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Manon Tyler #2
The Hidden Hand
A historic institution is hiding a very modern threat.
The student
Ai Ming, a Chinese student, is forced by her government to transfer from Harvard to Oxford University, where she is recruited to an elite Chinese study centre based out of St Felix's College.
The scapegoat
Meanwhile, the centre's newly recruited head stumbles on its more sinister recruiting Chinese and sympathetic British students to steal high-value research and intellectual property. Unsure who at the university he can trust, he turns to CIA agent Manon Tyler for help.
The spy who might be their only hope...
But as Ai and another Chinese-American student are drawn deeper into a deadly game, will Manon be able to penetrate the heart of St Felix's secrets in time to save them?
PRAISE FOR STELLA
'Intriguing and very cleverly-plotted' ALEX GERLIS
'Races along at breakneck speed. Packed with insider information, this is not one to miss' M. W. CRAVEN
'Damn good' Daily Telegraph
'A must-read for fans of contemporary spy fiction' Publishers Weekly
'This is something the spy novel that prizes authenticity over fabrication, that is true to the character and spirit of intelligence work' Mail on Sunday
The student
Ai Ming, a Chinese student, is forced by her government to transfer from Harvard to Oxford University, where she is recruited to an elite Chinese study centre based out of St Felix's College.
The scapegoat
Meanwhile, the centre's newly recruited head stumbles on its more sinister recruiting Chinese and sympathetic British students to steal high-value research and intellectual property. Unsure who at the university he can trust, he turns to CIA agent Manon Tyler for help.
The spy who might be their only hope...
But as Ai and another Chinese-American student are drawn deeper into a deadly game, will Manon be able to penetrate the heart of St Felix's secrets in time to save them?
PRAISE FOR STELLA
'Intriguing and very cleverly-plotted' ALEX GERLIS
'Races along at breakneck speed. Packed with insider information, this is not one to miss' M. W. CRAVEN
'Damn good' Daily Telegraph
'A must-read for fans of contemporary spy fiction' Publishers Weekly
'This is something the spy novel that prizes authenticity over fabrication, that is true to the character and spirit of intelligence work' Mail on Sunday
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
105 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Stella Rimington
33 books512 followersDame Stella Rimington was a British author and Director General of MI5, a position she held from 1992 to 1996. She was the first female DG of MI5, and the first DG whose name was publicised on appointment. In 1993, Rimington became the first DG of MI5 to pose openly for cameras at the launch of a brochure outlining the organisation's activities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 29, 2025
I always enjoy Stella Rimmington’s books and I am usually gripped and race through them. I was excited to read this second Manon Tyler one, however - whilst I enjoyed it - it was not quite as intense or sharp as her other books.
February 10, 2026
I do like this new character, CIA agent, Manon Tyler and especially the pace of this spy thriller, set in Oxford.
The Chinese Government in their demands that Chinese students studying overseas must comply with any of the Government’s demands was made real by Australian authorities discovering similar activities in our universities only recently. The whole AI deep fake videos that now surface around the world, made this a very relevant book.
I am trying to recall if the Charles Abbot character is in her other Liz Carlyle novels. An excellent read.
The Chinese Government in their demands that Chinese students studying overseas must comply with any of the Government’s demands was made real by Australian authorities discovering similar activities in our universities only recently. The whole AI deep fake videos that now surface around the world, made this a very relevant book.
I am trying to recall if the Charles Abbot character is in her other Liz Carlyle novels. An excellent read.
February 17, 2025
2.5 stars awarded
Is it possible to have a cozy spy novel just like the category in crime fiction? I think it might be and this book would be part of it. Cozy crime novels often take place in a closed society, the crime or its blood and gore do not appear on the pages and often 'normal' people are involved in solving the puzzle. This book fits all of these criteria but remains firmly in the present day with China as the evil monster and the guiding hand of the People's Republic for its citizens abroad.
Li Min is an excellent student at Harvard working on artificial intelligence but is 'asked' by her handler Deng to move to Oxford and St Felix College overnight. She knows she has no choice in the matter and is deeply upset by it. When she gets there, Chinese students mostly live in a large house slightly out of town and seem not to mix with others.
After a complaint by a student that someone is going through his room regularly, he then disappears and this brings in special services including the CIA who send Manon Tyler to join the university as an archivist or librarian for the Director of the Chinese department, Abbott.
It takes a long time, most of the book, for Li Min to realise that her research could be used in negative ways but once she does, she understands that she can not betray her friend Sally Washington and so leads her handler on a merry chase after the material he needs. Part of the fear for the Chinese students is Mr Chew a large Chinese Man - six foot six and broad - who does the dirty work that is needed. He is not very subtle and seems modelled on a James Bond baddie, and is the one who finds out where Manon lives, follows people, searches rooms and threatens.
Manon and Abbott finally catch up with Li Min before she is snatched and taken back to China and their budding romance is set to continue. Unusally for a book nowadays, there are quite a few typos in it - I have probably got quite a few in this post as well!
This is most definitely a cozy spy novel. Very readable but not a high-anxiety inducing read that you might expect from a spy story. And, let's face it, the hand is not that hidden in this story.
Is it possible to have a cozy spy novel just like the category in crime fiction? I think it might be and this book would be part of it. Cozy crime novels often take place in a closed society, the crime or its blood and gore do not appear on the pages and often 'normal' people are involved in solving the puzzle. This book fits all of these criteria but remains firmly in the present day with China as the evil monster and the guiding hand of the People's Republic for its citizens abroad.
Li Min is an excellent student at Harvard working on artificial intelligence but is 'asked' by her handler Deng to move to Oxford and St Felix College overnight. She knows she has no choice in the matter and is deeply upset by it. When she gets there, Chinese students mostly live in a large house slightly out of town and seem not to mix with others.
After a complaint by a student that someone is going through his room regularly, he then disappears and this brings in special services including the CIA who send Manon Tyler to join the university as an archivist or librarian for the Director of the Chinese department, Abbott.
It takes a long time, most of the book, for Li Min to realise that her research could be used in negative ways but once she does, she understands that she can not betray her friend Sally Washington and so leads her handler on a merry chase after the material he needs. Part of the fear for the Chinese students is Mr Chew a large Chinese Man - six foot six and broad - who does the dirty work that is needed. He is not very subtle and seems modelled on a James Bond baddie, and is the one who finds out where Manon lives, follows people, searches rooms and threatens.
Manon and Abbott finally catch up with Li Min before she is snatched and taken back to China and their budding romance is set to continue. Unusally for a book nowadays, there are quite a few typos in it - I have probably got quite a few in this post as well!
This is most definitely a cozy spy novel. Very readable but not a high-anxiety inducing read that you might expect from a spy story. And, let's face it, the hand is not that hidden in this story.
November 16, 2025
Dame Stella Rimington was the Director General of MI5, appointed in 1992, the first woman to hold that post. After retiring in 1996, she wrote a memoir, Open Secret, which was published in 2001. Authorship apparently appealed, as she launched a mystery series with the first called At Risk, published in 2004.
Up until now, I have found that eminent people who turn to fiction don't do it very well, but I picked up The Hidden Hand hoping that the well-informed background of the writer would make it interesting. And I was proved right. While the writing is more reminiscent of Mary Stewart than say, Simon Kernick, the inside details of the world of espionage are both convincing and fascinating.
An inside term that stood out for me is "useful idiot." I've come across a few of those over the years, but not in the spying arena. The character given this appellation is particularly well drawn within a cast of surprisingly well-cast characters. He is Professor Arthur Cole, who over a teaching and diplomatic career based in Hong Kong, developed a passion for ancient Chinese ceramics. This led to many explorations of the interior of China, while he amassed a huge collection (of mostly insigificant stuff, but with a few fine examples), and which drew the interest of the government of the People's Republic.
When he was offered a Fellowship at St. Felix's College in Oxford, Chinese officialdom privately encouraged him to take it up. Even more importantly, they gave him permission to take his cherished collection back to England. Thus, when little requests were made to encourage Chinese students to attend, he readily agreed. And so, over time, he became that useful idiot.
When the good professor floated the idea of establishing a Chinese institute within the college, an endowment miraculously arrived. And so did the students, many fully financed by their government. Spies and enforcers came with them, unconvincingly disguised as mere students. Professor Cole should have realized that he was getting in too deep, but when one of the students complains that someone was snooping through his apartment and his research notes, the "useful idiot" merely reports the student to his handlers. And when the student vanishes, banished to the nether regions of his homeland, Cole does not turn a hair.
Then a particularly interesting student arrives. Her name is Li Min. Her brilliance in the field of Artificial Intelligence is outstanding, particularly in the creation of deep fake videos.
This made the background of the novel even more intriguing. And worrying, too. In deepfakery, a film can be made with previously recorded images and dialogue that is so convincing that it is impossible to believe it is fake. It would be possible to stage a kidnapping, for instance, with a ransom note that demands to be paid. Or a victim could be featured in a video that seems to prove that he or she is committing a major crime like treason.
And this is what is intended for the American daughter of a senior scientist in the Department of Defence, who is a major player in the management of the current confrontation between China and the West in the South China Sea. Shown a video that seems to prove that his daughter is spying for the Chinese, he could be coerced into giving up secrets that would help the Chinese side.
Li Min is the unknowing patsy in this scheme. Yanked from her happy research at Harvard to the much less welcoming institute in Oxford, she mentions her dissatisfaction to a woman who happens to be a friend of Manon Tyler, an operative with the CIA. Intrigued by what she is told, and suspecting Chinese infiltration into the college, Manon goes to Oxford, and joins the college by pretending to be an archivist. (The background to this is excellent, too, as Remington was once an archivist herself.) And so the story evolves, with spies, enforcers, confrontations, a kidnapping, and that very troubling deepfakery.
Altogether, a most interesting read. Recommended.
Up until now, I have found that eminent people who turn to fiction don't do it very well, but I picked up The Hidden Hand hoping that the well-informed background of the writer would make it interesting. And I was proved right. While the writing is more reminiscent of Mary Stewart than say, Simon Kernick, the inside details of the world of espionage are both convincing and fascinating.
An inside term that stood out for me is "useful idiot." I've come across a few of those over the years, but not in the spying arena. The character given this appellation is particularly well drawn within a cast of surprisingly well-cast characters. He is Professor Arthur Cole, who over a teaching and diplomatic career based in Hong Kong, developed a passion for ancient Chinese ceramics. This led to many explorations of the interior of China, while he amassed a huge collection (of mostly insigificant stuff, but with a few fine examples), and which drew the interest of the government of the People's Republic.
When he was offered a Fellowship at St. Felix's College in Oxford, Chinese officialdom privately encouraged him to take it up. Even more importantly, they gave him permission to take his cherished collection back to England. Thus, when little requests were made to encourage Chinese students to attend, he readily agreed. And so, over time, he became that useful idiot.
When the good professor floated the idea of establishing a Chinese institute within the college, an endowment miraculously arrived. And so did the students, many fully financed by their government. Spies and enforcers came with them, unconvincingly disguised as mere students. Professor Cole should have realized that he was getting in too deep, but when one of the students complains that someone was snooping through his apartment and his research notes, the "useful idiot" merely reports the student to his handlers. And when the student vanishes, banished to the nether regions of his homeland, Cole does not turn a hair.
Then a particularly interesting student arrives. Her name is Li Min. Her brilliance in the field of Artificial Intelligence is outstanding, particularly in the creation of deep fake videos.
