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A Stranger in Corfu
Not yet published
Expected 12 Feb 26'Suspenseful, vivid and impossible to put down' TOM HOLLAND
'Laced with thrills' EVIE WYLD
'Utterly gripping' ADAM RUTHERFORD
On the Greek island of Vidos the past lingers like salt in the air. The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
For years, residents make the best of their fate – old enemies reconcile, long-lost friends swim together in the warm sea and estranged lovers share a bed once more. But secrets bind tightly. And when one of their own washes up dead, alliances fracture and a tide of suspicion begins to rise.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
'Laced with thrills' EVIE WYLD
'Utterly gripping' ADAM RUTHERFORD
On the Greek island of Vidos the past lingers like salt in the air. The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
For years, residents make the best of their fate – old enemies reconcile, long-lost friends swim together in the warm sea and estranged lovers share a bed once more. But secrets bind tightly. And when one of their own washes up dead, alliances fracture and a tide of suspicion begins to rise.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
- GenresHistorical
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 12, 2026
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Alex Preston
22 books38 followersAlex Preston was born in 1979. He is an award-winning author and journalist who appears regularly on BBC television and radio. He writes for GQ, Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country Magazine as well as for the Observer's New Review. He teaches Creative Writing at the University of Kent and regular Guardian Masterclasses.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 7, 2025
On my blog.
CWs: rape, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
A Stranger in Corfu was, it has to be said, a quite different book than I was expecting given the blurb. I went in, thinking it would be a conventional murder mystery set-up, albeit with an unusual setting and cast. It was ultimately more John le Carre-esque, or trying to be, which was no bad thing, but I don’t think that was necessarily the best thing for the book - I will endeavour to explain.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a book about much the same time period, about much the same plot. There is a Russian spy in the British secret service. Control is aware of this but his hands are tied as to finding out who it is, beyond narrowing it down to a handful of men. He passes the question on to George Smiley, who is, to all intents and purposes, out of the service and therefore more able to investigate. In A Stranger in Corfu, it’s clear from the prologue that there are, in actual fact, several Russian spies in the British secret service (recruited out of Oxford to parallel the Cambridge Five I’m sure). This, I thought, would be the central secret of the plot - it’s not. In fact, we flip back and forth between their time as Russian spies and the “present” day (1990s).
It’s not exactly hidden from the outset that the key to the why of the murder(s) is in their past. I mean, one of these Russian spies reveals to the main character within the first chapter that actually they all were so-called traitors. The tension is not built there, though the past is where the twist is to be found. And so the book flip-flops between present and past gradually revealing what ties everything together.
This would be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that a lot of these reveals took the form of expositional monologues. I think this was a symptom of the fact that the whole thing feels like it has an Apple TV miniseries in mind. The aim is for cinematic, so the monologues are the kind of thing you could see cut to a montage of the events they describe. The overall effect is to make the book just a tad overdramatic - again, something you could see working better in a show than a novel.
This all being said, I broadly enjoyed reading this one. I was interested in where the plot was going. While I didn’t love any of the characters, I was compelled enough by them. Okay, so I found the ending a bit of a letdown for reasons I’m not sure I can articulate, but it was fine. Still good, still worth a read.
CWs: rape, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
A Stranger in Corfu was, it has to be said, a quite different book than I was expecting given the blurb. I went in, thinking it would be a conventional murder mystery set-up, albeit with an unusual setting and cast. It was ultimately more John le Carre-esque, or trying to be, which was no bad thing, but I don’t think that was necessarily the best thing for the book - I will endeavour to explain.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a book about much the same time period, about much the same plot. There is a Russian spy in the British secret service. Control is aware of this but his hands are tied as to finding out who it is, beyond narrowing it down to a handful of men. He passes the question on to George Smiley, who is, to all intents and purposes, out of the service and therefore more able to investigate. In A Stranger in Corfu, it’s clear from the prologue that there are, in actual fact, several Russian spies in the British secret service (recruited out of Oxford to parallel the Cambridge Five I’m sure). This, I thought, would be the central secret of the plot - it’s not. In fact, we flip back and forth between their time as Russian spies and the “present” day (1990s).
It’s not exactly hidden from the outset that the key to the why of the murder(s) is in their past. I mean, one of these Russian spies reveals to the main character within the first chapter that actually they all were so-called traitors. The tension is not built there, though the past is where the twist is to be found. And so the book flip-flops between present and past gradually revealing what ties everything together.
This would be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that a lot of these reveals took the form of expositional monologues. I think this was a symptom of the fact that the whole thing feels like it has an Apple TV miniseries in mind. The aim is for cinematic, so the monologues are the kind of thing you could see cut to a montage of the events they describe. The overall effect is to make the book just a tad overdramatic - again, something you could see working better in a show than a novel.
This all being said, I broadly enjoyed reading this one. I was interested in where the plot was going. While I didn’t love any of the characters, I was compelled enough by them. Okay, so I found the ending a bit of a letdown for reasons I’m not sure I can articulate, but it was fine. Still good, still worth a read.
November 15, 2025
If you enjoy a tale of spies and espionage and double bluffs and double crossing then A Stranger in Corfu will have you hooked.
The island of Vidos is home to a curious group of residents- ex MI6 members who have been exiled to a small Greek Island- commonly known as Spyland.
When young MI6 member Nina founds herself recovering on the island following a failed mission in Serbia, she finds herself meeting the residents and finding that all is not as it seems.
Moving between the 1990s and events of the 1940s, a picture builds of a community where nobody is as they appear; when one of the group is murdered, a sense of fear and unease builds.
Recounting the past lives of people in Spyland and combining historical periods and events, Alex Preston has created a tense read with a good lead protagonist who tries to navigate her way through a never increasing series of disturbing events .
The only slight issue with spy tales is that you often invest emotion into characters to eventually find that they aren't as you imagined- but still gripping.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thank you to Canongate books and net galley for the advance copy
The island of Vidos is home to a curious group of residents- ex MI6 members who have been exiled to a small Greek Island- commonly known as Spyland.
When young MI6 member Nina founds herself recovering on the island following a failed mission in Serbia, she finds herself meeting the residents and finding that all is not as it seems.
Moving between the 1990s and events of the 1940s, a picture builds of a community where nobody is as they appear; when one of the group is murdered, a sense of fear and unease builds.
Recounting the past lives of people in Spyland and combining historical periods and events, Alex Preston has created a tense read with a good lead protagonist who tries to navigate her way through a never increasing series of disturbing events .
The only slight issue with spy tales is that you often invest emotion into characters to eventually find that they aren't as you imagined- but still gripping.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thank you to Canongate books and net galley for the advance copy
November 10, 2025
The story was intriguing and a good idea! I found the theme rather interesting and I did learn a few things... However, I unfortunately found out rather quickly what the plan was. The plot lacked tension and suspense necessary to describe this book as a page turner, in my opinion.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having previously read and very much enjoyed Winchelsea by the same author I was excited to get an early copy of A Stranger in Corfu to read.
The story is set on a small island off the coast of Corfu and is based on the post WW2 spy scandals. The island is used to house and treat older spies who are either needed out of the way or have suffered mental breakdowns. The main protagonist is Nina, the youngest inhabitant of Spyland, recently arrived after several of her missions resulted in her being interned. She befriends a group of old spies, who, we learn through, chapters set in the past, were all part of a group of double agents working for both London and Moscow. When first one and then a second of these agents die in mysterious circumstances and Nina's father is seen on the island the truth about their past begins to come out.
I liked the character of Nina, who comes across as plucky and determined despite her mental fatigue. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the Oxford days when the elderly spies are recruited for Russia. The descriptions of the island of Vidos are vivid and realistic and book is very readable.
All in all it was an interesting story which I enjoyed, not as much as Winchelsea, however, and I look forward to more by this author.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
The story is set on a small island off the coast of Corfu and is based on the post WW2 spy scandals. The island is used to house and treat older spies who are either needed out of the way or have suffered mental breakdowns. The main protagonist is Nina, the youngest inhabitant of Spyland, recently arrived after several of her missions resulted in her being interned. She befriends a group of old spies, who, we learn through, chapters set in the past, were all part of a group of double agents working for both London and Moscow. When first one and then a second of these agents die in mysterious circumstances and Nina's father is seen on the island the truth about their past begins to come out.
I liked the character of Nina, who comes across as plucky and determined despite her mental fatigue. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the Oxford days when the elderly spies are recruited for Russia. The descriptions of the island of Vidos are vivid and realistic and book is very readable.
All in all it was an interesting story which I enjoyed, not as much as Winchelsea, however, and I look forward to more by this author.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
'A Stranger in Corfu' by Alex Preston is a thoughtful and atmospheric novel that blends seamlessly with real historic events.
set in a close-knit community, ex-agents are living on Corfu, the story follows MI6 agents sent there to recover, only to find themselves reliving and confronting defining moments from their past.
Through their memories, the narrative reaches back to the late 1960's, a period shadowed by Cold War paranoia, the legacy of Kim Philby, and the devastating consequences of double-agent betrayals linked to Russia.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is the way it uses personal recollection to explore wider political and moral questions. The author captures the mindset of the era with great sensitivity, vividly conveying the attitudes, fears and loyalties that shaped intelligence work at the time of the story.
The author’s descriptive writing shows that Corfu itself becomes more than a backdrop, the islands landscape is rendered in poetic language that contrasts beautifully with the darker memories and inner turmoil of the characters.
It is an engaging, reflective read for anyone interested in Cold War history, intelligence work, or character-driven stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
set in a close-knit community, ex-agents are living on Corfu, the story follows MI6 agents sent there to recover, only to find themselves reliving and confronting defining moments from their past.
Through their memories, the narrative reaches back to the late 1960's, a period shadowed by Cold War paranoia, the legacy of Kim Philby, and the devastating consequences of double-agent betrayals linked to Russia.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is the way it uses personal recollection to explore wider political and moral questions. The author captures the mindset of the era with great sensitivity, vividly conveying the attitudes, fears and loyalties that shaped intelligence work at the time of the story.
The author’s descriptive writing shows that Corfu itself becomes more than a backdrop, the islands landscape is rendered in poetic language that contrasts beautifully with the darker memories and inner turmoil of the characters.
It is an engaging, reflective read for anyone interested in Cold War history, intelligence work, or character-driven stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an intriguing story of spies, double agents and MI6, and also a thrilling murder mystery, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved the descriptions of idyllic Corfu and tiny Vidos, of swimming in the bays, visiting the quaint villages, walking the meandering coastal footpaths, of the bird and animal life and the indigenous plants. Perfection!
Well, perhaps not - not when it is Spyland and peopled with flawed and damaged spies from WWII and the Coldwar. Some recovering from ptsd and injuries, and others pensioned off with very questionable loyalties. As the story progresses with flashbacks to their past exploits it becomes murky as to how many of them were double agents, taking delight in memories of their dealings with Moscow. Although some of these devious characters are somewhat likeable there are certainly none of them it could be deemed wise to befriend.
As the past catches up with them, someone is being followed, then murders start to occur, and suddenly the island is not the safe haven it first appeared. And how do you find the murderer when none of them can be trusted!
Many thanks to Alex Preston, Canongate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I loved the descriptions of idyllic Corfu and tiny Vidos, of swimming in the bays, visiting the quaint villages, walking the meandering coastal footpaths, of the bird and animal life and the indigenous plants. Perfection!
Well, perhaps not - not when it is Spyland and peopled with flawed and damaged spies from WWII and the Coldwar. Some recovering from ptsd and injuries, and others pensioned off with very questionable loyalties. As the story progresses with flashbacks to their past exploits it becomes murky as to how many of them were double agents, taking delight in memories of their dealings with Moscow. Although some of these devious characters are somewhat likeable there are certainly none of them it could be deemed wise to befriend.
As the past catches up with them, someone is being followed, then murders start to occur, and suddenly the island is not the safe haven it first appeared. And how do you find the murderer when none of them can be trusted!
Many thanks to Alex Preston, Canongate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
December 1, 2025
Very strong literary spy thriller - really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the jumps between present day and Cold War era. Great writing of a female character dealing with PTSD and the struggle to rebuild herself.
'she found self-dissolution in the process of forward motion, the putting of one foot in front of the other. Physical exhaustion was good for her, she acknowledged this. Although it didn't help her sleep nor stop her scratching the raw patch on her arm, it released something that cleared the reeds of her memory and permitted her to lie in her bed at night without the constant jolts of guilt and panic.'
'she let the music wash over her - a dificult comfort, each note a loose thread tugging some particular memory, all of them tied to Colin. Music plunged her into a body she no longer inhabited, one that had once known how to feel, how to breathe, when songs spoke for her better than words ever could.'
'she found self-dissolution in the process of forward motion, the putting of one foot in front of the other. Physical exhaustion was good for her, she acknowledged this. Although it didn't help her sleep nor stop her scratching the raw patch on her arm, it released something that cleared the reeds of her memory and permitted her to lie in her bed at night without the constant jolts of guilt and panic.'
'she let the music wash over her - a dificult comfort, each note a loose thread tugging some particular memory, all of them tied to Colin. Music plunged her into a body she no longer inhabited, one that had once known how to feel, how to breathe, when songs spoke for her better than words ever could.'
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is indeed a strange one, but good.
Here the small island of Vidos which is off the coast of Corfu, is home to several ex members of the British Secret Service. Some were past Cold War operatives, others are there of which some were guilty of misdeeds, and some were being treated in a sanitorium on the island. Among this last group is Nina who was badly injured and tortured during the Balkan conflict of the late 1990s. They have what some would say is idyllic existence, but then the body of one of them is found is suspicious circumstances.
Much of the story is set in the late 1990s, but some chapters are set in much earlier years where readers learn much about the early lives of the players and their motivations.
The book starts in a quite gentle and calm style, but tension soon creeps in, and is sustained d right up to the end. Some of the scenarios included could well be true which makes it a thought provoking read.
Here the small island of Vidos which is off the coast of Corfu, is home to several ex members of the British Secret Service. Some were past Cold War operatives, others are there of which some were guilty of misdeeds, and some were being treated in a sanitorium on the island. Among this last group is Nina who was badly injured and tortured during the Balkan conflict of the late 1990s. They have what some would say is idyllic existence, but then the body of one of them is found is suspicious circumstances.
Much of the story is set in the late 1990s, but some chapters are set in much earlier years where readers learn much about the early lives of the players and their motivations.
The book starts in a quite gentle and calm style, but tension soon creeps in, and is sustained d right up to the end. Some of the scenarios included could well be true which makes it a thought provoking read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting novel using the spy scandals of the mid 20th century for inspiration. A small Island of the coast of Corfu is being used to by MI6 to isolate current and former agents who have been compromised or are suffering burn out and mental health problems. Some of the residents have been double agents in the past and passing information to Moscow . Nina is recent arrival , daughter of a respected MI6 officer, but suffering from acute stress. She becomes suspicious of events following being followed while on a walk with one of the former double agents. The back story of the older residents is told flashbacks to their youth .Suddenly some of compromised agents die in mysterious circumstances and the sighting of Nina’s father on Rhodes further confuses the residents.
I found this to be an interesting but rather slow moving novel based round real events that took place in my younger days
I found this to be an interesting but rather slow moving novel based round real events that took place in my younger days
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a new author to me and a different type of novel than I expected - slower and more lyrical. It is set in the 1990s when Nina, an MI6 agent recovering after an undercover operation gone wrong led to her capture and torture, is sent to an island of ex-British spies.
The story of the older residents she befriends is told in flashbacks from the 1940s onwards, while back in the 1990s Nina tries to deal with the wreckage of her life and work out who she can trust in the shadowy world of espionage.
I was left wanting to know much more about Nina, and slightly less invested in the past storyline, but it was an interesting read and I couldn’t put it down.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story of the older residents she befriends is told in flashbacks from the 1940s onwards, while back in the 1990s Nina tries to deal with the wreckage of her life and work out who she can trust in the shadowy world of espionage.
I was left wanting to know much more about Nina, and slightly less invested in the past storyline, but it was an interesting read and I couldn’t put it down.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! What an imaginative use of one of the two small islands just opposite Corfu Town, the capital of the Ionian island. This was an intricate, exciting thriller set in a place I know so well.
Alex Preston envisages Vidos as the home - or sanctuary? - for compromised or spent MI6 agents. It's not long before something happens and a tangled web of deceit begins to unravel as the body count stacks up.
I won't say much more than that for fear of spoilers but this is a well-researched (both in terms of spyland and Corfu) novel which is multi-layered. Very well written, easy to lose yourself within its pages and duplicitous characters.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
Alex Preston envisages Vidos as the home - or sanctuary? - for compromised or spent MI6 agents. It's not long before something happens and a tangled web of deceit begins to unravel as the body count stacks up.
I won't say much more than that for fear of spoilers but this is a well-researched (both in terms of spyland and Corfu) novel which is multi-layered. Very well written, easy to lose yourself within its pages and duplicitous characters.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
November 24, 2025
2.75 stars rounded up. I think I was hoping for a bit more of a murder mystery, whereas it ended up more a few murders and a lot of reflecting back on spying decades ago - it was hard to really connect with characters who’d effectively committed treason, and so it felt a little underwhelming for me as a result. Perhaps the blurb wasn’t very clear that it was more reflective spy and not spy Cosy murder mystery?
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really gripping spy thriller.
Corfu and the Island of Vidos is where a group of people have been exiled- these are ex MI6 members.
This is Spyland and the story is set between the 90s and the 1940s.
No one is as they appear and Nina who is recovering form being in Serbia and knows all is not as it would first appear on the Island, and is weave her way through some awful events.
A gripping recommended read, due for publication February 12 2026.
Corfu and the Island of Vidos is where a group of people have been exiled- these are ex MI6 members.
This is Spyland and the story is set between the 90s and the 1940s.
No one is as they appear and Nina who is recovering form being in Serbia and knows all is not as it would first appear on the Island, and is weave her way through some awful events.
A gripping recommended read, due for publication February 12 2026.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews