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Mrs Spy #2
The Spy and the Snake
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jul 26THE NEW TRAILBLAZING NOVEL FROM INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR, MANDY ROBOTHAM
One mission. One fake husband. One very real problem.
Maggie Flynn has finally earned her place at of MI5-but with promotion comes paperwork. No more disguises, no more danger, just meetings, memos, and the quiet realisation that life feels a little too safe.
With her daughter away at university and her spirited mother pursuing her own adventures, Maggie's days in London are starting to feel decidedly ordinary. So when the chance arises to return to the field, she doesn't hesitate.
The fly to Budapest and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector in order to smuggle him back to the UK. It should be a straightforward operation. But Maggie Flynn has never done straightforward-and what's waiting in Budapest is anything but routine.
As Cold War tensions simmer and shadows linger on every corner, Maggie finds herself navigating a city steeped in secrets-and drawn to a mysterious stranger who may endanger the mission… or steal her heart.
***
Readers LOVE The Spy and the Snake!
'For those who like spy stories with half-truths, lies and deep suspicion, this book is for you!' 5* review
'A witty, well-constructed spy story... delicious' 5* review
'An amusing, page turning novel, complete with suspense, a smattering of romance and great characters' 5* reviews
'A book you can't put down... I thoroughly enjoyed it' 5* review
'A great thriller that keeps you gripped from start to finish' 5* review
'I loved the characters, humour, suspense and the setting in Budapest... A real treat' 5* review
***
Praise for M.J.
'A gripping story and great 60s detail, Mrs Spy is the female answer to Harry Palmer' - Ian Moore
'Dark, twisty, and thoroughly entertaining, Mrs Spy is a Thursday Murder Club for spies' - Ava Glass
'Maggie Flynn is a true a smart, intrepid, middle-aged spy with acute instincts and aching bunions' - Gill Paul
'I loved this an absolutely gripping and heartwarming story... we need more heroes like Mrs Spy!' - Jane Bailey
'Robotham has taken the invisibility of the middle-aged woman and turned it on it's head' - Emma Flint
'Exciting, alluring, seductive' - Clare Whitfield
One mission. One fake husband. One very real problem.
Maggie Flynn has finally earned her place at of MI5-but with promotion comes paperwork. No more disguises, no more danger, just meetings, memos, and the quiet realisation that life feels a little too safe.
With her daughter away at university and her spirited mother pursuing her own adventures, Maggie's days in London are starting to feel decidedly ordinary. So when the chance arises to return to the field, she doesn't hesitate.
The fly to Budapest and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector in order to smuggle him back to the UK. It should be a straightforward operation. But Maggie Flynn has never done straightforward-and what's waiting in Budapest is anything but routine.
As Cold War tensions simmer and shadows linger on every corner, Maggie finds herself navigating a city steeped in secrets-and drawn to a mysterious stranger who may endanger the mission… or steal her heart.
***
Readers LOVE The Spy and the Snake!
'For those who like spy stories with half-truths, lies and deep suspicion, this book is for you!' 5* review
'A witty, well-constructed spy story... delicious' 5* review
'An amusing, page turning novel, complete with suspense, a smattering of romance and great characters' 5* reviews
'A book you can't put down... I thoroughly enjoyed it' 5* review
'A great thriller that keeps you gripped from start to finish' 5* review
'I loved the characters, humour, suspense and the setting in Budapest... A real treat' 5* review
***
Praise for M.J.
'A gripping story and great 60s detail, Mrs Spy is the female answer to Harry Palmer' - Ian Moore
'Dark, twisty, and thoroughly entertaining, Mrs Spy is a Thursday Murder Club for spies' - Ava Glass
'Maggie Flynn is a true a smart, intrepid, middle-aged spy with acute instincts and aching bunions' - Gill Paul
'I loved this an absolutely gripping and heartwarming story... we need more heroes like Mrs Spy!' - Jane Bailey
'Robotham has taken the invisibility of the middle-aged woman and turned it on it's head' - Emma Flint
'Exciting, alluring, seductive' - Clare Whitfield
- GenresEspionage
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 7, 2026
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Maggie Flynn is back and better than ever.
"The Spy and the Snake" opens in Spring 1968, some three years after the events of "Mrs Spy". Maggie Flynn been promoted to a desk job in MI5 - she's no longer a Watcher, following suspicious characters through the streets of London. But she's bored. So when her boss, Guy Standing, offers her the opportunity to carry out a simple exfiltration job, she doesn't need much convincing. Her job will be to fly to Budapest and smuggle notorious British defector Fitzroy Carver back to the UK. It's behind the Iron Curtain, but really, how hard can it be?
Quickly both Maggie and the reader are drawn into a fast-moving story which takes her and her less-than-enthusiastic ex-spy across Europe in a race to stay ahead of her enemies, known and unknown. If Maggie showed her natural aptitude as Watcher before, she positively shines here, as from her first day in Hungary, she has to think on her feet, improvising like never before. Lifted from the familiar streets of London, she still has to employ her Watcher skills, while finding new ways to achieve her increasingly difficult mission. Along the way she recruits assets, and collects the resource she needs to get the job done. It's tremendously rewarding to watch her grow into a competent, accomplished spy, while still retaining her "middle-aged woman, questioning herself" demeanour. When she meets, and slightly falls-for, a smooth, aging-gracefully Englishman who seems too good to be true, she really has her work cut out for her.
If 1960s London was the star of the show in "Mrs Spy". this time it's Budapest, and Europe which form the backdrop to the story. The city is painted in all its glory - buildings, people, and cake. There's lots of cake. There's also still that lovely 1960s vibe, with fashion and music nicely acknowledged here and there. And a special mention for the various people Maggie recruits along the way - the citizens of Budapest, who live under a harsh regime, who hope by helping her, to bring about better days. We see some of them fleetingly, but they stay in your head.
This book really is the perfect follow up, and I sincerely hope it's not the last we see of Maggie Flynn. Heartily recommended.
"The Spy and the Snake" opens in Spring 1968, some three years after the events of "Mrs Spy". Maggie Flynn been promoted to a desk job in MI5 - she's no longer a Watcher, following suspicious characters through the streets of London. But she's bored. So when her boss, Guy Standing, offers her the opportunity to carry out a simple exfiltration job, she doesn't need much convincing. Her job will be to fly to Budapest and smuggle notorious British defector Fitzroy Carver back to the UK. It's behind the Iron Curtain, but really, how hard can it be?
Quickly both Maggie and the reader are drawn into a fast-moving story which takes her and her less-than-enthusiastic ex-spy across Europe in a race to stay ahead of her enemies, known and unknown. If Maggie showed her natural aptitude as Watcher before, she positively shines here, as from her first day in Hungary, she has to think on her feet, improvising like never before. Lifted from the familiar streets of London, she still has to employ her Watcher skills, while finding new ways to achieve her increasingly difficult mission. Along the way she recruits assets, and collects the resource she needs to get the job done. It's tremendously rewarding to watch her grow into a competent, accomplished spy, while still retaining her "middle-aged woman, questioning herself" demeanour. When she meets, and slightly falls-for, a smooth, aging-gracefully Englishman who seems too good to be true, she really has her work cut out for her.
If 1960s London was the star of the show in "Mrs Spy". this time it's Budapest, and Europe which form the backdrop to the story. The city is painted in all its glory - buildings, people, and cake. There's lots of cake. There's also still that lovely 1960s vibe, with fashion and music nicely acknowledged here and there. And a special mention for the various people Maggie recruits along the way - the citizens of Budapest, who live under a harsh regime, who hope by helping her, to bring about better days. We see some of them fleetingly, but they stay in your head.
This book really is the perfect follow up, and I sincerely hope it's not the last we see of Maggie Flynn. Heartily recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Spy and the Snake’ by M.J. Robotham, is the follow up novel to The Spy, which I loved. I didn’t know what to expect when I read the first novel and was surprisingly impressed by how much I enjoyed it. This time I was ready for it, and although I was entertained it didn’t have quite the same affect as the first novel.
Maggie Flynn has achieved what most MI5 officers dream of, a promotion to the upper echelons of the service. But as she quickly learns, “promotion comes with paperwork.”, with her daughter at university and her mother off on her own adventures, London feels a little too silent. So, when the call comes to head to Budapest, she once again felt excitement.
Maggie must fly to Hungary and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector and smuggle him back to the UK. The instructions sound straightforward, but in a city like Budapest, nothing is ever routine.
This is a cosy spy thriller, often humorous and full of action. Maggie Flynn is a woman trying to reclaim her identity by putting her life on the line for her country.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Aria & Aries for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie Flynn has achieved what most MI5 officers dream of, a promotion to the upper echelons of the service. But as she quickly learns, “promotion comes with paperwork.”, with her daughter at university and her mother off on her own adventures, London feels a little too silent. So, when the call comes to head to Budapest, she once again felt excitement.
Maggie must fly to Hungary and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector and smuggle him back to the UK. The instructions sound straightforward, but in a city like Budapest, nothing is ever routine.
This is a cosy spy thriller, often humorous and full of action. Maggie Flynn is a woman trying to reclaim her identity by putting her life on the line for her country.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Aria & Aries for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fantastic story! The head of MI5 has been told he needs to send a female to bring home a double agent. Maggie Flynn, currently in a desk job at MI5 after her time as a watcher, is chosen to retrieve a traitor who desires to spend his final years in the UK.
Fritz is in Budapest, and Maggie needs to get him out. The setting in Budapest with the local characters is perfect, so what could go wrong with the escape plan? All is revealed in this superb story as Maggie, along with her subconscious inner voices steer her along. The time setting in the 1960’s works well, and the backstory is well researched.
For those who like spy stories with half-truths, lies and deep suspicion, this book is for you! This is the first book I have read by the MJ Robotham, but as soon as I finished this one, I bought the first one in this series – Mrs Spy, where I may glean some of the background used within this book.
This is my number 1 read for 2026 out of 9 books read so far. My advice – get it asap as its 5 star read.
Fritz is in Budapest, and Maggie needs to get him out. The setting in Budapest with the local characters is perfect, so what could go wrong with the escape plan? All is revealed in this superb story as Maggie, along with her subconscious inner voices steer her along. The time setting in the 1960’s works well, and the backstory is well researched.
For those who like spy stories with half-truths, lies and deep suspicion, this book is for you! This is the first book I have read by the MJ Robotham, but as soon as I finished this one, I bought the first one in this series – Mrs Spy, where I may glean some of the background used within this book.
This is my number 1 read for 2026 out of 9 books read so far. My advice – get it asap as its 5 star read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Spy and the Snake by M.L Robotham due for publication 9 July 2026
Maggie is back and given the job of smuggling an old defector out of Budapest and back to the UK. Not an easy challenge but one Maggie is determined to fulfil.
Despite Maggie's worries she comes into her own and by befriending various people she meets manages with their help to get over the border in an old campervan secreting Fritz inside. Not easy babysitting this rather rude obese alcoholic. It is not of course plain sailing and Maggie encounters numerous obstacles on the way. Her watcher skills and inner voices come in useful trying to keep her and Fritz safe from the KGB as she winds across a number 0f Europe's borders back to the UK. Will she manage this and what double dealings await her.
Despite missing Frank and colourful Gilda this was once again a cracking spy story set in the swinging 60's and at last Maggie gets a bit of romance.
I loved it and am looking forward to more of Maggie's adventures.
Thanks to Netgalley for a preview copy.
Maggie is back and given the job of smuggling an old defector out of Budapest and back to the UK. Not an easy challenge but one Maggie is determined to fulfil.
Despite Maggie's worries she comes into her own and by befriending various people she meets manages with their help to get over the border in an old campervan secreting Fritz inside. Not easy babysitting this rather rude obese alcoholic. It is not of course plain sailing and Maggie encounters numerous obstacles on the way. Her watcher skills and inner voices come in useful trying to keep her and Fritz safe from the KGB as she winds across a number 0f Europe's borders back to the UK. Will she manage this and what double dealings await her.
Despite missing Frank and colourful Gilda this was once again a cracking spy story set in the swinging 60's and at last Maggie gets a bit of romance.
I loved it and am looking forward to more of Maggie's adventures.
Thanks to Netgalley for a preview copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Life has changed for ‘Mrs Spy’ and not necessarily in a good way as Maggie returns for her second book outing three years later. Life is quieter. Maggie’s promotion to a desk job lacks the camaraderie and autonomy of her previous life as a ‘watcher’, her extroverted mother Gilda is living a fabulous new life in Tenerife and daughter Libby now an adult has embraced a semi nomadic life in the protest movement. Although terrace gardens and delicious espresso are compensations, Maggie is intrigued when her big boss sends her on secret assignment to Budapest.
The charm of Mrs Spy very much included the warm cast of supporting characters and Maggie finds a new crew in Budapest. Maggie still talks to her dead husband Davy - but less - and there may be a new love interest but he may be a dud. Jury is out for this reader!
I loved the slightly old fashioned quality of M J Robotham’s prose. It definitely helps recreate the late ‘60s world of the book. Maggie’s an engaging protagonist and the story is involving.
The charm of Mrs Spy very much included the warm cast of supporting characters and Maggie finds a new crew in Budapest. Maggie still talks to her dead husband Davy - but less - and there may be a new love interest but he may be a dud. Jury is out for this reader!
I loved the slightly old fashioned quality of M J Robotham’s prose. It definitely helps recreate the late ‘60s world of the book. Maggie’s an engaging protagonist and the story is involving.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The spy and the snake is the sequel to Mrs Spy by Mandy Robotham. I enjoyed the original tory o I couldn’t wait to hear how the story enfolds.
Maggie Flynn is now working as a watcher for the M15. Her day consists of lots of paperwork so when they ask her to go to Budapest to bring back Fitz Carver and an old M15 agent who defected, back to the UK she jumps at the chance to prove herself that she can do the job and be better than the old boys. She think will be a simple task and straightforward, but she realises when she gets here that this is not the case. But that doesn’t frighten her. It makes her more determined to succeed.
Once again Mandy Robotham has written another intriguing spy thriller in the time of the swinging 60’s. With the music of The Beatles etc fashion and don’t forget the cake. This is another great page turner and got me routing for Maggie all the way through. This is not your ordinary spy thriller it has some humour in it between the characters and some romance in it too. I can’t wait to read more. 5 stars from me.
Maggie Flynn is now working as a watcher for the M15. Her day consists of lots of paperwork so when they ask her to go to Budapest to bring back Fitz Carver and an old M15 agent who defected, back to the UK she jumps at the chance to prove herself that she can do the job and be better than the old boys. She think will be a simple task and straightforward, but she realises when she gets here that this is not the case. But that doesn’t frighten her. It makes her more determined to succeed.
Once again Mandy Robotham has written another intriguing spy thriller in the time of the swinging 60’s. With the music of The Beatles etc fashion and don’t forget the cake. This is another great page turner and got me routing for Maggie all the way through. This is not your ordinary spy thriller it has some humour in it between the characters and some romance in it too. I can’t wait to read more. 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another great espionage novel by Mandy Robotham, with the lovely Maggie Flynn and her slightly wicked sense of humour. An assignment for the hardened MI5 ex-watcher takes Maggie to Budapest in search of a double agent and get him out of Hungary. Her task is made harder by finding Fitz Carter’s union with alcohol virtually unbreakable. An amusing, page turning novel, complete with suspense, a smattering of romance and great characters, particularly Zoltan the café owner in Budapest.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
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February 5, 2026The second book about Maggie Flynn and her work in MI5, if you enjoyed the first book, you won’t be disappointed with this follow up. Set in 1968, this time Maggie is tasked with helping a British defector who is currently in Budapest, return to the UK. But is everyone telling her the truth or do they have their own agendas and there are also the KGB and Hungarian secret service to contend with. What’s her plan and will she succeed?
A good read and lots of interesting descriptions of Budapest, I enjoyed this book and recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC.
A good read and lots of interesting descriptions of Budapest, I enjoyed this book and recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews