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A Reluctant Spy
RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT TIME. WRONG MAN.
'Engrossing...ingenious...Goodman combines traditional elements - the nods to Buchan, Fleming and le Carré - with the topicality of 2020s technology and the threat from Russia' SUNDAY TIMES, THRILLERS OF THE MONTH
'A propulsive, intelligent, ripped-from-the-headlines spy novel that's guaranteed to cost you hours of sleep. Highly recommended'DAVID McCLOSKEY
'A gripping debut, perfect for fans of Mick Herron and David McCloskey' THE SUN
'A twisty storyline and convincing action scenes make this a very promising debut' FINANCIAL TIMES
'A twisting, edge-of-your-seat tale of mercenaries, greed, corruption, and espionage' I.S. BERRY
Jamie Tulloch is a successful exec at a top tech company, a long way from the tough upbringing that drove him to rise so far and so quickly.
But he has a secret...since the age of 23, he's had a helping hand from the Legend Programme, a secret intelligence effort to prepare impenetrable backstories for undercover agents. Real people, living real lives, willing to hand over their identities for a few weeks in return for a helping hand with plum jobs, influence and access.
When his tap on the shoulder finally comes, it's swiftly followed by the thud of a body. Arriving at a French airport ready to hand over his identity, Jamie finds his primary contact dead, the agent who's supposed to step into his life AWOL and his options for escape non-existent.
Pitched into a deadly mission on hostile territory, Jamie must contend with a rogue Russian general, arms dealers, elite hackers, CIA tac-ops and the discovery of a brewing plan for war. Dangerously out of his depth, he must convince his sceptical mission handler he can do the job of a trained field agent while using his own life story as convincing cover.
Can Jamie play himself well enough to avoid being killed - and to avert a lethal global conflict?
'In the very top tier of espionage fiction' M. W. CRAVEN
'An excellent debut with terrific pace...will grip you to the end' JAMES SWALLOW
'I was on the edge of my seat the whole time' ANTONY JOHNSTON
'A rip-roaring page-turning keep-you-up-all-night thriller' NICHOLAS BINGE, author of ASCENSION
'Smart, riveting, and eerily prescient' SUNYI DEAN, Sunday Times Bestselling author of THE BOOK EATERS
'A pulse-pounding, twisting thrill-a-minute read that Slow Horses fans are going to absolutely love' ADAM SIMCOX
'Engrossing...ingenious...Goodman combines traditional elements - the nods to Buchan, Fleming and le Carré - with the topicality of 2020s technology and the threat from Russia' SUNDAY TIMES, THRILLERS OF THE MONTH
'A propulsive, intelligent, ripped-from-the-headlines spy novel that's guaranteed to cost you hours of sleep. Highly recommended'DAVID McCLOSKEY
'A gripping debut, perfect for fans of Mick Herron and David McCloskey' THE SUN
'A twisty storyline and convincing action scenes make this a very promising debut' FINANCIAL TIMES
'A twisting, edge-of-your-seat tale of mercenaries, greed, corruption, and espionage' I.S. BERRY
Jamie Tulloch is a successful exec at a top tech company, a long way from the tough upbringing that drove him to rise so far and so quickly.
But he has a secret...since the age of 23, he's had a helping hand from the Legend Programme, a secret intelligence effort to prepare impenetrable backstories for undercover agents. Real people, living real lives, willing to hand over their identities for a few weeks in return for a helping hand with plum jobs, influence and access.
When his tap on the shoulder finally comes, it's swiftly followed by the thud of a body. Arriving at a French airport ready to hand over his identity, Jamie finds his primary contact dead, the agent who's supposed to step into his life AWOL and his options for escape non-existent.
Pitched into a deadly mission on hostile territory, Jamie must contend with a rogue Russian general, arms dealers, elite hackers, CIA tac-ops and the discovery of a brewing plan for war. Dangerously out of his depth, he must convince his sceptical mission handler he can do the job of a trained field agent while using his own life story as convincing cover.
Can Jamie play himself well enough to avoid being killed - and to avert a lethal global conflict?
'In the very top tier of espionage fiction' M. W. CRAVEN
'An excellent debut with terrific pace...will grip you to the end' JAMES SWALLOW
'I was on the edge of my seat the whole time' ANTONY JOHNSTON
'A rip-roaring page-turning keep-you-up-all-night thriller' NICHOLAS BINGE, author of ASCENSION
'Smart, riveting, and eerily prescient' SUNYI DEAN, Sunday Times Bestselling author of THE BOOK EATERS
'A pulse-pounding, twisting thrill-a-minute read that Slow Horses fans are going to absolutely love' ADAM SIMCOX
Audible Audio
First published December 1, 2024
501 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
David Goodman
7 books52 followersDavid Goodman is an award-winning author of thriller and speculative fiction, including the Legends espionage novels. His debut novel A RELUCTANT SPY won the McDermid Debut Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize in 2025 and has been optioned for television by Carnival Films. The sequel SOLITARY AGENTS will be released in June 2026. He also writes speculative fiction as David W. Goodman, with seven published pieces in magazines and anthologies.
David was born and brought up in Edinburgh and East Lothian, before living and working in Aberdeen and London. He now lives in East Lothian with his wife Valerie.
David is represented by Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary for his literary work, and Emily Hayward-Whitlock of The Artist's Partnership for film and television. Find out more and subscribe to his monthly newsletter on his website.
David was born and brought up in Edinburgh and East Lothian, before living and working in Aberdeen and London. He now lives in East Lothian with his wife Valerie.
David is represented by Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary for his literary work, and Emily Hayward-Whitlock of The Artist's Partnership for film and television. Find out more and subscribe to his monthly newsletter on his website.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
June 28, 2024
How on earth is this a debut novel? Takes everything I love about military fiction and distils it down into a tightly-plotted, fast-paced, complex espionage tale with a very human element.
The twin storylines in London and Zanzibar were seamlessly interwoven so that I was fully invested in both, and the stakes were real enough and high enough to have me regularly yelling at the page (mostly along the lines of "Jamie, you bloody idiot, do not go in there!").
Highly recommended to anyone who loves thrillers, espionage tales, or military fiction.
I can't wait to see what this author does next.
The twin storylines in London and Zanzibar were seamlessly interwoven so that I was fully invested in both, and the stakes were real enough and high enough to have me regularly yelling at the page (mostly along the lines of "Jamie, you bloody idiot, do not go in there!").
Highly recommended to anyone who loves thrillers, espionage tales, or military fiction.
I can't wait to see what this author does next.
September 26, 2024
I'm not hugely into the spy/thriller genre - the story really has to be excellent for me to get into it. And this is such a book.
It had me turning the pages into the early hours and I can absolutely see why this has already been optioned for TV.
There is lots of action, nice twists and interesting characters set in a modern world, which was really what pulled me in from page one.
Highly recommended for anyone who is into their spy thrillers - but also for those who want to give this genre at try.
It had me turning the pages into the early hours and I can absolutely see why this has already been optioned for TV.
There is lots of action, nice twists and interesting characters set in a modern world, which was really what pulled me in from page one.
Highly recommended for anyone who is into their spy thrillers - but also for those who want to give this genre at try.
March 14, 2024
David Goodman is an excellent author. His short fiction in Clarkesworld is masterful and I was thrilled to be an early reader of A Reluctant Spy—where it turns out he's just as good at immersing his readers in farflung global destinations and pacy modern thriller twists. His knowledge of spycraft is nearly preternatural, or perhaps belies experience that isn't in his bio. But what anyone who's lucky enough to pick up this book will discover is that this guy is absolutely meant to tell stories. Add TRS to your TBR now, it's a total treat!
Read
November 22, 2024NOT good. cheap trick suspense building via perspective shifting structure. very predictable. every single interior was described as “hardwood.”
January 31, 2025
Bordering on 4.5 stars!! Not being a big fan of the spy genre, but needing to read a spy novel for a book bingo competition, I was a little apprehensive when starting this book but it was gripping and I really enjoyed it!! Fast paced, full of twists and great characters- couldn't help but root for Jamie, despite him repeatedly forgetting he's not a real spy! :) Will look out for more by this author!
September 7, 2024
Am not normally one for spy fiction but was most intrigued by the premise of A Reluctant Spy. Having grown up in prime-Bond and Bourne years, most of my exposure has mainly been via the golden age of spy warfare with its super cool gadgetry and cold war conflicts, so I was very interested in the idea of what happens when tech evolution and advancements level the playing field of friend and foe? How do you gain the edge?
And David Goodman delivers. When nothing goes to plan, the shit hits the fan, enemies are closing in on all sides and you don't know who to trust, whatchya gonna do?
%^*&$!!! this was such a tense crazy whirlwind of a ride. You can't help but root for the bumbling non-spy trying to survive in this high stakes world of espionage, with unsettling evil masterminds, baseball cap wearing henchmen, pompous buffooning politicians you want to punch in the face and a stalwart home team trying to make sure everyone gets out alive. It was very slick. It is a fast-paced story you won't want to put down. It has great characters and supporting cast and more plot twists than a twisty-turny thing.
The only negative was that I started reading before going to bed. Seriously, don't be an idiot like me if you need to be up at 8am and able to function throughout the day - unless you're able to survive on no sleep or schedule a nap. You'll find yourself running a gamut of emotions from anxious to excited to despair to cackling like a loon, which are way too many things to be feeling at 4am.
well that doesn't seem good
what?
Noo! Don't do that you idiot.
Why would you do that?!
Argh!!
"That sounds like a shite plan", oh aye, totally agree Jamie.
NOOOO!!!
What?!?
WHAT?!?!?
For regular readers of this genre this might be a well-trodden path with common plots and themes, but for me it was original and thrilling. Would I read any more books Goodman might write in this Legends Universe? Absolutely. I'm hooked now. Will also be keeping an eye out for Goodman's past and future short fiction as I really enjoyed the story and writing style. It was a lot of fun. Oh and that dissertation outline of "treatment of paranoia and fear in spy fiction" mentioned in the acknowledgments sounds absolutely fascinating. Hope that made it into some kind of publicly available reading format. Sounds like another great bedtime read 😰.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Books for the ARC.
And David Goodman delivers. When nothing goes to plan, the shit hits the fan, enemies are closing in on all sides and you don't know who to trust, whatchya gonna do?
%^*&$!!! this was such a tense crazy whirlwind of a ride. You can't help but root for the bumbling non-spy trying to survive in this high stakes world of espionage, with unsettling evil masterminds, baseball cap wearing henchmen, pompous buffooning politicians you want to punch in the face and a stalwart home team trying to make sure everyone gets out alive. It was very slick. It is a fast-paced story you won't want to put down. It has great characters and supporting cast and more plot twists than a twisty-turny thing.
The only negative was that I started reading before going to bed. Seriously, don't be an idiot like me if you need to be up at 8am and able to function throughout the day - unless you're able to survive on no sleep or schedule a nap. You'll find yourself running a gamut of emotions from anxious to excited to despair to cackling like a loon, which are way too many things to be feeling at 4am.
well that doesn't seem good
what?
Noo! Don't do that you idiot.
Why would you do that?!
Argh!!
"That sounds like a shite plan", oh aye, totally agree Jamie.
NOOOO!!!
What?!?
WHAT?!?!?
For regular readers of this genre this might be a well-trodden path with common plots and themes, but for me it was original and thrilling. Would I read any more books Goodman might write in this Legends Universe? Absolutely. I'm hooked now. Will also be keeping an eye out for Goodman's past and future short fiction as I really enjoyed the story and writing style. It was a lot of fun. Oh and that dissertation outline of "treatment of paranoia and fear in spy fiction" mentioned in the acknowledgments sounds absolutely fascinating. Hope that made it into some kind of publicly available reading format. Sounds like another great bedtime read 😰.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Books for the ARC.
December 8, 2024
I read this just a week or two after MW Craven’s “Fearless” (cf. my review thereof) and was again left with the impression that the author's primary motivation in writing the book was to sell the film rights - it's another all-action thriller, even more gory and politically relevant this time, and since much of it is set in an imaginary castle in Zanzibar with Russian agents and helicopters, I suspect it will make it to the screen first. But anyway...
Jamie Tulloch is a sleeper agent – a different kind to what you'd imagine, as it's not intended by his masters in SIS that he would ever have to do any serious spying. However, he takes it upon himself to do so, and proves surprisingly good at it – until, inevitably, things start to go wrong. The story is convoluted and clever, with excellent unexpected plot twists, and well written. If I was an enthusiast for lots of gory violence, I'd give it 5 stars. Nevertheless, I recommend the book and look forward to the film!
Jamie Tulloch is a sleeper agent – a different kind to what you'd imagine, as it's not intended by his masters in SIS that he would ever have to do any serious spying. However, he takes it upon himself to do so, and proves surprisingly good at it – until, inevitably, things start to go wrong. The story is convoluted and clever, with excellent unexpected plot twists, and well written. If I was an enthusiast for lots of gory violence, I'd give it 5 stars. Nevertheless, I recommend the book and look forward to the film!
September 17, 2024
A fresh spy novel with a fallible, every-man hero—I've never felt so anxious for a character as I felt for Jamie Tulloch. In Tulloch, Goodman has created the perfect spy novelist protagonist; instead of a brilliantly capable Ethan Hunt, we get a lovable salesman Scot. I found myself whispering, "No, Jamie, don't do it!" nearly every chapter.
June 1, 2025
A decent spy thriller that avoids dull explanations about gov workings by focusing on key characters.
Reminds me of the Box88 books by Charles Cumming.
The setup lends itself to more instalments, but hopefully with more of a sting in the tail. Good narration.
Reminds me of the Box88 books by Charles Cumming.
The setup lends itself to more instalments, but hopefully with more of a sting in the tail. Good narration.
April 19, 2025
After reading this novel I thought to myself, did I enjoy it? what's so unusual? Almost afterwards it come with... It's a thriller.
For those who don't know a thriller is for the most part fast pace, short chapters and quick reading. It usually starts slow, builds up and then the last one hundred pages you can't stop turning the page.
There are spy thriller like this one, there are theological adventure thriller like Dan Brown, there are monster of week thriller per example Jeremy Robinson, legal thriller most famous by John Grisham etc. There are as many as you wish.
This book starts by introducing two characters. One is Jeremy a spy for SIS who must overcome a problem with modernization (computers and such) and Jamie who is recruited by Jeremy in a program called the Legend Program. What this is it, is a reverse sleeper agent. Basically Jamie and all other will live their lives normally until they are needed (usually people that work in companies that may deal with "evil" people aka the Baddies). The legend program basically allows you to live your life normally as I explain and then exchanged between yourself and the real agent. They will switch photos on the internet (your "footprint") and while you rest the agent will do it's work. Jamie is tagged to switch and after some contretemps he goes into the mission himself (on his own). At the same time, SIS (you will know it as MI6) is being attacked within and instead of focusing on the missions all hands are trying to understand what happened.
There is backstabbing and stabbing and the usual suspects. AS per usual it's the Russians who are the baddies and even within there are mysteries and crosses and doublecrosses.
There is also a third character called Nicola, also SIS, who tries to help Jamie in Tanzania.
The last sixty page it switches from spy-thriler to action pack thriller with the inclusion of navy seals and such.
What I didn't enjoy... Well, there is some characterization of the Russians & Americans as you would imagine and there are some parts that are a bit unbelievable - Jamie in the last fifty pages. He do grows up throughout the book but it was a bit to fast in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong it's a great book and if the author writes more I will buy it (the ending may hint for a sequel - or not) 84/100
For those who don't know a thriller is for the most part fast pace, short chapters and quick reading. It usually starts slow, builds up and then the last one hundred pages you can't stop turning the page.
There are spy thriller like this one, there are theological adventure thriller like Dan Brown, there are monster of week thriller per example Jeremy Robinson, legal thriller most famous by John Grisham etc. There are as many as you wish.
This book starts by introducing two characters. One is Jeremy a spy for SIS who must overcome a problem with modernization (computers and such) and Jamie who is recruited by Jeremy in a program called the Legend Program. What this is it, is a reverse sleeper agent. Basically Jamie and all other will live their lives normally until they are needed (usually people that work in companies that may deal with "evil" people aka the Baddies). The legend program basically allows you to live your life normally as I explain and then exchanged between yourself and the real agent. They will switch photos on the internet (your "footprint") and while you rest the agent will do it's work. Jamie is tagged to switch and after some contretemps he goes into the mission himself (on his own). At the same time, SIS (you will know it as MI6) is being attacked within and instead of focusing on the missions all hands are trying to understand what happened.
There is backstabbing and stabbing and the usual suspects. AS per usual it's the Russians who are the baddies and even within there are mysteries and crosses and doublecrosses.
There is also a third character called Nicola, also SIS, who tries to help Jamie in Tanzania.
The last sixty page it switches from spy-thriler to action pack thriller with the inclusion of navy seals and such.
What I didn't enjoy... Well, there is some characterization of the Russians & Americans as you would imagine and there are some parts that are a bit unbelievable - Jamie in the last fifty pages. He do grows up throughout the book but it was a bit to fast in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong it's a great book and if the author writes more I will buy it (the ending may hint for a sequel - or not) 84/100
August 14, 2025
4* A Reluctant Spy - David Goodman. A fantastic debut and great addition to the genre.
Jamie Tulloch is a tech sales guy and a loner. Wedded to routine and doing well in his job, he’s come far from humble beginnings. To the outsider, Jamie’s life is hum-drum but Jamie is waiting. Waiting to be activated as an MI5 legend. When that call comes, Jamie imagines himself into a glamourous trip, while his legend agent takes on a dangerous mission. Yet, that’s not how it works out when Jamie’s handover doesn’t go to plan and he finds himself on the front line.
A rip roaring great fun debut spy novel. The action kicks in from the off with a great hook, as the reader wonders what they would do in the impossible predictions that Jamie finds himself in. From there it’s quite the ride. Some of the baddies are caricature and the action straight from a classic 80s film but throughout it is great fun. Well written, superb characters and a plot that can’t fail to keep you going.
I listened to the audio which was very well narrated by Norman Bowman and had great production values. If you like good fun spy fiction, this is a great read.
Jamie Tulloch is a tech sales guy and a loner. Wedded to routine and doing well in his job, he’s come far from humble beginnings. To the outsider, Jamie’s life is hum-drum but Jamie is waiting. Waiting to be activated as an MI5 legend. When that call comes, Jamie imagines himself into a glamourous trip, while his legend agent takes on a dangerous mission. Yet, that’s not how it works out when Jamie’s handover doesn’t go to plan and he finds himself on the front line.
A rip roaring great fun debut spy novel. The action kicks in from the off with a great hook, as the reader wonders what they would do in the impossible predictions that Jamie finds himself in. From there it’s quite the ride. Some of the baddies are caricature and the action straight from a classic 80s film but throughout it is great fun. Well written, superb characters and a plot that can’t fail to keep you going.
I listened to the audio which was very well narrated by Norman Bowman and had great production values. If you like good fun spy fiction, this is a great read.
October 13, 2025
Absolutely gripping, an excellent spy novel .
Fast paced with an excellent storyline that has you turning the pages
Had all the ingredients that l love on a spy novel.
Fast paced with an excellent storyline that has you turning the pages
Had all the ingredients that l love on a spy novel.
October 5, 2024
I dug this fun espionage thriller. Really enjoyed the setting (mostly in Tanzania) and the fast-paced ride. Would highly recommend if you like spy thrillers and fast-moving, plot-heavy stories. It has multiple points of view. Wouldn't say it's that heavy on characterization, but I liked the characters. Very fun.
September 29, 2024
Absolutely brilliant pacing and characters in this that take you along for a bumpy ride as they experience it. Jamie Tulloch’s character adds a level of relatability to this spy novel that others don’t have. The reveal of the central motivations is great and I really enjoyed the twists and turns this book took me on.
It was hard to put down and I await with bated breath to see where the Legends Programme goes next!
It was hard to put down and I await with bated breath to see where the Legends Programme goes next!
September 24, 2024
I so enjoyed this book.It is a fantastic spy thriller, both original and engrossing.I literally read through the night.
The plot is both original and exiting with enough twists to keep you totally immersed.
The best espionage novel I have read in a very long time.As a first novel it is without doubt a original which will definitely make me buy David Goodman's next.
The plot is both original and exiting with enough twists to keep you totally immersed.
The best espionage novel I have read in a very long time.As a first novel it is without doubt a original which will definitely make me buy David Goodman's next.
July 8, 2024
Wow. A Reluctant Spy is worth the hype! A fantastic written thriller from a debut. Punchy and tense, I can see this on the big screen. Fantastic for spy/espionage fans
July 30, 2024
This is not your dad's spy novel. Clever, unique, witty, and cinematic, it's great for fans of Tim Glister. Even if this isn't your typical genre, this might be the book to convert you.
Jamie makes a deal: switch places with a spy for a few months, lending him his identity for a few months while Jamie goes on vacation. Until the switch goes haywire.
Without giving more away, I will think about this book every time I enter an airport for the rest of my life.
Also, I now have a crush on Sally Lime. You will too.
Pre-order it now.
Jamie makes a deal: switch places with a spy for a few months, lending him his identity for a few months while Jamie goes on vacation. Until the switch goes haywire.
Without giving more away, I will think about this book every time I enter an airport for the rest of my life.
Also, I now have a crush on Sally Lime. You will too.
Pre-order it now.
June 25, 2025
My preference in spy fiction leans towards Cold War thrillers, however, books like A Reluctant Spy, the excellent debut from David Goodman make me happily reconsider that position. This assured novel is (primarily) set in the present day, and particularly refreshingly largely in Tanzania, most notably in Zanzibar, a location I can’t recall coming across in fiction before.
After Jeremy Althrop was interrogated in Kyrgyzstan in 2003, he realised that the rapid advances in the digital revolution meant the old tools of spycraft for field agents were no longer enough. Interrogators with access to search engines were now quickly able to debunk previously watertight cover stories but, of course, necessity is the mother of invention and so his brainchild, the Legend Programme came into being. The Legends are recruited to be real people, living real lives but in return for the use of their identities for a few weeks, they are given opportunities in their careers that wouldn't usually come their way. Jamie Tulloch, for instance, was raised by a single mother in a social housing block on the outskirts of Edinburgh and although he has earned a postgraduate offer from Stanford, he'll never be able to compete with the people around him who have scores of connections and advantages. That is until he is offered a place on the Legends Programme in 2013 and after some basic training, he is free to go about his life, albeit without forming close relationships and avoiding a digital footprint as much as possible. The assistance he receives as a result see him rise in his career over the next thirteen years until he is finally activated.
The timeline switches about a little during these early, explanatory chapters but the trajectory, from the seeds of an idea to the moment when Jamie learns he is to head first to Paris where he'll connect with the agent who is assuming his identity, before enjoying a holiday in South America, is immediately compelling. The action really begins to heat up after this, however and despite many years of successful missions with other Legends, Jamie quickly runs into trouble. When Jamie arrives at Charles de Gaulle airport, he is horrified to find the murdered body of his contact. Meanwhile, Jeremy is aghast to discover the Legends Programme itself has been compromised.
After GARNET, the agent taking on his identity, fails to show, Jamie makes a panicky but understandable decision to travel on to Tanzania, where he will have to play himself. The multi-layered plot also introduces his field handler, Nicola Ellis, an experienced agent who is alarmed when she realises the truth about Tulloch. However, he surprises her with some key information and so the opportunity to discover more about a dangerous Russian arms dealer's plans can’t be ignored.
A Reluctant Spy cleverly questions whether Jamie is a pawn in a lethal game of chess or if the risks he takes help him assert his independence after years of knowing his career had been helped and his successes not truly his. He is an engaging protagonist whose natural skills are balanced by his naivety, leading to several agonisingly as Jamie's position grows ever more perilous mean she is equally as fascinating, and the scenes which take place in London as Jeremy desperately tries to stop a terrifying conspiracy are no less nail-biting.
The sense of place throughout A Reluctant Spy is superb and David Goodman brings Tanzania and particularly Zanzibar and the highly fortified Russian compound off the coast there vividly to life. With several antagonists to contend with and a labyrinthine plot which twists and turns, this dynamic global thriller is an irresistible page-turner which never lets readers forget the potential human cost of any action undertaken by the villains, or indeed, the heroes.
Breathtakingly exciting, with characters I really cared about; A Reluctant Spy is a riveting read which left me fervently hoping for more.
After Jeremy Althrop was interrogated in Kyrgyzstan in 2003, he realised that the rapid advances in the digital revolution meant the old tools of spycraft for field agents were no longer enough. Interrogators with access to search engines were now quickly able to debunk previously watertight cover stories but, of course, necessity is the mother of invention and so his brainchild, the Legend Programme came into being. The Legends are recruited to be real people, living real lives but in return for the use of their identities for a few weeks, they are given opportunities in their careers that wouldn't usually come their way. Jamie Tulloch, for instance, was raised by a single mother in a social housing block on the outskirts of Edinburgh and although he has earned a postgraduate offer from Stanford, he'll never be able to compete with the people around him who have scores of connections and advantages. That is until he is offered a place on the Legends Programme in 2013 and after some basic training, he is free to go about his life, albeit without forming close relationships and avoiding a digital footprint as much as possible. The assistance he receives as a result see him rise in his career over the next thirteen years until he is finally activated.
The timeline switches about a little during these early, explanatory chapters but the trajectory, from the seeds of an idea to the moment when Jamie learns he is to head first to Paris where he'll connect with the agent who is assuming his identity, before enjoying a holiday in South America, is immediately compelling. The action really begins to heat up after this, however and despite many years of successful missions with other Legends, Jamie quickly runs into trouble. When Jamie arrives at Charles de Gaulle airport, he is horrified to find the murdered body of his contact. Meanwhile, Jeremy is aghast to discover the Legends Programme itself has been compromised.
After GARNET, the agent taking on his identity, fails to show, Jamie makes a panicky but understandable decision to travel on to Tanzania, where he will have to play himself. The multi-layered plot also introduces his field handler, Nicola Ellis, an experienced agent who is alarmed when she realises the truth about Tulloch. However, he surprises her with some key information and so the opportunity to discover more about a dangerous Russian arms dealer's plans can’t be ignored.
A Reluctant Spy cleverly questions whether Jamie is a pawn in a lethal game of chess or if the risks he takes help him assert his independence after years of knowing his career had been helped and his successes not truly his. He is an engaging protagonist whose natural skills are balanced by his naivety, leading to several agonisingly as Jamie's position grows ever more perilous mean she is equally as fascinating, and the scenes which take place in London as Jeremy desperately tries to stop a terrifying conspiracy are no less nail-biting.
The sense of place throughout A Reluctant Spy is superb and David Goodman brings Tanzania and particularly Zanzibar and the highly fortified Russian compound off the coast there vividly to life. With several antagonists to contend with and a labyrinthine plot which twists and turns, this dynamic global thriller is an irresistible page-turner which never lets readers forget the potential human cost of any action undertaken by the villains, or indeed, the heroes.
Breathtakingly exciting, with characters I really cared about; A Reluctant Spy is a riveting read which left me fervently hoping for more.
August 16, 2024
A Reluctant Spy follows Jamie Tulloch, a civilian participant in the fictional Legends Programme, in which he and other volunteers like him agree to live personally unattached, low-online-footprint lives and receive helping nudges from the UK government in terms of career and life opportunities; in exchange for this fairly lonely life of professional and financial security, Jamie and the other volunteers have agreed to briefly give up their identity when called upon by the Programme, which allows government agents studied in their civilian counterparts to insert themselves into undercover situations with flawless background personas that would pass even rigorous background checks by the bad guys.
When Jamie’s time comes, he’s told to accept a sudden business trip and given instructions to switch over with his counterpart, agent GARNET, mid-travel—GARNET would assume Jamie’s identity and travel plans and fulfill his undercover mission, and Jamie would travel under a fake identity and have a nice, long vacation.
That was the plan. But Jamie shows up at the appointed meeting place to find that things have gone very wrong, very fast. Without his fake identity and new plane tickets, without his contacts in the Legends Programme, Jamie is stuck going along to the destination meant for his spy counterpart, and he gets swept into the action.
From there, this book is a romp. It is so fun.
Goodman’s descriptive writing is on point. He does an excellent job of making the scenery, the people, and the atmosphere feel real. I think this is an aspect of good writing that sometimes gets overlooked in favor of the more obvious elements—pacing, plot, characters (all of which Goodman is also great at, and we’ll get to that in a moment)—but nailing the vibes in a way that makes the reader want to believe in the fabric of the story itself is a subtler skill that A Reluctant Spy is a great example of.
This book was well-thought out; there were no scenes or plot elements that felt out of place or hurried or poorly-planned. I don’t know enough about international espionage (obviously) to say for sure whether it felt realistic, but it certainly all felt plausible. On top of all that, it was a fun story. I also really enjoyed that this book kept me guessing. The plot was so well-constructed and tightly-woven, all the threads coming together in a series of reveals that didn’t leave any unanswered questions or holes and that all fit so neatly with each other. It’s a book I will almost certainly re-read specifically so that I can go, “Aha! I didn’t catch that before, but it makes sense now that I know this.” I tend to pride myself on being good at figuring out how a story will go, and by the end of this book there were major points I hadn’t guessed and particular character reveals I had more than one suspect for.
The pacing was spot-on, too. Sometimes in a book with multiple POVs I find myself dreading one or more, wishing I could get back to what I feel is the “main one.” Goodman avoids this so well. Each POV character is interesting in their own right and also propels the story in their own ways. And the way the pacing ramps up to an action-packed ending works so well.
Where Goodman really shines is in his character writing. The people feel fleshed-out and real in a way that is so impressive. Character motivations, personalities, tics, habits, appearances, Goodman nails it. I’d love to spend more time on this part of my recommendation, because the character writing deserves it, but I find I’m struggling to do so without giving spoilers (I bet professional reviewers who read and discuss spy thrillers often are better at getting around this, haha).
Overall, I really dig this book. It’s a fast, fun, propulsive read!
When Jamie’s time comes, he’s told to accept a sudden business trip and given instructions to switch over with his counterpart, agent GARNET, mid-travel—GARNET would assume Jamie’s identity and travel plans and fulfill his undercover mission, and Jamie would travel under a fake identity and have a nice, long vacation.
That was the plan. But Jamie shows up at the appointed meeting place to find that things have gone very wrong, very fast. Without his fake identity and new plane tickets, without his contacts in the Legends Programme, Jamie is stuck going along to the destination meant for his spy counterpart, and he gets swept into the action.
From there, this book is a romp. It is so fun.
Goodman’s descriptive writing is on point. He does an excellent job of making the scenery, the people, and the atmosphere feel real. I think this is an aspect of good writing that sometimes gets overlooked in favor of the more obvious elements—pacing, plot, characters (all of which Goodman is also great at, and we’ll get to that in a moment)—but nailing the vibes in a way that makes the reader want to believe in the fabric of the story itself is a subtler skill that A Reluctant Spy is a great example of.
This book was well-thought out; there were no scenes or plot elements that felt out of place or hurried or poorly-planned. I don’t know enough about international espionage (obviously) to say for sure whether it felt realistic, but it certainly all felt plausible. On top of all that, it was a fun story. I also really enjoyed that this book kept me guessing. The plot was so well-constructed and tightly-woven, all the threads coming together in a series of reveals that didn’t leave any unanswered questions or holes and that all fit so neatly with each other. It’s a book I will almost certainly re-read specifically so that I can go, “Aha! I didn’t catch that before, but it makes sense now that I know this.” I tend to pride myself on being good at figuring out how a story will go, and by the end of this book there were major points I hadn’t guessed and particular character reveals I had more than one suspect for.
The pacing was spot-on, too. Sometimes in a book with multiple POVs I find myself dreading one or more, wishing I could get back to what I feel is the “main one.” Goodman avoids this so well. Each POV character is interesting in their own right and also propels the story in their own ways. And the way the pacing ramps up to an action-packed ending works so well.
Where Goodman really shines is in his character writing. The people feel fleshed-out and real in a way that is so impressive. Character motivations, personalities, tics, habits, appearances, Goodman nails it. I’d love to spend more time on this part of my recommendation, because the character writing deserves it, but I find I’m struggling to do so without giving spoilers (I bet professional reviewers who read and discuss spy thrillers often are better at getting around this, haha).
Overall, I really dig this book. It’s a fast, fun, propulsive read!
September 10, 2024
After a slowish start, the spy fiction offerings for 2024 and early 2025 are beginning to pick up with new books by Henry Porter, Paul Vidich and David McCloskey in the pipeline.
In the interim, one book which is well worth checking out is David Goodman’s debut espionage novel, A Reluctant Spy.
The story revolves around the central conceit of the Legends Program, a secret British intelligence effort to prepare impenetrable backstories for undercover agents. It uses real people, living low-key real lives, who are willing to hand over their identities, so that an agent can become them for a few weeks in order to go undercover. In return, the real ‘legends’ are given a helping hand with plum jobs, influence and access, and a stress free holiday while someone else is using their identity.
Jamie Tulloch is a successful executive at a top tech company, a long way from the tough upbringing that drove him to rise so far and so quickly. He has also been a member of the Legends Program since he was 23, getting a nice kick along in his career in the process.
After years of waiting, he is finally activated by British Intelligence. Arriving at a French airport ready to hand over his identity, Jamie finds his primary contact murdered in a toilet, the agent who’s supposed to step into his life AWOL, and his options for escape non-existent. In desperation, he uses the ticket meant for the fake Jamie Tulloch, and steps onto the plane as himself, and heads to Zanzibar. Once there he becomes caught up in a dangerous operation involving Russian mercenaries, a rogue general, and an infamous arms trader. Meanwhile British Intelligence is playing catch-up, with the controller on the ground in Zanzibar only gradually coming to realise what has happened. While back in London, the bosses of the Legends Program have to deal with a major IT and physical attack on the program.
The twin storylines work really well, with the political and inter-service maneuverings of the Intelligence mandarins in London, nicely contrasted with the on-the-ground action of the scenes in Zanzibar. The pace is brisk throughout, with just the occasional pause for descriptive passages of the sights and smells of Zanzibar and Tulloch’s internal angst over his situation.
Some suspensions of disbelief are required, especially around Tulloch’s actions, but this is well offset and grounded by convincing details around spycraft, and credible descriptions of intelligence operations. The multiple viewpoints are well handled, and each of the characters are interesting in their own rights, particularly the agent on the ground in Tanzania, Nicola Ellis, and Adil Komba from the Tanzanian Intelligence and Security Service.
After some good build-up, the ending delivers with a violent maelstrom of action and killing, and the requisite twists and turns. The identity of the ‘mole’ at the centre of the operation is not overly surprising, but the steps to their unveiling are well worked out.
In all, a very impressive debut that reminded me at times of the recent novels by Charles Cumming. I suspect that it is the start of what will be a successful series.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/n...
Rating 4.5 - rounded up.
In the interim, one book which is well worth checking out is David Goodman’s debut espionage novel, A Reluctant Spy.
The story revolves around the central conceit of the Legends Program, a secret British intelligence effort to prepare impenetrable backstories for undercover agents. It uses real people, living low-key real lives, who are willing to hand over their identities, so that an agent can become them for a few weeks in order to go undercover. In return, the real ‘legends’ are given a helping hand with plum jobs, influence and access, and a stress free holiday while someone else is using their identity.
Jamie Tulloch is a successful executive at a top tech company, a long way from the tough upbringing that drove him to rise so far and so quickly. He has also been a member of the Legends Program since he was 23, getting a nice kick along in his career in the process.
After years of waiting, he is finally activated by British Intelligence. Arriving at a French airport ready to hand over his identity, Jamie finds his primary contact murdered in a toilet, the agent who’s supposed to step into his life AWOL, and his options for escape non-existent. In desperation, he uses the ticket meant for the fake Jamie Tulloch, and steps onto the plane as himself, and heads to Zanzibar. Once there he becomes caught up in a dangerous operation involving Russian mercenaries, a rogue general, and an infamous arms trader. Meanwhile British Intelligence is playing catch-up, with the controller on the ground in Zanzibar only gradually coming to realise what has happened. While back in London, the bosses of the Legends Program have to deal with a major IT and physical attack on the program.
The twin storylines work really well, with the political and inter-service maneuverings of the Intelligence mandarins in London, nicely contrasted with the on-the-ground action of the scenes in Zanzibar. The pace is brisk throughout, with just the occasional pause for descriptive passages of the sights and smells of Zanzibar and Tulloch’s internal angst over his situation.
Some suspensions of disbelief are required, especially around Tulloch’s actions, but this is well offset and grounded by convincing details around spycraft, and credible descriptions of intelligence operations. The multiple viewpoints are well handled, and each of the characters are interesting in their own rights, particularly the agent on the ground in Tanzania, Nicola Ellis, and Adil Komba from the Tanzanian Intelligence and Security Service.
After some good build-up, the ending delivers with a violent maelstrom of action and killing, and the requisite twists and turns. The identity of the ‘mole’ at the centre of the operation is not overly surprising, but the steps to their unveiling are well worked out.
In all, a very impressive debut that reminded me at times of the recent novels by Charles Cumming. I suspect that it is the start of what will be a successful series.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/n...
Rating 4.5 - rounded up.
September 11, 2024
Spy thrillers are an interesting breed. The best ones these days will remind the reader of the classics – Fleming, Le Carré, Greene – while taking cues from those reinventing the genre, the Mick Herrons etc. Goodman is firmly in this mold, and his tale has the feel of the old masters but with the innovative fresh breath of the new.
In particular, he has three tricks up his sleeve, and like a more hapless Q giving Bond the lowdown on his kit, I’ll take you through each one now.
The first is a hell of an elevator pitch. Enter the Legends Programme, one of the crown jewels of the modern British spy service, which essentially provides perfect backstories for cover agents. It does so by recruiting normal people who live their life – with a little career boost – then, when the time comes, a spy steps into their life for a time. The spy gets the perfect cover for their mission (as is made brutally clear early on, simple fake papers aren’t enough for a spy impersonating someone in the age of the internet anymore). Meanwhile the recruit gets a nice holiday. Of course, it doesn’t quite work for our protagonist and soon the ordinary bloke meant to swap lives with the spy is forced to complete the mission himself in Zanzibar and get a crash course in spycraft while up against Russian mercenaries, arms dealers, and a greater conspiracy.
It's such a great idea you spend the first quarter of the book admiring it, but luckily this is not a one-trick pony as the second of Goodman’s tricks is his combination of whiplash pace and intelligence, a sort of pleasingly addictive melding of a Bond film with the cerebral, twist-filled layering of a Le Carré. This does not suffer from the surfeit of stupidity you often get with a thriller this breakneck fast; Goodman has considered his spycraft and his tech and it all feels convincingly real. I loved the flicking between the London spy headquarters and the action on the ground; there is also a strong sense of the role of the spy in the modern era that gives this another interesting layer. And when it all kicks off at the end, it’s a rapid fire attack of twists, action and violence that makes the hurricane gale pace of the rest of the book feel positively tortoise-like by comparison.
As for Goodman’s third gadget in his spy thriller roster? It’s the prose, stupid. This is one of those rare books where the prose itself is a character, because it’s so taut, sleek, and efficient. Clinical prose in a spy thriller is hardly unusual, but this is next level. It reminds me of the principles of a formula one car: strip everything non-essential from a normal car, and what you get is a sleek road monster doing what other cars can’t. It’s a terrifyingly disciplined approach to writing – I’m not sure I could do it myself – and it gave me an extra layer of pleasure reading it; studying the absences of words just as much as the words itself.
Overall, this is an intelligent, modern, sleek machine of a spy thriller stripped to the core and programmed to entertain. A new thriller talent is born.
In particular, he has three tricks up his sleeve, and like a more hapless Q giving Bond the lowdown on his kit, I’ll take you through each one now.
The first is a hell of an elevator pitch. Enter the Legends Programme, one of the crown jewels of the modern British spy service, which essentially provides perfect backstories for cover agents. It does so by recruiting normal people who live their life – with a little career boost – then, when the time comes, a spy steps into their life for a time. The spy gets the perfect cover for their mission (as is made brutally clear early on, simple fake papers aren’t enough for a spy impersonating someone in the age of the internet anymore). Meanwhile the recruit gets a nice holiday. Of course, it doesn’t quite work for our protagonist and soon the ordinary bloke meant to swap lives with the spy is forced to complete the mission himself in Zanzibar and get a crash course in spycraft while up against Russian mercenaries, arms dealers, and a greater conspiracy.
It's such a great idea you spend the first quarter of the book admiring it, but luckily this is not a one-trick pony as the second of Goodman’s tricks is his combination of whiplash pace and intelligence, a sort of pleasingly addictive melding of a Bond film with the cerebral, twist-filled layering of a Le Carré. This does not suffer from the surfeit of stupidity you often get with a thriller this breakneck fast; Goodman has considered his spycraft and his tech and it all feels convincingly real. I loved the flicking between the London spy headquarters and the action on the ground; there is also a strong sense of the role of the spy in the modern era that gives this another interesting layer. And when it all kicks off at the end, it’s a rapid fire attack of twists, action and violence that makes the hurricane gale pace of the rest of the book feel positively tortoise-like by comparison.
As for Goodman’s third gadget in his spy thriller roster? It’s the prose, stupid. This is one of those rare books where the prose itself is a character, because it’s so taut, sleek, and efficient. Clinical prose in a spy thriller is hardly unusual, but this is next level. It reminds me of the principles of a formula one car: strip everything non-essential from a normal car, and what you get is a sleek road monster doing what other cars can’t. It’s a terrifyingly disciplined approach to writing – I’m not sure I could do it myself – and it gave me an extra layer of pleasure reading it; studying the absences of words just as much as the words itself.
Overall, this is an intelligent, modern, sleek machine of a spy thriller stripped to the core and programmed to entertain. A new thriller talent is born.
July 3, 2024
A fine new entry into the spy genre.
"A Reluctant Spy" opens in 2003, where an undercover agent finds himself in deep water when, during an interrogation, his cover is blown wide open by someone simply carrying out an internet search.
Fast forward to the present, and said agent is responsible for a department whose sole job is to create "legends" - totally authentic cover stories for agents going undercover. They're authentic because they belong to real people, living real lives, but who occasionally allow someone to "borrow" their life while they enjoy a holiday somewhere secret. What cover story could be more unbreakable? That's what Jamie Tulloch thought - his instructions are to make contact in Paris, where an agent will adopt his persona, while he Jamie, heads off to the sun to a few months. Except when he gets there, the contact is dead.
And so the reader, and Jamie, are drawn into an increasingly dangerous and complex drama, as he takes it upon himself to step into the agent's shoes. He travels to Zanzibar where he gets involved with the Russian mafia and arms traders, and it's only when his handlers discover what's happened that they realise he has a knack for the job. He agrees to continue, with the help of Nicola, his handler. The repartee between them is very good, and I'd like to read more of them.
The book takes place in London, where the intelligence service is trying to determine who has hacked their network, and Zanzibar. The events in London as wonderfully described, as departments seek to apportion blame or garner credit for saving the day. Like the works of LeCarre and Deighton, "A Reluctant Spy" places an amateur firmly in an in-over-his-head situation, where events drag him along at a pace. In fact the whole book moves along at a fair old page-turning pace, stopping occasionally to examine the scenery (Zanzibar with all its sights and smells) or lingering on Jamie as he struggles to maintain his cover. If he sometimes appears a bit too able to cope, it just adds to the drama. Jamie is a Scot, and fellow Scots will enjoy his occasional lapse into colloquial speech when he's under pressure.
Fans of spy / espionage stories are going to lap this book up - it's a perfect blend of old-school spying and new-school technology. The author is a fellow Scot, already the author of several SF novels, but this move into spy territory is inspired. If you're a fan of Charles Beaumont and Matthew Richardson, it's right up your street. Heartily recommended.
"A Reluctant Spy" opens in 2003, where an undercover agent finds himself in deep water when, during an interrogation, his cover is blown wide open by someone simply carrying out an internet search.
Fast forward to the present, and said agent is responsible for a department whose sole job is to create "legends" - totally authentic cover stories for agents going undercover. They're authentic because they belong to real people, living real lives, but who occasionally allow someone to "borrow" their life while they enjoy a holiday somewhere secret. What cover story could be more unbreakable? That's what Jamie Tulloch thought - his instructions are to make contact in Paris, where an agent will adopt his persona, while he Jamie, heads off to the sun to a few months. Except when he gets there, the contact is dead.
And so the reader, and Jamie, are drawn into an increasingly dangerous and complex drama, as he takes it upon himself to step into the agent's shoes. He travels to Zanzibar where he gets involved with the Russian mafia and arms traders, and it's only when his handlers discover what's happened that they realise he has a knack for the job. He agrees to continue, with the help of Nicola, his handler. The repartee between them is very good, and I'd like to read more of them.
The book takes place in London, where the intelligence service is trying to determine who has hacked their network, and Zanzibar. The events in London as wonderfully described, as departments seek to apportion blame or garner credit for saving the day. Like the works of LeCarre and Deighton, "A Reluctant Spy" places an amateur firmly in an in-over-his-head situation, where events drag him along at a pace. In fact the whole book moves along at a fair old page-turning pace, stopping occasionally to examine the scenery (Zanzibar with all its sights and smells) or lingering on Jamie as he struggles to maintain his cover. If he sometimes appears a bit too able to cope, it just adds to the drama. Jamie is a Scot, and fellow Scots will enjoy his occasional lapse into colloquial speech when he's under pressure.
Fans of spy / espionage stories are going to lap this book up - it's a perfect blend of old-school spying and new-school technology. The author is a fellow Scot, already the author of several SF novels, but this move into spy territory is inspired. If you're a fan of Charles Beaumont and Matthew Richardson, it's right up your street. Heartily recommended.
June 26, 2025
Don't you hate it when you read a blurb going "A gripping spy thriller perfect for fans of Mick Herron or John LeCarré"? A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman is nothing like Herron or LeCarré, but is an excellent thriller. Jamie Tulloch ends up in a situation he didn't sign up for, even when he enlisted as a "Legend", a very secret division of SIS (formerly MI6). Revealing more would give away the plot, but suffice to say it's exciting to the end, concisely written and "action packed" (ok, sorry for the blurb).
I do have a few remarks that prevented me from giving it 5 stars.
- Jamie is characterised mostly as someone who consciously isn't looking for a lot of excitement. The life he leads as a Legend is fairly quiet, without a social life to speak of. And that apparently is what he wants. But then he ends up in heavy turmoil, in which he among other things gets severely beaten up. The way he reacts to that is almost similar to James Bond being rope slapped against his balls, while he's laughing at his nemesis. Suddenly Jamie is a fearless hero, which is a rather sudden change of character.
- The amount of military and intelligence jargon and abbreviations is staggering and at times confusing. A glossary would have helped. Or fewer mentions.
- I find it really hard to believe that in 2003 (the beginning of the story) a section chief of SIS doesn't have an email address and asks "What's a google?" Also the whole service apparently didn't bother with digitally backing up their undercover agents. That seems like a rather serious flaw in the research Goodman did.
But apart from that, a real "pageturner" (oops, sorry again)
I do have a few remarks that prevented me from giving it 5 stars.
- Jamie is characterised mostly as someone who consciously isn't looking for a lot of excitement. The life he leads as a Legend is fairly quiet, without a social life to speak of. And that apparently is what he wants. But then he ends up in heavy turmoil, in which he among other things gets severely beaten up. The way he reacts to that is almost similar to James Bond being rope slapped against his balls, while he's laughing at his nemesis. Suddenly Jamie is a fearless hero, which is a rather sudden change of character.
- The amount of military and intelligence jargon and abbreviations is staggering and at times confusing. A glossary would have helped. Or fewer mentions.
- I find it really hard to believe that in 2003 (the beginning of the story) a section chief of SIS doesn't have an email address and asks "What's a google?" Also the whole service apparently didn't bother with digitally backing up their undercover agents. That seems like a rather serious flaw in the research Goodman did.
But apart from that, a real "pageturner" (oops, sorry again)
September 30, 2024
I'm not usually a reader of spy fiction, but David Goodman's debut novel, A Reluctant Spy, was the first pick for the Goldsboro Crime Collective subscription, and I'm very happy that they made that decision for me, because I was thoroughly engrossed throughout.
It's a fish out of water story that finds Jamie Tulloch recruited to the Legends program, a scheme where his life is pretty much rented by the SIS to provide them with a legitimate cover identity for their undercover operative to adopt for a mission while he sods off on holiday for a few weeks. Or that WAS the plan, until Jamie finds himself stuck going on the mission himself.
It has a lot of twists and thrills, and David does an excellent job of building tension to the point where it drives you crazy and you scream at a character on the page for being a reckless idiot and hold your breath until you know whether or not he's pushed his luck too far, before realising that it's ink on a wad of bound pages and you're being the idiot for giving a fictional character a good telling off. Like, really, this book had me so invested, I was getting angry at words.
This is a great book, and it's even more impressive that it's David's debut. I also read that he made himself get up in the early hours of the morning to write before going to work. As somebody who struggles to get up before lunch, that level of commitment and dedication is so impressive. Read the book, it's very good. Even if you don't think spy fiction is your thing, this particular one is. Read it.
It's a fish out of water story that finds Jamie Tulloch recruited to the Legends program, a scheme where his life is pretty much rented by the SIS to provide them with a legitimate cover identity for their undercover operative to adopt for a mission while he sods off on holiday for a few weeks. Or that WAS the plan, until Jamie finds himself stuck going on the mission himself.
It has a lot of twists and thrills, and David does an excellent job of building tension to the point where it drives you crazy and you scream at a character on the page for being a reckless idiot and hold your breath until you know whether or not he's pushed his luck too far, before realising that it's ink on a wad of bound pages and you're being the idiot for giving a fictional character a good telling off. Like, really, this book had me so invested, I was getting angry at words.
This is a great book, and it's even more impressive that it's David's debut. I also read that he made himself get up in the early hours of the morning to write before going to work. As somebody who struggles to get up before lunch, that level of commitment and dedication is so impressive. Read the book, it's very good. Even if you don't think spy fiction is your thing, this particular one is. Read it.
March 12, 2025
A Reluctant Spy is an exceptional espionage thriller that stands out as one of the best reads in recent times. Approaching it without prior knowledge, I was immediately drawn into its intricately woven narrative. The novel masterfully intertwines three compelling storylines, each as captivating as the next. Unlike other books where shifting between plots can be jarring, here, each transition heightened my engagement, making it a true page-turner.
The atmosphere is vividly crafted, evoking cinematic imagery that played out like an action-packed film in my mind—a testament to Goodman's evocative writing. The characters are richly developed, with authentic Scottish vernacular adding depth and relatability, especially for readers familiar with Northern UK dialects. Moments of genuine humor arise from these cultural nuances, eliciting spontaneous laughter.
From start to finish, the novel maintains relentless suspense, solidifying its place among top-tier spy thrillers. It offers a unique twist that hooks readers, yet it's the robust storytelling and character development that truly captivate. Envisioning this narrative as a television series is effortless, and I'd be eager to see it adapted for the screen.
I wholeheartedly recommend A Reluctant Spy to enthusiasts of thrillers and espionage tales. Fans of James Bond or Jason Bourne seeking a more grounded narrative will find this novel particularly appealing. It's a standout addition to the genre, offering both excitement and depth.
The atmosphere is vividly crafted, evoking cinematic imagery that played out like an action-packed film in my mind—a testament to Goodman's evocative writing. The characters are richly developed, with authentic Scottish vernacular adding depth and relatability, especially for readers familiar with Northern UK dialects. Moments of genuine humor arise from these cultural nuances, eliciting spontaneous laughter.
From start to finish, the novel maintains relentless suspense, solidifying its place among top-tier spy thrillers. It offers a unique twist that hooks readers, yet it's the robust storytelling and character development that truly captivate. Envisioning this narrative as a television series is effortless, and I'd be eager to see it adapted for the screen.
I wholeheartedly recommend A Reluctant Spy to enthusiasts of thrillers and espionage tales. Fans of James Bond or Jason Bourne seeking a more grounded narrative will find this novel particularly appealing. It's a standout addition to the genre, offering both excitement and depth.
August 15, 2025
Actually 3.5
A well constructed first espionage novel by the author. The story is based on the creation of a Legends program in the British secret service and when Jamie Tulloch who has held a true position is required to step aside and handover his role to a secret agent for an upcoming business negotiation with a Russian ex-mercenary Arkady Bocharov all looks fine until he discovers the body of his handler and no agent to be seen. He continues on his business mission legitimately with no idea as to what to do in relation to the true secret service/SIS objective. Jamie handles himself well and ultimately connects with the mission’s handlers and we are taken on a well paced ride with nice twists & turns.
So why not a higher rating? Three reasons: apart from Nicola Ellis, the field director of the operation, I did not find any of the characters compelling. A second reason is that there is allusion to the Ukraine-Russia war and that there was an outcome which was not clear at all (understandably). Given that there is a link between the (unknown) outcome and the true activity of Arkady Bokarov, we don’t get a “big picture” that places the end game into perspective. And, in relation to the end-game, while it is so loaded with details on actions, dialogue etc that the drama of the situation is not really apparent.
I know that a second novel is coming out for mid next year and I hope that David Goodman will evolve his style a bit to make his story even more compelling.
A well constructed first espionage novel by the author. The story is based on the creation of a Legends program in the British secret service and when Jamie Tulloch who has held a true position is required to step aside and handover his role to a secret agent for an upcoming business negotiation with a Russian ex-mercenary Arkady Bocharov all looks fine until he discovers the body of his handler and no agent to be seen. He continues on his business mission legitimately with no idea as to what to do in relation to the true secret service/SIS objective. Jamie handles himself well and ultimately connects with the mission’s handlers and we are taken on a well paced ride with nice twists & turns.
So why not a higher rating? Three reasons: apart from Nicola Ellis, the field director of the operation, I did not find any of the characters compelling. A second reason is that there is allusion to the Ukraine-Russia war and that there was an outcome which was not clear at all (understandably). Given that there is a link between the (unknown) outcome and the true activity of Arkady Bokarov, we don’t get a “big picture” that places the end game into perspective. And, in relation to the end-game, while it is so loaded with details on actions, dialogue etc that the drama of the situation is not really apparent.
I know that a second novel is coming out for mid next year and I hope that David Goodman will evolve his style a bit to make his story even more compelling.
September 28, 2024
Enjoyable and well-written debut spy novel. Jamie Tulloch is an average guy who works in software sales but is forced to step into the role of a spy when a covert mission goes awry. He is a likable protagonist, and many of the side characters are interesting and engaging, especially Nicola and Klein. This would transfer to the screen very well.
However, like most spy novels, the cast of characters is huge, and I repeatedly forgot who people were. Certain characters were not memorable, but then they would resurface 100 pages later as an important plot-twist.
I also struggled to stay engaged because the only threat that the reader is explicitly told about is that Jamie is in this bizarre situation. We aren't told what the Russians are planning until about 200 pages in, so I had a hard time caring about what was happening. There was the tension of, "Is Jamie going to get caught?", but no real-world consequence if he were to get caught.
Finally, the POV changed every few pages, which I struggled with. I loved the chapters that were from Jamie's perspective (boots on the ground) but dreaded Jeremy's chapters (head of mission in an office in London) because I found them to be dry and boring.
Overall, this was a well-written, interesting spy novel, but not one that changed my life. I would never pick it up again.
However, like most spy novels, the cast of characters is huge, and I repeatedly forgot who people were. Certain characters were not memorable, but then they would resurface 100 pages later as an important plot-twist.
I also struggled to stay engaged because the only threat that the reader is explicitly told about is that Jamie is in this bizarre situation. We aren't told what the Russians are planning until about 200 pages in, so I had a hard time caring about what was happening. There was the tension of, "Is Jamie going to get caught?", but no real-world consequence if he were to get caught.
Finally, the POV changed every few pages, which I struggled with. I loved the chapters that were from Jamie's perspective (boots on the ground) but dreaded Jeremy's chapters (head of mission in an office in London) because I found them to be dry and boring.
Overall, this was a well-written, interesting spy novel, but not one that changed my life. I would never pick it up again.
March 11, 2025
Really good spy thriller
As you read this you can easily picture it as a Netflix series. There are plenty of interesting crises to keep you moving forward. It’s a story about Brits and Yanks cooperating to discover, track and foil a plot by mercantile Russians running guns etc to get hold of a big bad weapon that they want to use to remake Russia. Only - there’s a double cross. Central to the plot is a longtime SIS program to recruit civilians who live their lives pretty much as normal apart from staying offline, who are replaced by a double - a real field operative - when the time is right. The “Legend” here is Scottish Jamie Tulloch, who is supposed to hand off his persona at de Gaulle airport and go backpacking in South America while his double heads for Zanzibar and the Russian bully boys but of course, things go wrong. There’s plenty of tech data to keep the nerds involved and female operatives (mainly goodies) to keep women interested. So yah boo sucks to Pete Hegseth and his desire to rid the US military of women, blacks, gays etc. The Tanzanian security services come off well, and there’s a big special effects scene at the end involving Navy SEALS, helicopter gunships and so on. Very entertaining.
As you read this you can easily picture it as a Netflix series. There are plenty of interesting crises to keep you moving forward. It’s a story about Brits and Yanks cooperating to discover, track and foil a plot by mercantile Russians running guns etc to get hold of a big bad weapon that they want to use to remake Russia. Only - there’s a double cross. Central to the plot is a longtime SIS program to recruit civilians who live their lives pretty much as normal apart from staying offline, who are replaced by a double - a real field operative - when the time is right. The “Legend” here is Scottish Jamie Tulloch, who is supposed to hand off his persona at de Gaulle airport and go backpacking in South America while his double heads for Zanzibar and the Russian bully boys but of course, things go wrong. There’s plenty of tech data to keep the nerds involved and female operatives (mainly goodies) to keep women interested. So yah boo sucks to Pete Hegseth and his desire to rid the US military of women, blacks, gays etc. The Tanzanian security services come off well, and there’s a big special effects scene at the end involving Navy SEALS, helicopter gunships and so on. Very entertaining.
November 22, 2025
No Reluctance
What a great read. Our MMC Jamie Tulloch, is a working class Glaswegian who pulled himself up by his bootstrap intelligence, graduating from Cambridge and the Ivy League into an assured business career thanks to his agreeing to offer his own life as a ‘legend’ for an eventual British Intelligence spook. When agent ‘Garnet’ is finally activated for an East African mission, Jamie is just supposed to rendezvous in Paris CDG to swap identities. Instead, with his flight cancelled, he arrives early to find his handler murdered and decides to keep going. He blunders into an arms deal involving Russian and Italian arms dealers and a dirty bomb, managing to copy the key Russian’s laptop along the way and successfully handing over that intel to the on-the-spot British agent before getting himself, and said agent, caught. Enter the Americans.
The characterisation, plot and pacing are immaculate, the reader’s interest piqued and maintained from paragraph to paragraph, let alone page to page and chapter to chapter. This is a real gem and a welcome addition to the espionage genre, lately injected with new blood thanks to Mick Herron, Henry Porter, Oliver Harris and their ilk. Heartily recommended.
What a great read. Our MMC Jamie Tulloch, is a working class Glaswegian who pulled himself up by his bootstrap intelligence, graduating from Cambridge and the Ivy League into an assured business career thanks to his agreeing to offer his own life as a ‘legend’ for an eventual British Intelligence spook. When agent ‘Garnet’ is finally activated for an East African mission, Jamie is just supposed to rendezvous in Paris CDG to swap identities. Instead, with his flight cancelled, he arrives early to find his handler murdered and decides to keep going. He blunders into an arms deal involving Russian and Italian arms dealers and a dirty bomb, managing to copy the key Russian’s laptop along the way and successfully handing over that intel to the on-the-spot British agent before getting himself, and said agent, caught. Enter the Americans.
The characterisation, plot and pacing are immaculate, the reader’s interest piqued and maintained from paragraph to paragraph, let alone page to page and chapter to chapter. This is a real gem and a welcome addition to the espionage genre, lately injected with new blood thanks to Mick Herron, Henry Porter, Oliver Harris and their ilk. Heartily recommended.
December 3, 2025
I enjoyed the plot of the book. It was fast moving and had a sufficient number of unexpected twists to keep my interest and desire to continue reading. Character development was also good. As always, there was some poetic license applied to keep things interesting, although some of the events were a bit off from how things are done. One thing I found disappointing is the effusive use of profanity, which, in my opinion, is unnecessary, and if usually reserved for inexperienced authors who do this, apparently in their opinion, add credibility to their characters. I find this demeaning as a good author does not have to lower themself to this level to effect a good read. Nonetheless, the book was enjoyable, and I would recommend it with the stipulation that it contains the unnecessary profanity.
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