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The Martini Club #3
The Shadow Friends
THE MARTINI CLUB IS NOT YOUR USUAL BOOK GROUP. THEY ALSO LOVE BIRD WATCHING.
THEY ARE ALSO RETIRED SPIES . . . SO THINGS CAN GET PRETTY EXCITING.
And now, driven from their peaceful home town to save a friend, Maggie Bird and her friends must rely on each other more than ever . . .
A murder at a global conference in Purity brings back an old flame for retired spy Ingrid - a fellow CIA agent she worked with decades ago in an operation that ended in the deaths of three people, including the young woman they were supposed to protect. Has the killer resurfaced after all these years? Now Ingrid faces a difficult choice: join her ex-lover in pursuit of the assassin or forsake the vow she made years ago to avenge the dead.
But when Ingrid abruptly vanishes, her husband Lloyd must spring to action. Lloyd, an ex-CIA analyst, has no experience in the field, but he does have the skills to find his wife. With a concerned Maggie in tow, he tracks Ingrid to Amsterdam, where he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that threaten Ingrid's life, and could lead to the end of the Martini Club.
Meanwhile in Maine, detective Jo Thibodeau – helped by the remaining members of the club, uncovers startling evidence that turns all their assumptions upside down about who the murderer really is.
THEY ARE ALSO RETIRED SPIES . . . SO THINGS CAN GET PRETTY EXCITING.
And now, driven from their peaceful home town to save a friend, Maggie Bird and her friends must rely on each other more than ever . . .
A murder at a global conference in Purity brings back an old flame for retired spy Ingrid - a fellow CIA agent she worked with decades ago in an operation that ended in the deaths of three people, including the young woman they were supposed to protect. Has the killer resurfaced after all these years? Now Ingrid faces a difficult choice: join her ex-lover in pursuit of the assassin or forsake the vow she made years ago to avenge the dead.
But when Ingrid abruptly vanishes, her husband Lloyd must spring to action. Lloyd, an ex-CIA analyst, has no experience in the field, but he does have the skills to find his wife. With a concerned Maggie in tow, he tracks Ingrid to Amsterdam, where he unwittingly sets off a chain of events that threaten Ingrid's life, and could lead to the end of the Martini Club.
Meanwhile in Maine, detective Jo Thibodeau – helped by the remaining members of the club, uncovers startling evidence that turns all their assumptions upside down about who the murderer really is.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Tess Gerritsen
164 books22.1k followersInternationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, "Adrift", which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
Tess's first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover in 1996, and it marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Her suspense novels since then have been: Life Support (1997), Bloodstream (1998), Gravity (1999), The Surgeon (2001), The Apprentice (2002), The Sinner (2003), Body Double (2004), Vanish (2005), The Mephisto Club (2006), and The Bone Garden (2007). Her books have been translated into 31 languages, and more than 15 million copies have been sold around the world.
As well as being a New York Times bestselling author, she has also been a #1 bestseller in both Germany and the UK. She has won both the Nero Wolfe Award (for Vanish) and the Rita Award (for The Surgeon.) Critics around the world have praised her novels as "Pulse-pounding fun" (Philadelphia Inquirer), "Scary and brilliant" (Toronto Globe and Mail), and "Polished, riveting prose" (Chicago Tribune). Publisher Weekly has dubbed her the "medical suspense queen".
Now retired from medicine, she writes full time. She lives in Maine.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, "Adrift", which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
Tess's first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover in 1996, and it marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Her suspense novels since then have been: Life Support (1997), Bloodstream (1998), Gravity (1999), The Surgeon (2001), The Apprentice (2002), The Sinner (2003), Body Double (2004), Vanish (2005), The Mephisto Club (2006), and The Bone Garden (2007). Her books have been translated into 31 languages, and more than 15 million copies have been sold around the world.
As well as being a New York Times bestselling author, she has also been a #1 bestseller in both Germany and the UK. She has won both the Nero Wolfe Award (for Vanish) and the Rita Award (for The Surgeon.) Critics around the world have praised her novels as "Pulse-pounding fun" (Philadelphia Inquirer), "Scary and brilliant" (Toronto Globe and Mail), and "Polished, riveting prose" (Chicago Tribune). Publisher Weekly has dubbed her the "medical suspense queen".
Now retired from medicine, she writes full time. She lives in Maine.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Shadow Friends
by Tess Gerritsen is an espionage and crime thriller that is the third book in The Martini Club series. Former spies, a police chief, and a global affairs conference full of international and local attendee come together in this thriller. Maggie, Declan, Ben, Ingrid, and Ingrid’s husband Lloyd have retired to Purity, Maine. With four former spies and Lloyd who was a CIA analyst, they are ready for a quiet life in the seaside village or Purity, Maine. The Martini Club name comes from them forming a book club to regularly discuss books and enjoy drinks and potluck dinners. However, things haven’t been as quiet as they expected.
A renowned disease expert and Russian defector dies mysteriously during the conference. This is followed by a waitress at the conference hotel disappears and Ingrid soon sees a link to a disastrous mission that nearly killed her twenty-eight years ago. Desperate to discover the truth, Ingrid is drawn back into the game by an ex-CIA colleague on that same mission years ago. When Ingrid disappears, Lloyd and Maggie follow her to Amsterdam while Ben and Declan work with local police chief Jo Thibodeay to determine what happened to Karen. Do they still have the skills to end this situation and solve the crimes. Who can be trusted?
The five friends in the Martini Club have depth of character. They were once known for being unobtrusive, unnoticeable, and able to slip in everywhere without rousing any attention. Do they still have what it takes or have they lost their edge? Maggie is calm, analytical, and protective. Ingrid is secretive, and willing to take risks for closure. Lloyd is brilliant, methodical, and loyal, but lacks field experience. Declan is discrete and Maggie’s trusted confidant. Ben is the leader of the group and is respected by the others.
The story immediately pulls readers into the book with chapter one focused on the event years ago in Provence, France before shifting to the conference in Maine in current times. The author writes well and makes the scenes come alive. It was great to have the focus shift from Maggie to Ingrid to provide fresh insights into her character. It was also interesting to see Lloyd out of his element and in the field during part of the story. My only quibble is that there were a couple of slower spots, but those were filled with suspense, so it didn’t really affect the flow for me.
Overall, this entertaining, timely, dual-layered, and suspenseful novel has great characterization and some action to go with the investigations and spy craft. I think reading the books in order would provide more background on the town and the main characters, but this could be read as a standalone novel. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Tess Gerritsen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 25, 2026.
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My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
A renowned disease expert and Russian defector dies mysteriously during the conference. This is followed by a waitress at the conference hotel disappears and Ingrid soon sees a link to a disastrous mission that nearly killed her twenty-eight years ago. Desperate to discover the truth, Ingrid is drawn back into the game by an ex-CIA colleague on that same mission years ago. When Ingrid disappears, Lloyd and Maggie follow her to Amsterdam while Ben and Declan work with local police chief Jo Thibodeay to determine what happened to Karen. Do they still have the skills to end this situation and solve the crimes. Who can be trusted?
The five friends in the Martini Club have depth of character. They were once known for being unobtrusive, unnoticeable, and able to slip in everywhere without rousing any attention. Do they still have what it takes or have they lost their edge? Maggie is calm, analytical, and protective. Ingrid is secretive, and willing to take risks for closure. Lloyd is brilliant, methodical, and loyal, but lacks field experience. Declan is discrete and Maggie’s trusted confidant. Ben is the leader of the group and is respected by the others.
The story immediately pulls readers into the book with chapter one focused on the event years ago in Provence, France before shifting to the conference in Maine in current times. The author writes well and makes the scenes come alive. It was great to have the focus shift from Maggie to Ingrid to provide fresh insights into her character. It was also interesting to see Lloyd out of his element and in the field during part of the story. My only quibble is that there were a couple of slower spots, but those were filled with suspense, so it didn’t really affect the flow for me.
Overall, this entertaining, timely, dual-layered, and suspenseful novel has great characterization and some action to go with the investigations and spy craft. I think reading the books in order would provide more background on the town and the main characters, but this could be read as a standalone novel. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Tess Gerritsen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 25, 2026.
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My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this 3rd book in 'The Martini Club' series, the former CIA agents look into the murder of Russian defectors. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Purity, Maine has a population of three thousand people, five of them senior citizens with deep secrets. Maggie Bird, Declan Rose, Ben Diamond, and married couple Ingrid and Lloyd Slocum are retired CIA agents, laying low to enjoy their retirement years in privacy.
Maggie Bird
Declan Rose
Ben Diamond
Ingrid and Lloyd Slocum
The former agents call themselves 'The Martini Club' and frequently socialize together, which means delicious meals prepared by foodie Lloyd, as well as good liquor and interesting conversation.
The retirees also keep busy with other things, and Maggie owns a chicken farm, while Ingrid is currently the emcee for the Stone Coast Conference, whose topic this year is bioweapons.
The Stone Coast Conference brings back old memories for Ingrid when former CIA agent Rodrigo Estrada shows up. Thirty years ago, Ingrid and Rodrigo (who were lovers at the time) were part of a mission to protect a witness named Sophie. Sophie and two CIA agents were killed, one with a stiletto through his eye.
Rodrigo now runs a private security company called Argus, which does much the same thing as his and Ingrid's old CIA unit. Argus employs many retired CIA agents, and Rodrigo asks Ingrid to come on board. But Ingrid is happily married and values her peaceful life in Purity.
Ingrid's quiet days are about to be disrupted. A conference attendee, Dr. Mikhail Maslov - a bioweapons expert who defected from Russia - falls ill. Dr. Maslov recently consulted on an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, and at first, it's assumed he caught Ebola. But it's soon discovered Maslov was poisoned with radioactive polonium, which is how Russia kills defectors.
At about the same time, Purity's Chief of Police Jo Thibodeau finds Karen O'Brien - a waitress at the hotel hosting the conference - dead in the trunk of her car. Shockingly, Karen was stabbed through the eye with a stiletto, like the CIA agent three decades ago.
After these incidents, Rodrigo approaches Ingrid again, to tell her about three similar stiletto murders: 18 years ago, a Bulgarian journalist; 13 years ago, a Russian businessman in London; and 6 years ago, a Russian banker. Moreover, the stilettos used all have the symbol of the Vory, Russian organized crime. The conclusion is Russia hires the Vory to kill defectors and enemies.
Soon afterwards, Ingrid disappears, leaving a note for her husband Lloyd saying she's gone away and not to try to find her. Lloyd becomes distraught and phones Chief of Police Jo Thibodeau and the Martini Club. Various kinds of evidence indicate Ingrid flew to Amsterdam, and Lloyd and Maggie follow her there.
Meanwhile, Declan and Ben reach out to their CIA and Interpol contacts, to help figure out what's happening.
The remainder of the novel is action packed as Ingrid, Lloyd, and Maggie run around Europe, and Jo Thibodeau, the FBI, Declan, and Ben investigate the deaths of Dr. Maslow and Karen O'Brien.
The book is a page-turner filled with intrigue, danger, violence, and death. The novel kept my attention, but aspects of the story stretch credulity too much for me.
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
END SPOILER ALERT END SPOILER ALERT
That said, fans of the Martini Club would probably enjoy the book.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Hillary Huber, who does a fine job
Thanks to Netgalley, Tess Gerritsen, and Brilliance Audio for an ARC of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
February 19, 2025
"The past never dies; it just hides in the shadows". I love that quote and it could apply to more than aging spies on a mission to uncover what in their past is impacting their present. I love this series! It has mature main characters and proves that they may be old, but they still have it when it counts. It also proves "Old Guys (and Gals) Rule!". The plot is inventive and has our Martini Club members on the trail of an assassin who has struck close to home and that is something our friends can't let pass.
A conference is happening in Purity, Maine and Ingrid Slocum is on the organization committee. The conference has drawn international interest and when a speaker is found dead the Martini Club takes an interest, not just because Ingrid is involved, but because the dead man is a Russian defector. When another body is discovered, Ingrid recognizes the style as that of an assassin from her CIA days. That long ago failed mission has haunted Ingrid and to have the assassin so close draws an old lover back into her life. This is their chance to get the assassin and some justice.
Lloyd Slocum is not about to just sit back when his wife is in danger, and he and Maggie Bird follow them to Amsterdam only to wind up in the middle of an ongoing operation and in danger and when they return, they have brought that danger with them.
A conference is happening in Purity, Maine and Ingrid Slocum is on the organization committee. The conference has drawn international interest and when a speaker is found dead the Martini Club takes an interest, not just because Ingrid is involved, but because the dead man is a Russian defector. When another body is discovered, Ingrid recognizes the style as that of an assassin from her CIA days. That long ago failed mission has haunted Ingrid and to have the assassin so close draws an old lover back into her life. This is their chance to get the assassin and some justice.
Lloyd Slocum is not about to just sit back when his wife is in danger, and he and Maggie Bird follow them to Amsterdam only to wind up in the middle of an ongoing operation and in danger and when they return, they have brought that danger with them.
September 12, 2026
Really enjoyed this latest installment of The Martini Club series. Friendship, international intrigue, and martinis, what more could you want? Although the mystery in this novel stands alone, the relationships and connections and information about the group of retired CIA operatives develops throughout the series, so I'd recommend starting with the first book.