This made the background of the novel even more intriguing. And worrying, too. In deepfakery, a film can be made with previously recorded images and dialogue that is so convincing that it is impossible to believe it is fake. It would be possible to stage a kidnapping, for instance, with a ransom note that demands to be paid. Or a victim could be featured in a video that seems to prove that he or she is committing a major crime like treason.
And this is what is intended for the American daughter of a senior scientist in the Department of Defence, who is a major player in the management of the current confrontation between China and the West in the South China Sea. Shown a video that seems to prove that his daughter is spying for the Chinese, he could be coerced into giving up secrets that would help the Chinese side.
Li Min is the unknowing patsy in this scheme. Yanked from her happy research at Harvard to the much less welcoming institute in Oxford, she mentions her dissatisfaction to a woman who happens to be a friend of Manon Tyler, an operative with the CIA. Intrigued by what she is told, and suspecting Chinese infiltration into the college, Manon goes to Oxford, and joins the college by pretending to be an archivist. (The background to this is excellent, too, as Remington was once an archivist herself.) And so the story evolves, with spies, enforcers, confrontations, a kidnapping, and that very troubling deepfakery.
Altogether, a most interesting read. Recommended.
February 12, 2025
I have enjoyed all of Stella Rimington’s novels and was saddened to read in the review pages of The Guardian that this is likely to be her last. She is, after all, nearly ninety years old, and, sadly, her eyesight is starting to fail.
This would certainly be a good note on which to declare her literary innings. Her novels have never aspired to the intensity or portentousness of those of John le Carré, and she does not attempt that florid prose of which he was such a master. Still, that does not make her novels any less worthy of my respect and gratitude for many hours of deep enjoyment.
Following her series featuring Liz Carlyle, which I think ran to ten volumes, in her previous novel she introduced a new protagonist, Manon Tyler, who works for the CIA. Manon returns here, finding herself working undercover in one of the Oxford colleges where it appears that some Chinese students may not be all that they seem.
The plot is watertight, and revolves around issues that are absolutely current. One of the characters has been making great advances in the use of artificial intelligence, an constructing deep fake imagery. I wondered whether in her depiction of some of the older college figures, Dame Stella might have allowed herself to be swayed by stereotype, although having had my own stint as a Fellow of an Oxford college, encountering some deeply reactionary figures, I also acknowledge that perhaps she captured them all too clearly.
I hope that reports are mistaken and that there may be more to come, but this would definitely be a worthy swansong.
This would certainly be a good note on which to declare her literary innings. Her novels have never aspired to the intensity or portentousness of those of John le Carré, and she does not attempt that florid prose of which he was such a master. Still, that does not make her novels any less worthy of my respect and gratitude for many hours of deep enjoyment.
Following her series featuring Liz Carlyle, which I think ran to ten volumes, in her previous novel she introduced a new protagonist, Manon Tyler, who works for the CIA. Manon returns here, finding herself working undercover in one of the Oxford colleges where it appears that some Chinese students may not be all that they seem.
The plot is watertight, and revolves around issues that are absolutely current. One of the characters has been making great advances in the use of artificial intelligence, an constructing deep fake imagery. I wondered whether in her depiction of some of the older college figures, Dame Stella might have allowed herself to be swayed by stereotype, although having had my own stint as a Fellow of an Oxford college, encountering some deeply reactionary figures, I also acknowledge that perhaps she captured them all too clearly.
I hope that reports are mistaken and that there may be more to come, but this would definitely be a worthy swansong.
January 11, 2026
Stella Rimington’s 'The Hidden Hand' is a superbly crafted espionage thriller, rich in atmosphere and utterly convincing in its depiction of the modern intelligence world. Set largely in Oxford, the novel makes outstanding use of the city and university as a backdrop, evoking cloistered colleges, academic rivalries and hidden corners with a vividness that anchors the story in a very real place.
Rimington’s characters are finely drawn, from conflicted students caught between personal ambition and state pressure to the professionals tasked with containing a threat that is as political as it is personal. The reappearance of CIA officer Manon Tyler adds continuity and depth, and her interactions within the rarefied world of an Oxford college feel both plausible and sharply observed.
What makes the novel particularly compelling is its focus on intellectual property theft and the exploitation of universities by foreign powers, a theme that feels uncomfortably current. The pacing is expertly judged: intrigue builds steadily as academic manoeuvring shades into something far more dangerous, leading to set pieces that are tense without ever becoming implausible.
Throughout, Rimington’s background in intelligence work gives the narrative a quiet, persuasive authenticity, from the mechanics of surveillance to the bureaucratic frictions between agencies.
The result is a thriller that delivers suspense and momentum while also raising thought‑provoking questions about loyalty, research, and the vulnerabilities of our most venerable institutions.
Rimington’s characters are finely drawn, from conflicted students caught between personal ambition and state pressure to the professionals tasked with containing a threat that is as political as it is personal. The reappearance of CIA officer Manon Tyler adds continuity and depth, and her interactions within the rarefied world of an Oxford college feel both plausible and sharply observed.
What makes the novel particularly compelling is its focus on intellectual property theft and the exploitation of universities by foreign powers, a theme that feels uncomfortably current. The pacing is expertly judged: intrigue builds steadily as academic manoeuvring shades into something far more dangerous, leading to set pieces that are tense without ever becoming implausible.
Throughout, Rimington’s background in intelligence work gives the narrative a quiet, persuasive authenticity, from the mechanics of surveillance to the bureaucratic frictions between agencies.
The result is a thriller that delivers suspense and momentum while also raising thought‑provoking questions about loyalty, research, and the vulnerabilities of our most venerable institutions.
December 14, 2025
Pretty boring and I am sorry to write this because I enjoyed the earlier espionage books. The clever Liz Carlyle series of thrillers had a good pace and the characters were believable and interesting. This book is different to previous stories in that it seems to be written by another person, someone who doesn’t fully understand the nuance of earlier editions. Perhaps this series is aimed at a different reading audience, there is a lot of James Bond theatre here. Unfortunately I have little interest in a publication with cardboard cutout characters, mainly university professors and agents bursting in and out of rooms, and Manon Tyler mouthing tired jargon – an unfortunate quote from Manon “That sounds like a good plan.” it was not. The contents of this story may be accurate given Stella Rimington’s background, however spies and espionage true or false do not readily make events interesting. I like a good solid story and not too much dithering so from my POV there’s nothing exciting here. Hopefully there are avid book readers who will enjoy reading about Chinese spies, deep-fakes, dumb agents, university digs, stuffy professors and timeless British foreign affairs. Right now I need a cup of strong tea!
January 15, 2025
The Hidden Hand Stella Rimington
5 stars
Li Min is a brilliant Chinese student very skilled at Artificial Intelligence, studying at Harvard. University. Suddenly she is told she will be moving to . Oxford University to continue her studies and she must make friends with an American student, Sally Washington although she has no idea why.
Meanwhile, Manon Tyler, fresh from her success as detailed in the first book of the series is also sent to Oxford where her remit is to befriend Li Min and discover what she is being asked to do. When Manon discovers that Sally's father,Donald works in the Department of Defence specialising in nuclear submarines it is obvious what the Chinese are trying to gain knowledge about,
I really enjoyed this book as I found the plot very interesting and not at all far-fetched. I enjoyed the different characters from the grieving Charles Abbot to the threatening Mr Chew. Knowing the author's previous employment I can well believe that this sort of thing could well be going on in our universities and it also made the threat of Artificial Intelligence even more real..
Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley
September 3, 2024
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - instead, I recommend that you read this for yourself!
Although I've read other novels by Stella Rimington, this was the first "Manon Tyler" book for me. Although it is apparenty the second in the series, I had no problems following it, and would say it can be read as a standalone novel.
There is an excellent cast of characters - all well written, and with good contrasts between them and their motivations. Having read several newspaper articles covering the topic of foreign espionage in universities (not just in the UK), I found the plot very interesting.
The pacing was good - I stayed up late to finish the book = and I enjoyed the setting - largely in and around Oxford and the University there - and could picture the locations.
A very enjoyable "page turner". Looking forward to reading more in the series (including the first one now!)
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
Although I've read other novels by Stella Rimington, this was the first "Manon Tyler" book for me. Although it is apparenty the second in the series, I had no problems following it, and would say it can be read as a standalone novel.
There is an excellent cast of characters - all well written, and with good contrasts between them and their motivations. Having read several newspaper articles covering the topic of foreign espionage in universities (not just in the UK), I found the plot very interesting.
The pacing was good - I stayed up late to finish the book = and I enjoyed the setting - largely in and around Oxford and the University there - and could picture the locations.
A very enjoyable "page turner". Looking forward to reading more in the series (including the first one now!)
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
January 21, 2025
Another excellent book by Stella Rimington!
I enjoy the realistic feel of her stories, which is understandable given her background as Director General of MI5.
Li Min, a doctoral student in computer science at Harvard specializing in artificial intelligence, receives a summons from her handler, Deng. She is informed that she will be leaving soon as she has been given a significant opportunity. She will continue her studies at the Institute for the Study of International and Cultural Affairs, established by Oxford University, where she will continue her AI work, specifically her research on deepfakes. She is also instructed to cultivate a friendship with an American student.
Manon Tyler, a CIA operative, is deployed to the UK to investigate suspicious activities at the college, which appears to attract a disproportionate number of Chinese students, and to establish contact with Li Min, who they believe may be of assistance in their investigation.
Is there a chance they can succeed before time runs out?
I enjoy the realistic feel of her stories, which is understandable given her background as Director General of MI5.
Li Min, a doctoral student in computer science at Harvard specializing in artificial intelligence, receives a summons from her handler, Deng. She is informed that she will be leaving soon as she has been given a significant opportunity. She will continue her studies at the Institute for the Study of International and Cultural Affairs, established by Oxford University, where she will continue her AI work, specifically her research on deepfakes. She is also instructed to cultivate a friendship with an American student.
Manon Tyler, a CIA operative, is deployed to the UK to investigate suspicious activities at the college, which appears to attract a disproportionate number of Chinese students, and to establish contact with Li Min, who they believe may be of assistance in their investigation.
Is there a chance they can succeed before time runs out?
February 18, 2025
Li Min is a specialist in artificial intelligence perfecting her knowledge of deep fake technology at Harvard University in the USA. At short notice, she’s ordered by the Chinese government to transfer to the University of Oxford in the UK. She’s not a happy student.
Manon Tyler is a young CIA agent who, with the approval of Britain’s MI5, has been charged with encouraging the unhappy student to defect to the West.
Li Min’s extracurricular activity was to report back to her government details of the work being done by other research students at Harvard. She is required to do the same now she’s at Oxford.
'The Hidden Hand', the second book in the Manon Tyler series, is gentle, cosy and lacking in excitement. There’s a touch of romance, a bit of sadness and a great deal of incompetence.
Tyler, her CIA manager, and often a representative from MI5 discuss every move to be taken. Consequently there are few surprises and the plot plods along to a predictable ending.
I enjoyed Rimington’s Liz Carlyle series but found 'The Hidden Hand' disappointing.
January 26, 2025
A young Chinese student, Ji Min, is told by the Chinese Government that she must transfer her studies from Harvard to Oxford. She moves across the Atlantic, aware that she is about to be asked to do something around her expertise in AI. However the CIA are aware of her move and link with MI5 to monitor Li Min and her college, St Felix's, as there is a concern about large numbers of state-sponsored doctorial students in this particular college and it's sinophile former master. Manon Tyler is placed undercover in the college.
This is another really solid novel by Rimington in which she brings her experience of the secret services into play. Here the theme is around 'deepfake' technology being used for blackmail and it does cause reflection about where AI technology is going. Although it's not a long read I did feel there was a fair amount for repetition in terms of the plot going round in circles. However, it's a generally pacy and entertaining read.
This is another really solid novel by Rimington in which she brings her experience of the secret services into play. Here the theme is around 'deepfake' technology being used for blackmail and it does cause reflection about where AI technology is going. Although it's not a long read I did feel there was a fair amount for repetition in terms of the plot going round in circles. However, it's a generally pacy and entertaining read.
March 2, 2025
We’re told this is Rimington’s last novel and it tackles the thorny issue of the infiltration of British universities by the Chinese government. The story is set in Oxford. CIA agent, Manon Tyler, arrives in the UK tasked with shadowing Li Min, a Chinese PhD student who’d suddenly left her studies at Harvard to come to the UK to work on an artificial intelligence project. The move is a backward step for Li Min but it has been orchestrated by her government sponsor, so there’s no way for her to refuse. Whatever the end game really is there are layers of subterfuge and corruption to uncover. A reasonably pacy thriller, maybe not quite as sharp as Rimington’s Liz Carlyle series but it's topical and I found it very readable.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
May 12, 2025
After a three year gap, the second Manon Tyler spy thriller, The Hidden Hand (2025) by Stella Rimington has been released. When Li Min, a Chinese PhD student transfers from Harvard to Oxford University, she is caught up in the theft of AI intellectual property. The head of a specialised institute is also implicated, and so he requests CIA agent Manon Tyler’s assistance. A truly engrossing espionage tale ensues, with its all too believable subterfuge and high quality, suspenseful setting. The narrative is well-paced with nicely building tension and first-rate hero that is an engaging four and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
February 7, 2025
Stella Rimington has earned an excellent reputation for writing a series of excellent and accurately depicted spy thrillers based on her long service and top level experience with the Secret Service and this, the second in the Manon Tyler maintains her customary high standard and can also be read as a standalone thriller.
Without revealing too much of the plot, this is a highly topical book outlining the dual threat to our security from both AI and the Chinese and Manon Tyler is sent to Oxford University to avert the danger.
A good, solid read which I enjoyed very much.
Without revealing too much of the plot, this is a highly topical book outlining the dual threat to our security from both AI and the Chinese and Manon Tyler is sent to Oxford University to avert the danger.
A good, solid read which I enjoyed very much.
July 21, 2024
Very enjoyable spy thriller. In this second book with Manon Tyler as the central character she is now undercover CIA at Oxford, St Felix’s College. She has to befriend a Chinese student, who turns out to be a genius at AI deep fakes.
A convincing follow up to the first in the Manon Tyler series and I hope there will be more to come.
Easy to read and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed this. No plot spoilers.
Recommended. I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers.
A convincing follow up to the first in the Manon Tyler series and I hope there will be more to come.
Easy to read and easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed this. No plot spoilers.
Recommended. I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers.
July 31, 2024
Thanks to Stella and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Hidden Hand before the publication date.
It takes the reader into the hallowed halls of Oxford University, exposing the control which foreign powers exercise over the staff and students.
Stella has spun a yarn about Intelligence Agencies and Spooks which is a very easy read…..leaving the reader to ponder how much of the story is fact and how much is fiction.
It takes the reader into the hallowed halls of Oxford University, exposing the control which foreign powers exercise over the staff and students.
Stella has spun a yarn about Intelligence Agencies and Spooks which is a very easy read…..leaving the reader to ponder how much of the story is fact and how much is fiction.
August 22, 2024
The second in the spy thriller series featuring Manon Tyler. This book is set predominantly in Oxford, in the university arena. It's an easy to read story and the characters are likeable. The main "thrill" was very predictable and had been signposted up at an early stage. The plot felt rather lightweight and I would have preferred a bit more intensity but overall a fast and entertaining read.
December 6, 2024
A Manon Tyler story. We are in Oxford with Manon investigating a Chinese student who was a friend of Manon's friend in America. We follow the lead characters through a tense and at times exciting and dangerous time. This book is well written and an insight into spycraft and international politics. A fascinating read which has left me hungry for more by Stella Rimington. With thanks to Netgalley,Bloomsbury Publishing and the author for this advanced copy.
February 4, 2025
The book is about the Chinese government using students at universities as spies. Li Min is working for the Chinese government first at Harvard and then is moved to Oxford to orchestrate an espionage attempt.
I enjoyed the story but it didn't seem very realistic, there were some things that just wouldn't happen as they did. The story was entertaining and I was invested in Manon and Charles from the get go.
I enjoyed the story but it didn't seem very realistic, there were some things that just wouldn't happen as they did. The story was entertaining and I was invested in Manon and Charles from the get go.
May 21, 2025
I had not realised Stella Rimington had started writing a new series. The Manon Tyler series. I saw it on the shelf in the library and had to pick it up.
In this time of discussions on deep fake and AI this story was a fascinating read. It felt more cheerful than some of the earlier books but still with the 'spooks' world.
I recommend it for an interesting read making you wonder about some of the International students in your country.
In this time of discussions on deep fake and AI this story was a fascinating read. It felt more cheerful than some of the earlier books but still with the 'spooks' world.
I recommend it for an interesting read making you wonder about some of the International students in your country.
July 28, 2024
Easy to read and not dependent on having read book #1. A well plotted book that highlights current concerns. However when the main protagonist puts her phone down before she walks into a situation which is telegraphed throughout the text as dangerous I lost patience . Pleasant enough read.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review
January 30, 2025
Li Min a Chinese student is ordered to go to Oxford from America. This is the first Manon Tyler thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mason has to find out why Li has been transfered to the UK. Good plotting with good characters. Though this is book two you don't need to read the first one as it reads as a standalone. Thanks to Bloomsbury publishing and Netgalley for this review ARC.
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April 13, 2025I was completely surprised to find a book of this calibre riddled with errors. It is a book featured on the displays of bookshops and yet it has spelling mistakes. I found it an interesting read, knowing the author has such an extensive and fascinating background in espionage, yet the book itself was very simply written. A good holiday read if you’re looking for quick and easy.
January 5, 2026
Interesting account on espionage from an expert in the field. Think I enjoyed it more because it’s based in Oxford but I didn’t find it overly gripping until the end and I got slightly lost with the jumping between different characters at the start but overall a good read and I would recommend if you like this genre 👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
I hoped this would improve. It’s just a bit meh. Poor plotline and narrative, under developed characters, stupid ending. I hope Stella was a better spy than she is an author. I really wanted this to be great (keen to expand repertoire of thriller writers) but compare this to Child, Le Carre, Forsythe or even McCloskey and this author is miles behind. Pity.
February 10, 2025
I enjoyed the first book, but this was even better. Great anticipation throughout and quite believable with AI so much in the media and the Chinese also. Could actually see this happening. Really likeable main characters. Look forward to the next book whenever that will be.
April 9, 2025
I had forgotten how much I love Stella Rimington's books - accidentally read this one out of sequence so now have started #1 in the series. Great page-turners and so many interesting details from Rimington'sactual experience
May 4, 2025
#1 Author & Gripping Manon Tyler series well worth a read!
If you want an espionage thriller with authenticity backed up by the MI5, ex-D.G. you will not be disappointed with the Manon Tyler 2-book series. I enjoyed it so much I will now start reading the Liz Carlyle series.
If you want an espionage thriller with authenticity backed up by the MI5, ex-D.G. you will not be disappointed with the Manon Tyler 2-book series. I enjoyed it so much I will now start reading the Liz Carlyle series.
June 21, 2025
An excellent read. Manon works for British Intelligence and is asked to befriend Li Min, a Chinese student. Li Min is sponsored by the Chinese Government and is asked to create a ‘deepfake’ story involving an American student. It is a fascinating story. very British.
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