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The Patriot's Daughter: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26Democracy is fracturing—and one woman may hold the key to saving it.
This electrifying debut from former CIA officer and TikTok sensation Brittany Butler is the perfect geopolitical thriller for fans of David McCloskey and Alma Katsu.
When a wave of Russian cyberattacks ignites a disinformation firestorm, the United States is pushed to the brink of a civil war. State governments defy Washington. Militias rise. As trust crumbles and chaos spreads, the CIA races to expose the source behind such unrest before democracy collapses from within.
Brilliant, relentless, and haunted by her mother’s disappearance, Ava was recruited for a moment like this. Dispatched to infiltrate Russia’s foreign intelligence service, her mission becomes personal when she locks onto her target, Konstantine, a charismatic SVR officer whose shadowed past intertwines with her own.
What Ava uncovers is more insidious than she feared. With the country unraveling, she must navigate a minefield of deception. Her only anchor is Ben, a veteran counterintelligence officer with complicated romantic feelings for Ava. But in a world where nothing is as it seems, trusting the wrong person could be fatal.
Ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, The Patriot’s Daughter is a fresh new take on the international spy genre.
This electrifying debut from former CIA officer and TikTok sensation Brittany Butler is the perfect geopolitical thriller for fans of David McCloskey and Alma Katsu.
When a wave of Russian cyberattacks ignites a disinformation firestorm, the United States is pushed to the brink of a civil war. State governments defy Washington. Militias rise. As trust crumbles and chaos spreads, the CIA races to expose the source behind such unrest before democracy collapses from within.
Brilliant, relentless, and haunted by her mother’s disappearance, Ava was recruited for a moment like this. Dispatched to infiltrate Russia’s foreign intelligence service, her mission becomes personal when she locks onto her target, Konstantine, a charismatic SVR officer whose shadowed past intertwines with her own.
What Ava uncovers is more insidious than she feared. With the country unraveling, she must navigate a minefield of deception. Her only anchor is Ben, a veteran counterintelligence officer with complicated romantic feelings for Ava. But in a world where nothing is as it seems, trusting the wrong person could be fatal.
Ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, The Patriot’s Daughter is a fresh new take on the international spy genre.
- GenresFiction
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 21, 2026
2 people are currently reading
11145 people want to read
About the author
Brittany Butler
2 books141 followersBrittany Butler is a former CIA targeting officer with first-hand knowledge of the recruitment and handling of spies and dismantling terrorist networks abroad. She is a staunch advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East and works within her local community to resettle Afghan refugees. The Syndicate Spy is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2025
Another doozy. I've been on a kick of not-great books lately...
This "thriller" (there was nothing thrilling about it) was allegedly written by a former CIA officer, but you could have fooled me! There was a lack of knowledge of the Russian language—molodyozh (молодеж) means "youth" in the aggregate, such as "The youth voted for Vice President Gore." I think the author meant molodenkaya or something along those lines, which would be used as an affectionate term for a younger woman.
The writing was also quite bad. At one point, the author writes, "His eyes ping-ponged around the room." Sounds painful! Or how about this passage, describing a moment between the main character and her love interest: "She met Ben's eyes once more, deep pools where she could simultaneously loose [sic] and find herself at the same time." Really? What is this, a poorly written romance novel?
Plus, I was frustrated by the treatment of the "villains," the Liberty Coalition. Their sin? Thinking the federal government has too much power and surveils us. Um, it does! But in this book, people who think that way are terrorists supported by the Big Bad Russians.
Then, to make things even weirder, it takes a monarchical turn in the end. All of a sudden the characters want a constitutional monarchy for Russia! How random! (I say this as an avid White Russian supporter who also wants a return to monarchy. It just was kind of shoe-horned into the plot.)
Also, the Russian surname Голицын is properly transliterated as Golitsyn, not the horrible looking "Gallitzin" this book uses. Just saying.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
This "thriller" (there was nothing thrilling about it) was allegedly written by a former CIA officer, but you could have fooled me! There was a lack of knowledge of the Russian language—molodyozh (молодеж) means "youth" in the aggregate, such as "The youth voted for Vice President Gore." I think the author meant molodenkaya or something along those lines, which would be used as an affectionate term for a younger woman.
The writing was also quite bad. At one point, the author writes, "His eyes ping-ponged around the room." Sounds painful! Or how about this passage, describing a moment between the main character and her love interest: "She met Ben's eyes once more, deep pools where she could simultaneously loose [sic] and find herself at the same time." Really? What is this, a poorly written romance novel?
Plus, I was frustrated by the treatment of the "villains," the Liberty Coalition. Their sin? Thinking the federal government has too much power and surveils us. Um, it does! But in this book, people who think that way are terrorists supported by the Big Bad Russians.