Ingrid is in charge of a local conference about global affairs and one of the attendees is killed. Then a server at the hotel is also found dead. There may be ties to Ingrid's past, and she joins forces with Rodrigo, a former lover and colleague.
I find this series to be fun and entertaining. I love that these former agents haven't settled down in their retirement, they still have what it takes to solve complicated international situations. I also really enjoy Jo, the local law enforcement officer who helps them navigate the local law situations. If you like the Thursday Murder Club or the Marlow Murders books, you should definitely pick this one up!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Hillary Huber does a phenomenal job giving voice to all of the characters. It's a great way to experience this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Ingrid is in charge of a local conference about global affairs and one of the attendees is killed. Then a server at the hotel is also found dead. There may be ties to Ingrid's past, and she joins forces with Rodrigo, a former lover and colleague.
I find this series to be fun and entertaining. I love that these former agents haven't settled down in their retirement, they still have what it takes to solve complicated international situations. I also really enjoy Jo, the local law enforcement officer who helps them navigate the local law situations. If you like the Thursday Murder Club or the Marlow Murders books, you should definitely pick this one up!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Hillary Huber does a phenomenal job giving voice to all of the characters. It's a great way to experience this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 6, 2026
Two unexplained deaths at a conference pull the Martini Club of retired spies back into action in this the third in the series. It is, of course, lightweight stuff, but there is nothing wrong with that when you have an engaging plot, good character development, and good pacing. It’s probably not as good as the previous ones in the series, but it remains solid entertainment.
August 18, 2026
Retire another day.
When a Russian defector mysteriously collapses at a global affairs conference in Purity, Maine and a waitress is murdered at the same hotel, the Martini Club's peaceful (ahem) retirement from the CIA is once again abruptly interrupted - especially once one of their own recognizes disturbing connections to a mission gone wrong from three decades ago.
With the renewed interest in geriatric sleuths following the success of Richard Osman's 2020 novel The Thursday Murder Club , it's no surprise Tess Gerritsen created her own, decidedly more espionage-focused group of highly capable senior citizens with 2023's The Spy Coast , the first book in the highly recommended Martini Club series. But despite its geriatric members, the Martini Club does not deal with cozy mysteries. Instead, The Shadow Friends - the series' third installment - is another suspenseful, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining thriller that is both intricately plotted and fast-paced, with plenty of international intrigue, chases, assassins, and retired spies who are, of course, more than capable of holding their own - and may indeed be saving the day, if not the world. And this particular installment feels especially timely.
But what really makes the series work is the characters. Gerritsen has created a wonderfully eccentric, complex, and capable group of five former spies (and their long-suffering counterpart, the local chief of police) who are impossible not to grow attached to. True to their former CIA careers, the Martini Club members are soon leaving their idyllic Maine retirement behind and jet-setting around the world in search of one of their own - and, of course, revenge.
If you haven't read the previous two installments, this can also be read as a standalone, although I'm not sure why you would want to deprive yourself of two more books about this particular group of spies.
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and impossible to put down, The Shadow Friends may just be my favorite installment in the series so far.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Shadow Friends" is slated to be released on August 25, 2026.
When a Russian defector mysteriously collapses at a global affairs conference in Purity, Maine and a waitress is murdered at the same hotel, the Martini Club's peaceful (ahem) retirement from the CIA is once again abruptly interrupted - especially once one of their own recognizes disturbing connections to a mission gone wrong from three decades ago.
With the renewed interest in geriatric sleuths following the success of Richard Osman's 2020 novel The Thursday Murder Club , it's no surprise Tess Gerritsen created her own, decidedly more espionage-focused group of highly capable senior citizens with 2023's The Spy Coast , the first book in the highly recommended Martini Club series. But despite its geriatric members, the Martini Club does not deal with cozy mysteries. Instead, The Shadow Friends - the series' third installment - is another suspenseful, intelligent, and thoroughly entertaining thriller that is both intricately plotted and fast-paced, with plenty of international intrigue, chases, assassins, and retired spies who are, of course, more than capable of holding their own - and may indeed be saving the day, if not the world. And this particular installment feels especially timely.
But what really makes the series work is the characters. Gerritsen has created a wonderfully eccentric, complex, and capable group of five former spies (and their long-suffering counterpart, the local chief of police) who are impossible not to grow attached to. True to their former CIA careers, the Martini Club members are soon leaving their idyllic Maine retirement behind and jet-setting around the world in search of one of their own - and, of course, revenge.
If you haven't read the previous two installments, this can also be read as a standalone, although I'm not sure why you would want to deprive yourself of two more books about this particular group of spies.
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and impossible to put down, The Shadow Friends may just be my favorite installment in the series so far.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Shadow Friends" is slated to be released on August 25, 2026.
September 17, 2026
This is outing number three for the plucky Martini Club, ex The Agency in various guises, there’s Ingrid and Lloyd Slocum, Ben Diamond, Declan Rose and Maggie Bird with long suffering local police chief, Jo Thibodeau. Ingrid organises a conference at a hotel at which a speaker and an hotel employee both dramatically and horribly die. The latter triggers something in Ingrid’s past and shortly afterwards she disappears to Lloyd’s dismay and fear. Lloyd has no field experience yet sets off, accompanied by Maggie, to try to track Ingrid down. Unwittingly he triggers a sequence of events that places Ingrid in great danger, with a target on her back. Meanwhile, in Purity, Maine, Jo continues to investigate and makes some shocking discoveries. Suddenly, peaceful Purity looks very dangerous indeed.
It’s amazing how many series Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club has spawned but this is one of the really good ones, full of excitement, danger and daring do alongside terrific characters who have strong bonds of friendship and more. This latest has a very compelling storyline, with plot elements that are extremely believable and it’s written in a very engaging style, with authentic, snappy dialogue. There are moments of high drama and suspense, a complex, fast paced and well constructed plot which has me gripped to the end.
Overall, this is another entertaining read in a very enjoyable series. I look forward to number four. Tess Gerritsen has created some special here.
With thanks to NetGalley especially to Random House U.K., Transworld Bantam for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
It’s amazing how many series Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club has spawned but this is one of the really good ones, full of excitement, danger and daring do alongside terrific characters who have strong bonds of friendship and more. This latest has a very compelling storyline, with plot elements that are extremely believable and it’s written in a very engaging style, with authentic, snappy dialogue. There are moments of high drama and suspense, a complex, fast paced and well constructed plot which has me gripped to the end.
Overall, this is another entertaining read in a very enjoyable series. I look forward to number four. Tess Gerritsen has created some special here.
With thanks to NetGalley especially to Random House U.K., Transworld Bantam for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
August 24, 2026
🎧 Pub Week Audiobook Review🎧
Narrated by Hillary Huber
Since I listened to the first book, The Sky Coast, I’ve looked forward to listening to the next one. First, Hillary Huber does a phenomenal job with her narration. I think she has the perfect voice for each character. My favorite will always be Maggie Bird! She was made to narrate this series! She’s also a favorite!
