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Agent Redruth
Rebecca Strong, a vivacious young artist, steps boldly into the dangerous world of espionage and intrigue when she becomes the key player in a dramatic coup for British intelligence after a senior Russian spy offers to betray his country and work covertly for MI5 and MI6.
Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
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Michael Evans
379 books11 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 16, 2025
Agent Redruth
by Michael Evans
I received a complimentary copy from Rowanvale Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From the opening pages of Agent Redruth, Michael Evans pulls the reader into the murky, high-stakes world of espionage with force, precision, and heart. This is spy fiction at its finest: taut, believable, and absolutely absorbing.
Evans’ protagonist, Rebecca Strong, is wonderfully drawn - smart, flawed, and compelling in equal measure. She isn’t a stereotypical spy; she’s a commercial artist who’s dragged into danger by circumstance, and her reluctance, fear, courage, and vulnerability are all convincingly real. Watching her navigate threat, betrayal, and shadowy moral lines gives the story its emotional core.
What truly sets Agent Redruth apart is Michael Evans’ mastery of authenticity. His years as a defence editor shine through in the detail - the background of intelligence agencies, the international tensions, the sense of cost that espionage demands. The plot moves fast, yet has enough breathing room for character and setting; each twist feels earned rather than contrived.
The pacing is superb. The tension mounts gradually, then escalates into moments that pull you forward so hard you can’t put the book down. Scenes of political intrigue sit seamlessly alongside quieter, more intimate moments, offering a satisfying balance.
For those who love thriller novels with depth, Agent Redruth delivers not just what you expect (spy craft, betrayal, danger), but also what you might not expect: poignant moments of doubt, loyalty, guilt, and the quietly destructive weight of secrets.
If I had to choose one shortfall, it might be that the cast of characters could sometimes blur into one another during the more complex intelligence operations. But that’s a small quibble in what is otherwise a thrilling, emotionally resonant read.
In sum, Agent Redruth is a triumph. Michael Evans has crafted a story that entertains, engages, and lingers in the mind. Highly recommended for fans of John le Carré or readers who want their thrillers steeped in realism, moral ambiguity, and heart.
by Michael Evans
I received a complimentary copy from Rowanvale Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From the opening pages of Agent Redruth, Michael Evans pulls the reader into the murky, high-stakes world of espionage with force, precision, and heart. This is spy fiction at its finest: taut, believable, and absolutely absorbing.
Evans’ protagonist, Rebecca Strong, is wonderfully drawn - smart, flawed, and compelling in equal measure. She isn’t a stereotypical spy; she’s a commercial artist who’s dragged into danger by circumstance, and her reluctance, fear, courage, and vulnerability are all convincingly real. Watching her navigate threat, betrayal, and shadowy moral lines gives the story its emotional core.
What truly sets Agent Redruth apart is Michael Evans’ mastery of authenticity. His years as a defence editor shine through in the detail - the background of intelligence agencies, the international tensions, the sense of cost that espionage demands. The plot moves fast, yet has enough breathing room for character and setting; each twist feels earned rather than contrived.
The pacing is superb. The tension mounts gradually, then escalates into moments that pull you forward so hard you can’t put the book down. Scenes of political intrigue sit seamlessly alongside quieter, more intimate moments, offering a satisfying balance.
For those who love thriller novels with depth, Agent Redruth delivers not just what you expect (spy craft, betrayal, danger), but also what you might not expect: poignant moments of doubt, loyalty, guilt, and the quietly destructive weight of secrets.
If I had to choose one shortfall, it might be that the cast of characters could sometimes blur into one another during the more complex intelligence operations. But that’s a small quibble in what is otherwise a thrilling, emotionally resonant read.
In sum, Agent Redruth is a triumph. Michael Evans has crafted a story that entertains, engages, and lingers in the mind. Highly recommended for fans of John le Carré or readers who want their thrillers steeped in realism, moral ambiguity, and heart.
September 8, 2025
From the opening chapter, Agent Redruth throws the reader into a shadowy world of secrets and betrayal. Michael Evans draws on his frontline journalism background to create a spy thriller that feels authentic, with believable moral complexities and a palpable sense of danger.
Rebecca Strong, an artist unexpectedly pulled into espionage, makes for a refreshing lead. Her resilience and wit balance the intensity of the plot, while her vulnerability keeps her relatable and human.
Evans’ prose is sharp and cinematic, with vivid set pieces and shifting alliances that reflect his deep knowledge of intelligence and conflict. The story moves with energy and authority, carrying readers through a landscape of tension and intrigue.
Constructive Criticism
At times the commitment to realism overshadows emotional depth. More insight into Rebecca’s inner conflicts would make her journey even more compelling. The pacing also dips slightly in the middle, where a tighter edit could heighten suspense and keep momentum strong.
Overall, Agent Redruth is a smart and grounded espionage novel, combining authenticity with an engaging heroine. A touch more emotional layering and polish would lift it to the next level, but it already stands as a gripping and intelligent read.
Thank you to Rowanvale Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this title. This review was written voluntarily.
Rebecca Strong, an artist unexpectedly pulled into espionage, makes for a refreshing lead. Her resilience and wit balance the intensity of the plot, while her vulnerability keeps her relatable and human.
Evans’ prose is sharp and cinematic, with vivid set pieces and shifting alliances that reflect his deep knowledge of intelligence and conflict. The story moves with energy and authority, carrying readers through a landscape of tension and intrigue.
Constructive Criticism
At times the commitment to realism overshadows emotional depth. More insight into Rebecca’s inner conflicts would make her journey even more compelling. The pacing also dips slightly in the middle, where a tighter edit could heighten suspense and keep momentum strong.
Overall, Agent Redruth is a smart and grounded espionage novel, combining authenticity with an engaging heroine. A touch more emotional layering and polish would lift it to the next level, but it already stands as a gripping and intelligent read.
Thank you to Rowanvale Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this title. This review was written voluntarily.
November 21, 2025
Agent Redruth is the kind of espionage thriller that grips you by the collar from page one and doesn't let go. It throws you straight into a world of shadowed motives, international tension, and dangerous alliances, sparked by a senior Russian spy's decision to betray his country. Rebecca Strong - an ordinary woman that found herself the protagonist of the story in coincidental and extraordinary circumstances - was refreshingly relatable, believable and human. Her fear, moral uncertainty and resilience gave the story a more personal feel.
As someone that has watched a handful of classic spy films but rarely reads spy fiction, I wasn't sure what to expect. This book, however, changed that. From the moment Rebecca was thrust into the core of the MI5 and MI6's struggle with Agent Redruth, the story unfolded with pace and the suspense of a cinematic action-thriller. The writing felt so confident I often felt like i was watching the plot unfold, with each chapter contributing to a sense of escalating danger. The blend of modern issues with classic spy suspense definitely contributed to this, with geopolitical tensions felt throughout the book making it feel that much more authentic.
Highly recommend this book for newcomers to spy fiction (like myself), and for long-time fans. A truly unforgettable read!
A huge thank you to Rowanvale books for providing me with a free copy of this book. This review, however, was posted voluntarily.
As someone that has watched a handful of classic spy films but rarely reads spy fiction, I wasn't sure what to expect. This book, however, changed that. From the moment Rebecca was thrust into the core of the MI5 and MI6's struggle with Agent Redruth, the story unfolded with pace and the suspense of a cinematic action-thriller. The writing felt so confident I often felt like i was watching the plot unfold, with each chapter contributing to a sense of escalating danger. The blend of modern issues with classic spy suspense definitely contributed to this, with geopolitical tensions felt throughout the book making it feel that much more authentic.
Highly recommend this book for newcomers to spy fiction (like myself), and for long-time fans. A truly unforgettable read!
A huge thank you to Rowanvale books for providing me with a free copy of this book. This review, however, was posted voluntarily.
August 9, 2025
This is the most amazing sequel to Shadow Lives. It can be read as a stand-alone but suggest you read both. Agent Redruth takes spy thrillers to another level. The writing is informed but never in your face. The style is racy without being self conscious. I was gripped from the first page. I gather the third in the trilogy is not far behind. Anyone who likes good pacy writing with a strong descriptive flair should read this. It has surprises that leaves others of its genre far behind. A Good read this most certainly is.
August 15, 2025
The Espionage Book of the Year!
Let me start by saying, spy-thrillers and espionage books are not my normal go-to read. But this book CHANGED that. It had me hooked from the very first page and once I was settled into the voice of the narrative and the writing style, I was locked in. I was thrilled to be able to read this book as early as I did and review it. It's never too soon to start buying Christmas presents and I think this would be the perfect gift and read for anyone who loves a page-turner and being sat at the very edge of their seat.
Let me start by saying, spy-thrillers and espionage books are not my normal go-to read. But this book CHANGED that. It had me hooked from the very first page and once I was settled into the voice of the narrative and the writing style, I was locked in. I was thrilled to be able to read this book as early as I did and review it. It's never too soon to start buying Christmas presents and I think this would be the perfect gift and read for anyone who loves a page-turner and being sat at the very edge of their seat.
August 26, 2025
Michael Evans book Shadow lives made excellent reading and his second book Agent Redruth seamlessly extends the intrigue and excitement of this new take on Cold War spying.
Well done and I hope that I can look forward to another episode in this series.
Well done and I hope that I can look forward to another episode in this series.
September 17, 2025
I have always loved a good espionage story and am happy to discover fresh writing voices. The novel written by Michael Evans is excellent, with plenty of action and intrigue to keep the reader interested. Meet Rebecca Strong, a talented artist, whose entire world is about to change. She will step into the world of espionage, finding herself in the middle of a coup. British intelligence, Russian spies, betrayal… the story offers so much and never disappoints. I absolutely loved the writing pace, it feels like you are actually watching a movie, turning one page after the other, just to see what happens. The author has also done an excellent job in describing the setting of the story, I really love how everything comes together. One of the best books of this kind I have ever read, I enjoyed it tremendously. Highly recommended on my part. I received a free copy of this book from Rowanvale Books, but the opinion I posted is my own and not biased in any way.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews