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The Peacock and the Sparrow
During the Arab Spring, an American spy’s final mission goes dangerously awry.
Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia for his final tour, he’s anxious to dispense with his mission—uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency against the monarchy. But then he meets Almaisa, a beautiful and enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask.
When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict. His budding romance with Almaisa—and his loyalties—are upended; in an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa’s love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain’s secrets end and America’s begin.
Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia for his final tour, he’s anxious to dispense with his mission—uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency against the monarchy. But then he meets Almaisa, a beautiful and enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask.
When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict. His budding romance with Almaisa—and his loyalties—are upended; in an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa’s love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain’s secrets end and America’s begin.
338 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2023
2181 people are currently reading
15877 people want to read
About the author
I.S. Berry
1 book302 followersI.S. Berry spent six years as an operations officer for the CIA, serving in wartime Baghdad and elsewhere. She has lived and worked throughout Europe and the Middle East, including two years in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and Haverford College. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, she lives in Virginia with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews
April 16, 2023
An intensely unconventional spy novel. It's not a James Bond, Jason Bourne, Jack Ryan thrill ride, it's much better. Very refreshing. Shane Collins is the gritty kind of spy that I can really feel for. Bahrain and the other places Shane travels to in his quest are fascinating as are some of the people he interacts with. There was a point when I thought the story was getting a little stagnant but then at Chapter 37 - 'It was in May that the betrayal began'. I was hooked yet again just like at the beginning. I. S. Berry wrote an intriguing first novel and I can't wait to see what she does next. Thank you so much to Goodreads for the Advanced Reader's Edition of the novel. It's one of the best ever.
May 30, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
I don't usually read spy novels because I've already seen the movie. This one was different. Instead of glamorizing spy work, it lays bare the corruption, arrogance and dissolution of many Americans working for the government overseas. The first two thirds of the novel were difficult for me because the American characters (esp the MC) were truly unlikeable, and I am the kind of person that is often drawn to unlikeable characters. But this was too real. Much of the plot was ripped from the headlines and I won't give it away, but it is very believable. Now they just need to make the movie so we can cleanse ourselves of those tired old spy movie tropes. This author can write and I look forward to her next work.
I don't usually read spy novels because I've already seen the movie. This one was different. Instead of glamorizing spy work, it lays bare the corruption, arrogance and dissolution of many Americans working for the government overseas. The first two thirds of the novel were difficult for me because the American characters (esp the MC) were truly unlikeable, and I am the kind of person that is often drawn to unlikeable characters. But this was too real. Much of the plot was ripped from the headlines and I won't give it away, but it is very believable. Now they just need to make the movie so we can cleanse ourselves of those tired old spy movie tropes. This author can write and I look forward to her next work.
August 1, 2025
Needing a complete change of pace to intersperse with my dense reading of The Memoirs of Hadrian, I selected I. S. Berry's The Peacock and the Sparrow, recently read and enjoyed by GR friend Barbara K and then handed to me by an IRL friend to read.
A brilliantly conceived spy story set a decade ago amidst the Bahraini uprising. I meet jaded, disillusioned CIA spy, Shane Collins. In his early 50's, his family estranged due to his career, Collins is biding his time on his last tour. He meets a young artist and is slowly drawn into her world.
Berry skillfully draws Collins' complex character with all his strengths and flaws. While her protagonist is fully portrayed, his supporting cast is fairly one dimensional. This is really my only niggle about this debut novel.
In the meantime, unrest continues to grow among the populous over the disparity in fortunes of the monarchy and almost everybody else. The opposition grows stronger and when unleashed:
"The revolutionaries were irrational, unrestrained, brutal. They had the savagery of forces with nothing to lose, for whom the land is not home but territory. They'd joined a cause and the cause had become everything, supplanting logic, compassion, decency, all the calculations of daily living. The excesses of belief."
Berry clearly portrays how easily autocracy can tip over the edge and how the pendulum can swing very far in the other direction.
She has some strong writing chops. Our protagonist looking back after the fact:
"The culmination of actions taken or not taken, ends swallowed by means. A place where, even after you disappear, you can't escape. Time loops back on itself, furls the days, keeps them from marching forward. Memories become lodged between fugue and reality, their existential quality unclear the way events in dreams sometimes have the texture of real life."
I am not likely to ever be a spy or to be in a revolution or war (I sincerely and strongly hope). Yet I am left wondering how would I react as a citizen/patriot and humanitarian in this situation. What would I be willing to do for my fellows and my homeland? How would I feel with the results?
Publication 2023
A brilliantly conceived spy story set a decade ago amidst the Bahraini uprising. I meet jaded, disillusioned CIA spy, Shane Collins. In his early 50's, his family estranged due to his career, Collins is biding his time on his last tour. He meets a young artist and is slowly drawn into her world.
Berry skillfully draws Collins' complex character with all his strengths and flaws. While her protagonist is fully portrayed, his supporting cast is fairly one dimensional. This is really my only niggle about this debut novel.
In the meantime, unrest continues to grow among the populous over the disparity in fortunes of the monarchy and almost everybody else. The opposition grows stronger and when unleashed:
"The revolutionaries were irrational, unrestrained, brutal. They had the savagery of forces with nothing to lose, for whom the land is not home but territory. They'd joined a cause and the cause had become everything, supplanting logic, compassion, decency, all the calculations of daily living. The excesses of belief."
Berry clearly portrays how easily autocracy can tip over the edge and how the pendulum can swing very far in the other direction.
She has some strong writing chops. Our protagonist looking back after the fact:
"The culmination of actions taken or not taken, ends swallowed by means. A place where, even after you disappear, you can't escape. Time loops back on itself, furls the days, keeps them from marching forward. Memories become lodged between fugue and reality, their existential quality unclear the way events in dreams sometimes have the texture of real life."
I am not likely to ever be a spy or to be in a revolution or war (I sincerely and strongly hope). Yet I am left wondering how would I react as a citizen/patriot and humanitarian in this situation. What would I be willing to do for my fellows and my homeland? How would I feel with the results?
Publication 2023
March 28, 2023
An enthralling read that captivated me. The Peacock and The Sparrow by I.S. Berry reminded me of Philip Marlowe and Columbo with a very descriptive first-person narration.
I was intrigued by the cynical, jaded, and somewhat lawless spy Shane Collins, who is in his final assignment stationed in Bahrain. Shane takes us on an espionage journey battling good vs evil and which side is which.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, with the vivid descriptions of Bahrain, as well as the interesting and formidable characters of informants, lovers, ex-pats, admirals, and lonely spouses.
Thank @NetGalley and @atriabooks for my eARC.
#netgalley #atriabooks
I was intrigued by the cynical, jaded, and somewhat lawless spy Shane Collins, who is in his final assignment stationed in Bahrain. Shane takes us on an espionage journey battling good vs evil and which side is which.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, with the vivid descriptions of Bahrain, as well as the interesting and formidable characters of informants, lovers, ex-pats, admirals, and lonely spouses.
Thank @NetGalley and @atriabooks for my eARC.
#netgalley #atriabooks
September 1, 2025
Ka-BOOM! This book is neither a spy story nor a thriller, but a blend of the two, beginning life more on the spy side of the spectrum and ending more on the thriller. Few novels in either genre match this one, and it’s Berry’s first time out of the gate. A highly impressive debut.
Her skill in rendering a sense of locale is extremely effective. Most of the book is in Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia, and feels miserably hot and dusty, with a significant interlude in a place that’s insufferably hot and humid, and somehow we feel parched in one and sticky in the other. Local customs are neatly illustrated, both of the indigenes as well as the burrowed-in Americans. Neither is a place I’d care to live, and that’s before things start going badly wrong.
Shane Collins, if that’s his name, is a spy attached to the US diplomatic service. The author doesn’t waste time trying to get us to like this guy – while he can clean up for the occasional night at the King’s opera house, he’s scummy, untrustworthy and repellent. We wouldn’t want to spend any time at all with him if he didn’t have such a good story to tell. Diplomacy, it’s been said, is like watching sausages being made. In this book, we seem to get the remnants that aren’t even worthy of making sausage from.
If you're a fan of both spy stories and thrillers, this could be a five-star book. I prefer the former, so became slightly less smitten as we went along. Occasionally Berry lets poetic descriptions and mixed metaphors get the better of her: Curls of smoke crept upward like goblin’s fingers, devouring the papery fronds of palm trees in ravenous mouthfuls -- but there’s really very little here to find fault with. I hope she continues in her promising career.
Thanks to Barbara K. for putting this one on my TBR, and Lisa’s review sealed the deal.
Her skill in rendering a sense of locale is extremely effective. Most of the book is in Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia, and feels miserably hot and dusty, with a significant interlude in a place that’s insufferably hot and humid, and somehow we feel parched in one and sticky in the other. Local customs are neatly illustrated, both of the indigenes as well as the burrowed-in Americans. Neither is a place I’d care to live, and that’s before things start going badly wrong.
Shane Collins, if that’s his name, is a spy attached to the US diplomatic service. The author doesn’t waste time trying to get us to like this guy – while he can clean up for the occasional night at the King’s opera house, he’s scummy, untrustworthy and repellent. We wouldn’t want to spend any time at all with him if he didn’t have such a good story to tell. Diplomacy, it’s been said, is like watching sausages being made. In this book, we seem to get the remnants that aren’t even worthy of making sausage from.
Seducing a woman was not unlike wooing an informant: You divine her wants and needs, decode her vulnerabilities, align yourself (sometimes work against her if friction’s her thing), make yourself indispensable, fill the gaps and crevices. You do this until you know her better than yourself – better than she knows herself – until the only answer is yes.Let’s just say there’s buckets of irony in these instructions, as things come to pass.
If you're a fan of both spy stories and thrillers, this could be a five-star book. I prefer the former, so became slightly less smitten as we went along. Occasionally Berry lets poetic descriptions and mixed metaphors get the better of her: Curls of smoke crept upward like goblin’s fingers, devouring the papery fronds of palm trees in ravenous mouthfuls -- but there’s really very little here to find fault with. I hope she continues in her promising career.
Thanks to Barbara K. for putting this one on my TBR, and Lisa’s review sealed the deal.
April 16, 2025
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
The Peacock and the Sparrow
Plot:
Shane Collins, a CIA spy ready to retire. He is driven back into a dangerous conflict in Bahrain after his mission to uncover Iranian support for insurgents spirals into a deadly uprising. As he navigates the chaos and a complicated romance with Almaisa, he uncovers deep secrets that blur the lines between Bahrain’s revolution and America's hidden interests.
My Thoughts:
Captivating, clever and compelling. I usually steer clear of political or spy novels. But this was hard to stay away from. This exposed the dangerous of the Middle East and hard realities around the world. Shane Collins was flawed but consistently strived to accomplish what he was set out to do.
Worth a try if you're looking for something different to read.
The Peacock and the Sparrow
Plot:
Shane Collins, a CIA spy ready to retire. He is driven back into a dangerous conflict in Bahrain after his mission to uncover Iranian support for insurgents spirals into a deadly uprising. As he navigates the chaos and a complicated romance with Almaisa, he uncovers deep secrets that blur the lines between Bahrain’s revolution and America's hidden interests.
My Thoughts:
Captivating, clever and compelling. I usually steer clear of political or spy novels. But this was hard to stay away from. This exposed the dangerous of the Middle East and hard realities around the world. Shane Collins was flawed but consistently strived to accomplish what he was set out to do.
Worth a try if you're looking for something different to read.
April 13, 2023
I don't typically read spy novels, but the teaser on the back was intriguing. Unfortunately, the blurb oversold this, and finishing was a struggle. The promised suspense, romance, and authenticity never materialized, and I was left unsatisfied - and angry.
There was nothing about these characters that I could connect to. Collins was a miserable cynic, totally unwilling to confront his own shortcomings. Everyone was a caricature, and they only existed for Collins to manipulate, degrade, or possess. Even at the end, when Collins finally makes a choice, there was no real reflection or character growth as a result. Even the plot was lacking, with no real tension or mysteries beyond how fast Collins would drink himself to death.
The biggest disappointment here was the way women were presented and addressed. The misogyny was so frequent and pervasive, I started bookmarking each occurrence, and by the end nearly every chapter had been flagged. Almaisa - the only female character who merits more than a passing mention - still can't escape the objectification by both other characters and the author. Collins admits in his narration that Almaisa isn't even her real name! The reader is supposed to believe that Collins loves her, but to me it was possession and not love. Collins seems much more concerned with conquering Almaisa than truly knowing her, and this is reflected in his treatment of her as an object and not an equal. The narration's focus on Almaisa's abaya and headscarf reads as more of fetishization than a character trait, with Collins alternately obsessed with removing them, then suddenly ordering Almaisa to don her headscarf again. The twist in this relationship was obvious very early on, because no self-respecting woman would stay with such a horrible, degrading partner.
Other women in the book are similarly dehumanized: Poppy is no longer worth Collins' time when her appearance changes; prostitutes are only there to provide information and satisfy Collins' urges; women are described based on their ethnic features ("skin that eluded nationality, that made her origins indecipherable", "China girl", etc.) or are dismissively referred to as "a silly girl". The male characters constantly make sexist comments. I found the sexism so offensive and pervasive that I would have confidently assumed this book was written by a man, and a sexist one at that.
I expected better, and I caution anyone considering reading this book. To me, it is irredeemable. There are ways of telling an authentic story without alienating the readers at every turn.
There was nothing about these characters that I could connect to. Collins was a miserable cynic, totally unwilling to confront his own shortcomings. Everyone was a caricature, and they only existed for Collins to manipulate, degrade, or possess. Even at the end, when Collins finally makes a choice, there was no real reflection or character growth as a result. Even the plot was lacking, with no real tension or mysteries beyond how fast Collins would drink himself to death.
The biggest disappointment here was the way women were presented and addressed. The misogyny was so frequent and pervasive, I started bookmarking each occurrence, and by the end nearly every chapter had been flagged. Almaisa - the only female character who merits more than a passing mention - still can't escape the objectification by both other characters and the author. Collins admits in his narration that Almaisa isn't even her real name! The reader is supposed to believe that Collins loves her, but to me it was possession and not love. Collins seems much more concerned with conquering Almaisa than truly knowing her, and this is reflected in his treatment of her as an object and not an equal. The narration's focus on Almaisa's abaya and headscarf reads as more of fetishization than a character trait, with Collins alternately obsessed with removing them, then suddenly ordering Almaisa to don her headscarf again. The twist in this relationship was obvious very early on, because no self-respecting woman would stay with such a horrible, degrading partner.
Other women in the book are similarly dehumanized: Poppy is no longer worth Collins' time when her appearance changes; prostitutes are only there to provide information and satisfy Collins' urges; women are described based on their ethnic features ("skin that eluded nationality, that made her origins indecipherable", "China girl", etc.) or are dismissively referred to as "a silly girl". The male characters constantly make sexist comments. I found the sexism so offensive and pervasive that I would have confidently assumed this book was written by a man, and a sexist one at that.
I expected better, and I caution anyone considering reading this book. To me, it is irredeemable. There are ways of telling an authentic story without alienating the readers at every turn.
October 4, 2024
Read it and finished it because it was short but kept hoping it would get better. So bored. Keep this one on the shelf!
December 24, 2022
Terrific first novel about a jaded spy with tangled motives who changes the course of history while stationed in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. Read an advance copy; forthcoming May ‘23
April 30, 2023
The Peacock and the Sparrow provides a detailed insight into the inner workings of fictional CIA operations officer Shane Collins on his final mission in the Kingdom of Bahrain. As his mission goes astray, we get an intimate look at the toll this takes on him through his inner monologue. This book is filled with rich details brought to life by truly beautiful and poetic prose, giving a unique perspective that you won't see in dramatized spy movies. It feels like you're really there!
After taking a few leisurely-paced reading sessions to get to know the characters, I happily devoured the rest of the book in a single afternoon. It was so hard to put down! The honest portrayal of what it means for Shane to be caught in a career of lies and manipulations that discourages him from forming true, meaningful attachments was especially compelling. I am a prolific young adult and fanfiction reader so it was a huge jump for me to read something from the perspective of a middle aged man since my favorite protagonists are all usually navigating emerging adulthood but being a fanfiction consumer makes you adventurous and gave me an interest in trying unique and fresh things by new authors so I hung in there and once I really got going like 60-70 pages in I could legit not stop. There were many times during the intensive descriptions of how he assesses and manipulates people where I was like "OMG THIS MAN IS LEGIT!" because *shivers* it reads like that mindset was drawn straight out of reality. The book sure does not shy away from some icky realities.
There are many moments in the story that are especially relatable to life as a human being. As many of us have had moments where we had to choose where our loyalty lies, relationships that have gone astray, and tragedies that haunt us long after. There were several moments in this story that really touched my soul :)
After taking a few leisurely-paced reading sessions to get to know the characters, I happily devoured the rest of the book in a single afternoon. It was so hard to put down! The honest portrayal of what it means for Shane to be caught in a career of lies and manipulations that discourages him from forming true, meaningful attachments was especially compelling. I am a prolific young adult and fanfiction reader so it was a huge jump for me to read something from the perspective of a middle aged man since my favorite protagonists are all usually navigating emerging adulthood but being a fanfiction consumer makes you adventurous and gave me an interest in trying unique and fresh things by new authors so I hung in there and once I really got going like 60-70 pages in I could legit not stop. There were many times during the intensive descriptions of how he assesses and manipulates people where I was like "OMG THIS MAN IS LEGIT!" because *shivers* it reads like that mindset was drawn straight out of reality. The book sure does not shy away from some icky realities.
There are many moments in the story that are especially relatable to life as a human being. As many of us have had moments where we had to choose where our loyalty lies, relationships that have gone astray, and tragedies that haunt us long after. There were several moments in this story that really touched my soul :)
June 7, 2023
A middling, age worn, lonely American spy Shane Collins nearing the end of his career is stationed in Bahrain. Bahrain is pulsing with unrest against the monarchy. Suspicion is directed at Iran, whom the Americans believe are fueling the flames of the insurgency. The ruling monarchy is Sunni Muslim, Iran is ruled by Shia Muslim. Surviving on alcohol fumes and cigarettes, Collins is getting by, not bringing in much intel except through one source - Naqid - scant intel at best. His boss is a twenty-eight year old guy - uneasy, sort of gauche, a character Collins turns his nose up at, but he is his boss after all. The mysterious and sometimes elusive tile artist Almaisa who Collins meets at a party has an interesting background and is passionate about an orphanage. Who is supporting the insurgents and what will they do next? Are the Americans adept at getting the right information? Do they really know who is foe and who is friend? Racing against the backdrop of a bubbling Bahrain, with full scale revolution imminent, what is Collins to do? This book has a great sense of place and time. Shane is certainly not a likable character - I felt he was probably a bit over “caricactured” - the drinking, womanizing, estranged from his son, lonely spy, but this is fiction or maybe not (?), given the author was an operations officer with the CIA. There’s twists and turns, multiple secret meetings, safe places, and a trip to Phnom Penh - all this made for a fast-paced spy story, at times slightly abrupt in the transitions, but still intriguing. Overall, I enjoyed the book, especially since it’s set in Bahrain - not many English written books are set there. I gave it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. A great debut book and I’m looking forward to reading more from the author. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 12, 2025
Location, Bahrain, The Arab Spring.
Spy Shane Collins is just about to retire but intelligence suggests that an Iranian-backed major uprising is about to happen. Several bombs detonate which comes to be known as the Adliya bombings but is Iran at the heart of this? Maybe, maybe not.. According to Collins informant Rashid it’s something more home grown and cynical. Is he to be believed? Collins needs to know for obvious reasons and so he sets about seeing what he can learn in his own inimitable way.
I’m disappointed as I expected more zing and zip from a spy thriller has that won so many awards. The author certainly has the credentials as a former CIA agent but….the plot is good but the delivery isn’t. It’s very slow and my interest in learning what’s at the heart of all this wanes as time goes on. There’s not a huge amount of tension although there are plot twists. There’s manipulation and deception as you’d expect in a spy novel but I can’t in all honesty describe it a thriller as it’s not very thrilling.
Collins isn’t especially likeable nor is his derision for his much younger boss Whitney. Yes Collins is obviously more experienced and worldly wise but it doesn’t mean he’s always right and Whitney wrong. Collins is making a lot of mistakes and drinking very heavily and so perhaps he’s over estimating his abilities. Some of his behaviour is poor so it’s hard to have much sympathy.
The setting is good, it’s a believable plot and I do like how the title comes about. However, it’s not the most dynamic book I’ve read this year!
Spy Shane Collins is just about to retire but intelligence suggests that an Iranian-backed major uprising is about to happen. Several bombs detonate which comes to be known as the Adliya bombings but is Iran at the heart of this? Maybe, maybe not.. According to Collins informant Rashid it’s something more home grown and cynical. Is he to be believed? Collins needs to know for obvious reasons and so he sets about seeing what he can learn in his own inimitable way.
I’m disappointed as I expected more zing and zip from a spy thriller has that won so many awards. The author certainly has the credentials as a former CIA agent but….the plot is good but the delivery isn’t. It’s very slow and my interest in learning what’s at the heart of all this wanes as time goes on. There’s not a huge amount of tension although there are plot twists. There’s manipulation and deception as you’d expect in a spy novel but I can’t in all honesty describe it a thriller as it’s not very thrilling.
Collins isn’t especially likeable nor is his derision for his much younger boss Whitney. Yes Collins is obviously more experienced and worldly wise but it doesn’t mean he’s always right and Whitney wrong. Collins is making a lot of mistakes and drinking very heavily and so perhaps he’s over estimating his abilities. Some of his behaviour is poor so it’s hard to have much sympathy.
The setting is good, it’s a believable plot and I do like how the title comes about. However, it’s not the most dynamic book I’ve read this year!
May 26, 2025
Another book that has received much love from critics and reviewers alike, and in this case I completely agree. It’s a great read.
There is so much to recommend in this book. Stylistically Berry is no match for le Carre (who is?), but she’s more than capable. Sort of a cross between Raymond Chandler and Graham Greene.
As a former CIA operations officer who lived and worked in various parts of the Middle East, Berry has the background to add authenticity to the setting and the plot. She actually lived in Bahrain during the Arab Spring, the setting for this book.
Shane Collins, the main character, is an experienced (and of course jaded) CIA operative nearing retirement. His current assignment is to work with his informant to keep the Americans and their “friends”, the Bahraini royal family and government, up to speed on the revolutionaries’ plans. He and his two colleagues are part of a particularly unpleasant ex-pat community who for live in isolated enclaves, spend money, philander with one annother, drink, and attend parties. At one of these events Collins meets and becomes obsessed with a beautiful local woman artist, a mosaicist.
Through her he discovers a completely different Bahrain, that of the impoverished Shiite majority and another kind of ex-pats: workers from equally impoverished countries elsewhere in Asia. It is at this point that Collins’ commitment to the rightness of the American cause begins to waiver.
And it is also at this point that the energy of the book really picks up. The plot adds layers and the tension mounts as Collins travels to Cambodia and returns. Berry handles the ending superbly.
Throughout the book she also does some nice things with symbolism and with structure. The story is framed as Collins’ retrospective reflections, which are always tinged with regret and sadness, but never reveal any spoilers. We know that things didn’t turn out as he anticipated at the outset of the book, but we’re not sure what went wrong or when that happened.
It’s not surprising that this book has won so many prizes - the Edgar, the Barry, and the Macavity “first novel” prizes among others. I’ve waivered between a 4 and a 5 rating, and ultimately decided to go with a 5 because of the crackerjack ending. I will be looking out for Berry’s next book.
My buddy reader for this one was Judith; it’s a great book to buddy-read because there are so many opportunities to stop and exchange thoughts on what just happened. :-). Here’s a link to Judith’s review.
There is so much to recommend in this book. Stylistically Berry is no match for le Carre (who is?), but she’s more than capable. Sort of a cross between Raymond Chandler and Graham Greene.
As a former CIA operations officer who lived and worked in various parts of the Middle East, Berry has the background to add authenticity to the setting and the plot. She actually lived in Bahrain during the Arab Spring, the setting for this book.
Shane Collins, the main character, is an experienced (and of course jaded) CIA operative nearing retirement. His current assignment is to work with his informant to keep the Americans and their “friends”, the Bahraini royal family and government, up to speed on the revolutionaries’ plans. He and his two colleagues are part of a particularly unpleasant ex-pat community who for live in isolated enclaves, spend money, philander with one annother, drink, and attend parties. At one of these events Collins meets and becomes obsessed with a beautiful local woman artist, a mosaicist.
Through her he discovers a completely different Bahrain, that of the impoverished Shiite majority and another kind of ex-pats: workers from equally impoverished countries elsewhere in Asia. It is at this point that Collins’ commitment to the rightness of the American cause begins to waiver.
And it is also at this point that the energy of the book really picks up. The plot adds layers and the tension mounts as Collins travels to Cambodia and returns. Berry handles the ending superbly.
Throughout the book she also does some nice things with symbolism and with structure. The story is framed as Collins’ retrospective reflections, which are always tinged with regret and sadness, but never reveal any spoilers. We know that things didn’t turn out as he anticipated at the outset of the book, but we’re not sure what went wrong or when that happened.
It’s not surprising that this book has won so many prizes - the Edgar, the Barry, and the Macavity “first novel” prizes among others. I’ve waivered between a 4 and a 5 rating, and ultimately decided to go with a 5 because of the crackerjack ending. I will be looking out for Berry’s next book.
My buddy reader for this one was Judith; it’s a great book to buddy-read because there are so many opportunities to stop and exchange thoughts on what just happened. :-). Here’s a link to Judith’s review.
September 28, 2023
I.S. Berry’s (a former CIA Operations Officer) debut novel, The Peacock and the Sparrow, is an authentic spy story that inhabits the morally and ethically gray wasteland of Graham Greene’s The Quiet American or John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. Both novels, to me, are prime examples of what I think of as, "stories of dark self-discovery." Definitely hanging out in Noir Territory.
It’s a tale set within a country convulsing with rage and revolution and evolving self-identity, a country trying to define and reinvent itself on its own terms (not Western, not colonial, etc.)—embracing an idealism that cannot sustain its intensity and will not remain pure. And into this violent birth comes an aging CIA case officer, Shane Collins--biding his time in Bahrain until he’s fired or reaches retirement (involuntary or otherwise), holding onto a high-level informant (that one last Ace he holds) that could correct the death spiral of his career.
He’s a classic burned-out case. His soul ragged. His heart numb. His mind splintered to self-indulgent distraction. But his life is about to change as he finds himself entangled in the Arab Spring that will transform Bahrain. At the heart of the story is a triangle fueled by love, jealousy, and betrayal between Collins, his entitled boss Whitney, and the mysterious and beautiful artist Almaisa—all set against a city and country that’s presented as fully as any of the main characters.
I.S. Berry places you deep within the capital city of Manama—the sounds, the smells, the decadence, the poverty, and the palpable sense of inevitable change—and it’s all brought to life through prose that’s lyrical, hardboiled, and ultimately heartbreaking. I loved this novel. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this extraordinary writer.
It’s a tale set within a country convulsing with rage and revolution and evolving self-identity, a country trying to define and reinvent itself on its own terms (not Western, not colonial, etc.)—embracing an idealism that cannot sustain its intensity and will not remain pure. And into this violent birth comes an aging CIA case officer, Shane Collins--biding his time in Bahrain until he’s fired or reaches retirement (involuntary or otherwise), holding onto a high-level informant (that one last Ace he holds) that could correct the death spiral of his career.
He’s a classic burned-out case. His soul ragged. His heart numb. His mind splintered to self-indulgent distraction. But his life is about to change as he finds himself entangled in the Arab Spring that will transform Bahrain. At the heart of the story is a triangle fueled by love, jealousy, and betrayal between Collins, his entitled boss Whitney, and the mysterious and beautiful artist Almaisa—all set against a city and country that’s presented as fully as any of the main characters.
I.S. Berry places you deep within the capital city of Manama—the sounds, the smells, the decadence, the poverty, and the palpable sense of inevitable change—and it’s all brought to life through prose that’s lyrical, hardboiled, and ultimately heartbreaking. I loved this novel. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this extraordinary writer.
February 20, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up
I’ll admit I was drawn to The Peacock and The Sparrow because we had a family member teaching in Bahrain when the Arab Spring occurred. Even though this was a thriller, I was hoping to get a feel for the political climate at the time. I felt comfortable it would be based somewhat in truth as the author is a former CIA officer.
Shane Collins is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. A spy in Bahrain, he’s tasked with discovering Iranian support for the fight against the monarchy. But then he becomes involved with a young artist and she opens his eyes to a different side of things.
Berry takes his time setting the stage and placing the reader in all the different milieus - the privilege and closed world of the expats and the spying on one side and the Bahraini experience on the other. This is one of the strengths of the book. I appreciated that the murkiness of the political scene was done so well.
I struggled with Collins. Not that he was so jaded, that’s a given at his stage of his career. But he was also crude, insensitive to the woman he supposedly loved, a drunk. . I also thought he was very naive for an experienced spy and let himself be drawn in.
I was not impressed by the ending, which took a flight of fancy. If a spy thriller is based on actual events, I want it to adhere to how things actually ended.
I was not impressed by Peter Simonelli’s narration. It was as dry as the Bahraini desert.
I’ll admit I was drawn to The Peacock and The Sparrow because we had a family member teaching in Bahrain when the Arab Spring occurred. Even though this was a thriller, I was hoping to get a feel for the political climate at the time. I felt comfortable it would be based somewhat in truth as the author is a former CIA officer.
Shane Collins is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. A spy in Bahrain, he’s tasked with discovering Iranian support for the fight against the monarchy. But then he becomes involved with a young artist and she opens his eyes to a different side of things.
Berry takes his time setting the stage and placing the reader in all the different milieus - the privilege and closed world of the expats and the spying on one side and the Bahraini experience on the other. This is one of the strengths of the book. I appreciated that the murkiness of the political scene was done so well.
I struggled with Collins. Not that he was so jaded, that’s a given at his stage of his career. But he was also crude, insensitive to the woman he supposedly loved, a drunk. . I also thought he was very naive for an experienced spy and let himself be drawn in.
I was not impressed by the ending, which took a flight of fancy. If a spy thriller is based on actual events, I want it to adhere to how things actually ended.
I was not impressed by Peter Simonelli’s narration. It was as dry as the Bahraini desert.
November 6, 2023
This is the finest debut in espionage fiction since David McCloskey's Damascus Station. It shares with that book deep and realistic characters, a mesmerising sense of place, a twisty plot and an author who has direct experience of working for the CIA, (though unlike McCloskey, who was an analyst Ilana Berry was in the field recruiting agents at the height of the Arab Spring). She brings this experience to bear with a sure touch. You can feel and smell Bahrain as you turn the pages. There is a wry understanding of the tragedies and absurdities of expat life and of the moral compromises any ageing spy, like her lead Shane Collins, has made. Thrown in an exotic and eccentric love interest and some top notch tradecraft and this is spy fiction of the very highest calibre.
November 20, 2023
From my website review (tomdegeorge.com):
Ms. Berry's vivid settings are matched by her laser-like insight into human character - you'll recognize some of these people - they are all of us, colliding with each other in a chaotic mix of self-deception, betrayal, fanaticism, and personal dissolution. And her story is peppered with the real world of collecting, and making sense of, HUMINT - human intelligence. This is fiction, of course, but it belongs here for the so realistic view into a Case Officer's world of work, and the compromises, and sacrifices, it takes to do the job. The authentic tension between national policy and the people on the leading edge of the result is compelling, - and often maddening. You'll also notice some very tight parallels with true events, skillfully filtered into this superbly paced and engrossing story.
Ms. Berry's vivid settings are matched by her laser-like insight into human character - you'll recognize some of these people - they are all of us, colliding with each other in a chaotic mix of self-deception, betrayal, fanaticism, and personal dissolution. And her story is peppered with the real world of collecting, and making sense of, HUMINT - human intelligence. This is fiction, of course, but it belongs here for the so realistic view into a Case Officer's world of work, and the compromises, and sacrifices, it takes to do the job. The authentic tension between national policy and the people on the leading edge of the result is compelling, - and often maddening. You'll also notice some very tight parallels with true events, skillfully filtered into this superbly paced and engrossing story.
April 9, 2023
If you enjoy the genre of realistic spy novels, you'll love this book. It's an accurate depiction of broken people struggling through the gritty, murky waters middle eastern espionage in the Arab Spring, written by someone who knows just how to put you into the character's, often uncomfortable, head. After struggling initially to relate to a hard-to-like protagonist, the various strands of the plot began coming together and by the home stretch it was impossible to put down.
July 9, 2023
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this excellent CIA spy novel from Netgalley, author I. S. Berry, and publisher Simon Schuster. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read The Peacock and the Sparrow of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend this work to friends and family. It is a personal look into the turmoil of the 2011-2012 revolution known as Arab Spring as it affected Bahrain, and an open, honest look at the life of our operatives trying to stay a step ahead of the turmoil that is our world today.
You sure won't envy Shane Collins his chaotic, bone-tired, less-than-uplifting life, but you will respect the guts it takes for him to see it through. But you will see the world of the tumultuous Middle East with a clearer eye, and with more compassion for the people who are only pawns of that political machine. And before the end, you will acknowledge the effort it takes to power through a battle you are so very tired of fighting, where even the intentions of the 'good guys' are more than questionable, and the clear, clean worldview and sense of completion that Collins is able to attain with the addition of his growing relationship with artist Almaisa. 'The Peacock and the Sparrow' is a keeper. It is a book I will want to read again, and share with my family.
pub date May 30, 2023
Atria Books
Reviewed on May 30, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
You sure won't envy Shane Collins his chaotic, bone-tired, less-than-uplifting life, but you will respect the guts it takes for him to see it through. But you will see the world of the tumultuous Middle East with a clearer eye, and with more compassion for the people who are only pawns of that political machine. And before the end, you will acknowledge the effort it takes to power through a battle you are so very tired of fighting, where even the intentions of the 'good guys' are more than questionable, and the clear, clean worldview and sense of completion that Collins is able to attain with the addition of his growing relationship with artist Almaisa. 'The Peacock and the Sparrow' is a keeper. It is a book I will want to read again, and share with my family.
pub date May 30, 2023
Atria Books
Reviewed on May 30, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
February 18, 2023
Loved, loved this book. Has everything you look for in a compelling spy story: an interesting, realistic protagonist; complex plot; an unpredictable yet satisfying (and even haunting) resolution. In Berry’s beautifully written novel, we are treated to a tightly woven tale that reflects contemporary politics, features three-dimensional characters, and whose Persian Gulf setting is incredibly vivid and rich. Is Collins, the protagonist, a jaded spy who’s seen it all, a traitor, or a hero, someone who could change the course of history? This book keeps the reader guessing and will stay with you long after you put it down.
September 2, 2024
THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW by I.S. Berry is the real deal of spy novels. Indelibly written by someone in the know, this book will give you an inside, look into the spy world. It’s entertaining, poignant, and enlightening. It's a solid rendition of how life could be between spies & handlers, the privileged & the posers. Berry’s prose is encompassing and compassionate, revealing the depths of flawed characters not often seen in the genre. Echoes of Jason Matthews provide keen authenticity to this explosive thriller.
February 17, 2023
More words.do not necessarily make for better description. The teaser for this book invoked John LeCarre, Daniel Silva, and Alan Furst. Hyperbole doesn't begin to describe that comparison. The writing is turgid, the characters unsympathetic and unlikable, and the plot meandering. I kept reading, hoping to find something to redeem this effort. Just glad it's over.
June 5, 2023
A great debut novel. The author tells a very interesting spy story. I’m looking forward to the next book.
December 4, 2023
This book was my favorite read of 2023. At once gritty and gorgeous, I.S. Berry's story kept me hooked from the first page. I loved the novel's noir style and the realistic details about life as a spy. The descriptions of living in the Middle East during the tumultuous Arab Spring painted lush and vivid scenes readers can easily visualize. The dark side of Spycraft was also intriguing, and Berry depicts the bleak aspects of spy life without airbrushing the violence or cruelties with Hollywood glitz.
Berry's masterful treatment of two craft points stood out. 1) The classic writing advice behind story craft found in the adages "Nothing is as it seems" and "A stranger comes to town" prove to be powerful engines in this book. Everyone has something to hide, and the secrets are ugly. 2) The other adage is a book's ending must be both impossible and inevitable. When I reached the heart-stopping finale, everything clicked into place and the devastation was complete. Amazing.
I read this book in October 2023, when the Israeli-Hamas conflict exploded in shocking violence, and The Peacock and the Sparrow feels prescient in its exploration of recent history and a region seemingly doomed with conflict.
Fantastic novel. Can't wait to see what Berry writes next!
Berry's masterful treatment of two craft points stood out. 1) The classic writing advice behind story craft found in the adages "Nothing is as it seems" and "A stranger comes to town" prove to be powerful engines in this book. Everyone has something to hide, and the secrets are ugly. 2) The other adage is a book's ending must be both impossible and inevitable. When I reached the heart-stopping finale, everything clicked into place and the devastation was complete. Amazing.
I read this book in October 2023, when the Israeli-Hamas conflict exploded in shocking violence, and The Peacock and the Sparrow feels prescient in its exploration of recent history and a region seemingly doomed with conflict.
Fantastic novel. Can't wait to see what Berry writes next!
June 13, 2023
IS Berry has penned an outstanding tale of intrigue and betrayal. Few authors of spy novels are actually spies or understand the world in which spies live. Berry’s experience as a CIA officer allows her to write with authenticity. Her creative ability has spawned a story line and characters that capture the readers’ interest and hold it. I spent time in Bahrain, and I am familiar with many of the places mentioned. I look forward to the future works of this talented new novelist. Berry is a rising star!
February 7, 2024
An absolutely epic read that is destined to be counted amongst the greatest spy novels of our time. The intricately woven tapestry of ever shifting alliances and agendas, affiliations and ambitions, is expertly crafted and breathlessly presented in flowing, mesmerizing prose. Your only questions upon finish this book will be 1) what will I.S. Berry give us next, and 2) how soon can we get our hands on it?
October 25, 2024
I entered this giveaway with gifting in mind & that is exactly what I did. 🖤
July 31, 2023
"The Peacock and the Sparrow" by I.S. Berry was a great story of the Middle East and what the US was/is doing. Centered around one CIA intelligence officer, Shane Collins, during the Arab Spring at the Bahrain station, the novel offers a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of the region. It's a tremulous time in Bahrain during the Arab Spring, and can Collins stay neutral? Especially if everyone around him is taking a side.
The story unfolds with skillful precision, presenting the moral dilemma faced by Collins as he navigates through a region fraught with political turmoil and competing interests. The backdrop of the Arab Spring adds a tense and tumultuous atmosphere, further intensifying the plot. Berry's writing expertly captures the essence of the era, providing an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave readers pondering the repercussions of choice and loyalty in times of upheaval.
I found "The Peacock and the Sparrow" to be a captivating novel. The exploration of Shane Collins' life as he finds another live interest, contemplates retirement, and realizes he has to picks a side, adds an element of suspense and intrigue to the narrative without revealing too much.
Overall, I highly recommend "The Peacock and the Sparrow" to readers who enjoy compelling stories set in politically charged environments. Berry's masterful storytelling and insightful portrayal of the Middle East make this novel an enriching and worthwhile read.
The story unfolds with skillful precision, presenting the moral dilemma faced by Collins as he navigates through a region fraught with political turmoil and competing interests. The backdrop of the Arab Spring adds a tense and tumultuous atmosphere, further intensifying the plot. Berry's writing expertly captures the essence of the era, providing an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave readers pondering the repercussions of choice and loyalty in times of upheaval.
I found "The Peacock and the Sparrow" to be a captivating novel. The exploration of Shane Collins' life as he finds another live interest, contemplates retirement, and realizes he has to picks a side, adds an element of suspense and intrigue to the narrative without revealing too much.
Overall, I highly recommend "The Peacock and the Sparrow" to readers who enjoy compelling stories set in politically charged environments. Berry's masterful storytelling and insightful portrayal of the Middle East make this novel an enriching and worthwhile read.
July 3, 2023
adjectives, adverbs, and similes in almost every sentence…where are the action verbs? I love spy/thrillers/action/adventure, but this. is. boring. The protagonist is telling this story from the present looking back, and he is constantly saying, “Even now, I …” Characters are flat; plot is meandering.
July 12, 2023
A well-conceived spy thriller containing surprising twists. I would categorize “The Peacock and the Sparrow” as literary spy fiction in the tradition of the master, John Le Carré. The story has its backdrop, a time of revolutionary foment in Bahrain, pitting the Shiite majority against its Sunni king. The CIA suspects the Shiite revolutionaries are gaining overt support from Iran, a notion that the Bahrain government wants to encourage to undo a US arms embargo. The main character is CIA case officer Shane Collins, a raging alcoholic who’s as hard-boiled as they come in the legion of morally ambiguous intelligence officers. In spy literature, you don’t have to root for the main character. You simply must find them interesting. Treachery is always on the cusp. In reading the novel, I was reminded of Burt Lancaster’s immortal line in “The Professionals”: “Maybe there's only one revolution, since the beginning, the good guys against the bad guys. Question is, who are the good guys?”
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