this semi-biographical story is.
December 31, 2008
Hated it!!!! Completely unbelievable storyline. The descriptions of the CIA were good, but I hated the characters and the author herself is obviously dislikable from some of the things she had her characters think...for example, the white CIA worker who was aggravated at being passed over for promotion by unqualified affirmative action candidates. That's the reality, hon! It happens and people SHOULD be pissed off about it.
June 23, 2010
An interesting look into the training of CIA officers. If all the things they had to go through are accurate, it sounds like one serious undertaking. Berlinski wrote about them in an amusing way due to the commentary of the main character Selena. I would almost say Selena was the weak link of the whole novel. She could be funny and endearingly honest, but she also had shades of selfishness and lack of integrity that made her harder to root for.
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