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White Raven
Bored with life as a teacher in an Edinburgh girls’ school, artist Rosie recognises Alex Kuznetsov from her previous life as a decoder at Bletchley Park. Alex, a war hero and anti-Soviet intelligence officer, is running a Russian language school for National Servicemen to put Britain’s best and brightest young men through intensive training as translators and intelligence operators in the event of a third world war. During an ardent courtship, Rosie joins the JSSL as an art teacher, but she soon finds out that there is more to her role as Alex gains her confidence and persuades her to take on a daring undercover espionage mission in a Highland country house. Rosie discovers that the world of spies is full of treachery, manipulation and deceit, and that what started out as a thrilling game can have deadly consequences. Faced with a choice between duty and love, and between stability and adventure, Rosie must decide where her loyalties lie.
Hardcover
First published November 15, 2025
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Ritchie
5 books12 followersI was born in India and grew up in Zambia, Spain and Venezuela before settling in Scotland, where I live with my husband and our son.
After graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in English, I became a journalist working for a range of national newspapers. I’ve been freelance for the last 15 years writing features for the Scottish and national press.
I graduated with distinction from the University of Glasgow’s MLitt in Creative Writing, where I was awarded the Curtis Brown Prize in 2012, and was runner up for the Sceptre Prize. My debut novel, Paris Kiss, was longlisted in the Mslexia First Novel Competition in 2014.
My short stories have been published in magazines and in New Writing Scotland, and I’m now working on my second novel, which is set in Africa.
After graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in English, I became a journalist working for a range of national newspapers. I’ve been freelance for the last 15 years writing features for the Scottish and national press.
I graduated with distinction from the University of Glasgow’s MLitt in Creative Writing, where I was awarded the Curtis Brown Prize in 2012, and was runner up for the Sceptre Prize. My debut novel, Paris Kiss, was longlisted in the Mslexia First Novel Competition in 2014.
My short stories have been published in magazines and in New Writing Scotland, and I’m now working on my second novel, which is set in Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 27, 2025
White Raven is a work of fiction which was inspired by a meeting Maggie Ritchie had with 91-year-old Moira Beaty who told her about her early life as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, and her love affair with a handsome British linguist who spoke Russian and worked for British Intelligence in Moscow. This engaging Cold War novel weaves historical facts throughout and is an enjoyable, exciting read.
The book opens in 1956 and introduces Rosie Anderson, a 36-year-old art teacher who is spending her Easter break in Crail, a village in the East Neuk of Fife. An apparently chance meeting re-introduces her to Alex Kuznetsov and she accepts his invitation to join her for a drink. During the war, Rosie had been a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and she and her friend Margot had had a crush on the dashing Colonel Kuznetsov. It's soon obvious that Rosie has become rather disillusioned with her life; teaching has left her jaded and her love-life – or rather the lack of one – has caused her to more or less give up on men. In her youth, though, she had felt useful and her contribution to the war effort even impressed Alan Turing. So, it's not surprising that she should feel a spark of both professional and romantic excitement when Alex takes her to the Joint Services School for Linguists and offers her a summer position teaching art there.
Alex introduces her to the charming Monty and mercurial Valentina and she quickly finds herself enjoying being a part of a quartet. Having been hurt in a previous relationship, she finds Alex's more straightforward courtship irresistible and she agrees to return in the summer to take up the teaching post. Rosie is a likeable character and although she could be accused of naivety at points during the novel, she realises that Alex has other plans for her. She experiences a thrill of anticipation when he requests that she keeps one of the students at the JSSL under observation as it is suspected he may be a spy and she enjoys most of the spycraft skills Alex teaches her.
The methods of a Cold War spy will be familiar to anyone who reads espionage fiction but although White Raven has some tense scenes, it is as much a character study of hope as it is a gripping thriller. As well as the main narrative, there are some touching sub-plots which particularly examine the role of women in the post-war period. During the war, women were called upon to fill the roles previously undertaken by men but now have to re-evaluate their positions in society. The contrast between two of Rosie's friends, Margot and Stella seems vast – while Margot has found contentment as a mother, Stella is still seeking fame on the Silver Screen but both at least know what it is they want from life. Rosie still isn't sure. Meanwhile, a face from her mother's past introduces a further layer of emotional intrigue and serves as a reminder of how, even in the 1950s, the country was still shaped by the physical, social and psychological impacts of both world wars.
Although Rosie's sense of unfulfillment is part of the reason behind some of the decisions she makes, she is also driven by the fear of another conflict and, with the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in people's minds, particularly the threat of a nuclear war. Maggie Ritchie gradually ramps up the tension as the novel progresses and Rosie takes on a dangerous mission. There are some nerve-wracking scenes where she has to think fast to avoid detection. However, although complex plots to bring down moles, double-crossing betrayals and surprising twists ensure many of the elements of espionage fiction are here, White Raven is also a thoughtful, poignant tale of profound love.
With its relatable cast of characters, authentic, atmospheric sense of time and place, and dramatic, emotional plot, White Raven is an evocative, entertaining read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
The book opens in 1956 and introduces Rosie Anderson, a 36-year-old art teacher who is spending her Easter break in Crail, a village in the East Neuk of Fife. An apparently chance meeting re-introduces her to Alex Kuznetsov and she accepts his invitation to join her for a drink. During the war, Rosie had been a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and she and her friend Margot had had a crush on the dashing Colonel Kuznetsov. It's soon obvious that Rosie has become rather disillusioned with her life; teaching has left her jaded and her love-life – or rather the lack of one – has caused her to more or less give up on men. In her youth, though, she had felt useful and her contribution to the war effort even impressed Alan Turing. So, it's not surprising that she should feel a spark of both professional and romantic excitement when Alex takes her to the Joint Services School for Linguists and offers her a summer position teaching art there.
Alex introduces her to the charming Monty and mercurial Valentina and she quickly finds herself enjoying being a part of a quartet. Having been hurt in a previous relationship, she finds Alex's more straightforward courtship irresistible and she agrees to return in the summer to take up the teaching post. Rosie is a likeable character and although she could be accused of naivety at points during the novel, she realises that Alex has other plans for her. She experiences a thrill of anticipation when he requests that she keeps one of the students at the JSSL under observation as it is suspected he may be a spy and she enjoys most of the spycraft skills Alex teaches her.
The methods of a Cold War spy will be familiar to anyone who reads espionage fiction but although White Raven has some tense scenes, it is as much a character study of hope as it is a gripping thriller. As well as the main narrative, there are some touching sub-plots which particularly examine the role of women in the post-war period. During the war, women were called upon to fill the roles previously undertaken by men but now have to re-evaluate their positions in society. The contrast between two of Rosie's friends, Margot and Stella seems vast – while Margot has found contentment as a mother, Stella is still seeking fame on the Silver Screen but both at least know what it is they want from life. Rosie still isn't sure. Meanwhile, a face from her mother's past introduces a further layer of emotional intrigue and serves as a reminder of how, even in the 1950s, the country was still shaped by the physical, social and psychological impacts of both world wars.
Although Rosie's sense of unfulfillment is part of the reason behind some of the decisions she makes, she is also driven by the fear of another conflict and, with the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in people's minds, particularly the threat of a nuclear war. Maggie Ritchie gradually ramps up the tension as the novel progresses and Rosie takes on a dangerous mission. There are some nerve-wracking scenes where she has to think fast to avoid detection. However, although complex plots to bring down moles, double-crossing betrayals and surprising twists ensure many of the elements of espionage fiction are here, White Raven is also a thoughtful, poignant tale of profound love.
With its relatable cast of characters, authentic, atmospheric sense of time and place, and dramatic, emotional plot, White Raven is an evocative, entertaining read from start to finish. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2025
Scotland, 1956. Artist Rosie has settled into life as an art teacher at an Edinburgh girls' school, but is finding her job less than exciting. On a painting holiday in Crail, she bumps into war hero, Alex Kuznetsov, the handsome Russian she admired from afar during her time as a code-breaker at Bletchley Park. The anti-Soviet intelligence officer is now running a Russian language school (JSSL), turning bright young servicemen into spies in preparation for another world war, and he invites Rosie to spend the summer teaching art to his pupils.
During the summer at JSSL, Rosie and Alex embark on a passionate affair. As she finds herself falling for Alex, he persuades her to take on a more active role in pursuit of the school's aims - a mission protecting secret documents from falling into the wrong hands at a Highland country house. Rosie agrees, but she soon realises that the world of espionage is one of lies and deception, and she will eventually have to make a choice about where her loyalties really lie.