Retired CIA agents are back at it again when a mysterious death of a man and a murder of a woman hit Purity, Maine.
I just love these characters so much. Gerritsen can weave suspense and humor at just the right time. Who doesn’t love senior citizens in their thrillers? If you’re a fan of those, definitely give this series a shot.
It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order for a better experience.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated by Hillary Huber
Since I listened to the first book, The Sky Coast, I’ve looked forward to listening to the next one. First, Hillary Huber does a phenomenal job with her narration. I think she has the perfect voice for each character. My favorite will always be Maggie Bird! She was made to narrate this series! She’s also a favorite!
Retired CIA agents are back at it again when a mysterious death of a man and a murder of a woman hit Purity, Maine.
I just love these characters so much. Gerritsen can weave suspense and humor at just the right time. Who doesn’t love senior citizens in their thrillers? If you’re a fan of those, definitely give this series a shot.
It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order for a better experience.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 26, 2026
Gerritsen’s third offering featuring retired spies living in Purity, Maine focuses on former CIA agent Ingrid Slocum. She is working as the travel coordinator for a bioweapons conference being held in town. The gathering is disrupted when Mikhail Maslov, a bioweapons expert who defected from Russia, is fatally poisoned, and another attendee is found dead in the trunk of a car with a stiletto sticking out of their eye. As the search for the truth evolves, it brings up emotional memories of a past mission for Ingrid Slocum. Gerritsen alternates the story between the past and present, and the flashbacks provide additional character details for the Martini Club members.
Forced to question every allegiance, the Martini Club must rely on the skills they tried to leave behind. In the game of revenge and deception, the past never dies—it just hides in the shadows.
Forced to question every allegiance, the Martini Club must rely on the skills they tried to leave behind. In the game of revenge and deception, the past never dies—it just hides in the shadows.
September 23, 2026
4.5 stars. The third book in the Martini Club series finds the retired spies going up against Russian assassins after a renowned disease expert and Russian defector is killed during a global affairs conference held in Purity, Maine. A former CIA colleague and past lover of Ingrid's shows up at the conference too, offering her a position in his private intelligence firm.
The story takes the intrepid group of ex-spies to Amsterdam and Madrid and finally to a showdown back in Maine. Interesting characters and an exciting plot make for some great escapist reading. I zoomed through it in one day! Recommended for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, another series featuring elderly sleuths.
The story takes the intrepid group of ex-spies to Amsterdam and Madrid and finally to a showdown back in Maine. Interesting characters and an exciting plot make for some great escapist reading. I zoomed through it in one day! Recommended for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, another series featuring elderly sleuths.
January 20, 2026
I must confess I let The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen leapfrog over all of the books in my reading list on its arrival, despite it not being published until August 2026 because I love this
Martini Club series
so much. I think in my first review I talked about it being akin to the 'Thursday Murder Club on speed'. Thanks to the fact that all five members of this 'club' are ex-CIA, all with their own set of skills, which have only dulled a little in the decades since their retirement. I loved the first two books in this series. I probably didn't enjoy this quite as much, although the bar is possibly set unfairly high. This is similar to the first book in the series, when the past of one of the members comes back to haunt them and pull the group back into the life they left.
I loved that Gerritsen includes some commentary on the direction some of the security services (American alphabet agencies) are moving, cosying up to former enemies like Russia and agents forced to pledge their loyalties to power-hungry bureaucrats and politicians rather than the country and its citizens. Given what's happening in the USA at the moment, it's rather topical... if not ironic. Also interesting are the references (via speakers of the disrupted conference) to future dangers, such as bioweapons and biological warfare.
I've commented in previous posts that I'd love to see this translated onto the screen and given so many books are now being optioned for movies and streaming services I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I loved that Gerritsen includes some commentary on the direction some of the security services (American alphabet agencies) are moving, cosying up to former enemies like Russia and agents forced to pledge their loyalties to power-hungry bureaucrats and politicians rather than the country and its citizens. Given what's happening in the USA at the moment, it's rather topical... if not ironic. Also interesting are the references (via speakers of the disrupted conference) to future dangers, such as bioweapons and biological warfare.
I've commented in previous posts that I'd love to see this translated onto the screen and given so many books are now being optioned for movies and streaming services I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The focus of this espionage fiction sequel is on one of the Martini Club members, Ingrid Slocum, and her marriage to her analyst husband, Lloyd. When a former colleague and lover comes back into Ingrid’s life and asks for her help with a case, it threatens her marriage. Gerritsen explores poison in all its forms and how it affects Ingrid’s idyllic existence in Purity, Maine, her marriage and her career. It was good to be reminded not to make room for temptation and to make sure that we thoroughly clean up all ‘messes’.
I love the focus on:
✔️retired career women (and spies at that!) who refuse to be sidelined and continue contributing to society by doing what they do best … spy.
✔️how doing the right thing is always worth it
✔️the price of living a lie
✔️the value of finding someone’s ‘Achilles’ heel’
✔️justice for people we’ve failed and lost
What a great title! I like how it refers to The Martini Club as well as ‘the fifth man’ in their newest case.
Somehow, I don't think we’ve seen the last of Rodrigo Estrada!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I love the focus on:
✔️retired career women (and spies at that!) who refuse to be sidelined and continue contributing to society by doing what they do best … spy.
✔️how doing the right thing is always worth it
✔️the price of living a lie
✔️the value of finding someone’s ‘Achilles’ heel’
✔️justice for people we’ve failed and lost
What a great title! I like how it refers to The Martini Club as well as ‘the fifth man’ in their newest case.
Somehow, I don't think we’ve seen the last of Rodrigo Estrada!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 29, 2026
I liked the first two books in this series, but I really didn't like the third one. It's a DNF at 60%. I did try to push through, but eventually I just skipped ahead to the end to find out who the killer was. And... ugh.
The whole "Russian sleeper agents" angle was just so boring to me. And there was way too much Ingrid and Lloyd, who are my two least favorite members of the friend group.
I love Maggie, Ben, and Declan, but even they managed to be so annoyingly stupid in this book that I started wondering how these people ever survived their CIA careers in the first place...
Lloyd especially drove me crazy. Yes, I understand that he had a desk job and was desperate at this point in the story, but really? Couldn't he have stopped and listened for, like, five seconds?
And then there's Ingrid.
Oh, an old flame appears, so apparently I am going to behave worse than a teenager now.
The second book was my favorite because it was a "regular" crime story: five retired CIA employees getting involved in solving an ordinary murder. I really enjoyed that premise and the group dynamic.
The third book was basically: There are Russian sleeper agents! And we are all going to make incredibly stupid decisions!
Nope.
To make matters worse, I suspected who the sleeper was almost from the beginning, and I was right. I probably read too many crime novels by now to be easily surprised, but even so, this book just disappointed me.
I'm glad this was part of my Kindle Unlimited period, because I would have been really annoyed if I'd actually bought it.
The whole "Russian sleeper agents" angle was just so boring to me. And there was way too much Ingrid and Lloyd, who are my two least favorite members of the friend group.
I love Maggie, Ben, and Declan, but even they managed to be so annoyingly stupid in this book that I started wondering how these people ever survived their CIA careers in the first place...
Lloyd especially drove me crazy. Yes, I understand that he had a desk job and was desperate at this point in the story, but really? Couldn't he have stopped and listened for, like, five seconds?
And then there's Ingrid.
Oh, an old flame appears, so apparently I am going to behave worse than a teenager now.
The second book was my favorite because it was a "regular" crime story: five retired CIA employees getting involved in solving an ordinary murder. I really enjoyed that premise and the group dynamic.
The third book was basically: There are Russian sleeper agents! And we are all going to make incredibly stupid decisions!
Nope.
To make matters worse, I suspected who the sleeper was almost from the beginning, and I was right. I probably read too many crime novels by now to be easily surprised, but even so, this book just disappointed me.
I'm glad this was part of my Kindle Unlimited period, because I would have been really annoyed if I'd actually bought it.
August 31, 2026
4+ Stars
The Martini Club #3
Suspenseful
Great characters
Fast paced
Excellent flow
Fun
A retired group of ex-CIA friends live in the small resort town of Purity, Maine.
What could go wrong in this quiet and safe town?
Strong character development and strong characters.
Friendship, what-ifs, and love are explored.
In The Shadow Friends, the Martini Club deals with a situation (illness or is it murder) that occurs during a conference.
Then there is another murder in the parking lot at the conference. Are they related? Most likely.
And the fun begins.
I loved this book. It was well written and I was thrilled to be back with The Martini Club gang.
I’m happy to hear that a fourth “Martini Club” novel is the works.
There are some great interviews with Tess Gerritsen available on social media.
Two that I watched were The Thriller Mavens’ Sara DiVello on August 24, 2026 and The Poisoned Pen Bookstore’s Barbara Peters on August 27, 2026.
I highly recommend The Shadow Friends!
The Martini Club #3
Suspenseful
Great characters
Fast paced
Excellent flow
Fun
A retired group of ex-CIA friends live in the small resort town of Purity, Maine.
What could go wrong in this quiet and safe town?
Strong character development and strong characters.
Friendship, what-ifs, and love are explored.
In The Shadow Friends, the Martini Club deals with a situation (illness or is it murder) that occurs during a conference.
Then there is another murder in the parking lot at the conference. Are they related? Most likely.
And the fun begins.
I loved this book. It was well written and I was thrilled to be back with The Martini Club gang.
I’m happy to hear that a fourth “Martini Club” novel is the works.
There are some great interviews with Tess Gerritsen available on social media.
Two that I watched were The Thriller Mavens’ Sara DiVello on August 24, 2026 and The Poisoned Pen Bookstore’s Barbara Peters on August 27, 2026.
I highly recommend The Shadow Friends!
August 26, 2026
I received this recent release as an ARC from NetGalley, but I had to read the second book in the series first—always in order for me! This was probably my least favorite of the three, but I still found it to be an enjoyable, quick read.
The aging, retired CIA agents are back working together to solve a new mystery, this time involving one of their own and an unfortunate event from her past. Add in Russian spies, hired killers and biological warfare, and there’s plenty going on!
Overall, another quick and entertaining read, but this one just didn’t quite grab me as much as the first two. Still a solid addition to the series!
The aging, retired CIA agents are back working together to solve a new mystery, this time involving one of their own and an unfortunate event from her past. Add in Russian spies, hired killers and biological warfare, and there’s plenty going on!
Overall, another quick and entertaining read, but this one just didn’t quite grab me as much as the first two. Still a solid addition to the series!
September 3, 2026
my jaw is on the floor.
September 10, 2026
I really enjoyed returning to Purity, Maine, and to the fascinating group of retired CIA agents known as the Martini Club in The Shadow Friends. This is the third book in the series. I read and enjoyed the first book, The Spy Coast, but somehow missed the second. After reading this one, I may have to go back and catch up because I have become very attached to these characters.
This time, the story focused more closely on Ingrid Slocum and a painful chapter from her past. When a renowned disease expert and Russian defector died mysteriously during a global affairs conference in Purity, followed by the brutal murder of a hotel waitress, Ingrid recognized disturbing similarities to a disastrous CIA mission from nearly thirty years earlier. That mission had never completely left her, especially her belief that one of the men involved in discovering the safe house and killing the person she was tasked to safeguard escaped.
When Rodrigo, a former CIA colleague and former lover who shared that dangerous mission with Ingrid, suddenly reappeared, Ingrid was drawn back into a world she thought she had left behind. Ingrid traveled with him to Amsterdam searching for answers, while her worried husband Lloyd and their friend Maggie Bird refused to simply stay home and wait. What followed was a tense story filled with international intrigue, assassins, old secrets, shifting loyalties, and the constant question of whom Ingrid could really trust.
As much as I enjoyed the suspense, it was the personal side of the story that affected me most. I especially loved the relationship between Ingrid and Lloyd. Beneath all the espionage and danger was a very human story about marriage, trust, aging, friendship, and the choices we make about the life we want to live. Lloyd’s determination to find Ingrid was especially touching and reminded me just how deep their connection was.
I also loved that these characters may be retired, but they were far from completely hanging up their hats. Their friendship and loyalty to one another really was the heart of this series for me. They had complicated histories and carried emotional scars from their former lives, yet when one of their own was threatened, they immediately came together.
The Shadow Friends was suspenseful, emotional, and filled with enough twists to keep me guessing. Tess Gerritsen has created a group of characters I genuinely enjoy spending time with, and finishing this book made me realize how much I have come to care about the Martini Club. I may go back and read the second book that I missed, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing where Tess Gerritsen takes these characters next.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Shadow Friends in exchange for this honest review.
This time, the story focused more closely on Ingrid Slocum and a painful chapter from her past. When a renowned disease expert and Russian defector died mysteriously during a global affairs conference in Purity, followed by the brutal murder of a hotel waitress, Ingrid recognized disturbing similarities to a disastrous CIA mission from nearly thirty years earlier. That mission had never completely left her, especially her belief that one of the men involved in discovering the safe house and killing the person she was tasked to safeguard escaped.
When Rodrigo, a former CIA colleague and former lover who shared that dangerous mission with Ingrid, suddenly reappeared, Ingrid was drawn back into a world she thought she had left behind. Ingrid traveled with him to Amsterdam searching for answers, while her worried husband Lloyd and their friend Maggie Bird refused to simply stay home and wait. What followed was a tense story filled with international intrigue, assassins, old secrets, shifting loyalties, and the constant question of whom Ingrid could really trust.
As much as I enjoyed the suspense, it was the personal side of the story that affected me most. I especially loved the relationship between Ingrid and Lloyd. Beneath all the espionage and danger was a very human story about marriage, trust, aging, friendship, and the choices we make about the life we want to live. Lloyd’s determination to find Ingrid was especially touching and reminded me just how deep their connection was.
I also loved that these characters may be retired, but they were far from completely hanging up their hats. Their friendship and loyalty to one another really was the heart of this series for me. They had complicated histories and carried emotional scars from their former lives, yet when one of their own was threatened, they immediately came together.
The Shadow Friends was suspenseful, emotional, and filled with enough twists to keep me guessing. Tess Gerritsen has created a group of characters I genuinely enjoy spending time with, and finishing this book made me realize how much I have come to care about the Martini Club. I may go back and read the second book that I missed, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing where Tess Gerritsen takes these characters next.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Shadow Friends in exchange for this honest review.
January 27, 2026
Another gripping suspense thriller by Tess Gerritsen!
From the very start, the deaths and mystery dragged me in to the story, grabbed me by the throat and only let go after the final word was read. Even then I was still bracing myself! Wow a very interesting story with a suspense only Tess can orchestrate!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this review copy. This opinion is my own.
From the very start, the deaths and mystery dragged me in to the story, grabbed me by the throat and only let go after the final word was read. Even then I was still bracing myself! Wow a very interesting story with a suspense only Tess can orchestrate!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this review copy. This opinion is my own.
August 25, 2026
the setup…
Ingrid Slocum is helping to facilitate the annual Stone Coast Conference at the Cod Cove Resort in Purity. Things go smoothly until one of conference headliners, a former Russian defector, is found unconscious in his hotel room. When one of the resort staff is later found murdered, Ingrid recognizes a link to her last failed mission twenty-eight years ago…a stiletto left on site. “Coincidentally”, Rodrigo Estrada, Ingrid’s former colleague (and lover) shows up the conference, asking her to join him to find who’s murdering former Russian defectors. She can’t resist as that last mission still weighs heavily so she leaves behind the band of former operatives known as The Martini Club, including husband Lloyd.
the heart of the story…
This time it’s the hunters becoming the hunted as Ingrid rejoins that world she left behind without a word to her husband or friends. Of course, Maggie, Declan and Ben go into action but Lloyd, a former desk analyst, insists he be in the field with them, adding even more complications in Purity and later in Amsterdam. Things get so dicey as both teams race to find who’s behind the murders and the mole.
the narration…
Hillary Huber as the voice of this series just elevates a really great story even higher. Her warm tone, excellent storytelling skills and voice distinctions are perfection.
the bottom line…
I loved this story and the series is now one of my top favorites. This remarkable and unconventional group of friends and former agency operatives are so good at what they do even in retirement. It was great seeing that other side of Ingrid and a glimpse into her former life. I can’t get enough of The Martini Club. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Ingrid Slocum is helping to facilitate the annual Stone Coast Conference at the Cod Cove Resort in Purity. Things go smoothly until one of conference headliners, a former Russian defector, is found unconscious in his hotel room. When one of the resort staff is later found murdered, Ingrid recognizes a link to her last failed mission twenty-eight years ago…a stiletto left on site. “Coincidentally”, Rodrigo Estrada, Ingrid’s former colleague (and lover) shows up the conference, asking her to join him to find who’s murdering former Russian defectors. She can’t resist as that last mission still weighs heavily so she leaves behind the band of former operatives known as The Martini Club, including husband Lloyd.
the heart of the story…
This time it’s the hunters becoming the hunted as Ingrid rejoins that world she left behind without a word to her husband or friends. Of course, Maggie, Declan and Ben go into action but Lloyd, a former desk analyst, insists he be in the field with them, adding even more complications in Purity and later in Amsterdam. Things get so dicey as both teams race to find who’s behind the murders and the mole.
the narration…
Hillary Huber as the voice of this series just elevates a really great story even higher. Her warm tone, excellent storytelling skills and voice distinctions are perfection.
the bottom line…
I loved this story and the series is now one of my top favorites. This remarkable and unconventional group of friends and former agency operatives are so good at what they do even in retirement. It was great seeing that other side of Ingrid and a glimpse into her former life. I can’t get enough of The Martini Club. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
September 13, 2026
Retired CIA operatives Ingrid, Lloyd, Ben, Maggie and Declan return in this third edition. One of them returns to action and, of course, the others back her up. A man is killed under suspicious circumstances and then the next body has a stiletto in her eye. Familiar territory for the exes.
I enjoyed the first two books and this one too. They are a formidable group despite being retired. They have not lost their skills. And I have always been a fan of police chief Jo Thibodeau. Good edition to the series.
I enjoyed the first two books and this one too. They are a formidable group despite being retired. They have not lost their skills. And I have always been a fan of police chief Jo Thibodeau. Good edition to the series.
August 10, 2026
The Martini Club is back again! Book 3 in this serious and it's another great addition the series.
In this one, we get to know some of their past a little more. A group of spies can't have always had easy previous cases and now that they are retired, the past of one of them is coming back to haunt them. Even though this one felt a little big on the conspiracy and just how deep their previous cases could go, I was completely drawn in and rolled with it. I just love this group, so getting a glimpse into the previous days and the previous cases was great, even if heartbreaking for what they'd given up for the life they'd lived.
And I love that they've fully roped in their local officer. She's such a fun, skeptical addition to their group and I loved her strong personality and sharp insight. I was honestly not sure, as the ending approached, who all would make it out of this one. Such a compelling mystery and action driven story. I did the audio and I highly recommend. I loved this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
In this one, we get to know some of their past a little more. A group of spies can't have always had easy previous cases and now that they are retired, the past of one of them is coming back to haunt them. Even though this one felt a little big on the conspiracy and just how deep their previous cases could go, I was completely drawn in and rolled with it. I just love this group, so getting a glimpse into the previous days and the previous cases was great, even if heartbreaking for what they'd given up for the life they'd lived.
And I love that they've fully roped in their local officer. She's such a fun, skeptical addition to their group and I loved her strong personality and sharp insight. I was honestly not sure, as the ending approached, who all would make it out of this one. Such a compelling mystery and action driven story. I did the audio and I highly recommend. I loved this one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've read all three books in the Martini Club series now, and I think this may be my favorite so far. I already knew and liked this group of retired spies, but The Shadow Friends gave me a chance to know Ingrid much better, and I really enjoyed having her take center stage.
When a Russian defector and disease expert dies during a conference in Purity, Maine, it soon becomes clear that what is happening may be connected to a disastrous mission from Ingrid's past. That sends Ingrid back into a world she thought she had left behind and brings a former CIA colleague—and former lover—back into her life. Before long, Lloyd and Maggie are following her back to Amsterdam while the rest of the Martini Club becomes involved back home.
One of my favorite things about this series is the contrast between who these characters are now and who they used to be. They may be retired, but when trouble comes their way, those old instincts kick in. I really liked seeing Lloyd become more more participatory in the action this time.
This book had everything I wanted from the third book: murder, old secrets, espionage, international intrigue, danger, and characters I already happy to keep spending time with. I hated to say goodbye. Tess Gerritsen has created a group that I definitely want to keep following if ever there are more books to come.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When a Russian defector and disease expert dies during a conference in Purity, Maine, it soon becomes clear that what is happening may be connected to a disastrous mission from Ingrid's past. That sends Ingrid back into a world she thought she had left behind and brings a former CIA colleague—and former lover—back into her life. Before long, Lloyd and Maggie are following her back to Amsterdam while the rest of the Martini Club becomes involved back home.
One of my favorite things about this series is the contrast between who these characters are now and who they used to be. They may be retired, but when trouble comes their way, those old instincts kick in. I really liked seeing Lloyd become more more participatory in the action this time.
This book had everything I wanted from the third book: murder, old secrets, espionage, international intrigue, danger, and characters I already happy to keep spending time with. I hated to say goodbye. Tess Gerritsen has created a group that I definitely want to keep following if ever there are more books to come.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 23, 2026
As a long-time fan of Tess Gerritsen, I went into The Shadow Friends expecting something much darker and more intense. It took me a little while to adjust, because this is a very different side of Gerritsen from the one I know and love from the Rizzoli & Isles series.
Once I stopped expecting that familiar cold, tense atmosphere, I actually started having a lot of fun. The best way I can describe this book is Miss Marple on martinis, with a touch of James Bond. There are retired spies, old secrets, suspicious deaths, plenty of bodies and a group of people who may technically be retired but clearly never got the memo.
For a while, it really worked for me. The mystery was intriguing, the book was incredibly easy to read, and there was a point when I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. I especially enjoyed Maggie, Declan, Ben and Jo. Their interactions brought some much-needed humour to the story, and honestly, I would have happily read an entire book about these retired spies getting themselves into increasingly ridiculous situations while poor Jo tries to maintain some semblance of law and order.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the story started losing me.
One of my biggest issues was that I never truly believed these characters were retirement age. Take away the occasional reminder and they could easily have been in their forties. I wasn’t expecting stereotypical frail elderly characters, but I wanted their age to actually be part of their lives. Give me aching knees after crouching down, reading glasses, slower recovery after physical exertion — something. These are highly capable former spies and I loved that, but their bodies seemed completely untouched by time. It felt like they had simply been written as younger characters and then given older ages.
And then there was Ingrid.
Unfortunately, she ended up being my least favourite character. I actually liked the idea of an older woman being portrayed as desirable, sexual and affected by the return of an old flame. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying attention or remembering a passionate relationship from decades ago. My problem was what Ingrid did with those feelings.
Her behaviour around Rodrigo often felt surprisingly immature, and I struggled with how casually her 28-year marriage to Lloyd seemed to be treated. Lloyd’s love for Ingrid was obvious; Ingrid’s love for Lloyd never felt nearly as convincing to me. By the end, I was left with the uncomfortable impression that she stayed with him partly because he represented the safe, comfortable life she already had rather than because, after everything, he was unquestionably the person she wanted to choose.
Ironically, I enjoyed the book considerably more whenever Ingrid and Lloyd moved into the background and Maggie, Declan, Ben and Jo took over. Their dynamic felt much closer to what I wanted from the premise of a group of retired spies solving crimes.
The ending didn’t help. After so much build-up, the final confrontation felt surprisingly rushed, with the climax unfolding over what felt like only a handful of paragraphs. There were plenty of bodies throughout the story, yet many of those deaths seemed to leave remarkably little emotional weight or consequence behind. The final revelations were also fairly predictable, so instead of finishing on a high, the story ended with more of a shrug.
There is still plenty to enjoy here. Gerritsen remains an effortlessly readable writer, the premise is fantastic, and the Martini Club itself has a lot of charm. This simply confirmed that, for me, Gerritsen shines brightest when she is writing her darker, colder, more intense thrillers.
A generous 3 stars. 🍸
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once I stopped expecting that familiar cold, tense atmosphere, I actually started having a lot of fun. The best way I can describe this book is Miss Marple on martinis, with a touch of James Bond. There are retired spies, old secrets, suspicious deaths, plenty of bodies and a group of people who may technically be retired but clearly never got the memo.
For a while, it really worked for me. The mystery was intriguing, the book was incredibly easy to read, and there was a point when I genuinely didn’t want to put it down. I especially enjoyed Maggie, Declan, Ben and Jo. Their interactions brought some much-needed humour to the story, and honestly, I would have happily read an entire book about these retired spies getting themselves into increasingly ridiculous situations while poor Jo tries to maintain some semblance of law and order.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the story started losing me.
One of my biggest issues was that I never truly believed these characters were retirement age. Take away the occasional reminder and they could easily have been in their forties. I wasn’t expecting stereotypical frail elderly characters, but I wanted their age to actually be part of their lives. Give me aching knees after crouching down, reading glasses, slower recovery after physical exertion — something. These are highly capable former spies and I loved that, but their bodies seemed completely untouched by time. It felt like they had simply been written as younger characters and then given older ages.
And then there was Ingrid.
Unfortunately, she ended up being my least favourite character. I actually liked the idea of an older woman being portrayed as desirable, sexual and affected by the return of an old flame. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying attention or remembering a passionate relationship from decades ago. My problem was what Ingrid did with those feelings.
Her behaviour around Rodrigo often felt surprisingly immature, and I struggled with how casually her 28-year marriage to Lloyd seemed to be treated. Lloyd’s love for Ingrid was obvious; Ingrid’s love for Lloyd never felt nearly as convincing to me. By the end, I was left with the uncomfortable impression that she stayed with him partly because he represented the safe, comfortable life she already had rather than because, after everything, he was unquestionably the person she wanted to choose.
Ironically, I enjoyed the book considerably more whenever Ingrid and Lloyd moved into the background and Maggie, Declan, Ben and Jo took over. Their dynamic felt much closer to what I wanted from the premise of a group of retired spies solving crimes.
The ending didn’t help. After so much build-up, the final confrontation felt surprisingly rushed, with the climax unfolding over what felt like only a handful of paragraphs. There were plenty of bodies throughout the story, yet many of those deaths seemed to leave remarkably little emotional weight or consequence behind. The final revelations were also fairly predictable, so instead of finishing on a high, the story ended with more of a shrug.
There is still plenty to enjoy here. Gerritsen remains an effortlessly readable writer, the premise is fantastic, and the Martini Club itself has a lot of charm. This simply confirmed that, for me, Gerritsen shines brightest when she is writing her darker, colder, more intense thrillers.
A generous 3 stars. 🍸
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2026
The Shadow Friends was my second book by Tess Gerritsen, and I couldn’t get enough! This book is the 3rd book in her The Martini Club series (last I heard the TV series is currently in production at Amazon MGM Studios - Eep!)
Maggie Bird, a retired spy, and her other ex-CIA friends, aka the cocktail sipping Martini Club find themselves deeply involved in an international intrigue when two homicides occur during a conference in their peaceful little town of Purity, Maine.
Several of the gang find themselves rushing off to Amsterdam where, this time, they find themselves in mortal danger. There were a couple of times I was really scared for certain members of the group and wanted a drink right alongside them. And I don’t even drink.
This book was another thrilling addition in this wonderful series. I appreciate that the entire gang are seniors and still going strong.
Thanks so much to MB Communications and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy!
Maggie Bird, a retired spy, and her other ex-CIA friends, aka the cocktail sipping Martini Club find themselves deeply involved in an international intrigue when two homicides occur during a conference in their peaceful little town of Purity, Maine.
Several of the gang find themselves rushing off to Amsterdam where, this time, they find themselves in mortal danger. There were a couple of times I was really scared for certain members of the group and wanted a drink right alongside them. And I don’t even drink.
This book was another thrilling addition in this wonderful series. I appreciate that the entire gang are seniors and still going strong.
Thanks so much to MB Communications and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy!
October 2, 2026
This trip to Maine was more ex-CIA based with the mystery taking Ingrid out of the country and putting more than one of the Martini Club in real danger. Fun visit to Maine.
August 30, 2026
Bookish Thoughts: I enjoyed The Shadow Friends, which is book 3 of The Martini Club, a club that is made up of retired spies. This was a page turner filled with likeable characters and suspenseful moments. If you enjoy multi-POV and cozy mysteries, then this story might be for you!
I received a complimentary ebook ARC from publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.
I received a complimentary ebook ARC from publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.
August 29, 2026
Espionage, “retirement” and cocktails.
Tess… say less. 🍸
Tess… say less. 🍸
September 16, 2026
4.25 Stars ⭐️
Oh Man! I forgot how much I used to love Ms. Tess Gerritsen’s books - “back in the day”. I think that I remember that she always wrote suspense thrillers, but if I remember correctly, she wrote medical mysteries.
(I did not look up the answer to that question to verify, but I think that might be the case).
Regardless, her books were ALWAYS so good.
Then I guess she disappeared from my algorithm’s so I went years without seeing anything by her. Thankfully, a couple of months ago I saw a new book series - called The Martini Club - and I silently let out an excited “Whoop!”
There are now 2 books out in this series (this particular book is the third book in the series) and I eagerly bought this newest book to be able to jump right back into this world.
This book takes us on a different type of journey than the investigations of the first two cases and through the course of their “mostly secret investigation”, there are definitely more things going on than meets the eye.
Things that other members of the board have been secretly kept from the public. Purity, Maine seems to be the center of several things now.
This series is fun with our four retired but brilliant members and to top that off there is a interesting mystery thrown in.
Oh Man! I forgot how much I used to love Ms. Tess Gerritsen’s books - “back in the day”. I think that I remember that she always wrote suspense thrillers, but if I remember correctly, she wrote medical mysteries.
(I did not look up the answer to that question to verify, but I think that might be the case).
Regardless, her books were ALWAYS so good.
Then I guess she disappeared from my algorithm’s so I went years without seeing anything by her. Thankfully, a couple of months ago I saw a new book series - called The Martini Club - and I silently let out an excited “Whoop!”
There are now 2 books out in this series (this particular book is the third book in the series) and I eagerly bought this newest book to be able to jump right back into this world.
This book takes us on a different type of journey than the investigations of the first two cases and through the course of their “mostly secret investigation”, there are definitely more things going on than meets the eye.
Things that other members of the board have been secretly kept from the public. Purity, Maine seems to be the center of several things now.
This series is fun with our four retired but brilliant members and to top that off there is a interesting mystery thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
3.5, rounded up.
This is a great series and this entry really takes on the issue of aging out after you've had a vibrant, meaningful career.
My one negative was Lloyd. He was never a field agent, true, but he had a lot of the same training and spent years being aware of Ingrid's career. In Amsterdam and Madrid he was a bumbling old fool and I found that unbelievable and inexcusable.
This is a great series and this entry really takes on the issue of aging out after you've had a vibrant, meaningful career.
My one negative was Lloyd. He was never a field agent, true, but he had a lot of the same training and spent years being aware of Ingrid's career. In Amsterdam and Madrid he was a bumbling old fool and I found that unbelievable and inexcusable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A group of retired CIA members have settled in Purity, Maine to enjoy life. But every now and then, they get pulled back into situations requiring their skills and expertise. At a local conference on Global Catastrophes, held at a nearby resort, the opening speaker is a Russian defector who warns about the dangers of biological warfare. Ingrid Slocum, one of the retirees, had volunteered to serve as the event's travel coordinator. Soon after his speech, Dr. Mikhail Maslov is found unconscious and soon dies. A second death, this time of a hotel waitress, follows. When Ingrid sees how the woman was murdered, she realizes that it was the same method used to kill a fellow agent many years ago. Once again, the former members of the CIA are drawn back into the world of espionage due to a new threat. This time, Ingrid's former lover and colleague, Rodrigo, reappears and he wants her to come work for him. It's a very tempting offer.
The Shadow Friends is the third installment in Tess Gerritsen's The Martini Club, a series that hooked me from the first book. Although the characters are in their golden years, this is not a cozy mystery. The story unfolds in the present but looks back on a tragic mission in France that took place almost thirty years ago, which has too much in common with the recent deaths for Ingrid to sit on the sidelines. Her husband Lloyd and their friends are eager to help, especially after Ingrid disappears. This is a well-done spy thriller, featuring likeable characters who have not lost their fire and ability to make a difference, regardless of their age.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the advance.
4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
The Shadow Friends is the third installment in Tess Gerritsen's The Martini Club, a series that hooked me from the first book. Although the characters are in their golden years, this is not a cozy mystery. The story unfolds in the present but looks back on a tragic mission in France that took place almost thirty years ago, which has too much in common with the recent deaths for Ingrid to sit on the sidelines. Her husband Lloyd and their friends are eager to help, especially after Ingrid disappears. This is a well-done spy thriller, featuring likeable characters who have not lost their fire and ability to make a difference, regardless of their age.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the advance.
4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
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