Spies and Other Gods

by James Wolff

The Head of British Intelligence is having a bad day. Only six months off retirement and Sir William Rentoul is wondering if he'll make it that far, what with the sudden descent of a brain fog dense enough to turn every day into a series of small humiliations.

To make matters worse, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee - the body that oversees Sir William - has received an anonymous complaint from one of his officers. Sir William dimly recalls accepting that there should be a channel for whistleblowers, but he never expected that they would pick his most sensitive case, one involving an Iranian assassin and a trail of dead bodies, or that the person who turned up to poke their nose into his files should be a lowly parliamentary researcher named Aphra McQueen, who displays smarts, tenacity and rebelliousness in unsettling measures.

Aphra seems to know more about the operation than she is letting on. What will she uncover? What is she really up to? And can she survive the unexpected events that will bounce her from London to Birmingham to Paris to Lausanne?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Espionage, Suspense

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2026

About the author

James Wolff grew up in Beirut and has lived in Damascus, Cairo and Istanbul. He worked as a British intelligence officer for over ten years.

His first novel, Beside the Syrian Sea (2018), was a Times Thriller of the Month and an Evening Standard Book of the Year. Upon publication of Wolff's second novel, How to Betray Your Country (2021), the Spectator described him as 'a major talent'. The New York Times called his third novel, The Man in the Corduroy Suit (2023), evidence of 'a memorable voice in the genre'.

His new novel, Spies and Other Gods, will be published in February 2026.

Reviews

[Ryan Davison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out in the world, an Iranian operative has killed at least ten people on European soil and is eluding detection. Inside the headquarters of British Intelligence, a researcher for Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee investigates a complaint lodged about a past operation. With the seeds of parallel plots planted, we are dropped into James Wolff's sharply cheeky espionage universe.

Crisp writing and sharp dialogue drives Spies and Other Gods. There are no exploding car chases or muted, slow-building, chess-board plots. This storytelling is nearly all character driven and the author employs a signature style of prose uniquely his own.

Plenty of fun flourishes abound. We get a competent old-timer returning to the field but he can’t remember names and is not skilled with modern technology. There’s a whistleblowers advocacy department that exists solely to stamp them out and HR hilariously snuffs out troublesome employees. Scenes jump from agents in the field back to the home office with an efficient cadence that keeps the pace of the narrative moving. The first act could have swung its opening hook a bit harder, and some scenes would benefit from smoother transitions, but this is an intelligently composed, mostly enjoyable jaunt through corridors of secret powers.

If Spies and Other Gods were a movie it would probably be PG. Little cursing, no sex, mild violence, it succeeds through solid writing and entertaining character dynamics. The author uses his personal experience to provide insight into the inner workings of modern spycraft.

Thanks to Atlantic Crime, NetGalley, and Edelweiss for a review copy.

[Sanchia · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟4🌟 Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this ARC!

Honestly, this was a really solid read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved flipping back and forth between many POVs, it was so entertaining and was done well most of time. My only gripe with the multi-POV writing is that at times it was a tad difficult to figure out whose perspective we were in - I think this is due to the writing style where the author uses quite descriptive language but also doesn’t make use of shoehorning the name of the character whose perspective we’re in (if that makes sense). All that being said though, I did actually enjoy the writing style and found it thoroughly entertaining.

The narrative for this story is also super interesting - following espionage, lies and deception through a twisty and gripping story, I was so hooked!

I would so so so recommend this book! It brought me back to when I first started reading and was picking up crime and thriller books! I also really appreciate that the author neither beat us over the head with long explanations of espionage terms nor made the narrative a tad cringe through unrealistic portrayals of spying and operations

(P.S. (Spoiler) I’m so glad Aphra got her revenge in the end…)

TW: Stalking, Murder, Death, Blood, Violence

[John Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spies and Other Gods is an intelligent and very enjoyable spy novel, driven as much by character as by plot.

The standout is Aphra McQueen, a fascinating protagonist whose sharp mind and quiet determination make her a pleasure to follow. Much of the book’s appeal lies in watching how she thinks and manoeuvres, and I finished the novel genuinely wanting to read more about her.

There’s a dry, understated humour throughout, along with an appealing sense of quirkiness in how people and institutions are portrayed. It adds warmth and personality without ever distracting from the story.

The plot is well paced and thoughtfully put together, unfolding gradually and keeping the intrigue high without relying on spectacle. Overall, this is a smart, well-crafted novel that rewards attention and leaves a strong impression.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spy thriller that follows a British Intelligence investigation and the secrets and mess that surround it. Aphra McQueen is the center of this story as she challenges the institution and ventures on a kind of spy chase.
I loved the writing style and the distinct voice of this story. There were constant interruptions to the narration and the characters’ inner monologues that made the story really humorous and witty.
The way the story was written felt immersive as if I was solving the case alongside the characters. The characters were easily pictured, it’s the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re watching a film as you read.
(3.5/5)

*This ARC was provided by NetGalley/Grove Atlantic in exchange for an honest review.

[Robert Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like writing an espionage novel is the thing to do if you are an ex-intelligence agent. There is a long roll call of authors out there who have successfully followed this path – Stella Rimington (UK), David McCloskey (US) and Jack Beaumont (France) – to name a few. As James Wolff notes in his acknowledgements: “it turns out there’s more than one similarity between spying and novel writing”. But he is not above a little self deprecation - there is also a point in this book where one of his characters, a wannabe spy who loves espionage books, considers that: “Anyone who chooses writing spy novels over spying itself can’t have been much good in the first place…”. And so we come to Wolff’s fourth novel Spies and Other Gods, a twisty tale that plays many of its cards close to its chest, told through the use of a unique narrative voice.
Spies and Other Gods opens with a fabulous conceit: the British Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has received an anonymous complaint about a particular case run by MI6. That case is a highly classified one involving the hunt for an Iranian assassin who has been killing Iranian dissidents in Europe. Much to the chagrin of the head of intelligence, Sir William Rentoul, a parliamentary researcher has been sent in to review the file and report back. The researcher is a woman called Aphra McQueen and even while she is interviewing those involved in the case, she knows there are things that she is not being told, and seems to have her own agenda.
To say much more about this would spoil some of the delightful twists and turns that this narrative takes. While some of this comes from Aphra and her agenda, some of these twists are powered by delightful side characters like Aphra’s shadow Susan, who does not like the idea of an outsider being allowed into the inner sanctum, and a dentist who is used by the agency and desperately wants to be a spy. The only slightly dud note character-wise is the arc of Sir William, six months from retirement and possibly suffering from the onset of dementia, who makes some questionable decisions along the way.
Much of the enjoyment here can be found in the attention to the craft of spying, the unintended consequences, and the way in which the best laid plans can easily go sideways. There are no big thriller set pieces here, just a slow burn mystery and some unexpected encounters. The narrative voice of the novel and guide to all of the goings on can possibly best be described as the spirit of British intelligence and so provides a slightly omniscient, deeply insightful but also slightly removed view of the characters and their actions.
Wolff sets up an engaging mystery and effortlessly manages to draw readers into the shadowy world and make them feel like they might understand how it ticks. Spies and Other Gods is a great addition to the growing canon of espionage novels written by ex-spies.

[David Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something a little different, in a very good way. Some comments I'd seen about this made me think it was going to be a little pretentious, with its alternative take on the third person narrative. But don't be put off - this is a really entertaining, easy to get into thriller that keeps you guessing, with lots of twists along the way. Some of them are easier to spot coming than others, but the fun is in the journey and the characters. They're mostly recognisable types from the spy genre, but where other spy novels tend to focus on the action, leaving the characters fairly indistinct (that's meant to be the point of a spy, right?), we get to really learn about these characters, and follow their thoughts, motivations and doubts about what they're doing. After all, spies are just people like anyone else, not the gods of the title. There's a fun scene (no spoilers) where we get to see a civilian thrust into the world of spies, attempting to learn spycraft on the spot, and the danger is palpable.

The narrator is not the usual unnamed, unspecific unknown, but is described as the 'corporate conscience' of MI5, a conglomerate consciousness of all the people in the building, that becomes it's own entity. This initially feels a bit strange, as it's hard to get a grasp of who it is who's talking to you, but you gradually build your own picture of who or what it is. And giving it a character makes it also fallable like everyone else. It's fun to realise that this narrator is not omniscient, feels puzzled by what they notice, and has to spend time figuring things out even as they're narrating. It's like a fly on the wall boss, constantly evaluating their employees, making judgments, but never able to actually intervene.

At times, the narrator voice almost disappears for stretches, necessary for actually getting on with the story, but once I got used to it, I enjoyed it so much I would have actually liked to hear it's sarcastic assessments of things a bit more.

There's not a lot of violent action, but it's not necessary in a story that is all about positioning, angles, trust and deception. But it's all written with as much narrative thrust, tension and excitement as anything plot or action driven. Being written by an ex spy isn't necessarily a guarantee of a quality spy novel, but this one felt real and believable, but most importantly a lot of fun.

With thanks to Netgalley and John Murray Press for a pre-publication copy

[pastiesandpages - Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world of spies, secrets, lies and covert operations is brought to us by a former spy and has a very unique style. The narrator of the tale feels omniscient but certainly not omnipotent. It's a little confusing for a while but gradually it becomes apparent that the narrator is a sort of collective consciousness of the intelligence agency itself. This narration adds a little humour as well as an interesting perspective as we oversee the events.

The head of British Intelligence, Sir William Rentoul, is six months away from retirement and he's making mistakes. His memory is not what it was and he's losing his grip on the situation. It is clear that he must be in the early stages of alzheimers and it is built into the story with humour, sensitivity and an outlook of nostalgia as even the people at the top sometimes wish they could get involved at a ground floor operational level.

Sir Williams's latest problem is an internal complaint and a parliamentary researcher has been brought in to ferret out the complainant. The researcher, Aphra McQueen is a great character. She is smart, rebellious and doesn't back down from a problem. She also has her own secrets and agenda.
Aphra's visit sparks all kinds of trouble as the complaint is linked to a very sensitive case involving an Iranian assassin who is leaving a trail of bodies across Europe.

Can the murderer be caught? What exactly is Aphra up to? Can Sir William survive until retirement? And has a Syrian/British dentist met undercover agents and now believe that he could be a spy himself?

It is a character led plot with lots of intrigue in the real world of spies so don't expect an action novel. The writing flows well and the dialogue is sharp. It's an enjoyable novel with unexpected moments of emotion, with sadness, hope and a little hilarity.

Thank you very much to the publisher for the advance proof.

[Lady Fancifull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pale derivative of quasi-Herron territory 2

I found this one a disappointment, trying far too hard for the spy-story-with-laughs-and-bureaucratic-machinations-incompetent-operatives-and-a-real-threat-narrative-escalating which Herron created so very successfully and well, and I guess others are now hoping to inhabit.

We even have a variation of the what-goes-on-scene-setting-the building-itself which Herron always starts his books with, marginally translated into a kind of overview narrator which is the ‘soul of spying’ or god of spying. It irritated me hugely.

I don’t wish to reveal spoilers which would stop anyone’s enjoyable journey which they might have with this, but, tick – there are the rivalries and machinations between the security service and the government, tick, - there is the rivalry between the present incumbent of the head (or first desk) position and someone who might see their opportunity to climb the greasy pole, - tick there is someone with devious own agenda and a loose canon in their own right, tick there are bastions of correctness feeling they deserved more. And on. And twists. But not the ones which ‘electrify’. Or at least, did not electrify me.

The real danger which needs urgent solving and preventing a catastrophe occurring involves Iran. This is a somewhat tricky territory because, of course, there are actual events now happening in Iran, so the jokey territory of this novel feels rather uncomfortable, and, to be honest, the ‘prevent the catastrophe’ which, is Herron’s hands involves the reader entering into heart pounding sweaty palm territory, here is a lumbering along in the slow lane.

Obviously, from the NetGalley reviews of the ARC I read, readers are sharply divided. A lot seem to have enjoyed it, so, time will tell which way this falls for most of us.

[Books Before Bs · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Spies and Other Gods’ belongs to that classic genre: spy novels written by former spies. However, unlike the traditional plot-heavy, action-packed works of the genre, this novel is character-driven, exquisitely well-written, and far subtler—though no less compelling and all the more emotionally-engaging for it.

Perhaps the most notable feature of this novel is the unusual narrative perspective. Wolff opts for an omniscient—though far from detached—narrator, but unlike the God-like voice found in Dickens’ works, it is the voice of the soul of the intelligence agency (so, perhaps a god of another kind…). It is an intriguing perspective, but one that definitely takes a little getting used to, and Wolff uses it to brilliant effect, making for a gripping, humorous, and often acerbic read.

The other notable feature of the novel is the quality of the writing. It is wonderfully fluid, with vivid yet succinct descriptions. I found myself able to picture every moment and mannerism as I read. Plus, the pacing is excellent, with the plot constantly progressing and the tension continually ratcheting up, rather than events being drawn out beyond their natural length.

I also appreciated how distinct and fully-formed every last member of the extensive cast is. They all felt real, and though their goals are often in conflict, I found myself rooting for each of them in their own way.

The only let-down for me was the ending, which fell flat compared to the rest of the story. I was hoping for something punchier and clearer, but instead the note was subtler, bleaker, and ultimately less satisfying.

Still, overall, a highly enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, James Wolff and John Murray Press for the ARC.

⚠️ Violence, detail of injury, alcoholism, murder

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphra McQueen is a Parliamentary Investigator - when the Intelligence and Security Committee receives an anonymous complaint, she is sent in to review the case it relates to and be on the lookout for any wrongdoing. It's a particularly sensitive case and one which isn't entirely concluded yet, and it doesn't take long before things start taking unforseen and ever more perilous turns.

I had a great time with this, and I was actually really quite sad to finish. My favourite feature is the unusual choice for the narrator - the book is told from the perspective of the soul of the British Intelligence Service rather than any one of the individual characters, a touch I really enjoyed.

While there was action in this book, it didn't overwhelm or make the pace too rapid. Instead we're allowed to get to know and care about the key players, and that made me buy into their story. Aphra is highly intelligent and determined, motivated by a key event in her life. Zak is struggling with depression and addiction, looking to redeem himself in that most human of ways. Sir William is approaching retirement and struggling with recent changes, and Susan acts out of a sense of loyalty and a desire to be something more. They're all human and relatable, and events and other characters revolve around them seamlessly.

The core plot is well plotted with a couple of red herrings thrown into the mix, all clever but not outlandish enough to make a reader feel duped. Really enjoyable read and I'm keen to revisit this author.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff is a spy novel unlike anything I’ve read before. That might partly be because espionage isn’t usually my go to genre, but if more spy novels were written like this, I’d happily make room for them on my shelf.

This is a thriller without the usual thrills. There are no nonstop chases or explosive set pieces, yet the tension is absolutely there. It just comes from quieter places. The writing style is immersive and confident, making it very easy to get lost in the story even when things are unfolding at a slower, more deliberate pace. Instead of adrenaline, you get intrigue, atmosphere, and a steady drip of unease that keeps you turning pages.

What really worked for me is how character driven this book is. The espionage feels almost secondary to the people involved, their motivations, their blind spots, and the secrets they keep from one another. In that way, it reminded me of a slow burn romance, except the emotional stakes come from power, loyalty, and deception rather than love. If you like books that focus on internal tension and subtle shifts rather than spectacle, this one really delivers.

I also appreciated how thoughtful and intelligent the story felt. It trusts the reader, doesn’t over explain, and allows the intrigue to build naturally. By the end, I felt genuinely impressed by how quietly compelling the whole experience was.

Special thanks to NetGalley, James Wolff, and Baskerville for the ebook in exchange for an honest review. And honestly, I’m already counting down the days until publication so I can buy a physical copy and put it on my shelf like a little trophy.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spy thriller that is not what I expected it to be. Rather than being a fast-paced story, it is slower and switches between characters. This switching takes place during a chapter, of which there are very few, but these switches are like interruptions. One moment you are with an usher, the next with a spy. This does take some getting used to, but it is worth taking the time to get to grips with it.

The story has some key characters, not a huge cast, but enough to keep the story rolling. These range from a researcher, usher, director, dentist, assassin, Member of Parliament, so a good mix of personalities, backgrounds, experiences and also naivety.

A case is being looked into as there has been a complaint, the full reasons behind the complaint are not fully understood until partway through the book and then finally at the end. There is a lot of cloak and dagger, secrets, misdirection, manipulation and a whole lot of lies.

This is a hard book to review, because initially I struggled, but then found that I was hooked to it. I think suddenly I got the story and how it was laid out, understood and got to grips with the characters and the different plots.

This is quite a different spy story; it is a suspenseful one, and there are some dramatic scenes. I have a feeling this book will divide readers, but it is very much character-led, a slower story, with misdirection and not the full-throttle modern style at all. That being said, I really enjoyed this once I got to grips with it and I would be happy to recommend it.

[Ridgerunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was certainly not a conventional spy thriller but I really enjoyed it. The basic plot starts with a whistleblower triggering an investigation in a dept at British Intelligence but a huge amount of the book involves chapters from the narrator and ponderings from the characters as they assess their work and their place in life.
There were many tiny witty asides from the narrator who was a strange concept. Rather than being an anonymous distant all knowing godlike creature , the reader is given clues as to his sex and weight issues almost as if he was a real person. The Human resources department and internal counselling service also behave in a very devious fashion which amusingly does little to benefit the employees. The boss of the department is nearing retirement and has plenty of his own issues as he goes a bit native as the book develops.
So we learn much about the machinations of a large Intelligence department and a lot about the personalities and worries of all the characters, especially that of Aphra who is sent to investigate the whistleblowing and doggedly pursues her own agenda. There is a good revelation about her background near the end of the book , but the whole point of the book is enjoying the journey rather than a spectacular finale.
Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC.

[Richard Gibney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An imaginative and quirky narrative structure enables author James Wolff to showcase the cast of characters in Spies and Other Gods while avoiding potential criticisms of head-hopping or changing voice. Through its multiple focuses, we follow a close-to-retirement intelligence chief with a failing memory, a lowly parliamentary researcher keen to investigate the claims of a whistleblower, and a dentist eager to begin a career in espionage, among other characters, most of them in one way or another out of their depth.

A carefully crafted storyline replete with red herrings and twists is expected in novels of this kind, and readers will likely find this one entertaining. But the literary (perhaps even experimental) nature of this thriller’s occasionally cynical narration sets it apart from its contemporaries.

Character is given as much weight here as plot. A spy chief showing signs of early-stage dementia, still capable of displaying flashes of inspired insight while he’s undermined from various quarters, is one such example to suggest the richness of these heroes and heroines with all their virtues and faults. Given the nature of such rich characterisation, the novel might in certain respects also be read as a societal critique, with the intelligence agency, its officers, and agents a microcosm of the culture more broadly.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spies and Other Gods is a bit of a stumper that trips me up in trying to review it. It sits somewhere between 3.5-4 stars. It didn't grip me, as such, but did pepper the story with interesting characters who do quite a lot of talking. Maybe the gently developing story felt dialogue heavy as it's more of a thinking man's spy yarn? I'm not certain but it seemed to take a while before my pulse quickened. Not that that's a bad thing. Sometimes a gradual lead in creates a punchier story. In this instance I felt we were on cruise control for a lengthy period which suddenly woke me up with a burst of speed and tempo. Then I paid close attention.

Characters here range from the conscience of MI5 narrating to heads of the bureau and committee members who oversee activities. Agent handlers and agents to low ranking personnel. Many of which are lightly sketched whilst others take a while to get the full measure of them. It's at the point when characters reveal their backstory that things really take off.

If I'm honest I am not sure what I felt about the novel. I am still processing it, which doesn't help you much. It's lingering in the back of mind working out the events that unfold, mainly, in the last third. Some parts could be spotted earlier on whilst others stump me. A heady mix of knowns, known unknowns and surprising developments. Doesn't that sound delicious?

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting as a spy novel but I actually enjoyed this quirky telling of the unveiling of an assassin.
At the beginning of the story Sir William Rentoul, Head of British Intelligence, is finding his memory is not quite what it was. As he looks forward to retirement he finds himself in charge of a very important case involving European diplomacy. Enter Aphra McQueen who has been charged with investigating a complaint made against the service. Sir William hopes to brush her off but Aphra appears to know something about the case already and she is tenacious and intelligent.
The case spirals out of Sir William's control and away from the bumbling intelligence service as Aphra appears to be the only one who really knows what is going on.
So far so good but the book is unusual because the story is told (and explained) by an omnipotent narrator, who takes a rather dry as acerbic view of the intelligence service. At first I found this voice rather off putting but as I became used to it I found it an excellent way of telling the story and moving the plot along.
The book was quirky and memorable and I really enjoyed it.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and John Murray Press for an early copy in return for an honest review.

[Mergulum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of spies. Some of the characters are born spies, some become spies and some have spies thrust upon them. And we see the spy world from all these perspectives: the British intelligence community; mandarins, minions and agents negotiating the bureaucracy and finding the best route to cover up their mistakes and promulgate their successes. Or promoting their mistakes as successes. The innocent civilians drawn into this Byzantine world, some willingly, others not so much. And the personal histories that have led them, perhaps inevitably to their roles. The story is weaved together through the conventional device of the omniscient narrator. But the novel departs from the convention in that the narrator has its own consciousness and offers comments on the progress of the tale. I suppose that it’s the equivalent of tv and film where the fourth wall is broken. I don’t quite know what we call that in literature but whatever its name I personally found that approach rather jarring. Nevertheless that is a minor quibble because the story is gripping and thoroughly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the review copy.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, John Murray Press, and James Wolff for an ARC of 'Spies and Other Gods'.

In some ways, this was a textbook spy novel: it deals with corruption, espionage, whistlebowing, global settings, and an amateur "spy" who pretty much outclasses the whole of British Intelligence (lol). But it's also dialogue-heavy, filled with more heart than violence, and doesn't have a strong sense of good v bad. Everyone feels out of their depth, and everyone, at some point, does something "wrong". It was well-plotted, with strong characters and twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

Unfortuantely, though, I didn't enjoy the way this book was written. Wolff employs a first-person narrator, who watches over the whole operation. But we never find out who this person is or why they've been providing this commentary. Their role was more to point out tropes than to serve any real function in the story. I also found the formatting confusing. Maybe it's just the way the book is laid out on Kindle, but the perspective switches happened so randomly (between paragraphs) that they were hard to follow, and pulled me out of the story each time.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphra McQueen arrived in the heart of British intelligence to investigate a complaint about a previous operation. But what is a relatively low level government researcher doing investigating at this level? Who is she really? What is her plan? Why does she pretend to be a spy? She is clever, tenacious and determined. She is an excellent protagonist in this witty, involving story.

I enjoyed the unusual pov and how it made the reader more involved in the plot; as if we were helping or trying to work out what really are the motivations of the characters. There are quite a few characters in this story but they are all well defined and have their place in the unfolding mayhem. There is humour and sly self awareness that makes the novel entertaining and kept me turning the pages(as it were as I read on a kindle).

The finale is satisfying in that it was sort of what I wished it to be and I would love to read more about Aphra McQueen.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my kindle in exchange for my honest review after a full read of the novel.

[Laura-Tuesday · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up.

Spies and Other Gods has a really compelling hook, especially in how it treats divinity. Instead of a distant or abstract god, the central god feels more like the omniscient soul of the intelligence agency itself; watching, knowing, and quietly influencing everything from behind the curtain. It’s a clever concept, and when the story leans into it, it really works.

The mix of espionage, secrets, and divine politics creates some great tension, and once the plot settles in, it’s easy to get absorbed in the larger machinations at play. At times the pacing was a little uneven and some characters stood out whilst others were more like pieces on the board. Maybe that was intentional?

Overall, it’s engaging with smart ideas and an interesting take on gods and power. A solid pick if you enjoy political intrigue, intelligence agencies with layers of secrets, and that little something to make it stand out.

Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #SpiesandOtherGods #NetGalley

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ingenious plot with more than enough to leave a reader trying to work out what is happening on every page. The way the story has been crafted provides sufficient material to make it very believable and typical of what the person in the street believes is a cover-up by the security service.

However, they have not figured out that Aphra McQueen, whose unsettling presence and smart deductions allow her to be a step ahead of everyone. She will not allow anyone to take her involvement lightly, making her a formidable character.

She has tenacity and a no-nonsense approach in equal measures, which makes for a great read.

Guessing what she is after and who she has in her sights is not revealed until the very end, so any wavering in following the events should be avoided. Every reader needs to be absorbed in the story to get the maximum enjoyment, as it is written superbly!

[J Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment.
I grew up reading spy thrillers. First, it was James Bond and Matt Helm, and then Modesty Blaise. As time went on it was the John le Carre books. When I had the chance to read an early copy of this book i was intrigued by both the title and the description and so I grasped the opportunity. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The story is basically that of an investigation as to whether whistleblowing by staff is to be formally taken seriously by the establishment. The whole thing features cover ups by various departments and those in charge more concerned with their own careers and pensions than really solving inherent problems. It could be any large corporation with wheeler dealers. The individuals running it have their own intrigues and agendas, and spy/security aspects I was looking forward to are just a sideshow.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff is a story about spies and a young woman called Aphra McQueen, who has her own agenda and may well end up doing British Intelligence job for them.
Sir William Rentoul is six months off retirement as the Head of British Intelligence and everyone wonders whether he will make it to his retirement date, because of his forgetfulness that is occurring more and more frequently.. A complaint has been made about his department and a young parliamentary researcher is allowed access to the department to look into the complaint.
Events move on from London to Birmingham, Paris and then Lausanne as Aprha and Sir William both end up in the same cities at the same time, where chaos reigns and a serial killer is on the hunt.
A very bizarre, possibly brilliant spy story and nothing like James Bond.
Recommended

[books_by_vickib · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be totally honest here and say this is one of the most confusing books I've read in a while. The concept of this book had me fascinated but it was really hard to fully emerge myself into. The book is in 3 parts with no chapters. There are page/section breaks every few paragraphs and it was quite hard to keep up with who was saying what or who was meant to be where 🫣

The book is slow paced and I didn't engage with the characters until the last 25% of the book. I did love Aphra's character and her development throughout was my favourite.

The last part of the book had me gripped but sadly the rest was just too confusing for me to follow. This is just my personal opinion and I still enjoyed reading the majority of it. If you are into spy novels this is definitely one for you, hopefully you can figure it out better than I did. I would be a rubbish spy 🕵️

[Tony M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spies and other Gods is a solid, enjoyable, twisty espionage tale, written by a former British intelligence officer, with strong, interesting lead characters in Sir William Rentoul, Head of British Intelligence; Aphra McQueen, a shady Parliamentary researcher; and Zak, British/Syrian dentist who becomes unwittingly embroiled in the Europe-wide search for an Iranian assassin.

I found the book to be a real page turner, and every spare minute I had I grabbed it to discover what happened next. There were, however, two things I didn’t like. I thought the narrative voice was unnecessary and a little irritating; and I was disappointed in the ending, having guessed the twist in the tale from some way out. Nevertheless, a good read.

[amandarose_mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spy book like no other. I say no other, because I haven't ever read another spy novel. It's not my go-to, yet if they are all written like this, I'd read them all. The writing style was great, so easy to get lost in the storyline - despite it not being high thrill and chase like you'd expect from some spy novels and movies - it is a thriller without the thrills. You get the juice, just in other ways.

If you're looking for a character driven, spy-version-of-a-slow-burn-romance-just-with-espiange-instead-of-love, you've come to the right place.

Special thanks to NetGalley, James Wolff, and Baskerville for this ebook in return for an honest review. And honestly, I'm counting down the days until it's published, so I can put it on my shelf like a little trophy.

[Martin Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly different take on the spy novel.

"Spies and Other Gods" opens in the present day, where an unidentified narrator is musing on what spies look like, and whether or not the woman outside the window is one. We soon learn that she is Aphra McQueen, a representative of the Intelligence and Security Committee, sent to investigate a whistle-blower complaint from a member of the security service. This doesn't please Sir William Rentoul, head of British Intelligence, who is only six months away from retirement.

Aphra soon begins work, shadowed by Susan, who escorts her around the top-secret facilities, and who clearly is trying her best to hinder Aphra's work. As the story develops, we learn more about Aphra, Susan, Sir William, and others as she digs deeper into the complaint, and everyone's motives become clearer. And when her investigation is abruptly brought to an end, she resorts to unorthodox methods to get the the truth.

Fans of the authors' previous books in the "Discipline Files" series will immediately sense a different tone and style in this stand-alone novel. The narrator, whose identity we never really discover, is an all-seeing, all-knowing entity with a sense of humour. Although set against the background of a security service riddled with holes, it's not a spy novel in the le Carre style - more Mick Herron. There's plenty of back-stabbing, misdirection and conspiracy, as the reas0n for the original complaint is revealed. The several threads which make up the plot can be difficult to follow in places, although we slowly realise that Aphra is a key element.

Aphra is an intriguing character, and as her background and her motives become clearer, it's difficult to know whether to root for her or not. That she holds her own against the nicely represented male-dominated, public school establishment that is British Intelligence, earns her some respect.

I enjoyed the book, not so much as the previous ones perhaps, and the ending was a slight let-down, but fans of the author will enjoy it. Recommended.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a very confusing novel. Deep with mystery and intrigue, trying to fathom out where this story was headed, taxed me during the early chapters. Some particularly nasty characters, working in government departments, set about to cover up illicit wrong-doings. Deception, lies and ultimately deaths are all part of this spy network, whilst those in high places ignore the truths. The author certainly has an imagination, and good knowledge of espionage.

Having been given a copy of this ARC book for review, I feel my time could have been better spent reading something more interesting and enjoyable. Thanks however to NetGalley and the publishers for this advance copy.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps jumping on the Mick Herron Slow Horses bandwagon James Wolff has written an engaging if cynical account of an oversight committee investigation into a whistleblower’s complaint about an intelligence service plot against Iran.

The plot twists and turns as an ever increasing number of characters are introduced and sometimes it is hard to keep a handle on all the plot machinations but the writing is lush and the tone is light and humorous.

An intriguing book by an author of great talent.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quirky spy novel that is a riveting read with plenty of twists and interesting characters. This is not your usual spy story, it's cosy rather than gritty. The character dynamics provide an interesting amount of humour, but there is also sadness. It was a quick read but there is so much going on beyond the spying, that the story will stay with me for quite a while.
Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.