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Everybody Wants to Rule the World: A Hilarious Cold War Thriller of Unlikely Heroes, Russian Spies, and High School Drama in the Heart of 1980s Suburban America
Elmore Leonard meets Robert Ludlum in a rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985 from acclaimed author Ace Atkins, in which a suburban teen suspects his mom’s new boyfriend is the ultimate bad guy—a KGB agent.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
121 people are currently reading
11425 people want to read
About the author
Ace Atkins
71 books1,558 followersAce Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 31, 2025
My first but certainly will not be my last by this creative author who's written a quirky, fun and funny '80s spy story. Will keep you highly amused and glued to the page!
December 25, 2025
Apparently Russian spies use the phrase "F**k your Mother" quite a bit or they do in this story at least. It was fun being taken back to the 80's with references to popular music and the very beginnings of some of the modern technology that we enjoy today. A seemingly washed up author of detective stories and his best friend, ex-football player turned drag queen Jackie Demure are a great duo as this story's main characters. Some of the humor in this adventure is a bit crude, but it had me laughing quite a bit. If you enjoy nostalgic detective stories you might enjoy this book.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 1, 2025
EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD by Ace Atkins
Publication: 2025 by William Morrow Books/ Harper Collins
Page Count: 356
Graded: 5 of 5 Stars
Ace Atkins masterfully pens another historical crime thriller laced with possible geopolitical implications. The atmospheric setting is 1985 Atlanta. The city is swarming with spies and the Russian “illegals” program is in full swing. They’re living next door to you. President Reagan, the year before, announced his initiation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) in an attempt to make nuclear weapons obsolete. He envisioned a spaced based net using lasers and satellites to blanket the United States, making it impermeable to intercontinental ballistic missiles from our potential adversaries like Russia. Reagan theorized that this would end the pact of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). The press debunked this program and nicknamed it “Reagan’s Star Wars” program. But, how did Russia envision this potential resistance to their threat. Atkins theorizes its potential implications. The story is set into motion with the defection of Vitaly Yurchenko of the KGB First Directive. This love sick traitor is milked by the C.I.A. for all possible relevant data, relating to Russian spying and their reaction to SDI. Vitaly as expected is playing both sides of the fence in this Cold War dance.
Does he really want to hook up with an old flame or is there something more sinister and treacherous in his plans. The story is told in multiple view points by a cast of wacky colorful , and yet believable characters… many bigger than life.
Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old, a typical teen with bedroom walls covered with concert and movie posters. He is obsessed with the notion that his mother, Connie, is dating a Russian spy, Gary Powers. Peter has been told that his father died in the Vietnam War. His mother has had a seemingly endless stream of boyfriends, but he finds the latest extremely odious. The police have no patience for his prattle and he is forced to enlist the aid of the hack pulp writer, Dennis X Hotchner. Peter has enjoyed Hotch’s string of pulpy “Bud Everett” crime thrillers, starring Bud and his side-kick Brutus, and is aware of his working at a local bookstore. Hotch has also recently written a magazine article referring to the presence of Russian’s living amongst us. Hotch becomes reluctantly interested in helping Peter. Amusingly Hotch has a close friend and comrade. Jackie Johnson. An ex-Atlanta Falcons tight end, who presently works frequently as a drag queen performer, named Jackie Demure. This certainly mirrors the crime solving duo in his hackneyed pulp novels. Hotch and Jackie become deeply embroiled in the twisted layered plot as they launch their investigation. They trip over threads of circumstances that link Peter’s mom, Connie to the murder of a secretary, Jenny Buckner, a secretary and friend who also works at Scientific Atlanta. Jenny is known to have had top level security clearance in this company that has multiple far reaching government contracts. A critical CD stuffed with information is missing.
Also involved in this densely layered plot are the viewpoints of Sylvia Weaver, a no nonsense FBI intelligence officer and Daniel Rafferty, FBI agent with previous connections to Vitally , and who is leading another “Walter Mitty-like” life with exotic pole dancer, “Miss Trinity Velvet.” Not to be forgotten is the Russian assassin, Lisica, aka “The White Fox”, who lives hidden in the US as part of the Russian “illegals” program.
Multi-award winning novelist Ace Atkins utilizes his past experience as a crime reporter to provide a twisted and complex narrative that has “ripped from the headlines” appeal. His dialogue illustrates his skillful knowledge of language as he weaves these multiple colorful characters together in an amusing symphony of corruption, loyalty, and exploration o fthe dark side of human behavior. Atkins latest will certainly add a cadre of avid followers to his ever expanding oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Publication: 2025 by William Morrow Books/ Harper Collins
Page Count: 356
Graded: 5 of 5 Stars
Ace Atkins masterfully pens another historical crime thriller laced with possible geopolitical implications. The atmospheric setting is 1985 Atlanta. The city is swarming with spies and the Russian “illegals” program is in full swing. They’re living next door to you. President Reagan, the year before, announced his initiation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) in an attempt to make nuclear weapons obsolete. He envisioned a spaced based net using lasers and satellites to blanket the United States, making it impermeable to intercontinental ballistic missiles from our potential adversaries like Russia. Reagan theorized that this would end the pact of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). The press debunked this program and nicknamed it “Reagan’s Star Wars” program. But, how did Russia envision this potential resistance to their threat. Atkins theorizes its potential implications. The story is set into motion with the defection of Vitaly Yurchenko of the KGB First Directive. This love sick traitor is milked by the C.I.A. for all possible relevant data, relating to Russian spying and their reaction to SDI. Vitaly as expected is playing both sides of the fence in this Cold War dance.
Does he really want to hook up with an old flame or is there something more sinister and treacherous in his plans. The story is told in multiple view points by a cast of wacky colorful , and yet believable characters… many bigger than life.
Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old, a typical teen with bedroom walls covered with concert and movie posters. He is obsessed with the notion that his mother, Connie, is dating a Russian spy, Gary Powers. Peter has been told that his father died in the Vietnam War. His mother has had a seemingly endless stream of boyfriends, but he finds the latest extremely odious. The police have no patience for his prattle and he is forced to enlist the aid of the hack pulp writer, Dennis X Hotchner. Peter has enjoyed Hotch’s string of pulpy “Bud Everett” crime thrillers, starring Bud and his side-kick Brutus, and is aware of his working at a local bookstore. Hotch has also recently written a magazine article referring to the presence of Russian’s living amongst us. Hotch becomes reluctantly interested in helping Peter. Amusingly Hotch has a close friend and comrade. Jackie Johnson. An ex-Atlanta Falcons tight end, who presently works frequently as a drag queen performer, named Jackie Demure. This certainly mirrors the crime solving duo in his hackneyed pulp novels. Hotch and Jackie become deeply embroiled in the twisted layered plot as they launch their investigation. They trip over threads of circumstances that link Peter’s mom, Connie to the murder of a secretary, Jenny Buckner, a secretary and friend who also works at Scientific Atlanta. Jenny is known to have had top level security clearance in this company that has multiple far reaching government contracts. A critical CD stuffed with information is missing.
Also involved in this densely layered plot are the viewpoints of Sylvia Weaver, a no nonsense FBI intelligence officer and Daniel Rafferty, FBI agent with previous connections to Vitally , and who is leading another “Walter Mitty-like” life with exotic pole dancer, “Miss Trinity Velvet.” Not to be forgotten is the Russian assassin, Lisica, aka “The White Fox”, who lives hidden in the US as part of the Russian “illegals” program.
Multi-award winning novelist Ace Atkins utilizes his past experience as a crime reporter to provide a twisted and complex narrative that has “ripped from the headlines” appeal. His dialogue illustrates his skillful knowledge of language as he weaves these multiple colorful characters together in an amusing symphony of corruption, loyalty, and exploration o fthe dark side of human behavior. Atkins latest will certainly add a cadre of avid followers to his ever expanding oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
I didn't read the blurb to this one, but do like the author, so I went into it cold. I knew it wasn't in his normal "series", but I was still a bit thrown. It's set in the 1980's, so as a Gen X'er, I loved that part! It felt like old home week so many of the references.
It did start out slow for me, I was a bit confused with the Russian spy stuff, then the kid, the old man author, the drag star, so many "odd" things that didn't feel like they connected. But once you saw the lines, everything clicked into place and you had a good old fashion thriller of who was the bad guy.
You have to give it to Peter, he knew something was going on, sought out people that could help him and ended up in the middle of a cluster fuck of an epic proportions! And while he was right on somethings, he was so far off base on others. I kinda hated how things were left with him, so much disillusionment for him, you kinda wished he was still in the dark. I only hope the rest of his life is more open and honest for him.
Dennis and Jackie were another pair that I felt bad for, they got sucked into things too and really tried hard to do the right thing and while they did, things didn't end the best there either.
I don't know that I trust the one spy that started things off, don't know that he isn't still playing some sort of game. I'm glad that the American was caught and dealt with and hate that one more spy got away. I really want that person caught, they caused so much chaos. I guess the only good thing now is that they are known and if caught there will be consequences.