Then, to make things even weirder, it takes a monarchical turn in the end. All of a sudden the characters want a constitutional monarchy for Russia! How random! (I say this as an avid White Russian supporter who also wants a return to monarchy. It just was kind of shoe-horned into the plot.)
Also, the Russian surname Голицын is properly transliterated as Golitsyn, not the horrible looking "Gallitzin" this book uses. Just saying.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
November 9, 2025
The Patriot’s Daughter by Brittany Butler is an intelligent, fast-paced, and emotionally charged story that perfectly blends espionage, politics, and humanity. As a former CIA officer, Butler brings a rare authenticity to her writing—the kind that makes every twist feel grounded in reality.
I absolutely loved this book. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the tension and moral complexity of the spy world. The main character, Ava, is strong, flawed, and deeply human. I appreciated how Butler balanced action and emotion, showing the toll that secrets, loyalty, and patriotism take on a person’s soul. It’s not just a spy thriller—it’s a story about identity, family, and what it truly means to serve your country. The addition of Ben as Ava’s handler was a good one.
What really stood out to me was how current and relevant it felt. The political and social undertones reflect real-world issues, yet the book never loses sight of its characters’ emotional journeys. Butler’s insider type perspective shines through in every detail, making it a rare read that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking. Nobody is telling the truth! Nobody is who they say they are and that makes a page turning book SO real!
If you love stories with strong female leads, like Ava, intricate plots, and moral depth, The Patriot’s Daughter is a must-read. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
I absolutely loved this book. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the tension and moral complexity of the spy world. The main character, Ava, is strong, flawed, and deeply human. I appreciated how Butler balanced action and emotion, showing the toll that secrets, loyalty, and patriotism take on a person’s soul. It’s not just a spy thriller—it’s a story about identity, family, and what it truly means to serve your country. The addition of Ben as Ava’s handler was a good one.
What really stood out to me was how current and relevant it felt. The political and social undertones reflect real-world issues, yet the book never loses sight of its characters’ emotional journeys. Butler’s insider type perspective shines through in every detail, making it a rare read that’s both thrilling and thought-provoking. Nobody is telling the truth! Nobody is who they say they are and that makes a page turning book SO real!
If you love stories with strong female leads, like Ava, intricate plots, and moral depth, The Patriot’s Daughter is a must-read. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
November 24, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “The Patriot’s Daughter” is scheduled for release on April 21, 2026.
The book’s premise is both interesting and timely. Russian cyberattacks ignite a disinformation firestorm that pushes the United States to the brink of a civil war.
Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, the premise is the only positive comment I can offer on this novel from former CIA officer Brittany Butler. The narrative and flow are so convoluted I frequently stopped and questioned whether I had missed a chapter somewhere.
The Prologue gives us 11-year-old Ava Anderson living with her aunt. Her mother, Theresa, has been away for ‘work’ (which we soon learn is as a CIA agent) for the past two months, and there is no father in the picture. One night, small suitcase packed, Ava leaves home, ostensibly to search for her mother.
Then we fast-forward to 26-year-old Ava on assignment in Russia as a CIA agent.
First, that’s a huge leap in time. What happened during those 15 years? And do you really expect the reader to believe that an 11-year-old just walks out of the house one night and manages to survive unscathed to become a CIA agent at age 26?
Perhaps more importantly, despite her current assignment, Ava makes it clear that the real reason she became a CIA agent is to find what happened to her mother. Now, since the CIA knows Ava’s mother was an agent who ‘disappeared’ (though we soon find out that’s not necessarily the case), why would the CIA even take her on and train her? Isn’t there some sort of conflict-of-interest there?
We then learn that Ava’s aunt showed Ava a letter from the CIA indicating her mother was arrested for treason. But if Ava ran off at age 11, when did her aunt show her the letter? And later Ava says that the truth about her mother is “buried deep within Langley’s vaults.” So how did her aunt have a letter if ‘the truth’ is buried?
The entire narrative feels disjointed, and (in my opinion) would benefit from a significant re-write before being published. Way too many holes, and not enough character development or believability to pull me in and keep me interested.
One star for “The Patriot’s Daughter.”
And you can check out all of my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
The book’s premise is both interesting and timely. Russian cyberattacks ignite a disinformation firestorm that pushes the United States to the brink of a civil war.
Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, the premise is the only positive comment I can offer on this novel from former CIA officer Brittany Butler. The narrative and flow are so convoluted I frequently stopped and questioned whether I had missed a chapter somewhere.
The Prologue gives us 11-year-old Ava Anderson living with her aunt. Her mother, Theresa, has been away for ‘work’ (which we soon learn is as a CIA agent) for the past two months, and there is no father in the picture. One night, small suitcase packed, Ava leaves home, ostensibly to search for her mother.
Then we fast-forward to 26-year-old Ava on assignment in Russia as a CIA agent.
First, that’s a huge leap in time. What happened during those 15 years? And do you really expect the reader to believe that an 11-year-old just walks out of the house one night and manages to survive unscathed to become a CIA agent at age 26?
Perhaps more importantly, despite her current assignment, Ava makes it clear that the real reason she became a CIA agent is to find what happened to her mother. Now, since the CIA knows Ava’s mother was an agent who ‘disappeared’ (though we soon find out that’s not necessarily the case), why would the CIA even take her on and train her? Isn’t there some sort of conflict-of-interest there?
We then learn that Ava’s aunt showed Ava a letter from the CIA indicating her mother was arrested for treason. But if Ava ran off at age 11, when did her aunt show her the letter? And later Ava says that the truth about her mother is “buried deep within Langley’s vaults.” So how did her aunt have a letter if ‘the truth’ is buried?
The entire narrative feels disjointed, and (in my opinion) would benefit from a significant re-write before being published. Way too many holes, and not enough character development or believability to pull me in and keep me interested.
One star for “The Patriot’s Daughter.”
And you can check out all of my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
November 19, 2025
I love a good spy thriller but unfortunately I felt The Patriot's Daughter was lacking something. The premise was fine - CIA agent Ava is on a mission in Russia but is actually seeking to find out what happened to her mother who was also an agent who went missing. It just has too many plot holes and is so repetitive that I found myself skimming sections. The book starts with Ava running away from her aunt's and overhearing her aunt tell someone that Ava's mother was murdered but later in the book is a scene where officers show up at her aunt's house and tell them that she had been killed. Which was it? When Ava & her love interest are hooking up in her apartment he carries her over to....a conference table?? At one point there is a funeral for someone who is being buried next to her mother. Her mother has been missing for the whole book, but now they know there is a body? There were tons of little grammatical errors like "loose" instead of "lose" and "dissemble" instead of "disassemble" along with lots of run-on sentences and copious commas. I was never really hooked or invested and would not have finished it if I hadn't felt obligated to write a review.
#NetGalley #ThePatriotsDaughter
#NetGalley #ThePatriotsDaughter
November 21, 2025
Brittany Butler 's Patriot's Daughter is an exciting CIA espionage spy novel with additional elements of romance and a search for identity. Since Butler was a part of the CIA, the storyline feels authentic, although a bit far fetched.
Short, punchy chapters keep the action moving forward for the most part. Sometimes the pace slowed down for me, particularly at the beginning of the book where the author was setting up or deepening all the plot elements she eventually wove together. However, upon reflection, these quieter parts where not much happened, showed the pace of real spying: lots of tedious planning and asset cultivation, then incredible battles that require split second life or death decisions.
Multiple subplots ( romance with a co- worker, search for the fate of Ava's mother, discovering her father, etc.) humanized the main characters and made the story richer. However, sometimes there were errors as if the author forgot some of the details previously embedded in the plot. For example, at the beginning of the story when Ava, the protagonist, Is a young teen, her aunt casually tells someone her mother is dead. Then much later, representatives from the CIA come to the aunt's house with the same message. The aunt acts like this is new news.
I thought the romance with Ben added a good dimension to the story and served as a welcome break from the grim, terrifying action. However, some of the descriptions were a bit cringey, particularly since this is not really a romance novel. Following are some examples: " His mouth crashed against hers, rough and desperate, a collision of fear and something desperate." Or "He looked down at her, his eyes blazing, and there was a fraction of a second that she could feel the desire pulsing between them." This overwrought, florid writing seemed incongruent with the taut action and serious themes in the rest of the story.
The biggest take-away for me was that although the plot sometimes seemed a bit implausible, it Incorporated many contemporary events, political movements, and Cold War conflicts that we are experiencing right now. The scary scenario in which Russia attacks America from within could really happen. For this reason alone, the book is worth reading.
Short, punchy chapters keep the action moving forward for the most part. Sometimes the pace slowed down for me, particularly at the beginning of the book where the author was setting up or deepening all the plot elements she eventually wove together. However, upon reflection, these quieter parts where not much happened, showed the pace of real spying: lots of tedious planning and asset cultivation, then incredible battles that require split second life or death decisions.
Multiple subplots ( romance with a co- worker, search for the fate of Ava's mother, discovering her father, etc.) humanized the main characters and made the story richer. However, sometimes there were errors as if the author forgot some of the details previously embedded in the plot. For example, at the beginning of the story when Ava, the protagonist, Is a young teen, her aunt casually tells someone her mother is dead. Then much later, representatives from the CIA come to the aunt's house with the same message. The aunt acts like this is new news.
I thought the romance with Ben added a good dimension to the story and served as a welcome break from the grim, terrifying action. However, some of the descriptions were a bit cringey, particularly since this is not really a romance novel. Following are some examples: " His mouth crashed against hers, rough and desperate, a collision of fear and something desperate." Or "He looked down at her, his eyes blazing, and there was a fraction of a second that she could feel the desire pulsing between them." This overwrought, florid writing seemed incongruent with the taut action and serious themes in the rest of the story.
The biggest take-away for me was that although the plot sometimes seemed a bit implausible, it Incorporated many contemporary events, political movements, and Cold War conflicts that we are experiencing right now. The scary scenario in which Russia attacks America from within could really happen. For this reason alone, the book is worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
“The Patriot’s Daughter” has plenty of action and intrigue — disinformation campaigns, mistrust of the US government, Russian interference, double agents, lots of secrets and lies. The story contains numerous surprises.
However, there are occasions where the author seems to get confused by the complexity of her story. She has Konstantin and Dimitri meet at the Bolshoi Theatre in the present day and indicates this is the first time they met and lets the reader in on Konstantin’s plan to infiltrate Dimitri’s network and destroy him. Yet that is contradicted by much of the backstory for these characters, including why Konstantin wants revenge, which requires that these characters are already aware of each other. There are multiple times where the timeline is off — things happening too quickly or out of sync. In one of the critical scenes, Dimitri and Volkov and their henchmen surprise Ava and her associates. The author orchestrates a way for Ava to “turn the tables” on them but in the process Volkov just disappears. There is no indication that he leaves the room/scene or that he is killed or captured; rather, it seems like the author just forgot about him, too focused on the confrontation between Ava and Dimitri.
However, there are occasions where the author seems to get confused by the complexity of her story. She has Konstantin and Dimitri meet at the Bolshoi Theatre in the present day and indicates this is the first time they met and lets the reader in on Konstantin’s plan to infiltrate Dimitri’s network and destroy him. Yet that is contradicted by much of the backstory for these characters, including why Konstantin wants revenge, which requires that these characters are already aware of each other. There are multiple times where the timeline is off — things happening too quickly or out of sync. In one of the critical scenes, Dimitri and Volkov and their henchmen surprise Ava and her associates. The author orchestrates a way for Ava to “turn the tables” on them but in the process Volkov just disappears. There is no indication that he leaves the room/scene or that he is killed or captured; rather, it seems like the author just forgot about him, too focused on the confrontation between Ava and Dimitri.
November 22, 2025
I was excited and intrigued about The Patriot's Daughter by Brittany Butler. Unfortunately, the character development felt like the reader was dropped in mid-story. We were supposed to believe there was connection between Ava and Ben, but there was no build-up to their romantic relationship. The plot itself was engaging, but the editing and writing really took me out of the story. With as many references to a twisted/tight stomach and tilted vision, Ava needs a lot of anti-nausea medication.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for an advance copy of The Patriot's Daughter in exchange for an honest review. 1 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for an advance copy of The Patriot's Daughter in exchange for an honest review. 1 out of 5 stars.
December 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy!
I was super excited for another edge of your seat spy thriller. The story follows the FMC, Ava from a difficult childhood through adult. Unfortunately, I felt like I needed to go back and reread some chapters because I felt like I missed something, but alas, it was just choppy. I'm unsure if the author just couldn't describe certain things that were witnessed in the CIA, but some scenes seemed a bit far fetched. The romance undertones were cringe as well.
I was super excited for another edge of your seat spy thriller. The story follows the FMC, Ava from a difficult childhood through adult. Unfortunately, I felt like I needed to go back and reread some chapters because I felt like I missed something, but alas, it was just choppy. I'm unsure if the author just couldn't describe certain things that were witnessed in the CIA, but some scenes seemed a bit far fetched. The romance undertones were cringe as well.
November 18, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest evaluation of its merits.
While the love story was predictable as was the family reunion, I liked the plot twist in the third act and the resolution of the story. The pacing was strong and kept the reader engaged until the end. In addition the attention to detail in the spy craft was strong.
While the love story was predictable as was the family reunion, I liked the plot twist in the third act and the resolution of the story. The pacing was strong and kept the reader engaged until the end. In addition the attention to detail in the spy craft was strong.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked this one up because I’m a sucker for a badass female CIA agent and The Patriot’s Daughter delivered! It started a little slow for me, but once it got going, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Ava is smart, determined, and exactly the kind of complex, capable heroine I love to root for. Her hunt to uncover what happened to her mother added a really emotional layer to all the fast-paced espionage, and I was surprised (in the best way!) by how much action there was, this is the kind of high-stakes spy thriller I usually expect from male authors, but Brittany Butler absolutely holds her own. I’m officially a new fan and can’t wait to read more from her.
November 23, 2025
Starts out as a strong spy thriller but quickly loses punch and interest. So wished for a dynamite tale but proved not to be my cup of tea, alas.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews