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Double O Trilogy #2
A Spy Like Me
An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem...
A bomb has been detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond...
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem...
A bomb has been detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond...
1 pages, Audio CD
First published April 23, 2024
105 people are currently reading
5730 people want to read
About the author
Kim Sherwood
7 books147 followersKim Sherwood is an author and creative writing lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where she lives in the city. Kim Sherwood’s first novel, Testament (2018), won the Bath Novel Award and Harper’s Bazaar Big Book Award. It was longlisted for the Desmond Elliot Prize and shortlisted for the Author’s Club Best First Novel Pick. In 2019, she was shortlisted for The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. Her second book, Double or Nothing (2022), is the first in a trilogy commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to expand the world of James Bond. Her next novel, A Wild & True Relation, was described by Hilary Mantel as “a rarity – a novel as remarkable for the vigour of the storytelling as for its literary ambition. Kim Sherwood is a writer of capacity, potency and sophistication.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
March 6, 2024
4-5 stars
Double O #2
A bomb is planted at the BBC, saved from doing its worst by the swift actions of 008 a.k.a. Dodger McIntyre, who is seriously injured in the process. Q detects a pattern as six days prior to an attack, objects worth £1 million plus leave a freeport, such as Heraklion or Venice and are sold at Sothebys, a black market to a white. A nefarious smuggling gang of diamonds, antiquities, and people funds a secretive network, where money is king, and which in turn funds global terror. Are Rattenfänger, a global crime group behind it all? MI6 finest 00 agents are sent to various world locations to try to stop the shadowy organisation unleash its latest barbarity and they’re in a race against time. Meanwhile, 003, Johanna Harwood, is not on active duty, still in recovery from her last op. She is convinced 007 is still alive and held somewhere deep and dark by Rattenfänger. Will she follow orders or go rogue?
Yet again, Kim Sherwood has done a good job of capturing the spirit of Ian Fleming via Johanna and of course, the usual cast of M, Moneypenny, Q and in this one 004 (Joseph Dryden), and 000 (Conrad Harthrop Vane). She makes me feel as if I’m watching one of the Bond legendary movies as the storytelling is so visual. I love the clever clock/time theme that runs throughout this and it’s used to great creative effect and it’s quite the metaphor for some of the cast. As for the starring role featuring 003 Johanna Harwood I feel we get to understand her even better this time. There’s more on her background and as she delves deeper she makes some bone chilling discoveries. The supporting characters, especially Dryden and Harthrop Vane are also well portrayed and easy to picture.
It’s an intelligent plot, it’s well thought out, it’s definitely complex with several subplots and so you really need to focus and concentrate which is no bad thing. At times it’s high octane, movie worthy, action, packed, fast paced, and hold your breath tense. It’s dramatic, absorbing and exciting and has all the ingredients you would expect to find in the originals. Naturally it has multiple twists and turns almost delivering whiplash towards the end. The ending leaves you hanging, teetering on the edge of a cliff which is just terrific.
Overall, roll on number three and the other bonus of this instalment is that you get an excellent world tour in some truly out of this world locations from the comfort of your armchair. A cracking, entertaining thriller, which I thoroughly enjoy and can recommend to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Double O #2
A bomb is planted at the BBC, saved from doing its worst by the swift actions of 008 a.k.a. Dodger McIntyre, who is seriously injured in the process. Q detects a pattern as six days prior to an attack, objects worth £1 million plus leave a freeport, such as Heraklion or Venice and are sold at Sothebys, a black market to a white. A nefarious smuggling gang of diamonds, antiquities, and people funds a secretive network, where money is king, and which in turn funds global terror. Are Rattenfänger, a global crime group behind it all? MI6 finest 00 agents are sent to various world locations to try to stop the shadowy organisation unleash its latest barbarity and they’re in a race against time. Meanwhile, 003, Johanna Harwood, is not on active duty, still in recovery from her last op. She is convinced 007 is still alive and held somewhere deep and dark by Rattenfänger. Will she follow orders or go rogue?
Yet again, Kim Sherwood has done a good job of capturing the spirit of Ian Fleming via Johanna and of course, the usual cast of M, Moneypenny, Q and in this one 004 (Joseph Dryden), and 000 (Conrad Harthrop Vane). She makes me feel as if I’m watching one of the Bond legendary movies as the storytelling is so visual. I love the clever clock/time theme that runs throughout this and it’s used to great creative effect and it’s quite the metaphor for some of the cast. As for the starring role featuring 003 Johanna Harwood I feel we get to understand her even better this time. There’s more on her background and as she delves deeper she makes some bone chilling discoveries. The supporting characters, especially Dryden and Harthrop Vane are also well portrayed and easy to picture.
It’s an intelligent plot, it’s well thought out, it’s definitely complex with several subplots and so you really need to focus and concentrate which is no bad thing. At times it’s high octane, movie worthy, action, packed, fast paced, and hold your breath tense. It’s dramatic, absorbing and exciting and has all the ingredients you would expect to find in the originals. Naturally it has multiple twists and turns almost delivering whiplash towards the end. The ending leaves you hanging, teetering on the edge of a cliff which is just terrific.
Overall, roll on number three and the other bonus of this instalment is that you get an excellent world tour in some truly out of this world locations from the comfort of your armchair. A cracking, entertaining thriller, which I thoroughly enjoy and can recommend to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 3, 2024
Kim Sherwood's second Double O novel is a fast paced, action adventure & a wonderfully character driven story. James Bond may be missing, but there's plenty to enjoy here & this is a story where Sherwood's (& Ian Fleming's) characters take cente stage instead of 007.
Sherwood drops in references to Fleming stories & Bond films (including Moore in The Spy Who Loved & Connery in Thunderball) but what I prefered were the scenes between her characters & those fom Ian Fleming's stories. These chapters work extremely well & while I enjoyed her impressive action sequences it was the dialogue between characters that I liked the most.
A Spy Like Me ends dramatically & paves the way for the third & final novel in the Double O trilogy. Let's hope it's as good as this one.
Sherwood drops in references to Fleming stories & Bond films (including Moore in The Spy Who Loved & Connery in Thunderball) but what I prefered were the scenes between her characters & those fom Ian Fleming's stories. These chapters work extremely well & while I enjoyed her impressive action sequences it was the dialogue between characters that I liked the most.
A Spy Like Me ends dramatically & paves the way for the third & final novel in the Double O trilogy. Let's hope it's as good as this one.
May 6, 2024
This is book 2 in the double 00 series written by a lady writer which Will be a reason for some men to not read it. Which like the Kate Westbrook moneypenny diaries are a bloody shame to pass up.
In this second installment 007 is still missing in Action and are the remaining 00's put to work to catch up with the antics of the New SPECTRE by the name of Rattenfanger. And most importantly find the head of this organisation to chop that one off.
One 00 is currently on medicatie leave but she is hard in pursuit on a lead to locate the notorious 007, she gets help from Mathis of the deuxieme, Bond's father in law. Travelling to the end of the world.
The other 00's are chasing antiqities and diamond as they are payment now that bankaccounts are no longer safe for the baddies to use.
This book felt initially a bit messy mostly because I needed to pick story and various characters. And it does take effort to stay with the various story threads. But the pay off is excellent, you get an excellent thriller in which we get to see the excellence of different 00's even if 007 is a legend among jis section. Which is now commanded by miss Moneypenny and she is a far cry from just being M's secretary.
Kim Sherwood has done a great job in creating an interesting universe where the 00's roam. May her next novel be published Quickly so I can found out how her cliffhanger Will be resolved.
Great stuff for the spy buffs and fans of the literary 007.
In this second installment 007 is still missing in Action and are the remaining 00's put to work to catch up with the antics of the New SPECTRE by the name of Rattenfanger. And most importantly find the head of this organisation to chop that one off.
One 00 is currently on medicatie leave but she is hard in pursuit on a lead to locate the notorious 007, she gets help from Mathis of the deuxieme, Bond's father in law. Travelling to the end of the world.
The other 00's are chasing antiqities and diamond as they are payment now that bankaccounts are no longer safe for the baddies to use.
This book felt initially a bit messy mostly because I needed to pick story and various characters. And it does take effort to stay with the various story threads. But the pay off is excellent, you get an excellent thriller in which we get to see the excellence of different 00's even if 007 is a legend among jis section. Which is now commanded by miss Moneypenny and she is a far cry from just being M's secretary.
Kim Sherwood has done a great job in creating an interesting universe where the 00's roam. May her next novel be published Quickly so I can found out how her cliffhanger Will be resolved.
Great stuff for the spy buffs and fans of the literary 007.
May 23, 2024
Let's start with the positive - this is a minor improvement on the first in the series - Double Or Nothing. The political hectoring and lecturing tone has largely disappeared, which is a good thing, and somewhere in here is a good spy story. Unfortunately, much of what made the first book a disappointment is still present. The plot is all over the place and jumps around between different characters and places so much that it is difficult to follow. People pop up all over the place, somehow travelling around the world in the bĺink of an eye with no sense of how much time has passed. Great locations, but too many - Afghanistan, Venice, London, some mountains somewhere and on and on. Even within scenes the writing makes it very confusing as to what is going on. The bad guys are numerous and largely forgettable/interchangeable/I'm not really sure who they were in the end, or why they were doing anything. The character of Dryden is as ridiculous as ever, Q being a computer robs the book of one of the best characters from the series, the most interesting new 00, Harwood, spends a lot of time moping around before finally springing into action. A lot of the dialogue is good, but too often there are jarring clunkers. The indiscriminate throwback to previous Bond books and movies (Sherwood doesn't differentiate between the two) really grate with me, shoehorned in. A lot of research has gone into history and places, but it's presented in long, dull paragraphs that just get in the way of the plot, and a lot of it is not needed. Time jumps from past to present to future needlessly. An improvement, but still a long way short of comparable books such as Horowitz's Bond, Fleming or the vastly superior 'Slow Horses' series by Mick Herron.
March 12, 2024
I received a free copy of, A Spy Like Me, by Kim Sherwood, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.MI6 agents are looking for James Bond, or at least one of them is, agent Johanna Harwood is looking for 007. Can she find him? An interesting read.
April 21, 2024
The agents Joseph Dryer, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, are led by Miss Moneypenny and are assigned to root out the source of the terrorist funding. Trying to trace all the clues, the double 0’s scramble to different locations to uncover a vast money laundering scheme. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins.
Joanna Hardwood, 003, has her own agenda while she is not allowed to be on active service due to the loss of her partner. This isn’t stopping her, though, to search for James Bond.
There is a large cast of characters. I needed to get to grips with a lot of names, as I haven’t read the previous book Double or Nothing. So, it might make sense to read the first book to understand the twist that Bond is missing, perhaps even killed.
A Spy Like Me is divided into 5 parts. The chapters are short, and they all end on a cliffhanger. It’s a fast-moving story, with a complex plot and several subplots, and I definitely needed to concentrate. We are taken to exotic locations and face some powerful villains.
It really shows that the author Kim Sherwood is a life-long Bond fan. I am sure A SPY LIKE ME will be enjoyed by James Bond fans as well as thriller fans. My husband is eagerly hoping to read this book now, and I am looking forward to the next part.
Joanna Hardwood, 003, has her own agenda while she is not allowed to be on active service due to the loss of her partner. This isn’t stopping her, though, to search for James Bond.
There is a large cast of characters. I needed to get to grips with a lot of names, as I haven’t read the previous book Double or Nothing. So, it might make sense to read the first book to understand the twist that Bond is missing, perhaps even killed.
A Spy Like Me is divided into 5 parts. The chapters are short, and they all end on a cliffhanger. It’s a fast-moving story, with a complex plot and several subplots, and I definitely needed to concentrate. We are taken to exotic locations and face some powerful villains.
It really shows that the author Kim Sherwood is a life-long Bond fan. I am sure A SPY LIKE ME will be enjoyed by James Bond fans as well as thriller fans. My husband is eagerly hoping to read this book now, and I am looking forward to the next part.
April 24, 2024
Well let me tell you, I really had to concentrate on this one while I was reading it. Every time I thought I was catching on to what was happening the rug was once again pulled out from under me in a twist that left me wondering if I have the mentality to be able to solve anything, ever. I think for me my favourite had to be 003 just because of the loss she suffers and the way she doesn’t let it hold her back. I feel a tiny bit of guilt having a favourite spy because they’re all really great characters, and they’re all equally wonderful in their own way. Characters aside, I really enjoyed the pacing in this one as it played out in my head like a film as I was reading through it, which is always a bonus for these types of books, especially when they’re part of the Bond world.
My one take away from this book? I need to read more spy novels ASAP while I wait for the next book to be released.
Thank you to Harper Fiction for sending me a proof of this one.
My one take away from this book? I need to read more spy novels ASAP while I wait for the next book to be released.
Thank you to Harper Fiction for sending me a proof of this one.
July 15, 2025
Alsof je een James Bond-film kijkt, net zo spannend, soms net zo moeilijk te volgen en begrijpen (dat komt mede doordat ik er pas halverwege achterkwam dat dit deel 2 van de reeks is, en ik deel 1 niet gelezen heb…). Hopelijk komt snel deel 3 uit!
March 5, 2024
A Spy Like Me is book two in the Double O trilogy of action adventures set in a new extended world of James Bond.
The story opens with a bomb in London’s BBC buildings which has team leader Ms Moneypenny and her double Os scrambling for answers and making guesses. There’s also a leak in MI6 which needs plugging and no-one knows if missing OO7 is still alive.
The story clips along at a fast pace with double O spies being sent across the world as they follow Moneypenny’s hypothesis about a triple-headed operation to channel funds into terrorism. Die-hard fans of the original Bond stories and films may shake their heads; Q is now a computer, M is semi-retired, add in the mention of characters and incidents from Fleming’s tales and I can understand that this won’t be suited to everyone.
I liked the story for its loose familiarity with the Bond themes and its attempt to continue the fight against evil in the 21st century. The storyline was entertaining and I liked the world-tour, especially the scenes set in Venice. However, due to the quantity of characters and large number of scene changes it was often hard to keep them all fixed in my mind. This will likely be a marmite book, one either loved or hated; good if you have enjoyed the Bond character and scenario in the past, but aren’t necessarily huge fans, but disliked by Bond devotees.
The story opens with a bomb in London’s BBC buildings which has team leader Ms Moneypenny and her double Os scrambling for answers and making guesses. There’s also a leak in MI6 which needs plugging and no-one knows if missing OO7 is still alive.
The story clips along at a fast pace with double O spies being sent across the world as they follow Moneypenny’s hypothesis about a triple-headed operation to channel funds into terrorism. Die-hard fans of the original Bond stories and films may shake their heads; Q is now a computer, M is semi-retired, add in the mention of characters and incidents from Fleming’s tales and I can understand that this won’t be suited to everyone.
I liked the story for its loose familiarity with the Bond themes and its attempt to continue the fight against evil in the 21st century. The storyline was entertaining and I liked the world-tour, especially the scenes set in Venice. However, due to the quantity of characters and large number of scene changes it was often hard to keep them all fixed in my mind. This will likely be a marmite book, one either loved or hated; good if you have enjoyed the Bond character and scenario in the past, but aren’t necessarily huge fans, but disliked by Bond devotees.
July 15, 2024
TOP SECRET BRIEFING: 5 star rating
Over the years, James Bond's adventures have carried him all over the world, tackling villains in love with gold, in love with space and usually in love with themselves. The weapons threatening humanity's existence have been lasers, nuclear bombs or hideous viruses and Bond has won the day with the help of ever more exotic gadgets and tricks with each outing!
I'm pleased to report that Kim Sherwood develops her themes from her first Double-O series novel, "Double or Nothing" by keeping things simple and the storyline strong: she continues with the Double-O team with agents 000, 003, 004, 008 all crucial to the plot and the characters feel real, strong, individual and relevant to modern life. Beautiful Joanna Harwood is a rather deadly 003 and only a fool or a dead man would underestimate her. 6-foot-4 and full of muscle is Joseph Dryden and his character is simply cool - relaxed, matter of fact and stylish in a casual way, he is my favourite at position 004. Dodger Macintyre is the brave agent at 008 and a rather too smooth for my liking Conrad Harthrop-Vane holds the 000 spot. Together they use skill and cunning to work as a team.
The opening scene is an attack at London's BBC Broadcasting House and Sherwood's skill makes it feel urgent and present and could easily be reported on the evening news tonight. This present-day setting makes the story feel much more real and relatable than the Bond series films and lends an urgency and pace to the plot. The evil empires in Bond films have been either individual villains, or Spectre and Blofeld. Sherwood introduces a new organisation called Rattenfanger - a well funded and world wide terrorist group ready to spread havoc and terror across the world and there is a major attack planned with only 6 days for the Double-Os to stop it. Will they make it in time?
I loved the familiar feeling of the Bond setting but the characters have taken slightly different roles; Moneypenny is running the day-to-day show and Q is now a Quantum super-computer allowing all sorts of data searches and links to be done at speed. It feels right and a fresh take on the Bond universe. At no point did I think about the differences from the film series - this feels real and modern and now and the pace of the writing leave no time die.
The adventure takes our Double-Os across the globe [of course!] and the plot twists and turns with each location. As each page turns, you can feel the threads coming together into a wonderful climax - but what about Bond? Does he save the day? Does he make it to the end of the day? At the end of the book, is he the Double-0 you want to save the day?
You'll have to read it to find out but, in a memo for your-eyes-only, I can tell you that the story is brilliant, exciting and takes to the very last paragraph to reach its conclusion. Enjoy every page!
[Review from my husband - a big Bond fan!]
Over the years, James Bond's adventures have carried him all over the world, tackling villains in love with gold, in love with space and usually in love with themselves. The weapons threatening humanity's existence have been lasers, nuclear bombs or hideous viruses and Bond has won the day with the help of ever more exotic gadgets and tricks with each outing!
I'm pleased to report that Kim Sherwood develops her themes from her first Double-O series novel, "Double or Nothing" by keeping things simple and the storyline strong: she continues with the Double-O team with agents 000, 003, 004, 008 all crucial to the plot and the characters feel real, strong, individual and relevant to modern life. Beautiful Joanna Harwood is a rather deadly 003 and only a fool or a dead man would underestimate her. 6-foot-4 and full of muscle is Joseph Dryden and his character is simply cool - relaxed, matter of fact and stylish in a casual way, he is my favourite at position 004. Dodger Macintyre is the brave agent at 008 and a rather too smooth for my liking Conrad Harthrop-Vane holds the 000 spot. Together they use skill and cunning to work as a team.
The opening scene is an attack at London's BBC Broadcasting House and Sherwood's skill makes it feel urgent and present and could easily be reported on the evening news tonight. This present-day setting makes the story feel much more real and relatable than the Bond series films and lends an urgency and pace to the plot. The evil empires in Bond films have been either individual villains, or Spectre and Blofeld. Sherwood introduces a new organisation called Rattenfanger - a well funded and world wide terrorist group ready to spread havoc and terror across the world and there is a major attack planned with only 6 days for the Double-Os to stop it. Will they make it in time?
I loved the familiar feeling of the Bond setting but the characters have taken slightly different roles; Moneypenny is running the day-to-day show and Q is now a Quantum super-computer allowing all sorts of data searches and links to be done at speed. It feels right and a fresh take on the Bond universe. At no point did I think about the differences from the film series - this feels real and modern and now and the pace of the writing leave no time die.
The adventure takes our Double-Os across the globe [of course!] and the plot twists and turns with each location. As each page turns, you can feel the threads coming together into a wonderful climax - but what about Bond? Does he save the day? Does he make it to the end of the day? At the end of the book, is he the Double-0 you want to save the day?
You'll have to read it to find out but, in a memo for your-eyes-only, I can tell you that the story is brilliant, exciting and takes to the very last paragraph to reach its conclusion. Enjoy every page!
[Review from my husband - a big Bond fan!]
May 9, 2024
The second book set in the world of James Bond (if not exactly featuring the missing spy).
Here we have Moneypenny in charge of the 00 section and she has the various agents tracking down a pipeline that provides the funding for terrorism.
The author’s style takes a little getting used to in terms of how she uses tense and while this is firmly in the world of Bond, this is about the other 00s chasing down the bad guys and trying to identify who heads up the pipeline.
Lots of interaction with individuals that have populated Bond’s history (more so than the previous book) which is fun for any Bond fan and some interesting ideas here.
It’s a very modern thriller in terms of approach and technology and perhaps misses some of the tension of the Bond books but certainly an interesting companion to them.
Here we have Moneypenny in charge of the 00 section and she has the various agents tracking down a pipeline that provides the funding for terrorism.
The author’s style takes a little getting used to in terms of how she uses tense and while this is firmly in the world of Bond, this is about the other 00s chasing down the bad guys and trying to identify who heads up the pipeline.
Lots of interaction with individuals that have populated Bond’s history (more so than the previous book) which is fun for any Bond fan and some interesting ideas here.
It’s a very modern thriller in terms of approach and technology and perhaps misses some of the tension of the Bond books but certainly an interesting companion to them.
March 6, 2024
The Double Os are back and still reeling following the events of Double Or Nothing. The narrative begins with a bombing at BBC New Broadcasting House and continues at breakneck speed through a plot that takes in global terrorism funded by human trafficking, art theft & diamond smuggling and again features cameos by a few familiar faces.
The story is packed with all the Bond tropes readers have come to expect: globetrotting, glamorous women and gadgets. Well, not so much of the latter as Kim Sherwood keeps these to a bare minimum. It's just Bond himself who's still MIA, but despite this A Spy Like Me works surprisingly well. So much so that I'm surprised it hasn't been tried before.
This is helped in large part by the Double O agents and supporting cast Sherwood has created. Here we have a diverse group of characters, many with backgrounds and motivations that are not immediately evident.
Another masterstroke is pulling Moneypenny away from her secretarial duties and putting her at the head of the Double O Section. This is clearly a Moneypenny modelled after Naomie Harris's take on the character in the Daniel Craig films. One who's seen active service, wasn't comfortable with it, but has found her place.... And it's no longer behind a desk!
Do the Double Os find Bond?
Do we discover who's behind Rattenfanger?
Well, that would be telling.
Thanks to Hemlock Press, HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advance copy.
The story is packed with all the Bond tropes readers have come to expect: globetrotting, glamorous women and gadgets. Well, not so much of the latter as Kim Sherwood keeps these to a bare minimum. It's just Bond himself who's still MIA, but despite this A Spy Like Me works surprisingly well. So much so that I'm surprised it hasn't been tried before.
This is helped in large part by the Double O agents and supporting cast Sherwood has created. Here we have a diverse group of characters, many with backgrounds and motivations that are not immediately evident.
Another masterstroke is pulling Moneypenny away from her secretarial duties and putting her at the head of the Double O Section. This is clearly a Moneypenny modelled after Naomie Harris's take on the character in the Daniel Craig films. One who's seen active service, wasn't comfortable with it, but has found her place.... And it's no longer behind a desk!
Do the Double Os find Bond?
Do we discover who's behind Rattenfanger?
Well, that would be telling.
Thanks to Hemlock Press, HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advance copy.
February 24, 2024
Advance Copy Review: A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood
February 24th, 2024
James Bond is alive! He is miss missing. But Joanna Hardwood, 003, has not given up her search. “A Spy Like Me” is a thrilling adventure! Author Kim Sherwood descdibes herself as a lifelong Bond fan and it shows. From the opening sequence, I can see this story play like a movie in my mind. the easter eggs, character cameos, and reimagining of Miss Moneypenny richen and update the world of 007 like no author that’s come before. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of the book, set to publish in April 2024.
The Plot
Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, every twist leads to another turn, and there are so many highlights, I can’t pick just one as “the most exciting scene.
“An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem…
A bomb has detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond.” – Publisher’s description
Led by the incomparable Miss Moneypenny, this ensemble cast has developed from their first adventure in “Double Or Nothing”.
My personal favorite of the new 00’s is Joanna Hardwood, 003. At the beginning of “A Spy Like Me”, she is recovering from the loss of her fiancée. Sherwood manages to humanize this lifelong assassin by drawing a parallel to 007’s own doomed engagement in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Remember those cameo’s I mentioned? Sherwood set the scene for one of those very naturally here. No spoiler’s. You’ll have to read it to find out who from Bond’s past shows up.
Another highlight for me was 004, Joseph Dryden. Besides having a very special link to Q, Dryden plays a critical part in the climax of this adventure. Very similar to the reveal of Joanna Harwood’s triple agent twist in “Double or Nothing”, Dryden pulls off a shock that had me flipping back to previous chapters “looking for clues”. But I didn’t have to. Sherwood ties everything up with electric prose.
On Writing
After Ian Fleming passed in 1964, author Kingsley Amis was brought in to edit the final 007 adventure “The Man With The Golden Gun”. Since then many authors have gone on to continue the adventures of Britain’s favorite super-spy. John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Anthony Horowitz, and Charlie Higson all come to mind. Now Kim Sherwood stands in a class of her own as the woman who updated and broadened the world of the double-oh section.
Sherwood doesn’t try to copy Fleming’s style but she winds up embodying his spirit. She sets us up with a familiar setting and a few familiar faces but the world around them feels fresh and new. Where Sherwood overlaps with Fleming is in her attention to detail, product placement, and rich characterization of our hero’s.
I’ve read that Ian Fleming publications originally signed her on for three books. I hope they extend a new contract (with pay bump) that allows her to keep returning to the world of British espionage.
Alright, I know I said no spoilers but I can’t help myself. Remember how James Bond was missing? Well you’ll never believe what happens at the end of this book. Let’s just say…The double-oh’s will return— for a third outing! And I will enjoy every word of it.
February 24th, 2024
James Bond is alive! He is miss missing. But Joanna Hardwood, 003, has not given up her search. “A Spy Like Me” is a thrilling adventure! Author Kim Sherwood descdibes herself as a lifelong Bond fan and it shows. From the opening sequence, I can see this story play like a movie in my mind. the easter eggs, character cameos, and reimagining of Miss Moneypenny richen and update the world of 007 like no author that’s come before. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of the book, set to publish in April 2024.
The Plot
Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, every twist leads to another turn, and there are so many highlights, I can’t pick just one as “the most exciting scene.
“An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem…
A bomb has detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond.” – Publisher’s description
Led by the incomparable Miss Moneypenny, this ensemble cast has developed from their first adventure in “Double Or Nothing”.
My personal favorite of the new 00’s is Joanna Hardwood, 003. At the beginning of “A Spy Like Me”, she is recovering from the loss of her fiancée. Sherwood manages to humanize this lifelong assassin by drawing a parallel to 007’s own doomed engagement in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Remember those cameo’s I mentioned? Sherwood set the scene for one of those very naturally here. No spoiler’s. You’ll have to read it to find out who from Bond’s past shows up.
Another highlight for me was 004, Joseph Dryden. Besides having a very special link to Q, Dryden plays a critical part in the climax of this adventure. Very similar to the reveal of Joanna Harwood’s triple agent twist in “Double or Nothing”, Dryden pulls off a shock that had me flipping back to previous chapters “looking for clues”. But I didn’t have to. Sherwood ties everything up with electric prose.
On Writing
After Ian Fleming passed in 1964, author Kingsley Amis was brought in to edit the final 007 adventure “The Man With The Golden Gun”. Since then many authors have gone on to continue the adventures of Britain’s favorite super-spy. John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Anthony Horowitz, and Charlie Higson all come to mind. Now Kim Sherwood stands in a class of her own as the woman who updated and broadened the world of the double-oh section.
Sherwood doesn’t try to copy Fleming’s style but she winds up embodying his spirit. She sets us up with a familiar setting and a few familiar faces but the world around them feels fresh and new. Where Sherwood overlaps with Fleming is in her attention to detail, product placement, and rich characterization of our hero’s.
I’ve read that Ian Fleming publications originally signed her on for three books. I hope they extend a new contract (with pay bump) that allows her to keep returning to the world of British espionage.
Alright, I know I said no spoilers but I can’t help myself. Remember how James Bond was missing? Well you’ll never believe what happens at the end of this book. Let’s just say…The double-oh’s will return— for a third outing! And I will enjoy every word of it.
August 15, 2024
The action continues from the last page of the previous entry (Double or Nothing [2023], See my review.) and provides non-stop action in this expansion of Fleming’s James Bond universe. It, once again, followed the tried-and true formula for a riveting, cinematic Spy adventure and modernized the plot line with a mixture of old and new villains and agendas, as well as freshening up the roster of OO spies with diverse CHs that are female, gay, Muslim, and assorted others. My favorite twist was that Moneypenny is running the 00 Division and has to be more hands on in this book. They continue to search for the missing 007 and look for a mole within the agency while also contending with a variety of evil initiatives and personal baggage. I enjoyed the brief philosophical excursion into MICE—the reasons one becomes a spy: money, ideology, compromise, ego (220). Sherwood again provides excellent spy craft, brilliantly choreographed action sequences, just enough explication in the narrative flow, and more than adequate CH development, good setting details (this time London, Dubai, Venice, Afghanistan, and the Mongolian Altai Mountains are among the many venues), and a continuous build-up of menace and jeopardy in the Tone. I do think reading this novel soon after the 1st would make for a smoother reading experience because there are lot of moving pieces, changing tableaus, and lots of characters to keep an eye on. Red Flags include vivid violence, torture, human trafficking, and civilians, children in jeopardy. The satisfactory ending left some breadcrumbs to follow into the next adventure and had its share of sacrificed CHs. Anyone who enjoyed Fleming, Horowitz’s take on the series, and the novels of Daniel Silva, Stella Rimmington and Jack Carr may also want to pick this one up.
March 21, 2024
Kim Sherwood launched a new James Bond series with Double Or Nothing in 2022. The twist being that Bond is missing, perhaps killed. Into the fray step some new 00 recruits, assigned to solve the mystery and stop new threats to world security.
A Spy Like Me continues their story. It is a fast-faced, globe-trotting adventure, featuring cameos from all those you expect. Being the second in a trilogy, the stakes are higher, the characters have now has time to settle which allow us the reader to engage with them even more. Being the middle part of a trilogy it is not a spoiler to say somethings are left hanging, but those things make me very keen to see how it all resolves in the final book.
In summary, if you liked Double Or Nothing, you're in for a treat here.
A Spy Like Me continues their story. It is a fast-faced, globe-trotting adventure, featuring cameos from all those you expect. Being the second in a trilogy, the stakes are higher, the characters have now has time to settle which allow us the reader to engage with them even more. Being the middle part of a trilogy it is not a spoiler to say somethings are left hanging, but those things make me very keen to see how it all resolves in the final book.
In summary, if you liked Double Or Nothing, you're in for a treat here.
May 11, 2024
In this second Double O book there’s so much going on, but it’s far simpler to follow than the first book. The plot is still intricate and full of twists but made easier through familiarity of the characters (a quick listen of the first book audio helped).
The novel feels slightly pacier too (not that the first was sluggish), as this is packed with action across the globe, following the three Double O agents, and some new minor characters of interest. The villains are memorable and the set up for the final novel in the series is superb.
Recommended?: it’s really clever how the universe of Bond is captured here and elevates this above a generic thriller novel, making full use of the licence from the unique non-Bond PoV. It’s a great series with so much more opportunity to roam and surprise the reader, released from the shackles of the hero always needing to win the day.
The novel feels slightly pacier too (not that the first was sluggish), as this is packed with action across the globe, following the three Double O agents, and some new minor characters of interest. The villains are memorable and the set up for the final novel in the series is superb.
Recommended?: it’s really clever how the universe of Bond is captured here and elevates this above a generic thriller novel, making full use of the licence from the unique non-Bond PoV. It’s a great series with so much more opportunity to roam and surprise the reader, released from the shackles of the hero always needing to win the day.
May 1, 2024
This series has breathed new life into the Bond novels with its genius conceit of replacing the sexist, misogynist dinosaur with two cool, young, modern double-os who I'm fancasting as Sofia Boutella (the possibly compromised triple agent) and Ncuti Gatwa (with his amazing bionic hearing aid). The plot about a smuggling/trafficking ring that funds terrorists is complex and pacy, and miles away from the lazy pastiches that the celebrity authors not called Anthony resorted to in the recent Bond stories. I sincerely hope the cliffhanger ending is resolved soon!
February 4, 2024
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Johanna is bored. She decides to go on a mission to find an individual. This will take everything she has to locate him. A nice read.
June 10, 2024
Always suspenseful and action-packed as most James Bond novels are but the narrative seems choppy and disjointed.
April 22, 2024
Let's be honest, the universe of Bond is huge. Which is why I really wonder what was going on in the pitch meeting for Kim Sherwood's Double 0 series. Given how many Bonds there have been, and the strong opinions people have about every single one, the very idea of expanding it even further feels immense and burdensome. Come on, you could just knock out another simple story where Bond tussles with SPECTRE and a bevy of beautiful women - boom! Boxes ticked, money in the bank; all sorted let's do it again soon. Nope. Someone decided we needed more agents, and more backroom staff, and while we're there let's throw some new villains in with Rattenfänger too. Sounding a bit busy? There's an easy fix, just push James to one side. Make him missing presumed dead in fact. Angry of Tunbridge Wells will be hammering out letters to anyone trying not to listen about how Oliver Cromwell would be choking on his mince pies with such modernised balderflummerypoppytwaddle before you can explain that Q is now a computer!
And so, with book two of this planned trilogy, I remain convinced this is the smartest way to move the universe forward. Bond has baggage. The character has been around for 71 years and as much as they've modernised him over the years there's always a lingering sense of old school to him. He's had that vibe since first appearing back in 1953 so let's not pretend this is an easy character to drag up to date. But, by having him missing, presumed dead, from the start it clears the floor for the rest of MI6 to develop as characters in their own right. And believe it or not, other secret agent spies can be fun too! Not just them though, Rattenfänger? Less evil overlords hiding out in lairs under volcanos, more hired guns ready to rick up in any war torn country to support the highest bidder. I mean, they still have a sideline in terrorism and overly grand crimes - that's why this book feels like it has more stolen diamonds than every other Bond story combined. But they're a more modern mercenary which just feels the correct evolution from the cold war conspiracy of yore. And that's coming from someone who loves all those old lairs, they were brilliant. But they were also a bit fantastical, which is half the fun about them. But these books just reign in a little of that excess. Now 00 agents can work together instead of single-handedly having to stop the end of the world! It isn't even as if that over the top aspect is completely gone, it's just dialled back a little to avoid clashing with Marvel's universe too much.
Anyway, book two! A Spy Like Me. If you're picking up a copy randomly in a bookshop you'll be fine. But if you're reading a book review online you probably have the luxury of selecting Double or Nothing and you should, it's a trilogy and it reads better as such. Put this one in the order too though, if you've lasted this far in this review I'm confident you'll enjoy both. The third isn't even finished yet and I'm feeling optimistic that we'll both enjoy that too. Unless I upset you early on and you're hate reading this to pick holes in anything I say. Then you'll probably be better off looking elsewhere.
Anyway, this is a fun adventure that takes our agents around the globe in a very elaborate effort to do some forensic accounting. We get smuggled antiquities, the aforementioned diamonds, many gun fights, some fisticuffs, and obligatory explosions. That's the fluffy side dealt with. Because this book has it's own twisting turning storyline that keeps you on your toes far more than a Bond story has any right to. And that's before the even longer trilogy wide plot of the hunt for James. This manages to balance the easy going Bond formula with some genuine mystery that brings so much more depth to the stories.
Now, I will say that if this book were a meal we'd all be musing about needing a touch more umami to leave us truly sated. The need to continue that longer storyline just means we end this teetering more on the edge of the climax than the first did. That set everything up well, it said more was coming, but you didn't mind because it left you in a good place. The story was still building. This one? Well, with the third ready to wrap up the arc it needed to feed us a few more angles so we had things to wrap up, and it leaves me more primed for the next book. I'll cope. It's far from a problem. I have confidence the next won't be too long. Please don't let it be too long!
And so, with book two of this planned trilogy, I remain convinced this is the smartest way to move the universe forward. Bond has baggage. The character has been around for 71 years and as much as they've modernised him over the years there's always a lingering sense of old school to him. He's had that vibe since first appearing back in 1953 so let's not pretend this is an easy character to drag up to date. But, by having him missing, presumed dead, from the start it clears the floor for the rest of MI6 to develop as characters in their own right. And believe it or not, other secret agent spies can be fun too! Not just them though, Rattenfänger? Less evil overlords hiding out in lairs under volcanos, more hired guns ready to rick up in any war torn country to support the highest bidder. I mean, they still have a sideline in terrorism and overly grand crimes - that's why this book feels like it has more stolen diamonds than every other Bond story combined. But they're a more modern mercenary which just feels the correct evolution from the cold war conspiracy of yore. And that's coming from someone who loves all those old lairs, they were brilliant. But they were also a bit fantastical, which is half the fun about them. But these books just reign in a little of that excess. Now 00 agents can work together instead of single-handedly having to stop the end of the world! It isn't even as if that over the top aspect is completely gone, it's just dialled back a little to avoid clashing with Marvel's universe too much.
Anyway, book two! A Spy Like Me. If you're picking up a copy randomly in a bookshop you'll be fine. But if you're reading a book review online you probably have the luxury of selecting Double or Nothing and you should, it's a trilogy and it reads better as such. Put this one in the order too though, if you've lasted this far in this review I'm confident you'll enjoy both. The third isn't even finished yet and I'm feeling optimistic that we'll both enjoy that too. Unless I upset you early on and you're hate reading this to pick holes in anything I say. Then you'll probably be better off looking elsewhere.
Anyway, this is a fun adventure that takes our agents around the globe in a very elaborate effort to do some forensic accounting. We get smuggled antiquities, the aforementioned diamonds, many gun fights, some fisticuffs, and obligatory explosions. That's the fluffy side dealt with. Because this book has it's own twisting turning storyline that keeps you on your toes far more than a Bond story has any right to. And that's before the even longer trilogy wide plot of the hunt for James. This manages to balance the easy going Bond formula with some genuine mystery that brings so much more depth to the stories.
Now, I will say that if this book were a meal we'd all be musing about needing a touch more umami to leave us truly sated. The need to continue that longer storyline just means we end this teetering more on the edge of the climax than the first did. That set everything up well, it said more was coming, but you didn't mind because it left you in a good place. The story was still building. This one? Well, with the third ready to wrap up the arc it needed to feed us a few more angles so we had things to wrap up, and it leaves me more primed for the next book. I'll cope. It's far from a problem. I have confidence the next won't be too long. Please don't let it be too long!
August 22, 2025
WHAT AN ENDING. Kim Sherwood’s signoffs are by far the best part of her books. They are iconic and so memorable. If you thought Book 1’s signoff was brilliant, this one will have Bond fans jumping up and down in childish delight.
I finished reading A Spy Like Me with a very big smile on my face. It is a fine follow-up to the first novel. It’s not a perfect book - it is very, very detailed, and has far more plot strands than the first one. In the first one, it was mostly two storylines: Johanna and Sid on one hand, and Joseph Dryden on the other. Find James Bond; stop Sir James. The other stuff essentially boiled down to that.
This second one has many more characters, and at times, just for my personal tastes, it came across as if darlings had not been killed. (I confess - I didn’t love Rachel’s storyline. It was fine and interesting, but the least compelling for me - and the least relevant to James Bond, who is, after all, why we are reading. I am willing to be persuaded!) Sherwood herself hinted in an interview that plotting this book was a nightmare - she told friends she had, quite literally, “lost the plot” - and I shared that sentiment at times.
The writing style is also slightly expository in places, in ways that interrupted the momentum. At times, this book didn’t grab me as much as the first one. Sherwood is a fundamentally literary writer - which is fine and brilliant and wonderful - but there were moments when my attention lapsed.
But they are minor sticking points, because it’s otherwise brilliant! To give a very simplified plot summary - MI6 are still looking for James Bond, and still trying to unravel Rattenfänger. They discover that Rattenfänger funds their terrorism by smuggling, so Joseph Dryden goes off to infiltrate their jewellery smuggling schemes, which puts him on the path of Teddy Wiltshire (our main villain), and even sends him to Afghanistan. Dryden remains an utterly wonderful character. There is a scene set atop a mountain where he and Kristos - the pool boy(…) - are chased by a Rattenfänger operative who later turns out to be Marc-Ange Draco’s godson. It is sublime. Completely brilliant.
(This storyline is also how Rachel gets involved. Moneypenny ropes her in to help steal one of the jewellery items, and also get revenge for her dead parents. Turns out these people had to do with their death.)
Johanna Harwood, meanwhile, is traumatised from [SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS], and MI6 has removed her from field work. Stuff that. She’s off to find James Bond.
This is the best storyline, for the simple reason that this is a James Bond novel, and this storyline was the most Bondian, in the most literal sense. This is the storyline about James Bond. We get some moving homages to Vesper, Tracy, Bond’s past, Marc-Ange Draco (“my son”…don’t even), and others. This novel taps into the more emotional, tragic aspects of Fleming’s novels, so if you have followed these books from the beginning and are a total Bond addict like me, you will be very happy - and moved - by these sections. She also has some wonderful moments; she tracks Wiltshire down to this remote villain-lair called ‘The End of Everything’, and she also tracks [SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER] down to a house in St Petersburg. She busts into both of these places singlehandedly in action sequences worthy of Daniel Craig’s iconic “rugby scrum” in No Time To Die.
There’s also a plot to uncover MI6’s second mole (Johanna finds out first - obviously - because she’s brilliant). That stuff is all fine and good.
It starts with a Rattenfänger-funded bombing of the BBC, and ends with a cacophony of disaster. Moneypenny ends up in the field held up at gunpoint by the mole (whose identity I shall not divulge). Dryden ends up [SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER]. Dryden’s boyfriend Luke is released from prison (where he’s been unfairly imprisoned as a ‘terrorist’), and Moneypenny has given him a mission to infiltrate Rattenfänger in the third book. And Johanna…[SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER - epic ending - SPOILER SPOILER]. It’s brilliant.
So whilst I preferred the first one, this is still very solid and satisfying, and I cannot wait to see where this brilliant continuation of Bond fiction ends. Sherwood is a fine writer and her novels are written for the Bond fanatics.
I finished reading A Spy Like Me with a very big smile on my face. It is a fine follow-up to the first novel. It’s not a perfect book - it is very, very detailed, and has far more plot strands than the first one. In the first one, it was mostly two storylines: Johanna and Sid on one hand, and Joseph Dryden on the other. Find James Bond; stop Sir James. The other stuff essentially boiled down to that.
This second one has many more characters, and at times, just for my personal tastes, it came across as if darlings had not been killed. (I confess - I didn’t love Rachel’s storyline. It was fine and interesting, but the least compelling for me - and the least relevant to James Bond, who is, after all, why we are reading. I am willing to be persuaded!) Sherwood herself hinted in an interview that plotting this book was a nightmare - she told friends she had, quite literally, “lost the plot” - and I shared that sentiment at times.
The writing style is also slightly expository in places, in ways that interrupted the momentum. At times, this book didn’t grab me as much as the first one. Sherwood is a fundamentally literary writer - which is fine and brilliant and wonderful - but there were moments when my attention lapsed.
But they are minor sticking points, because it’s otherwise brilliant! To give a very simplified plot summary - MI6 are still looking for James Bond, and still trying to unravel Rattenfänger. They discover that Rattenfänger funds their terrorism by smuggling, so Joseph Dryden goes off to infiltrate their jewellery smuggling schemes, which puts him on the path of Teddy Wiltshire (our main villain), and even sends him to Afghanistan. Dryden remains an utterly wonderful character. There is a scene set atop a mountain where he and Kristos - the pool boy(…) - are chased by a Rattenfänger operative who later turns out to be Marc-Ange Draco’s godson. It is sublime. Completely brilliant.
(This storyline is also how Rachel gets involved. Moneypenny ropes her in to help steal one of the jewellery items, and also get revenge for her dead parents. Turns out these people had to do with their death.)
Johanna Harwood, meanwhile, is traumatised from [SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS], and MI6 has removed her from field work. Stuff that. She’s off to find James Bond.
This is the best storyline, for the simple reason that this is a James Bond novel, and this storyline was the most Bondian, in the most literal sense. This is the storyline about James Bond. We get some moving homages to Vesper, Tracy, Bond’s past, Marc-Ange Draco (“my son”…don’t even), and others. This novel taps into the more emotional, tragic aspects of Fleming’s novels, so if you have followed these books from the beginning and are a total Bond addict like me, you will be very happy - and moved - by these sections. She also has some wonderful moments; she tracks Wiltshire down to this remote villain-lair called ‘The End of Everything’, and she also tracks [SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER] down to a house in St Petersburg. She busts into both of these places singlehandedly in action sequences worthy of Daniel Craig’s iconic “rugby scrum” in No Time To Die.
There’s also a plot to uncover MI6’s second mole (Johanna finds out first - obviously - because she’s brilliant). That stuff is all fine and good.
It starts with a Rattenfänger-funded bombing of the BBC, and ends with a cacophony of disaster. Moneypenny ends up in the field held up at gunpoint by the mole (whose identity I shall not divulge). Dryden ends up [SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER]. Dryden’s boyfriend Luke is released from prison (where he’s been unfairly imprisoned as a ‘terrorist’), and Moneypenny has given him a mission to infiltrate Rattenfänger in the third book. And Johanna…[SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER - epic ending - SPOILER SPOILER]. It’s brilliant.
So whilst I preferred the first one, this is still very solid and satisfying, and I cannot wait to see where this brilliant continuation of Bond fiction ends. Sherwood is a fine writer and her novels are written for the Bond fanatics.
June 16, 2025
Kim Sherwood geeft naast het schrijven van boeken ook colleges over creatief schrijven aan de Universiteit van Edinburgh. Haar werk heeft reeds meerdere prijzen gewonnen en nu werd haar gevraagd door de ‘Ian Fleming Estate’ om nieuw leven in zijn boeken te blazen. Zo verscheen reeds eerder van haar Double or Nothing. A spy like me is het tweede deel binnen deze serie.
MI6 is er maar net op tijd bij wanneer een terroristische organisatie een bom wil laten afgaan in het BBC Broadcasting House. Joseph Dryden (004) slaagt erin de bom te laten afgaan in een kerk, waarbij toch nog een twintigtal gewonden vallen. Eerder liep het ook al mis in de Egyptische ambassade en bij een synagoge in Parijs.
Maar dan ontdekt Q een patroon: zes dagen voor elke aanslag veilt Sotheby’s voorwerpen van meer dan een miljoen pond die binnenkomen via havens zoals Heraklion, Kreta en Venetië. Van de winsten worden er wapens gekocht die gebruikt worden tijdens de aanslagen. Men vermoedt dat de geveilde voorwerpen antiquiteiten uit Syrië zijn. Moneypenny zal haar beste agenten inzetten om verdere aanslagen te voorkomen.
Als fan van Ian Flemings werk keek ik toch wel uit naar deze moderne versie van zijn verhalen. Maar zoals zo vaak is het moeilijk het origineel te evenaren en vind ik dat men aan klassiekers niet raakt.
Het is moeilijk in te komen in het verhaal door het groot aantal personages: Joseph Dryer (004), Conrad Harthrop-Vane (000), Joanna Hardwood (003), 008, Rachel Wolff, Gregory Corso, Marko Jovanovic, Teddy Wiltshire, … . Het is lastig te volgen wie wie is. Zo heeft men het bijvoorbeeld de ene keer over 000 en de andere keer over Conrad. Het gaf mij een chaotisch gevoel tijdens het lezen. Een lijst met personages zou hierbij soelaas bieden.
Niet alleen doen er veel personages mee, het verhaal speelt zich ook nog eens af op veel verscheidene locaties: Londen, Kreta, Atli-gebergte, Dasht-e Margo, Venetië, Afghanistan, … . Hierdoor wordt het geheel onnodig ingewikkeld, het verhaal lijkt te verdrinken in zijn eigen complexiteit. Ik had dan ook het gevoel dat de auteur wil uitpakken met haar eigen literaire kunde, terwijl eenvoud soms beter is.
Het verhaal zelf is een typische spionagethriller. Maar de auteur slaagt er mijn inziens niet in Ian Flemings 007-erfenis op een waardige manier verder te zetten door het in een modern jasje te steken. Fleming schreef hoofdzakelijk over één spion: 007 en hier slaat Kim Sherwoord voor mij de bal mis.
Ik vraag me dan ook een af wat Ian Fleming van A spy like me had gevonden.
Sherwoord heeft ook niet de kennis zoals Fleming, die zelf een voormalig lid was van de inlichtingendienst. Inhoudelijk lijkt het verhaal me soms wat bij de haren getrokken, wat ik bij het werk van Ian nooit heb gehad. Hij was zelf voormalig lid van de inlichtingendienst en kon dan ook als geen ander op realistische wijze beschrijven hoe de wereld van spionnen ineen steekt. Zo is er bijvoorbeeld het eerste hoofdstuk, deze steekt vol actie, maar kwam bij mij nogal onrealistisch over. Bij momenten vroeg ik me toch af hoe grondig de auteur haar research had gedaan.
A spy like me is een goede poging om het werk van Fleming verder te zetten, maar is voor mij niet helemaal geslaagd. 2.5 sterren.
MI6 is er maar net op tijd bij wanneer een terroristische organisatie een bom wil laten afgaan in het BBC Broadcasting House. Joseph Dryden (004) slaagt erin de bom te laten afgaan in een kerk, waarbij toch nog een twintigtal gewonden vallen. Eerder liep het ook al mis in de Egyptische ambassade en bij een synagoge in Parijs.
Maar dan ontdekt Q een patroon: zes dagen voor elke aanslag veilt Sotheby’s voorwerpen van meer dan een miljoen pond die binnenkomen via havens zoals Heraklion, Kreta en Venetië. Van de winsten worden er wapens gekocht die gebruikt worden tijdens de aanslagen. Men vermoedt dat de geveilde voorwerpen antiquiteiten uit Syrië zijn. Moneypenny zal haar beste agenten inzetten om verdere aanslagen te voorkomen.
Als fan van Ian Flemings werk keek ik toch wel uit naar deze moderne versie van zijn verhalen. Maar zoals zo vaak is het moeilijk het origineel te evenaren en vind ik dat men aan klassiekers niet raakt.
Het is moeilijk in te komen in het verhaal door het groot aantal personages: Joseph Dryer (004), Conrad Harthrop-Vane (000), Joanna Hardwood (003), 008, Rachel Wolff, Gregory Corso, Marko Jovanovic, Teddy Wiltshire, … . Het is lastig te volgen wie wie is. Zo heeft men het bijvoorbeeld de ene keer over 000 en de andere keer over Conrad. Het gaf mij een chaotisch gevoel tijdens het lezen. Een lijst met personages zou hierbij soelaas bieden.
Niet alleen doen er veel personages mee, het verhaal speelt zich ook nog eens af op veel verscheidene locaties: Londen, Kreta, Atli-gebergte, Dasht-e Margo, Venetië, Afghanistan, … . Hierdoor wordt het geheel onnodig ingewikkeld, het verhaal lijkt te verdrinken in zijn eigen complexiteit. Ik had dan ook het gevoel dat de auteur wil uitpakken met haar eigen literaire kunde, terwijl eenvoud soms beter is.
Het verhaal zelf is een typische spionagethriller. Maar de auteur slaagt er mijn inziens niet in Ian Flemings 007-erfenis op een waardige manier verder te zetten door het in een modern jasje te steken. Fleming schreef hoofdzakelijk over één spion: 007 en hier slaat Kim Sherwoord voor mij de bal mis.
Ik vraag me dan ook een af wat Ian Fleming van A spy like me had gevonden.
Sherwoord heeft ook niet de kennis zoals Fleming, die zelf een voormalig lid was van de inlichtingendienst. Inhoudelijk lijkt het verhaal me soms wat bij de haren getrokken, wat ik bij het werk van Ian nooit heb gehad. Hij was zelf voormalig lid van de inlichtingendienst en kon dan ook als geen ander op realistische wijze beschrijven hoe de wereld van spionnen ineen steekt. Zo is er bijvoorbeeld het eerste hoofdstuk, deze steekt vol actie, maar kwam bij mij nogal onrealistisch over. Bij momenten vroeg ik me toch af hoe grondig de auteur haar research had gedaan.
A spy like me is een goede poging om het werk van Fleming verder te zetten, maar is voor mij niet helemaal geslaagd. 2.5 sterren.
February 23, 2024
An impressive follow up which proves Bond is not dead.
Following the events of "Double or Nothing", the MI6 double-o agents, under Moneypenny, are still recovering from the trauma they all suffered. The search for James Bond continues, but when a bomb goes off at the BBC it becomes clear that a major terrorist campaign is underway, and more is to come, and the search for 007 takes on a new dimension. Soon, agents 000, 003 and 004 are deployed in a race against time to uncover those behind the atrocities. Rattenfänger is still on the board!
Before you know it the team are deployed here, there and everywhere as they try to determine who's behind the attacks. Old faces appear, some cleverly from the original Fleming books, and threads from the first book carry forward nicely. There are new villains, and exotic locations, and each agent faces their own challenges. It's a complex, fast-moving story, which hangs together far better than did the previous one. There's a large cast of characters and locations to keep track of and some time-hopping which is annoying, but it's never less than entertaining. The "easter-eggs" from the previous book still pop up here, too - fans will be reaching for the original books to check names.
The background to this book is the world of trafficking - art, antiquities, diamonds and people - and how the proceeds are used directly to fund terrorism. And it's partly this well-researched and well-painted canvas which lifts "A Spy Like Me" above its predecessor. The search for Bond takes second place to the race to expose a world-wide business and those who lead it. It takes the agents from Amsterdam to Venice, from France to Afghanistan, as they each uncover a part of the puzzle. Many of the critics of "Double or Nothing" cited the absence of Bond as its weakness, and the constant references to him got in the way of the story. There's much less of this here, and the agents are given much more "screen-time" - so much so, that it can be difficult to keep up with who is where, and when. Die-hard Fleming fans may still cringe at Moneypenny as the head of MI6, and Q as a supercomputer, but his legacy is much more evident this time around.
Towards the end of the book there are some reveals which prove somewhat lame, but the speed at which the story races to a climax makes them forgivable. Fleming purists may still turn their noses up at this attempt to reimagine / reboot the Bond books, and I count myself as one of those who was less than enthusiastic about "Double or Nothing", but this story has made me think perhaps there's better stuff to come. I still struggle with the fact that characters from the original books appear in this updated world (just how old would Moneypenny and Leiter be??) but let's put that aside.
Bond fans should definitely pick this book up, and dive into a new era for our hero. The story isn't over yet.
Following the events of "Double or Nothing", the MI6 double-o agents, under Moneypenny, are still recovering from the trauma they all suffered. The search for James Bond continues, but when a bomb goes off at the BBC it becomes clear that a major terrorist campaign is underway, and more is to come, and the search for 007 takes on a new dimension. Soon, agents 000, 003 and 004 are deployed in a race against time to uncover those behind the atrocities. Rattenfänger is still on the board!
Before you know it the team are deployed here, there and everywhere as they try to determine who's behind the attacks. Old faces appear, some cleverly from the original Fleming books, and threads from the first book carry forward nicely. There are new villains, and exotic locations, and each agent faces their own challenges. It's a complex, fast-moving story, which hangs together far better than did the previous one. There's a large cast of characters and locations to keep track of and some time-hopping which is annoying, but it's never less than entertaining. The "easter-eggs" from the previous book still pop up here, too - fans will be reaching for the original books to check names.
The background to this book is the world of trafficking - art, antiquities, diamonds and people - and how the proceeds are used directly to fund terrorism. And it's partly this well-researched and well-painted canvas which lifts "A Spy Like Me" above its predecessor. The search for Bond takes second place to the race to expose a world-wide business and those who lead it. It takes the agents from Amsterdam to Venice, from France to Afghanistan, as they each uncover a part of the puzzle. Many of the critics of "Double or Nothing" cited the absence of Bond as its weakness, and the constant references to him got in the way of the story. There's much less of this here, and the agents are given much more "screen-time" - so much so, that it can be difficult to keep up with who is where, and when. Die-hard Fleming fans may still cringe at Moneypenny as the head of MI6, and Q as a supercomputer, but his legacy is much more evident this time around.
Towards the end of the book there are some reveals which prove somewhat lame, but the speed at which the story races to a climax makes them forgivable. Fleming purists may still turn their noses up at this attempt to reimagine / reboot the Bond books, and I count myself as one of those who was less than enthusiastic about "Double or Nothing", but this story has made me think perhaps there's better stuff to come. I still struggle with the fact that characters from the original books appear in this updated world (just how old would Moneypenny and Leiter be??) but let's put that aside.
Bond fans should definitely pick this book up, and dive into a new era for our hero. The story isn't over yet.
May 20, 2024
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A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood is the second book in the Double O series expanding the world of James Bond. Ms. Sherwood is a published author and creative writing lecturer in Edinburgh.
A team of MI6 agents attempt to undercover a smuggling ring of antiquities, diamonds, humans, and more which funds terrorism. Johanna Harwood, 003, tries to find clues to a black site where James Bond is being held captive.
Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, follow the items from Sotheby’s to Crete, to Venice, to Afghanistan attempting to uncover who is the person that can launder the items and currency. That person knows the players involve and can be the key to take down the Rattenfänger network.
I am currently re-reading the James Bond novels, in order, in between my other readings. I was intrigued by this new series and was glad to get my hands on the second book.
A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood follows a Fleming-esque to a glob trotting adventure. Like Fleming himself, most of the locations are places one would like to visit. Ms. Sherwood sets up her own world but has many callbacks and references to Fleming books and movies. Some of them are, of course, just fan service but I enjoyed them, nonetheless.
The plot might be overstuffed, but I really enjoyed the new characters who are fleshed out. The fact that Ms. Moneypenny is COO of the 00 division is one of the aspects of the book that I liked the most.
Unlike the Fleming books, however, this one is not a male spy fantasy. It takes place in the modern world, with modern issues, and modern sensibilities. James Bond is hardly in the book since he’s missing but he’s always in the background.
The new characters are very intriguing and likeable, but especially the female ones. Johanna Harwood is certainly the most intriguing of the bunch. The story is packed and moves fast. Frankly, if I found myself skimming pages I went back and re-read them because there was a good chance I missed something.
I did, however, feel that I missed a lot by not reading Double or Nothing, the first book in the series. I already ordered it though and am looking forward to reading it working my way backwards.
A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood is the second book in the Double O series expanding the world of James Bond. Ms. Sherwood is a published author and creative writing lecturer in Edinburgh.
A team of MI6 agents attempt to undercover a smuggling ring of antiquities, diamonds, humans, and more which funds terrorism. Johanna Harwood, 003, tries to find clues to a black site where James Bond is being held captive.
Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, follow the items from Sotheby’s to Crete, to Venice, to Afghanistan attempting to uncover who is the person that can launder the items and currency. That person knows the players involve and can be the key to take down the Rattenfänger network.
I am currently re-reading the James Bond novels, in order, in between my other readings. I was intrigued by this new series and was glad to get my hands on the second book.
A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood follows a Fleming-esque to a glob trotting adventure. Like Fleming himself, most of the locations are places one would like to visit. Ms. Sherwood sets up her own world but has many callbacks and references to Fleming books and movies. Some of them are, of course, just fan service but I enjoyed them, nonetheless.
The plot might be overstuffed, but I really enjoyed the new characters who are fleshed out. The fact that Ms. Moneypenny is COO of the 00 division is one of the aspects of the book that I liked the most.
Unlike the Fleming books, however, this one is not a male spy fantasy. It takes place in the modern world, with modern issues, and modern sensibilities. James Bond is hardly in the book since he’s missing but he’s always in the background.
The new characters are very intriguing and likeable, but especially the female ones. Johanna Harwood is certainly the most intriguing of the bunch. The story is packed and moves fast. Frankly, if I found myself skimming pages I went back and re-read them because there was a good chance I missed something.
I did, however, feel that I missed a lot by not reading Double or Nothing, the first book in the series. I already ordered it though and am looking forward to reading it working my way backwards.
May 1, 2024
Hmmm, where to begin….
I was really excited to read this after loving Sherwood’s first book of the Double O trilogy.
It breaks ground in this novel consistently using the present tense which places the reader right in the middle of all the action, thoughts, and the continuing mystery of where is Bond? From the preceding novel.
The action is well written and keeps you turning pages late into the night trying to consume the type as fast as you can.
However, what I loved in her first novel was the following of several 00 agents, which have scoured across the world looking for Bond - they all had a single mission. Which unified the plots and kept the reader glued to page turning.
This time is a plethora of agents, but with all the twists and turns, you seem to get lost, trying to keep a ledger on who is where, what was their mission and how it connects to Bond.
Still worth a read, and I’m anxiously awaiting how the trilogy will wrap up.
Below is my updated ranking of the Canon. Hope you’ll enjoy them as well.
Overall rating of book series:
1 - Casino Royale / On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2 - Goldfinger
3 - Never Dream of Dying / Solo / Trigger Mortis
4 - From Russia with Love / The Man with the Red Tattoo
5 - Live and Let Die / Forever and a Day
6 - Diamonds are Forever / Dr. No
7 - Moonraker / For Special Services
8 - Scorpius / High Time to Kill
9 - Doubleshot
10- Thunderball / License Renewed
11- The Facts of Death / With a Mind to Kill
12- Colonel Sun
13- You Only Live Twice / Devil May Care
14- James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me (Wood)
15- Icebreaker / GoldenEye
16- Zero Minus Ten
17- For Your Eyes Only / Octopussy & The Living Daylights
18- The Man with the Golden Gun
19- Tomorrow Never Dies
20- The Spy Who Loved Me / Double or Nothing
21- Lives Forever
22- No Deals, Mr. Bond
23- James Bond and Moonraker (Wood)
24- The Man from Barbarossa / A Spy Like Me
25- Win, Lose or Die
26- Role of Honor / Brokenclaw
27- Death is Forever / The World is not Enough
28- Carte Blanche
29- Die Another Day
30- Licence to Kill
31- Never Send Flowers
32- SeaFire / COLD / On His Majesty’s Secret Service
I was really excited to read this after loving Sherwood’s first book of the Double O trilogy.
It breaks ground in this novel consistently using the present tense which places the reader right in the middle of all the action, thoughts, and the continuing mystery of where is Bond? From the preceding novel.
The action is well written and keeps you turning pages late into the night trying to consume the type as fast as you can.
However, what I loved in her first novel was the following of several 00 agents, which have scoured across the world looking for Bond - they all had a single mission. Which unified the plots and kept the reader glued to page turning.
This time is a plethora of agents, but with all the twists and turns, you seem to get lost, trying to keep a ledger on who is where, what was their mission and how it connects to Bond.
Still worth a read, and I’m anxiously awaiting how the trilogy will wrap up.
Below is my updated ranking of the Canon. Hope you’ll enjoy them as well.
Overall rating of book series:
1 - Casino Royale / On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2 - Goldfinger
3 - Never Dream of Dying / Solo / Trigger Mortis
4 - From Russia with Love / The Man with the Red Tattoo
5 - Live and Let Die / Forever and a Day
6 - Diamonds are Forever / Dr. No
7 - Moonraker / For Special Services
8 - Scorpius / High Time to Kill
9 - Doubleshot
10- Thunderball / License Renewed
11- The Facts of Death / With a Mind to Kill
12- Colonel Sun
13- You Only Live Twice / Devil May Care
14- James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me (Wood)
15- Icebreaker / GoldenEye
16- Zero Minus Ten
17- For Your Eyes Only / Octopussy & The Living Daylights
18- The Man with the Golden Gun
19- Tomorrow Never Dies
20- The Spy Who Loved Me / Double or Nothing
21- Lives Forever
22- No Deals, Mr. Bond
23- James Bond and Moonraker (Wood)
24- The Man from Barbarossa / A Spy Like Me
25- Win, Lose or Die
26- Role of Honor / Brokenclaw
27- Death is Forever / The World is not Enough
28- Carte Blanche
29- Die Another Day
30- Licence to Kill
31- Never Send Flowers
32- SeaFire / COLD / On His Majesty’s Secret Service
April 27, 2024
I'm grateful to the publisher for giving me access to an advance e-copy of A Spy Like Me to consider for review.
In her followup to Double or Nothing, Kim Sherwood returns to the world of the Double 0s, the Section still being threatened by the mysterious organisation know as Rattenfänger. James Bond, 007, is still missing, and the focus shifts to Johanna Harwood, 004 who is determined to track down and rescue one of her disappeared lovers - while mourning another, killed lover, who died during the events of the previous book.
Meanwhile, Moneypenny has concerns there may be another traitor in the Section...
Like its predecessor, A Spy Like Me captures, I think, the essence of the James Bond universe while refusing to be too deferential to trivia. So, the story is set more or less in the present, taking place a couple of years ago, but with references back to canonical Bond details (such as the the murder of his wife, a plot point that gives Johanna an unexpected source of help when she 'goes rogue' in search of him). Other events and settings are unashamedly modern, such as the prevalence of human trafficking and terrorism. Through it all we get the same mix of high living - the super-rich of the 2020s being perhaps even less abashed at flaunting their wealth than those of the 1950s and 60s - and intrigue, with violence never far from the surface. There are confrontations on Crete and in Venice that could easily be set pieces in a Bond movie, for example, an an ease with fast cars, guns and exotic watches.
And there is a twisty, complex plot, weaving the personal - like Johanna's motivation to recover James - and the political - terrorist outrages finances by dark money and taking place on a regular timescale - that gives the reader just the same sense of a countdown, a final date with evil, and of the risk of being distracted, of going down a rabbit hole in some glamorous resort, as in the original books.
Sherwood's writing is also sharp - 'Welcome to Dubai, home of ex-pats, concrete and money' 'This woman smiles when she's told to smile because it may never happen and it could be worse, though it's already happened and it couldn't be worse' - and the absence of Bond doesn't diminish, rather it enhances, the shadow he casts over this book, forcing him into everyone's consciousness: Conrad Harthrop-Vane, for example, who's no fan, notes Bond's remark that 'this "country-right-or-wrong business" was old-fashioned in 1952' and that Bond 'is defined by his purpose' (note is, not was). Harthrop-Vane isn't the only one to speculate about Bond's character, personality, purpose or meaning, everyone has a go at one point or another, resulting in this allegedly two dimensional figure (I don't think that but it has been said) being fully alive and drawn as complex and active even when out of sight.
Returning form those depths, this book is also fun. Sherwood drops plenty of references to Bond book and film titles and also allusions such as to a 'golden revolver' or having 'all the time in the world'. There are sideplots that take their time to join up with the main action, and surprise sprung. All I all, entertaining, nail biting and fun, with a bite of real world issues. It ends on a monster of a cliffhanger, and left me impatient for Book 3, which presumably though I'll have to wait another couple of years for!
Strongly recommended.
In her followup to Double or Nothing, Kim Sherwood returns to the world of the Double 0s, the Section still being threatened by the mysterious organisation know as Rattenfänger. James Bond, 007, is still missing, and the focus shifts to Johanna Harwood, 004 who is determined to track down and rescue one of her disappeared lovers - while mourning another, killed lover, who died during the events of the previous book.
Meanwhile, Moneypenny has concerns there may be another traitor in the Section...
Like its predecessor, A Spy Like Me captures, I think, the essence of the James Bond universe while refusing to be too deferential to trivia. So, the story is set more or less in the present, taking place a couple of years ago, but with references back to canonical Bond details (such as the the murder of his wife, a plot point that gives Johanna an unexpected source of help when she 'goes rogue' in search of him). Other events and settings are unashamedly modern, such as the prevalence of human trafficking and terrorism. Through it all we get the same mix of high living - the super-rich of the 2020s being perhaps even less abashed at flaunting their wealth than those of the 1950s and 60s - and intrigue, with violence never far from the surface. There are confrontations on Crete and in Venice that could easily be set pieces in a Bond movie, for example, an an ease with fast cars, guns and exotic watches.
And there is a twisty, complex plot, weaving the personal - like Johanna's motivation to recover James - and the political - terrorist outrages finances by dark money and taking place on a regular timescale - that gives the reader just the same sense of a countdown, a final date with evil, and of the risk of being distracted, of going down a rabbit hole in some glamorous resort, as in the original books.
Sherwood's writing is also sharp - 'Welcome to Dubai, home of ex-pats, concrete and money' 'This woman smiles when she's told to smile because it may never happen and it could be worse, though it's already happened and it couldn't be worse' - and the absence of Bond doesn't diminish, rather it enhances, the shadow he casts over this book, forcing him into everyone's consciousness: Conrad Harthrop-Vane, for example, who's no fan, notes Bond's remark that 'this "country-right-or-wrong business" was old-fashioned in 1952' and that Bond 'is defined by his purpose' (note is, not was). Harthrop-Vane isn't the only one to speculate about Bond's character, personality, purpose or meaning, everyone has a go at one point or another, resulting in this allegedly two dimensional figure (I don't think that but it has been said) being fully alive and drawn as complex and active even when out of sight.
Returning form those depths, this book is also fun. Sherwood drops plenty of references to Bond book and film titles and also allusions such as to a 'golden revolver' or having 'all the time in the world'. There are sideplots that take their time to join up with the main action, and surprise sprung. All I all, entertaining, nail biting and fun, with a bite of real world issues. It ends on a monster of a cliffhanger, and left me impatient for Book 3, which presumably though I'll have to wait another couple of years for!
Strongly recommended.
May 6, 2024
Is James Bond dead? Joanna Harwood, 003, was deemed unfit for duty and assigned a desk job after the death of her fiancé, 009. She never believed that James was dead and makes it her mission to find him. She is missing at a time when a mole is working to destroy the 00 section, which is now under the direction of Moneypenny. The mole is working with a wealthy group that has been financing terror attacks. Stolen artifacts are being auctioned off and within six days of the auction there is an attack. Agent 004, Dryden, is setting a trap with an artifact from Iraq. The mole is determined to stop him and reduce the number of 00s by one more. It is Harwood, tracking one of the financiers to the frozen areas of Russia, who discovers the identity of the mole. This sets up the final scenes that will leave Moneypenny and her command in turmoil and sets the scene for the third book in Sherwood’s trilogy.
Sherwood brings a number of familiar faces from Bond’s world and ties in stories familiar to Bond’s fans, such as his tragically short marriage. She also introduces Rachel Wolf, a safe cracker and con woman. With no ties to the agency, she works with Dryden to discover who is behind the terrorist’s financing. She has another reason for accepting Moneypenny’s proposal. Her parents were involved with a group of thieves, which led to their murder. She is hoping that this will lead to her parents’ murderer. As Harwood gets closer to discovering Bond’s fate and Moneypenny, Dryden and Wolf find the mole and the group’s leader, the tables are turned on them, putting them all in danger. With constant action and unexpected twists, this is a treat for Bond fans. It has a cliffhanger ending that will have you counting the days until the release of Sherwood’s conclusion. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this book.
Sherwood brings a number of familiar faces from Bond’s world and ties in stories familiar to Bond’s fans, such as his tragically short marriage. She also introduces Rachel Wolf, a safe cracker and con woman. With no ties to the agency, she works with Dryden to discover who is behind the terrorist’s financing. She has another reason for accepting Moneypenny’s proposal. Her parents were involved with a group of thieves, which led to their murder. She is hoping that this will lead to her parents’ murderer. As Harwood gets closer to discovering Bond’s fate and Moneypenny, Dryden and Wolf find the mole and the group’s leader, the tables are turned on them, putting them all in danger. With constant action and unexpected twists, this is a treat for Bond fans. It has a cliffhanger ending that will have you counting the days until the release of Sherwood’s conclusion. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this book.
May 26, 2024
A SPY LIKE ME propels the reader back into the realm of Double Os with all the action, duplicity, and shocking moments expected from an espionage thriller. Sherwood effortlessly breathes new life into the world Ian Flemming created with new agents and some familiar faces.
This time, the author kicks everything into overdrive. The pace is fast and the missions are complex as agents Johanna Harwood, Joseph Dryden, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane continue down the rabbit hole to find James Bond. Each step forward reveals more details about the missing 007 but also opens the door to nefarious activities such as bombings, money laundering, and human trafficking. However, with everything going on, the plot is never lost, and the ultimate goal of finding Bond is ever-present.
This book is a dynamic, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat read. There are twists, turns, and moments that will feel as if you are exhausted by all unfolding. At times, I had to pause reading to process everything. A lot is packed into these pages, but it is all completely compelling. Sherwood really delivered on the second book in this series and after the ending, I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
This time, the author kicks everything into overdrive. The pace is fast and the missions are complex as agents Johanna Harwood, Joseph Dryden, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane continue down the rabbit hole to find James Bond. Each step forward reveals more details about the missing 007 but also opens the door to nefarious activities such as bombings, money laundering, and human trafficking. However, with everything going on, the plot is never lost, and the ultimate goal of finding Bond is ever-present.
This book is a dynamic, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat read. There are twists, turns, and moments that will feel as if you are exhausted by all unfolding. At times, I had to pause reading to process everything. A lot is packed into these pages, but it is all completely compelling. Sherwood really delivered on the second book in this series and after the ending, I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
April 30, 2024
From Amazon.
An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem…
A bomb has detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond.
****************************************************************************
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and had a hard time putting it down. I loved all the action, plots and subplots.
An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.
James Bond is alive.
Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem…
A bomb has detonated in London.
Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.
They won’t fail again.
Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond.
****************************************************************************
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and had a hard time putting it down. I loved all the action, plots and subplots.
April 1, 2024
I’ve been reading some really dense (in a good way) non-fiction lately so Kim Sherwood’s latest Bond story, A Spy Like Me, came at just the right time. While you couldn’t exactly describe something dealing with national security, terrorism and agents with a licence to kill as ‘light’, it is fun and exciting to escape once more into the world of Moneypenny, M, Q and the Double Os. I read the previous book, Double or Nothing, about 18 months ago so I couldn’t remember all its twists and turns but there are just enough mentions of prior events here to jog the memory or make this follow-up worthwhile reading for someone who hasn’t read it. What I do remember is some of the characters: Johanna Harwood, formerly a surgeon and now 003, is just about functioning, grieving for one man dead and another missing in action; Joe Dryden, ex-forces and with direct comms to SIS inside his head, has also lost someone.
Kim Sherwood writes with a screenwriter’s eye; if you’ve seen a Bond film you can imagine the glamorous locations, powerful people and the notion that no one is telling the whole truth about who they are and what they’re doing. With more than one Double O in play, the action is even more heightened – with one hanging on for dear life in one part of the world and another dealing with equally bad baddies in another. It’s a non-stop whirl of espionage and great fun, with a killer cliffhanger ending.
I received a free proof copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Kim Sherwood writes with a screenwriter’s eye; if you’ve seen a Bond film you can imagine the glamorous locations, powerful people and the notion that no one is telling the whole truth about who they are and what they’re doing. With more than one Double O in play, the action is even more heightened – with one hanging on for dear life in one part of the world and another dealing with equally bad baddies in another. It’s a non-stop whirl of espionage and great fun, with a killer cliffhanger ending.
I received a free proof copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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