It did start out slow for me, I was a bit confused with the Russian spy stuff, then the kid, the old man author, the drag star, so many "odd" things that didn't feel like they connected. But once you saw the lines, everything clicked into place and you had a good old fashion thriller of who was the bad guy.
You have to give it to Peter, he knew something was going on, sought out people that could help him and ended up in the middle of a cluster fuck of an epic proportions! And while he was right on somethings, he was so far off base on others. I kinda hated how things were left with him, so much disillusionment for him, you kinda wished he was still in the dark. I only hope the rest of his life is more open and honest for him.
Dennis and Jackie were another pair that I felt bad for, they got sucked into things too and really tried hard to do the right thing and while they did, things didn't end the best there either.
I don't know that I trust the one spy that started things off, don't know that he isn't still playing some sort of game. I'm glad that the American was caught and dealt with and hate that one more spy got away. I really want that person caught, they caused so much chaos. I guess the only good thing now is that they are known and if caught there will be consequences.
November 25, 2025
A very humorous thriller either Russian spies, drag queens and a 14 year old boy trying to save his mother with the help of a washed up writer - fast paced - loved it
December 4, 2025
Synopsis: 1985 - a teenager in the suburbs is convinced his mother’s boyfriend is a KGB agent and seeks the help of a pulp fiction author and his drag queen best friend.
Thoughts: This is a wild and fun ride through 1980s nostalgia. The eighties vibes are spot on, and you’ll feel transported back a few decades. The author really captured the Cold War paranoia and hysteria. The plot is fast-paced and action packed, transitioning between multiple viewpoints that will come together in surprising ways. There is plenty of campy humor, and the characters are quirky and entertaining. I think this is a book I would prefer on audio, as MacLeod Andrew’s performance was so great! He brought a different voice and energy to each character and made me feel like I was watching this as a movie. While not my typical genre, I ended up really enjoying this one!
Read this if you like:
🚀 1980s
🚀 espionage
🚀 Cold War
🚀 multi pov
🚀 pop culture
December 10, 2025
A fun comedic thriller set mostly in 1985 Atlanta, about shenanigans with Russian spies in the lead up to the big meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev. There’s a Russian KGB agent defecting to the US to see a lost love, a teenage boy who thinks his mom’s new boyfriend is actually a Russian spy, an author of spy thrillers who starts helping the teenager with his investigations, a former NFL player turned drag queen, FBI agents, and more.
This was just a lot of fun to read - a good spy story about Russian agents in America (both undercover and not), and the sometimes bumbling attempts to track them down, solve murders, and figure out what’s going on with a company that clearly is making more than just cable boxes. Even though there is a dead body or two, it’s never scary but has a fun snd satirical tone throughout - plus terrific 80s references that really bring you back. Not my usual genre, but maybe it should be because I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
This was just a lot of fun to read - a good spy story about Russian agents in America (both undercover and not), and the sometimes bumbling attempts to track them down, solve murders, and figure out what’s going on with a company that clearly is making more than just cable boxes. Even though there is a dead body or two, it’s never scary but has a fun snd satirical tone throughout - plus terrific 80s references that really bring you back. Not my usual genre, but maybe it should be because I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
December 15, 2025
Teenager Peter Bennett is so distraught that his irresponsible single mother is infatuated with an obvious KGB spy that he enlists the aid of his favorite has-been pulp writer and a drag queen to set things straight. With a premise like this, you are ensured an offbeat ride that may start off a bit slowly, but builds to a page-turning suspense thriller that manages to weave all the wonderfully wacky characters together.
Set on the eve of the Reagan- Gorbachov Star War Summit, Ace Atkins does a great job of recalling the 80s with tons of nostalgic touches that blend seamlessly with this fun and exciting read. This is a great choice for a year end selection when something less stressful is desired.
Set on the eve of the Reagan- Gorbachov Star War Summit, Ace Atkins does a great job of recalling the 80s with tons of nostalgic touches that blend seamlessly with this fun and exciting read. This is a great choice for a year end selection when something less stressful is desired.
December 2, 2025
Everybody Wants to Rule the World (audio) 3.5⭐️
Russian spies. 80’s nostalgia. FBI. CIA. Drag queens. Oh my! Peter is just a regular kid when his world starts to crumble as his suspicions about his mom’s new boyfriend rise. He takes matters into his own hands and reaches out to a has-been author for some unique detective help.
With multiple POVs, this is an action packed story that will have you puzzling out how everything intertwines.
My favorite characters were Peter, Hotchner, and Jackie. They all pulled at my heart strings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Dec 02 2025
Russian spies. 80’s nostalgia. FBI. CIA. Drag queens. Oh my! Peter is just a regular kid when his world starts to crumble as his suspicions about his mom’s new boyfriend rise. He takes matters into his own hands and reaches out to a has-been author for some unique detective help.
With multiple POVs, this is an action packed story that will have you puzzling out how everything intertwines.
My favorite characters were Peter, Hotchner, and Jackie. They all pulled at my heart strings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Dec 02 2025
December 20, 2025
It’s 1985 and 14 yet-old Peter is convinced his loser of a mother is dating a Russian spy. But who will believe him?
This terrific premise is well-developed into an often funny story with interesting characters. The audiobook narration is very good. About 2/3 or 3/4 of the way in it dragged a little for me, so I’m rounding down from 4.5. It’s still quite entertaining and worthwhile, with an interesting ending.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudioAdult, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld for review purposes. It is now available.
This terrific premise is well-developed into an often funny story with interesting characters. The audiobook narration is very good. About 2/3 or 3/4 of the way in it dragged a little for me, so I’m rounding down from 4.5. It’s still quite entertaining and worthwhile, with an interesting ending.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudioAdult, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld for review purposes. It is now available.
December 18, 2025
Set in 1985, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD mashes together a suburban kid, a has-been pulp writer, the FBI, and a Russian agent (or three) -- and totally works.
Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the Americans (though note this has less made-for-TV violence). I did experience a bit of a lull in the middle but then bang, could not put this one down until I'd finished it. Whoohoo for a thriller worth my time.
Thank you to William Morrow for a free copy of this book.
Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the Americans (though note this has less made-for-TV violence). I did experience a bit of a lull in the middle but then bang, could not put this one down until I'd finished it. Whoohoo for a thriller worth my time.
Thank you to William Morrow for a free copy of this book.
December 16, 2025
Another in my recent venture into unfamiliar territory. The plot is interesting, and I didn't have any difficulty getting into the story or sticking with it. However, for a spy thriller, there weren't too many thrills. A nice plot twist or two about 3/4 of the way through; I don't know how much I'd have seen coming if this were my usual genre, but I liked the surprises. I'd consider this a good starter spy thriller, though I wish some of the characters were more flushed out.
December 10, 2025
Enjoyable comic spy caper. Could have done a whole book on the adventures of Hotch and Jackie. The spy stuff was well done, with a good amount of intrigue and double crosses.
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October 20, 2025
This is the second Ace Atkins book I've enjoyed reading. The quirky characters are well developed and endearing, the story was full of unexpected twists, and the ending was satisfying. Like his other book, I found the pacing of the story a little lacking in the middle but picked up a lot in the last third of the book. There were so many converging storylines to keep track of that I found myself trying to remember how everyone fit into the story. I think it would have been better with one or two less points of view. Strongly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy.
December 16, 2025
You ever listen to a book so well-performed that you're like, “Okay... this might be the only way this story works”? That was me, 15 minutes into Everybody Wants to Rule the World, eyes wide, brain halfway between “this is chaos” and “pass me the popcorn.” MacLeod Andrews narrates this Cold War acid trip with the kind of commitment you usually only get from people method acting through community theater. He doesn’t just read the story, he becomes it. Every character, every ridiculous accent, every “wait, what the hell just happened” twist... the man eats it up like he's on an all-you-can-sabotage buffet. Honestly, his narration probably bumped this story from “what am I reading?” to “actually, I’m kind of obsessed.”
So, here’s the vibe. It’s 1985, the Cold War is peaking, Reagan is doing Reagan things, and Atlanta is apparently crawling with Russian spies. Enter Peter Bennett, your classic teen boy with BMX dreams and way too much time to stalk his mom’s sketchy boyfriend, Gary. Gary is European in that suspiciously vague way, drives a Porsche like a Bond villain, and may or may not be hoarding secrets from Scientific Atlanta... where mom works, conveniently.
Peter’s like, “This man is a Russian spy.” Everyone else is like, “Go outside.” But Peter has main character energy, so he recruits Hotch, a down-bad pulp writer clinging to his last martini, and Jackie Demure, a drag queen slash former NFL player slash exactly the queer icon this genre needed. Together, they form the most unhinged Scooby Gang since that time Buffy teamed up with a vampire and a librarian to save the world.
Meanwhile, there's a whole subplot with a Black FBI agent named Sylvia who’s honestly doing real spy work. Like talking to actual sources, following leads, not breaking into places with a 14-year-old. And a KGB defector who's either in love, double-crossing literally everyone, or both. There’s also a Russian hitman with a Phil Collins obsession and, at one point, a drag show that turns into a shootout. You know. Tuesday stuff.
Look, this book is doing A LOT. Like, “we got Cold War politics, murder, espionage, three parallel storylines, and a Phil Collins needle drop” levels of a lot. And sometimes? It stumbles. There are moments when it feels like Atkins took every 80s spy trope, tossed it in a blender, and just prayed for cohesion. And I’ll be real... if I were reading this in print, I might’ve needed a murder board to track all the characters. The tonal whiplash between “Russian assassination plot” and “drag queen one-liner” is very real.
But it's kind of the chaos that makes it work. The nostalgia is shameless in the best way, the pacing is brisk (once you get past the slightly overstuffed opening), and the whole thing is so self-aware that you can’t help but lean in. It knows it’s ridiculous. It wants to be ridiculous. And somehow, under the wigs and wigs of spies, there's this weird little heartbeat of sincerity. Peter just wants to protect his mom. Sylvia just wants to do her job. Jackie just wants to live her best life in sequins and heels. I respect it.
Would I hand this to someone who wants a tight, brooding, Le Carré-style spy novel? Absolutely not. Would I hand this to someone who loves Stranger Things but wishes there were more Cold War assassins and drag queens? In a heartbeat.
3.5 stars. Messy, ambitious, occasionally too much, but undeniably fun. And the audiobook? The audiobook SLAPS. Give MacLeod Andrews a raise. And maybe a cape.
Whodunity Award: For the Plot Twist That Made Me Yell “EXCUSE ME?!” Out Loud in a Walgreens Parking Lot
Big thanks to HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for the audiobook access. Y’all handed me a front-row seat to Cold War chaos, Phil Collins, drag queens, and espionage, and I regret nothing.
So, here’s the vibe. It’s 1985, the Cold War is peaking, Reagan is doing Reagan things, and Atlanta is apparently crawling with Russian spies. Enter Peter Bennett, your classic teen boy with BMX dreams and way too much time to stalk his mom’s sketchy boyfriend, Gary. Gary is European in that suspiciously vague way, drives a Porsche like a Bond villain, and may or may not be hoarding secrets from Scientific Atlanta... where mom works, conveniently.
Peter’s like, “This man is a Russian spy.” Everyone else is like, “Go outside.” But Peter has main character energy, so he recruits Hotch, a down-bad pulp writer clinging to his last martini, and Jackie Demure, a drag queen slash former NFL player slash exactly the queer icon this genre needed. Together, they form the most unhinged Scooby Gang since that time Buffy teamed up with a vampire and a librarian to save the world.
Meanwhile, there's a whole subplot with a Black FBI agent named Sylvia who’s honestly doing real spy work. Like talking to actual sources, following leads, not breaking into places with a 14-year-old. And a KGB defector who's either in love, double-crossing literally everyone, or both. There’s also a Russian hitman with a Phil Collins obsession and, at one point, a drag show that turns into a shootout. You know. Tuesday stuff.
Look, this book is doing A LOT. Like, “we got Cold War politics, murder, espionage, three parallel storylines, and a Phil Collins needle drop” levels of a lot. And sometimes? It stumbles. There are moments when it feels like Atkins took every 80s spy trope, tossed it in a blender, and just prayed for cohesion. And I’ll be real... if I were reading this in print, I might’ve needed a murder board to track all the characters. The tonal whiplash between “Russian assassination plot” and “drag queen one-liner” is very real.
But it's kind of the chaos that makes it work. The nostalgia is shameless in the best way, the pacing is brisk (once you get past the slightly overstuffed opening), and the whole thing is so self-aware that you can’t help but lean in. It knows it’s ridiculous. It wants to be ridiculous. And somehow, under the wigs and wigs of spies, there's this weird little heartbeat of sincerity. Peter just wants to protect his mom. Sylvia just wants to do her job. Jackie just wants to live her best life in sequins and heels. I respect it.
Would I hand this to someone who wants a tight, brooding, Le Carré-style spy novel? Absolutely not. Would I hand this to someone who loves Stranger Things but wishes there were more Cold War assassins and drag queens? In a heartbeat.
3.5 stars. Messy, ambitious, occasionally too much, but undeniably fun. And the audiobook? The audiobook SLAPS. Give MacLeod Andrews a raise. And maybe a cape.
Whodunity Award: For the Plot Twist That Made Me Yell “EXCUSE ME?!” Out Loud in a Walgreens Parking Lot
Big thanks to HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for the audiobook access. Y’all handed me a front-row seat to Cold War chaos, Phil Collins, drag queens, and espionage, and I regret nothing.
December 3, 2025
📚Everybody Wants to Rule the World
✍🏻Ace Atkins
Blurb:
Elmore Leonard meets Robert Ludlum in a rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985 from acclaimed author Ace Atkins, in which a suburban teen suspects his mom’s new boyfriend is the ultimate bad guy—a KGB agent.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
My Thouths:
Peter's mother has a new boyfriend and Peter is convinced he is a KGB spy. No one seems to take him seriously until he manages to recruit a once-famous author, Dennis Hotchner, and his pal Jackie Demure. At the same time, an employee at Scientific Atlanta is murdered and Sylvia Weaver, the FBI agent on the case, is working overtime to uncover the real reason behind the murder. Is the KGB involved? Is Peter's mother's new boyfriend involved? Peter believes that his single mom’s new boyfriend Gary is a Russian spy, but nobody will believe him. When a coworker at his mom’s job is murdered, he finally convinces an ex-top selling author to help him figure out how to stop Gary and save his mother.
The story is face paced and moved very quickly. The writing is fun, quirky, and full of 1980’s nostalgia that will make readers of a certain generation very happy. The combination of the writing and the cold war topic brings to mind the movie War Games if it were written by Elmore Leonard. The book has a great sense of humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously, even though the stakes keep getting higher. The characters are quirky and memorable, especially Peter and his oddball sidekicks. Sometimes the plot gets a little busy, but the energy and ’80s vibes keep it fun.If you want a light, fast thriller with Cold War drama and a good amount of heart, this one’s an easy, enjoyable read.
Thanks NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing and Author Ace Atkins for the advanced copy of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#WillowMorrowPublishing
#Ev;erybodyWantstoRuletheWorld
#AceAtkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Ace Atkins
Blurb:
Elmore Leonard meets Robert Ludlum in a rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985 from acclaimed author Ace Atkins, in which a suburban teen suspects his mom’s new boyfriend is the ultimate bad guy—a KGB agent.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
My Thouths:
Peter's mother has a new boyfriend and Peter is convinced he is a KGB spy. No one seems to take him seriously until he manages to recruit a once-famous author, Dennis Hotchner, and his pal Jackie Demure. At the same time, an employee at Scientific Atlanta is murdered and Sylvia Weaver, the FBI agent on the case, is working overtime to uncover the real reason behind the murder. Is the KGB involved? Is Peter's mother's new boyfriend involved? Peter believes that his single mom’s new boyfriend Gary is a Russian spy, but nobody will believe him. When a coworker at his mom’s job is murdered, he finally convinces an ex-top selling author to help him figure out how to stop Gary and save his mother.
The story is face paced and moved very quickly. The writing is fun, quirky, and full of 1980’s nostalgia that will make readers of a certain generation very happy. The combination of the writing and the cold war topic brings to mind the movie War Games if it were written by Elmore Leonard. The book has a great sense of humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously, even though the stakes keep getting higher. The characters are quirky and memorable, especially Peter and his oddball sidekicks. Sometimes the plot gets a little busy, but the energy and ’80s vibes keep it fun.If you want a light, fast thriller with Cold War drama and a good amount of heart, this one’s an easy, enjoyable read.
Thanks NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing and Author Ace Atkins for the advanced copy of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#WillowMorrowPublishing
#Ev;erybodyWantstoRuletheWorld
#AceAtkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 21, 2025
A lovesick high-ranking Russian kicks off this rollicking story when he contacts the US embassy in Rome in an attempt to defect. It’s 1985, and Vitaly Yurchenko is after his “little white fox” Lisica, who now lives in Atlanta with their son, whom he has never met. Of course, the Russian gives a vastly different reason to authorities for wanting to defect. After all, a tryst with an old flame might not persuade the Americans that he could be a valuable asset.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Peter Bennett is on a mission. He has paid some sketchy kids he knows to drive him into downtown Atlanta so he can hook up with Dennis X. Hotchner (aka Hotch), the has-been author of pulp fiction. Peter’s shelves at home are full of his books. For some reason, the teen is convinced that Hotch can help him with a problem. He believes that his mother is dating a KGB agent who is only trying to get close to her because of where she works. She’s just a receptionist, but, in addition to building cable TV boxes, Scientific Atlanta holds some large Department of Defense contracts.
Peter succeeds in finding Hotch, whose friend, Jackie Demure --- a former football star turned drag queen --- is right there with him. It’s anyone’s guess how they can help. The two of them make quite a sight (a short, fat balding white guy and a tall, massive Black transvestite) driving around in a convertible Cadillac. It might be hard to keep a low profile.
Peter could be on to something, though. Jenny Buckner, an employee at Scientific Atlanta, is found murdered, which validates his fears. His mom may be the next target. Hotch didn’t believe the kid at first, but when he hears about Jenny’s death, he sobers to the realization that Peter could be in real danger. The more that Hotch and Jackie (reluctantly) involve themselves, the more Russian conversations they start hearing. This is all going down during the time that President Ronald Reagan has an upcoming meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear arms in Geneva. The writer and the drag queen don’t want to admit it, but there’s too much rumbling in Atlanta to discount that there could be a connection. And too many Russians are chasing people around the city streets.
In addition to the lovesick defector, the CIA has an agent with a similar problem. Dan Rafferty should be concentrating on Vitaly at the safehouse, but he’s finding excuses to meet his lover whenever he can manage to get away. It doesn’t go unnoticed. He isn’t especially good at subterfuge. The question becomes: Is Rafferty selling out? FBI agent Sylvia Weaver, one of the very few Black female agents at the time, plans to find out. And she is good at her job.
Along with a cast of misfits and wholly unique characters, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD is filled with more twists, turns, sellouts and double-crosses than you would expect in a dozen spy novels. Ace Atkins is a master at dialogue that will keep readers chuckling and head-slapping. This book would be a total hoot if it wasn't deadly scary too. One thing is for sure: it is a highly entertaining read.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Peter Bennett is on a mission. He has paid some sketchy kids he knows to drive him into downtown Atlanta so he can hook up with Dennis X. Hotchner (aka Hotch), the has-been author of pulp fiction. Peter’s shelves at home are full of his books. For some reason, the teen is convinced that Hotch can help him with a problem. He believes that his mother is dating a KGB agent who is only trying to get close to her because of where she works. She’s just a receptionist, but, in addition to building cable TV boxes, Scientific Atlanta holds some large Department of Defense contracts.
Peter succeeds in finding Hotch, whose friend, Jackie Demure --- a former football star turned drag queen --- is right there with him. It’s anyone’s guess how they can help. The two of them make quite a sight (a short, fat balding white guy and a tall, massive Black transvestite) driving around in a convertible Cadillac. It might be hard to keep a low profile.
Peter could be on to something, though. Jenny Buckner, an employee at Scientific Atlanta, is found murdered, which validates his fears. His mom may be the next target. Hotch didn’t believe the kid at first, but when he hears about Jenny’s death, he sobers to the realization that Peter could be in real danger. The more that Hotch and Jackie (reluctantly) involve themselves, the more Russian conversations they start hearing. This is all going down during the time that President Ronald Reagan has an upcoming meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear arms in Geneva. The writer and the drag queen don’t want to admit it, but there’s too much rumbling in Atlanta to discount that there could be a connection. And too many Russians are chasing people around the city streets.
In addition to the lovesick defector, the CIA has an agent with a similar problem. Dan Rafferty should be concentrating on Vitaly at the safehouse, but he’s finding excuses to meet his lover whenever he can manage to get away. It doesn’t go unnoticed. He isn’t especially good at subterfuge. The question becomes: Is Rafferty selling out? FBI agent Sylvia Weaver, one of the very few Black female agents at the time, plans to find out. And she is good at her job.
Along with a cast of misfits and wholly unique characters, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD is filled with more twists, turns, sellouts and double-crosses than you would expect in a dozen spy novels. Ace Atkins is a master at dialogue that will keep readers chuckling and head-slapping. This book would be a total hoot if it wasn't deadly scary too. One thing is for sure: it is a highly entertaining read.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
December 21, 2025
A lovesick high-ranking Russian kicks off this rollicking story when he contacts the US embassy in Rome in an attempt to defect. It’s 1985, and Vitaly Yurchenko is after his “little white fox” Lisica, who now lives in Atlanta with their son, whom he has never met. Of course, the Russian gives a vastly different reason to authorities for wanting to defect. After all, a tryst with an old flame might not persuade the Americans that he could be a valuable asset.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Peter Bennett is on a mission. He has paid some sketchy kids he knows to drive him into downtown Atlanta so he can hook up with Dennis X. Hotchner (aka Hotch), the has-been author of pulp fiction. Peter’s shelves at home are full of his books. For some reason, the teen is convinced that Hotch can help him with a problem. He believes that his mother is dating a KGB agent who is only trying to get close to her because of where she works. She’s just a receptionist, but, in addition to building cable TV boxes, Scientific Atlanta holds some large Department of Defense contracts.
Peter succeeds in finding Hotch, whose friend, Jackie Demure --- a former football star turned drag queen --- is right there with him. It’s anyone’s guess how they can help. The two of them make quite a sight (a short, fat balding white guy and a tall, massive Black transvestite) driving around in a convertible Cadillac. It might be hard to keep a low profile.
Peter could be on to something, though. Jenny Buckner, an employee at Scientific Atlanta, is found murdered, which validates his fears. His mom may be the next target. Hotch didn’t believe the kid at first, but when he hears about Jenny’s death, he sobers to the realization that Peter could be in real danger. The more that Hotch and Jackie (reluctantly) involve themselves, the more Russian conversations they start hearing. This is all going down during the time that President Ronald Reagan has an upcoming meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear arms in Geneva. The writer and the drag queen don’t want to admit it, but there’s too much rumbling in Atlanta to discount that there could be a connection. And too many Russians are chasing people around the city streets.
In addition to the lovesick defector, the CIA has an agent with a similar problem. Dan Rafferty should be concentrating on Vitaly at the safehouse, but he’s finding excuses to meet his lover whenever he can manage to get away. It doesn’t go unnoticed. He isn’t especially good at subterfuge. The question becomes: Is Rafferty selling out? FBI agent Sylvia Weaver, one of the very few Black female agents at the time, plans to find out. And she is good at her job.
Along with a cast of misfits and wholly unique characters, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD is filled with more twists, turns, sellouts and double-crosses than you would expect in a dozen spy novels. Ace Atkins is a master at dialogue that will keep readers chuckling and head-slapping. This book would be a total hoot if it wasn't deadly scary too. One thing is for sure: it is a highly entertaining read.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Peter Bennett is on a mission. He has paid some sketchy kids he knows to drive him into downtown Atlanta so he can hook up with Dennis X. Hotchner (aka Hotch), the has-been author of pulp fiction. Peter’s shelves at home are full of his books. For some reason, the teen is convinced that Hotch can help him with a problem. He believes that his mother is dating a KGB agent who is only trying to get close to her because of where she works. She’s just a receptionist, but, in addition to building cable TV boxes, Scientific Atlanta holds some large Department of Defense contracts.
Peter succeeds in finding Hotch, whose friend, Jackie Demure --- a former football star turned drag queen --- is right there with him. It’s anyone’s guess how they can help. The two of them make quite a sight (a short, fat balding white guy and a tall, massive Black transvestite) driving around in a convertible Cadillac. It might be hard to keep a low profile.
Peter could be on to something, though. Jenny Buckner, an employee at Scientific Atlanta, is found murdered, which validates his fears. His mom may be the next target. Hotch didn’t believe the kid at first, but when he hears about Jenny’s death, he sobers to the realization that Peter could be in real danger. The more that Hotch and Jackie (reluctantly) involve themselves, the more Russian conversations they start hearing. This is all going down during the time that President Ronald Reagan has an upcoming meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear arms in Geneva. The writer and the drag queen don’t want to admit it, but there’s too much rumbling in Atlanta to discount that there could be a connection. And too many Russians are chasing people around the city streets.
In addition to the lovesick defector, the CIA has an agent with a similar problem. Dan Rafferty should be concentrating on Vitaly at the safehouse, but he’s finding excuses to meet his lover whenever he can manage to get away. It doesn’t go unnoticed. He isn’t especially good at subterfuge. The question becomes: Is Rafferty selling out? FBI agent Sylvia Weaver, one of the very few Black female agents at the time, plans to find out. And she is good at her job.
Along with a cast of misfits and wholly unique characters, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD is filled with more twists, turns, sellouts and double-crosses than you would expect in a dozen spy novels. Ace Atkins is a master at dialogue that will keep readers chuckling and head-slapping. This book would be a total hoot if it wasn't deadly scary too. One thing is for sure: it is a highly entertaining read.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
November 29, 2025
An outstanding standalone thriller by Ace Atkins that does a marvelous job of recreating the world of 1985.
Set in the run-up to a meeting in Geneva between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the action takes place mostly in and around Atlanta. A 14-year-old boy, Peter Bennett, has come to suspect his mother Connie's latest boyfriend of being a Russian spy.
The boyfriend, who has the unlikely and ironic name Gary Powers, owns a gym but has a cassette of Russian marching music in his car as well as a gun and a slight accent. And is that a shortwave radio in his locker at the gym, or is it -- as he claims -- a biofeedback machine?
To help find evidence to prove his conspiracy theory, Peter -- an avid consumer of pulp fiction -- tracks down pulp writer Dennis X. Hotchner. The bald and crotchety Hotch is now working at a used bookstore in between writing his next novel while guzzling martinis at his favorite bar with NFL player turned drag queen Jackie Demure.
At first Hotchner -- clearly modeled on the legendary Atlanta pulp writer Ralph Dennis -- is skeptical, but then he begins to see Peter may be onto something. The big clue: One of Peter's mom's coworkers at Scientific Atlanta is murdered.
One of the funniest scenes in this wild and hilarious caper comes when Hotch and Jackie sneak into the dead woman's apartment under the very noses of the FBI and come across a receipt for a fur coat she's paying to store. Jackie's analysis of why that's important is a hoot and turns out to be absolutely right.
The two FBI guys are a young Black woman named Sylvia Weaver who's much tougher than she looks and her easy-listening music loving partner. Sylvia is a fascinating character who uses her wits to get the head of security at Scientific Atlanta to let her in on what's going on there. Turns out the company is more than just the maker of those newfangled cable boxes everybody wants so they can watch MTV. It's also involved in Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, aka "Star Wars."
Amidst all this, we also get the POV of the killer, a cold-blooded agent; a Russian defector who has a secret mission; and an FBI agent willing to sell out his country for a chance to run away with the stripper of his dreams. There's a huge twist that I didn't see coming, and the whole story comes to a climax at an Atlanta high-rise hotel where Hotch gets to play a version of the hard-nosed hero he's always written about.
All in all, a wild ride from start to finish, and highly recommended. I loved Ace's series about former Army Ranger turned Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson, and hope he'll return to those stories someday. But his two recent and rollicking standalones -- "Don't Let the Devil Ride" and this one -- are both standouts and I can't wait to see what he gives us next.
Set in the run-up to a meeting in Geneva between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the action takes place mostly in and around Atlanta. A 14-year-old boy, Peter Bennett, has come to suspect his mother Connie's latest boyfriend of being a Russian spy.
The boyfriend, who has the unlikely and ironic name Gary Powers, owns a gym but has a cassette of Russian marching music in his car as well as a gun and a slight accent. And is that a shortwave radio in his locker at the gym, or is it -- as he claims -- a biofeedback machine?
To help find evidence to prove his conspiracy theory, Peter -- an avid consumer of pulp fiction -- tracks down pulp writer Dennis X. Hotchner. The bald and crotchety Hotch is now working at a used bookstore in between writing his next novel while guzzling martinis at his favorite bar with NFL player turned drag queen Jackie Demure.
At first Hotchner -- clearly modeled on the legendary Atlanta pulp writer Ralph Dennis -- is skeptical, but then he begins to see Peter may be onto something. The big clue: One of Peter's mom's coworkers at Scientific Atlanta is murdered.
One of the funniest scenes in this wild and hilarious caper comes when Hotch and Jackie sneak into the dead woman's apartment under the very noses of the FBI and come across a receipt for a fur coat she's paying to store. Jackie's analysis of why that's important is a hoot and turns out to be absolutely right.
The two FBI guys are a young Black woman named Sylvia Weaver who's much tougher than she looks and her easy-listening music loving partner. Sylvia is a fascinating character who uses her wits to get the head of security at Scientific Atlanta to let her in on what's going on there. Turns out the company is more than just the maker of those newfangled cable boxes everybody wants so they can watch MTV. It's also involved in Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, aka "Star Wars."
Amidst all this, we also get the POV of the killer, a cold-blooded agent; a Russian defector who has a secret mission; and an FBI agent willing to sell out his country for a chance to run away with the stripper of his dreams. There's a huge twist that I didn't see coming, and the whole story comes to a climax at an Atlanta high-rise hotel where Hotch gets to play a version of the hard-nosed hero he's always written about.
All in all, a wild ride from start to finish, and highly recommended. I loved Ace's series about former Army Ranger turned Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson, and hope he'll return to those stories someday. But his two recent and rollicking standalones -- "Don't Let the Devil Ride" and this one -- are both standouts and I can't wait to see what he gives us next.
November 29, 2025
This was my first Ace Atkins book and I must say, I am in love. I am not sure what his other books are about, but I am totally going into his back catalog and reading more. I was honored to receive this ALC from Ace Atkin, William Morrow, HaperAudio Adult, Harper Collins, and NetGalley and this was in exchange for my honest review.
This ALC was narrated by MacLeod Andrews. This was also my first time hearing narration from MacLeod Andrews and man; I was extremely impressed. The way he voiced ALL the characters made me forget it was mono narrated. I really hope that I hear more from him in the future.
This book takes place in multiple cities, mainly Atlanta in 1985. I think I connected so much with this book because I live in Atlanta and of course was close to one of the main character’s ages during that time – younger, but I digress 😊 This all happens during the time of the Cold War where Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev are teeing up to meet in Switzerland to discuss current geopolitical tensions and the arms race. The book begins with a scene in Italy that sparks a multi-country, multi-state whirlwind of events that keep this book moving at a fast pace with multiple (5+) POVs.
The main part of the story is about Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old who lives with his mom, Connie in Atlanta and is convinced that her new boyfriend is a Russian spy. Gary, the boyfriend, has a nondescript Eurpeoan accent, he drives a Porche and he keeps a gun in his glove compartment. Peter seeks help in confirming his theory about Gary but enlisting the help of Dennis X. Hotchner. Hotch is a legendary pulp writer and works wonders with his amazing friend, Jackie Demure, who happens to be an ex-NFL player turned drag queen. I just love these two together. Jackie is my spirit animal.
Hotch is skeptical of Peter’s story but then finds validity in it after he finds out that Connie Bennett works at Scientific Atlanta. Why is that important? Because one of her co-workers was just found murdered and there must be a correlation, right?
While that investigating is going on, there’s Federal Agent Daniel (Dan) Rafferty that has found himself in a very wild situation with a defector of Russia and an informant that he has fallen in love with. Juxtaposed to Dan’s situation, FBI Agent Sylvia Weaver, has started her own investigation into the matter and ends up collaborating with Peter, Hotch, and Jackie to uncover earth-shattering evidence… but who does the evidence point to… You will have to pick up this book/audiobook and find out.
This book was amazing, and I cannot wait for you all to read it. It comes out on December 2nd, and it will give you all the feels of nostalgic 80’s – Stranger Things vibes. If you love a high-octane espionage thriller, this book is for you.
If you like any of the following, this book is for you:
💛80s Nostalgia
💛Multiple POVs (5+)
💛Cold War-era narratives
💛Bad guys versus Good guys
💛Murder - Thriller
💛 Stranger Things vibes
Rate: 4/5⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Narration Rate: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Ace Atkins
This ALC was narrated by MacLeod Andrews. This was also my first time hearing narration from MacLeod Andrews and man; I was extremely impressed. The way he voiced ALL the characters made me forget it was mono narrated. I really hope that I hear more from him in the future.
This book takes place in multiple cities, mainly Atlanta in 1985. I think I connected so much with this book because I live in Atlanta and of course was close to one of the main character’s ages during that time – younger, but I digress 😊 This all happens during the time of the Cold War where Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev are teeing up to meet in Switzerland to discuss current geopolitical tensions and the arms race. The book begins with a scene in Italy that sparks a multi-country, multi-state whirlwind of events that keep this book moving at a fast pace with multiple (5+) POVs.
The main part of the story is about Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old who lives with his mom, Connie in Atlanta and is convinced that her new boyfriend is a Russian spy. Gary, the boyfriend, has a nondescript Eurpeoan accent, he drives a Porche and he keeps a gun in his glove compartment. Peter seeks help in confirming his theory about Gary but enlisting the help of Dennis X. Hotchner. Hotch is a legendary pulp writer and works wonders with his amazing friend, Jackie Demure, who happens to be an ex-NFL player turned drag queen. I just love these two together. Jackie is my spirit animal.
Hotch is skeptical of Peter’s story but then finds validity in it after he finds out that Connie Bennett works at Scientific Atlanta. Why is that important? Because one of her co-workers was just found murdered and there must be a correlation, right?
While that investigating is going on, there’s Federal Agent Daniel (Dan) Rafferty that has found himself in a very wild situation with a defector of Russia and an informant that he has fallen in love with. Juxtaposed to Dan’s situation, FBI Agent Sylvia Weaver, has started her own investigation into the matter and ends up collaborating with Peter, Hotch, and Jackie to uncover earth-shattering evidence… but who does the evidence point to… You will have to pick up this book/audiobook and find out.
This book was amazing, and I cannot wait for you all to read it. It comes out on December 2nd, and it will give you all the feels of nostalgic 80’s – Stranger Things vibes. If you love a high-octane espionage thriller, this book is for you.
If you like any of the following, this book is for you:
💛80s Nostalgia
💛Multiple POVs (5+)
💛Cold War-era narratives
💛Bad guys versus Good guys
💛Murder - Thriller
💛 Stranger Things vibes
Rate: 4/5⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Narration Rate: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Ace Atkins
December 7, 2025
For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Everybody Wants to Rule the World: A Hilarious Cold War Thriller of Unlikely Heroes, Russian Spies, and High School Drama in the Heart of 1980s Suburban America by Ace Atkins is a nostalgic thriller, a mash up of espionage and 1980s nostalgia. Mr. Atkins is an award-winning, best-selling author, known for his southern noir novels.
Peter Bennett, a 14-year-old high-school student in Atlanta is convinced his mother’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. Due to recent events, he is sure he’s interested in her because of her work at Scientific Atlanta, a defense contractor working on Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the Star Wars program.
The adults in Peter’s life think he’s imagining things, but Peter finds his favorite author Dennis “Hotch” Hotchner, and his best friend an ex-NFL player turned drag queen named Jackie Demure. Along for the ride is Sylvia Weaver, a young FBI agent investing the occurrences at Scientific Atlanta.
I have read many books by Mr. Atkins and frankly enjoyed them all. This one is a departure from his usual stories, but it’s still immensely enjoyable.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins is an espionage caper taking place in 1985, as the title implies. I enjoyed the snappy dialog and the references to my youth’s pop-culture. I am only two years older than Peter, the protagonist, so the nostalgia worked for me without fail.
The novel moves quickly, but I felt there were a few too many subplots which, for me, were a bit difficult to keep track of. The book moves smoothly from Peter’s story, which was reminiscent of The Goonies or Red Dawn, to the gritty FBI investigation, also a 1980s trope a la To Live and Die in LA.
Like every good movie, or book, done during the era, the novel requires a drop (or more) of disbelief, but the ending is satisfying and doesn’t leave any loose ends. However, the dissing of Robert Ludlum, one of my favorite authors, is only forgiven due to the propping up of lan Fleming.
The plot is a bit cluttered, the story chaotic – but damn it’s a fun read, full with humor and great characters. The narratives collide in a chaotic mix of Cold War paranoia and 80s pop culture.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World: A Hilarious Cold War Thriller of Unlikely Heroes, Russian Spies, and High School Drama in the Heart of 1980s Suburban America by Ace Atkins is a nostalgic thriller, a mash up of espionage and 1980s nostalgia. Mr. Atkins is an award-winning, best-selling author, known for his southern noir novels.
Peter Bennett, a 14-year-old high-school student in Atlanta is convinced his mother’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. Due to recent events, he is sure he’s interested in her because of her work at Scientific Atlanta, a defense contractor working on Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the Star Wars program.
The adults in Peter’s life think he’s imagining things, but Peter finds his favorite author Dennis “Hotch” Hotchner, and his best friend an ex-NFL player turned drag queen named Jackie Demure. Along for the ride is Sylvia Weaver, a young FBI agent investing the occurrences at Scientific Atlanta.
I have read many books by Mr. Atkins and frankly enjoyed them all. This one is a departure from his usual stories, but it’s still immensely enjoyable.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins is an espionage caper taking place in 1985, as the title implies. I enjoyed the snappy dialog and the references to my youth’s pop-culture. I am only two years older than Peter, the protagonist, so the nostalgia worked for me without fail.
The novel moves quickly, but I felt there were a few too many subplots which, for me, were a bit difficult to keep track of. The book moves smoothly from Peter’s story, which was reminiscent of The Goonies or Red Dawn, to the gritty FBI investigation, also a 1980s trope a la To Live and Die in LA.
Like every good movie, or book, done during the era, the novel requires a drop (or more) of disbelief, but the ending is satisfying and doesn’t leave any loose ends. However, the dissing of Robert Ludlum, one of my favorite authors, is only forgiven due to the propping up of lan Fleming.
The plot is a bit cluttered, the story chaotic – but damn it’s a fun read, full with humor and great characters. The narratives collide in a chaotic mix of Cold War paranoia and 80s pop culture.
September 11, 2025
The prolific Ace Atkins has pulled together another gem of a story. 1985 Atlanta is coming into its own as a major business hub in the South. Ronald Reagan is president and the Cold War with Russia is heating up. A big meeting between Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in Switzerland is scheduled to discuss current geopolitical tension and the arms race. A small Atlanta based manufacturer of cable tv boxes wins a secret DOD contract to work on Reagan’s obsession— the Strategic Defense Initiative—intended to intercept Russian missiles before striking American soil. Russia though its embedded spies across American companies, law enforcement, and government. They are committed to finding out the technology behind the secret program and bringing it home before the US/USSR summit.
Remember the comedy movie The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming? They seem to have arrived in Atlanta but it’s no joke. Ace Atkins well crafted plot unfolds through the eyes of spy obsessed teen Peter and his mother, Connie; martini loving down on his luck thriller writer Hotch and his friend, Jackie, an former pro football player turned drag queen; Vitaly, Russian counterespionage director turned defector, and Sylvia and Dan, FBI agents with separate agendas. Each chapter moves between these main characters as the story works its way to an unexpected finale pitting patriotism against communism several stories above the new Hyatt hotel open lobby. It’s a wild finish.
Ace Atkins knows how to deal with unconventional characters caught in an wild plot. This highly entertaining and humorous romp through the world of espionage during the Cold War requires the reader to pay attention to the decade of the 1980s. Who are the sleeper spooks, the loyal agents and double agents, true countrymen and traitors? Atkins keeps us guessing throughout while inundating us with 1985 songs, books, trivia, movies, and making sure we know what year the story takes place. The 1980s was a cool period in the U.S. and Atkins does aNn outstanding job of bringing it back alive.
My thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this terrific book.
Remember the comedy movie The Russians are Coming The Russians are Coming? They seem to have arrived in Atlanta but it’s no joke. Ace Atkins well crafted plot unfolds through the eyes of spy obsessed teen Peter and his mother, Connie; martini loving down on his luck thriller writer Hotch and his friend, Jackie, an former pro football player turned drag queen; Vitaly, Russian counterespionage director turned defector, and Sylvia and Dan, FBI agents with separate agendas. Each chapter moves between these main characters as the story works its way to an unexpected finale pitting patriotism against communism several stories above the new Hyatt hotel open lobby. It’s a wild finish.
Ace Atkins knows how to deal with unconventional characters caught in an wild plot. This highly entertaining and humorous romp through the world of espionage during the Cold War requires the reader to pay attention to the decade of the 1980s. Who are the sleeper spooks, the loyal agents and double agents, true countrymen and traitors? Atkins keeps us guessing throughout while inundating us with 1985 songs, books, trivia, movies, and making sure we know what year the story takes place. The 1980s was a cool period in the U.S. and Atkins does aNn outstanding job of bringing it back alive.
My thanks to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this terrific book.
December 9, 2025
Everybody Wants to Rule the World is marketed as a hilarious Cold War thriller — and it absolutely delivers. 😄🕵️♂️🎧 I chose the audio format, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, whose lively performance elevated my listening pleasure from start to finish.
Set in 1985 — “The Year of the Spy” — the pop-culture references alone made me grin. Martha Quinn from MTV, Matthew Broderick, The Gipper, Phil Collins… oh, the music references! 🎶💿 If you lived through the ’80s (or simply appreciate them), this book is pure nostalgic joy.
At the center is Peter Bennett, a high-school freshman convinced his mother is dating a Russian spy. 🤨🇷🇺 The suspected spy, Gary, has a bizarre accent that gets even stranger the more he drinks. Connie, Peter’s mother, works at Scientific Atlanta — a lab with big government contracts that claims it only does satellites and cable. Sure, Jan. 👀
No one takes Peter seriously, so he recruits a washed-up journalist, Dennis Hotchner (Hotch), whose unforgettable sidekick Jackie Demure steals every scene. Jackie is a 250-lb Black drag queen, former defensive tackle for the “Dirty Birds” (the Falcons), and she loves to perform as Diana Ross and Tina Turner. 🌟💃 A duo for the ages.
Meanwhile, rookie FBI agent Silvia Weaver investigates the suspicious death of one of Connie’s co-workers. Are spies infiltrating Atlanta? Are the Russians up to something? Is Peter actually onto a real conspiracy? Ace Atkins fills this story with wild subplots — Russian defectors, CIA handlers, would-be spies, suburban chaos — and yet every character and thread ultimately clicks into place. The result is a wonderfully bonkers espionage romp. 🔍🔥
I smiled and giggled all the way through. This story feels like it’s begging to be made into a Disney/Touchstone-style movie. Ace Atkins is one clever author. 👏
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a chuckle, loves a good caper, and appreciates the delicious pop-culture flavor of the 1980s. 😎📼✨
Set in 1985 — “The Year of the Spy” — the pop-culture references alone made me grin. Martha Quinn from MTV, Matthew Broderick, The Gipper, Phil Collins… oh, the music references! 🎶💿 If you lived through the ’80s (or simply appreciate them), this book is pure nostalgic joy.
At the center is Peter Bennett, a high-school freshman convinced his mother is dating a Russian spy. 🤨🇷🇺 The suspected spy, Gary, has a bizarre accent that gets even stranger the more he drinks. Connie, Peter’s mother, works at Scientific Atlanta — a lab with big government contracts that claims it only does satellites and cable. Sure, Jan. 👀
No one takes Peter seriously, so he recruits a washed-up journalist, Dennis Hotchner (Hotch), whose unforgettable sidekick Jackie Demure steals every scene. Jackie is a 250-lb Black drag queen, former defensive tackle for the “Dirty Birds” (the Falcons), and she loves to perform as Diana Ross and Tina Turner. 🌟💃 A duo for the ages.
Meanwhile, rookie FBI agent Silvia Weaver investigates the suspicious death of one of Connie’s co-workers. Are spies infiltrating Atlanta? Are the Russians up to something? Is Peter actually onto a real conspiracy? Ace Atkins fills this story with wild subplots — Russian defectors, CIA handlers, would-be spies, suburban chaos — and yet every character and thread ultimately clicks into place. The result is a wonderfully bonkers espionage romp. 🔍🔥
I smiled and giggled all the way through. This story feels like it’s begging to be made into a Disney/Touchstone-style movie. Ace Atkins is one clever author. 👏
Highly recommended for anyone who wants a chuckle, loves a good caper, and appreciates the delicious pop-culture flavor of the 1980s. 😎📼✨
November 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and @WilliamMorrowBooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book is like being transported right back to 1985. It’s a blend of Cold War spy thriller, coming of age adventure, and a bit of “wait… is this really happening?” comedy, and somehow Ace Atkins makes it all work.
We meet fourteen year old Peter Bennett, who is absolutely convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. But, with the flashy Porsche, the questionable accent, and that gun tucked away in the glove box, I totally get why he’s freaking out. Peter just wants to ride his BMX and catch some MTV, but suddenly he’s caught up in a world of maybe espionage.
His ragtag crew, a washed up pulp writer and a fierce drag performer who can hold her own better than most action heroes, was such a cool surprise. Every scene with them had me smiling. And let’s not forget the Phil Collins obsessed hitman, who is just as wild as it sounds.
On a more serious note, we have Sylvia Weaver, a young Black FBI agent trying to make sense of the chaos at Scientific Atlanta while dealing with a coworker who’s actively trying to sabotage her. Her chapters brought a lot of depth and grounded the story whenever things got a bit too wild.
Thank you to NetGalley and @WilliamMorrowBooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a lot going on between Russian spies, government corruption, Cold War jitters, and teenage sleuthing but it all comes together in a fun way. Sure, the tone can shift a bit unexpectedly, but that never stopped me from enjoying the book.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World is quirky, nostalgic, fast paced, and just plain fun. If you’re into Cold War tales with a unique twist and a bit of offbeat humor, or if you’re just in it for the 80s vibes, this one is definitely the book for you.
4 Stars!
#EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld, #80svibes, #AceAtkins, #NetGalley, #WilliamMorrowBooks
Reading this book is like being transported right back to 1985. It’s a blend of Cold War spy thriller, coming of age adventure, and a bit of “wait… is this really happening?” comedy, and somehow Ace Atkins makes it all work.
We meet fourteen year old Peter Bennett, who is absolutely convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. But, with the flashy Porsche, the questionable accent, and that gun tucked away in the glove box, I totally get why he’s freaking out. Peter just wants to ride his BMX and catch some MTV, but suddenly he’s caught up in a world of maybe espionage.
His ragtag crew, a washed up pulp writer and a fierce drag performer who can hold her own better than most action heroes, was such a cool surprise. Every scene with them had me smiling. And let’s not forget the Phil Collins obsessed hitman, who is just as wild as it sounds.
On a more serious note, we have Sylvia Weaver, a young Black FBI agent trying to make sense of the chaos at Scientific Atlanta while dealing with a coworker who’s actively trying to sabotage her. Her chapters brought a lot of depth and grounded the story whenever things got a bit too wild.
Thank you to NetGalley and @WilliamMorrowBooks for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a lot going on between Russian spies, government corruption, Cold War jitters, and teenage sleuthing but it all comes together in a fun way. Sure, the tone can shift a bit unexpectedly, but that never stopped me from enjoying the book.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World is quirky, nostalgic, fast paced, and just plain fun. If you’re into Cold War tales with a unique twist and a bit of offbeat humor, or if you’re just in it for the 80s vibes, this one is definitely the book for you.
4 Stars!
#EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld, #80svibes, #AceAtkins, #NetGalley, #WilliamMorrowBooks
December 8, 2025
1985, let’s just start here! The nostalgia of the 80s throughout this book just brought back so many memories: Miami Vice, Knight Rider, Dallas, cassette tapes, and Prince. The book really does give Stranger Things (minus the crazy monster) and Pulp Fiction vibes. It also includes the historical elements of the Cold War and the conflict between the US and Russia in the nuclear arms race. The main plot point is of teenage Peter believing that his mother’s oily bohunk boyfriend is a Russian spy, and his investigative adventures trying to prove this with his friends Scott and Brenda. Every chapter is from a different character’s point of view, alternating between each of the five main characters. At first, I was a little overwhelmed trying to keep track of each character; how they are all interconnected comes together later in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the characters and their stories are woven together and slowly unravelled. I would almost equate it to the movie Pulp Fiction: multiple stories happening all at once, eventually brought together. I cannot really pinpoint why I loved this book so much, whether it was the nostalgia of the 80s (when I grew up - I was probably close to Peter’s age) or if it was all the eccentric and outrageous characters. It definitely kept me on my toes throughout the entire book, a fast-paced story that holds your attention right until the very end. I’d have to say that Jackie Demure was my favorite character, just over the top and hilarious. I listened to the audiobook narrated by MacLeod Andrews; wow, what talent. Being able to narrate for so many different characters and with so many different accents was very entertaining to listen to. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves the 80s and appreciates a bit of dark humor alongside their thriller/suspense. I am definitely going to check out his book from June 2024, “Don’t Let the Devil Ride.”
October 24, 2025
My familiarity with Ace Atkin’s writing extends through his continuing Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. Something that I have enjoyed immensely. This is my first time reading any of his own work (creating characters, etc.). And it was glorious.
The only drawback I had was that I was used to him writing in a way to honor Robert B. Parker. There is quite a bit more language and crass references than what I was used to in his writing.
Now to the story. The year is 1985. Peter Bennett is 14 (much like I was that year). Peter has a major issue. He truly believes that his mom is dating a Russian spy. Anyone that was alive during that time, especially a teen, you were aware of looking out for the dirty Communists. I mean, were we not all daydreaming of “Red Dawn” moments while hiding under our desks during Bomb Drills?
There were so many great nostalgic moments throughout this book. Any kid of the 80s needs to read this because just for the walk down memory lane. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments throughout this novel, but one in particular is a Matthew Broadrick reference that was pure gold.
There is a twist in the book, some serious moments, but laughs aplenty. There were moments when I kept thinking this was an ode to Dave Barry.
Buy this book. Laugh yourself silly and enjoy the adventure. Then pick this book up at least once a year and enjoy it all over again.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
The only drawback I had was that I was used to him writing in a way to honor Robert B. Parker. There is quite a bit more language and crass references than what I was used to in his writing.
Now to the story. The year is 1985. Peter Bennett is 14 (much like I was that year). Peter has a major issue. He truly believes that his mom is dating a Russian spy. Anyone that was alive during that time, especially a teen, you were aware of looking out for the dirty Communists. I mean, were we not all daydreaming of “Red Dawn” moments while hiding under our desks during Bomb Drills?
There were so many great nostalgic moments throughout this book. Any kid of the 80s needs to read this because just for the walk down memory lane. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments throughout this novel, but one in particular is a Matthew Broadrick reference that was pure gold.
There is a twist in the book, some serious moments, but laughs aplenty. There were moments when I kept thinking this was an ode to Dave Barry.
Buy this book. Laugh yourself silly and enjoy the adventure. Then pick this book up at least once a year and enjoy it all over again.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 6, 2025
Title: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Author: Ace Atkins
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: 🎧
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow
Pub Date: December 2, 2025
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages: 368
It’s 1985, and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent.
His mother works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with government contacts.
Peter is positive his name isn’t “Gary Powers”. He isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche.
Peter’s mother assures him no one can take the place of his father. He is just a friend.
Peter keeps asking questions and is more and more convinced however knows no one will believe a fourteen old kids
Ace Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, and this is my first. A friend mentioned that Akins would be in our area in December. I checked the reviews and most are from fans who loved it.
Unfortunately there was far more profanity than I like making it difficult for me to enjoy– I have no doubt that these characters talk but listening to the audiobook was a struggle for me.
MacLeod Andrews
I hung in there and was pleased that there was a surprise at the ending.
Yes! The story is good. Plus audiobook performer MacLeod Andrews was great at performing these characters! I would have given 4 stars but already mention why I didn’t.
Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 2, 2025.
Author: Ace Atkins
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: 🎧
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow
Pub Date: December 2, 2025
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages: 368
It’s 1985, and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent.
His mother works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with government contacts.
Peter is positive his name isn’t “Gary Powers”. He isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche.
Peter’s mother assures him no one can take the place of his father. He is just a friend.
Peter keeps asking questions and is more and more convinced however knows no one will believe a fourteen old kids
Ace Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, and this is my first. A friend mentioned that Akins would be in our area in December. I checked the reviews and most are from fans who loved it.
Unfortunately there was far more profanity than I like making it difficult for me to enjoy– I have no doubt that these characters talk but listening to the audiobook was a struggle for me.
MacLeod Andrews
I hung in there and was pleased that there was a surprise at the ending.
Yes! The story is good. Plus audiobook performer MacLeod Andrews was great at performing these characters! I would have given 4 stars but already mention why I didn’t.
Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 2, 2025.
November 7, 2025
Release: Dec 2, 2025
Author: Ace Atkins
Publisher: William Morrow
Rating: 3.5 ★
Set in 1985, The Year of the Spy is a fast-paced, comedic thriller following fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett, a suburban teen convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend, Gary, is a Russian spy. Peter’s suspicions aren’t totally unfounded—Gary has a mysterious European accent, isn’t listed in the phone book, and keeps a gun in his Porsche—but convincing anyone of his theory is another matter, especially since Peter spends most of his time on BMX bikes and watching MTV.
When a coworker at his mom’s lab, Scientific Atlanta, is murdered, Peter bands together with a washed-up pulp writer, Dennis Hotchner, and Dennis’s drag performer sidekick, Jackie Demure, to unravel the mystery. But their investigation draws the attention of a dangerously obsessed Russian hitman (possibly Gary) who has a strange fixation on Phil Collins.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Sylvia Weaver is conducting her own probe into the lab’s activities and uncovers a network of Russian spies operating in Atlanta. Complications arise as her investigation is sabotaged by a corrupt colleague in D.C., tied to a lovesick, scheming KGB defector manipulating both sides of the Cold War for personal gain.
Against the backdrop of Reagan and Gorbachev’s historic nuclear summit in Geneva, the events unfolding in Atlanta could shift the course of history—if Peter and his unlikely allies can survive long enough to stop the spies. Blending espionage, humor, and the nostalgic flair of the 1980s, the story is part thriller, part coming-of-age adventure, and all-out chaotic fun.
Everybody wants to rule the world by Ace Atkins is a rollicking, fast-paced comedic thriller set in 1985 that perfectly blends Cold War espionage with coming-of-age adventure. The story follows fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett, a suburban teen convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. From the very first page, the tension, humor, and eccentric characters grab your attention, and Atkins’ sharp, energetic writing keeps you fully engaged throughout.
The cast is delightfully unconventional: Peter, his mother Connie, washed-up thriller writer Dennis Hotchner, drag performer Jackie Demure, the mysterious KGB defector Vitaly, and FBI agents Sylvia and Dan all bring their own quirks and motivations to the story. Switching between their perspectives keeps the plot dynamic and unpredictable, and the escalating espionage hijinks lead to an inventive, high-stakes climax that is as thrilling as it is absurd.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its immersive 1980s atmosphere. Atkins peppers the story with period details—songs, pop culture, tech, and politics—which makes the setting feel alive and nostalgic, while also grounding the spy plot in the heightened tension of the Reagan-Gorbachev era. The mix of humor, historical context, and suspense makes it feel like a Cold War-era Stranger Things with espionage instead of monsters.
Overall, this novel is a wild, entertaining ride with a perfect blend of comedy, thriller, and 80s nostalgia. It’s clever, funny, and full of twists, making it a highly enjoyable read for fans of espionage, coming-of-age antics, or just a fun, unpredictable story.
Favorite Quote:
“Every phone call, every knock at the door feels like a puzzle piece slipping into place—but some pieces don’t fit where I expect them to.”
Author: Ace Atkins
Publisher: William Morrow
Rating: 3.5 ★
Set in 1985, The Year of the Spy is a fast-paced, comedic thriller following fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett, a suburban teen convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend, Gary, is a Russian spy. Peter’s suspicions aren’t totally unfounded—Gary has a mysterious European accent, isn’t listed in the phone book, and keeps a gun in his Porsche—but convincing anyone of his theory is another matter, especially since Peter spends most of his time on BMX bikes and watching MTV.
When a coworker at his mom’s lab, Scientific Atlanta, is murdered, Peter bands together with a washed-up pulp writer, Dennis Hotchner, and Dennis’s drag performer sidekick, Jackie Demure, to unravel the mystery. But their investigation draws the attention of a dangerously obsessed Russian hitman (possibly Gary) who has a strange fixation on Phil Collins.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Sylvia Weaver is conducting her own probe into the lab’s activities and uncovers a network of Russian spies operating in Atlanta. Complications arise as her investigation is sabotaged by a corrupt colleague in D.C., tied to a lovesick, scheming KGB defector manipulating both sides of the Cold War for personal gain.
Against the backdrop of Reagan and Gorbachev’s historic nuclear summit in Geneva, the events unfolding in Atlanta could shift the course of history—if Peter and his unlikely allies can survive long enough to stop the spies. Blending espionage, humor, and the nostalgic flair of the 1980s, the story is part thriller, part coming-of-age adventure, and all-out chaotic fun.
Everybody wants to rule the world by Ace Atkins is a rollicking, fast-paced comedic thriller set in 1985 that perfectly blends Cold War espionage with coming-of-age adventure. The story follows fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett, a suburban teen convinced that his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. From the very first page, the tension, humor, and eccentric characters grab your attention, and Atkins’ sharp, energetic writing keeps you fully engaged throughout.
The cast is delightfully unconventional: Peter, his mother Connie, washed-up thriller writer Dennis Hotchner, drag performer Jackie Demure, the mysterious KGB defector Vitaly, and FBI agents Sylvia and Dan all bring their own quirks and motivations to the story. Switching between their perspectives keeps the plot dynamic and unpredictable, and the escalating espionage hijinks lead to an inventive, high-stakes climax that is as thrilling as it is absurd.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its immersive 1980s atmosphere. Atkins peppers the story with period details—songs, pop culture, tech, and politics—which makes the setting feel alive and nostalgic, while also grounding the spy plot in the heightened tension of the Reagan-Gorbachev era. The mix of humor, historical context, and suspense makes it feel like a Cold War-era Stranger Things with espionage instead of monsters.
Overall, this novel is a wild, entertaining ride with a perfect blend of comedy, thriller, and 80s nostalgia. It’s clever, funny, and full of twists, making it a highly enjoyable read for fans of espionage, coming-of-age antics, or just a fun, unpredictable story.
Favorite Quote:
“Every phone call, every knock at the door feels like a puzzle piece slipping into place—but some pieces don’t fit where I expect them to.”
November 16, 2025
🎧 Listened in Audio
📢 Narrated by MacLeod Andrews
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
🏷️ Publisher: HarperAudio Adult | William Morrow (ARC provided by NetGalley)
🗓️ Pub Date: December 2, 2025
I was all in for the neon-soaked premise: a scrappy 14-year-old channeling Ferris Bueller espionage vibes while Reagan and Gorbachev prep for Geneva. The Cold War nostalgia hits hard, Scientific Atlanta contracts, convertible Porsches, Phil Collins on repeat, and Atkins nails the ‘80s texture. MacLeod Andrews’ narration pops with teen sarcasm and drag-queen flair; you can practically hear Jackie Demure’s heels clicking.
Yet, despite MacLeod Andrews' engaging narration, the pacing dragged, and the tone felt uneven, like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a sharp spy caper or a nostalgic coming-of-age story. At 25%, I realized I wasn’t invested enough to keep going. The characters drifted instead of driving the story, and even the potential laughs landed flat. I kept waiting for the satirical bite or the gut-punch twist, yet the stakes never ignited.
Ultimately, this one is a case of a premise with promise but pacing and tone that didn’t match. I got to roughly 25% before I had to stop.
Would I Recommend It?
Not really. Maybe fans of Ace Atkins’ slower, character-driven work will find more to love here, but for me, the momentum just wasn’t there. DNF at 25%.
Spy Games Gone Wrong?
Have you ever picked up a book with a thrilling premise that just couldn’t keep you hooked? I’d love to hear your “almost great, but nope” reads in the comments!
📢 Narrated by MacLeod Andrews
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
🏷️ Publisher: HarperAudio Adult | William Morrow (ARC provided by NetGalley)
🗓️ Pub Date: December 2, 2025
I was all in for the neon-soaked premise: a scrappy 14-year-old channeling Ferris Bueller espionage vibes while Reagan and Gorbachev prep for Geneva. The Cold War nostalgia hits hard, Scientific Atlanta contracts, convertible Porsches, Phil Collins on repeat, and Atkins nails the ‘80s texture. MacLeod Andrews’ narration pops with teen sarcasm and drag-queen flair; you can practically hear Jackie Demure’s heels clicking.
Yet, despite MacLeod Andrews' engaging narration, the pacing dragged, and the tone felt uneven, like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a sharp spy caper or a nostalgic coming-of-age story. At 25%, I realized I wasn’t invested enough to keep going. The characters drifted instead of driving the story, and even the potential laughs landed flat. I kept waiting for the satirical bite or the gut-punch twist, yet the stakes never ignited.
Ultimately, this one is a case of a premise with promise but pacing and tone that didn’t match. I got to roughly 25% before I had to stop.
Would I Recommend It?
Not really. Maybe fans of Ace Atkins’ slower, character-driven work will find more to love here, but for me, the momentum just wasn’t there. DNF at 25%.
Spy Games Gone Wrong?
Have you ever picked up a book with a thrilling premise that just couldn’t keep you hooked? I’d love to hear your “almost great, but nope” reads in the comments!
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