In this deliciously crafted novel told through the eyes of artists Rosie, Ritchie weaves a compelling tale based on the existence of the very real JSSL, the Cold War Joint Services School for Linguistics, where promising candidates (including the likes of writers Dennis Potter and Alan Bennett) were put through their paces by White Russian émigrés and Soviet defectors.
Ritchie makes the JSSL a school for spies, where its pupils and staff all seem to have murky agendas of their own - not necessarily for the good of their British intelligence paymasters. But what makes this so engaging is that it is beautifully character-led, with Rosie at the middle of several plotlines that encompass love, loss, friendship, and family - alongside the sinister thrills and spills that an authentic Cold War espionage tale calls for.
Rosie, with her fierce intelligence and loyalty holds you attention throughout. Her romantic history, complicated family situation, and utter trust in Alex lead her into deep waters, and Ritchie keeps her cards close to her chest about where all this will lead her heroine. I was hooked on every twist and turn, with my heart in my mouth, totally immersed in Rosie's dilemmas.
Evocative themes run through the story, and Ritchie excels at writing about time and place, particularly the heightened atmosphere of fear of a nuclear arms race ending in another world war - this time with Britain caught between the super-powers of America and Soviet Russia. The cast of characters gives a lovely glimpse of many other aspects of 1950's life too, including the world of theatre, the attractions of Hollywood glamour, complex feelings around post-war recriminations, the class divide, the role of women, and sexuality... which all add to the mix in creating a satisfying and thought provoking story action-wise and emotionally.
I loved this gem from start to finish, and thoroughly enjoyed looking at the world of spies through a Rosie tinted lens!
During the summer at JSSL, Rosie and Alex embark on a passionate affair. As she finds herself falling for Alex, he persuades her to take on a more active role in pursuit of the school's aims - a mission protecting secret documents from falling into the wrong hands at a Highland country house. Rosie agrees, but she soon realises that the world of espionage is one of lies and deception, and she will eventually have to make a choice about where her loyalties really lie.
In this deliciously crafted novel told through the eyes of artists Rosie, Ritchie weaves a compelling tale based on the existence of the very real JSSL, the Cold War Joint Services School for Linguistics, where promising candidates (including the likes of writers Dennis Potter and Alan Bennett) were put through their paces by White Russian émigrés and Soviet defectors.
Ritchie makes the JSSL a school for spies, where its pupils and staff all seem to have murky agendas of their own - not necessarily for the good of their British intelligence paymasters. But what makes this so engaging is that it is beautifully character-led, with Rosie at the middle of several plotlines that encompass love, loss, friendship, and family - alongside the sinister thrills and spills that an authentic Cold War espionage tale calls for.
Rosie, with her fierce intelligence and loyalty holds you attention throughout. Her romantic history, complicated family situation, and utter trust in Alex lead her into deep waters, and Ritchie keeps her cards close to her chest about where all this will lead her heroine. I was hooked on every twist and turn, with my heart in my mouth, totally immersed in Rosie's dilemmas.
Evocative themes run through the story, and Ritchie excels at writing about time and place, particularly the heightened atmosphere of fear of a nuclear arms race ending in another world war - this time with Britain caught between the super-powers of America and Soviet Russia. The cast of characters gives a lovely glimpse of many other aspects of 1950's life too, including the world of theatre, the attractions of Hollywood glamour, complex feelings around post-war recriminations, the class divide, the role of women, and sexuality... which all add to the mix in creating a satisfying and thought provoking story action-wise and emotionally.
I loved this gem from start to finish, and thoroughly enjoyed looking at the world of spies through a Rosie tinted lens!
December 30, 2025
Stories about spies should lead readers on a mystery trail embracing secrets, lies, deceit, danger and intrigue – and Maggie Ritchie pulls this off big style in White Raven, her fourth novel.
It’s set in Cold War Scotland and the action switches effectively from the East Neuk of Fife to Edinburgh and to the Highlands as the tale twists deliciously with a range of characters who keep us guessing what they are really up to.
Rosie, the leading character, is likeable, trusting, brave and possibly naïve when love thrusts her into a dark and strange world. But, was the art teacher turned spy hiding something as well?
The dialogue sparkles and flows, the history of the period is explained with care and the carefully-crafted guessing game devised by the author continues, as I found, all the way to the final pages.
Media reviews have praised this book and I am more than happy to do likewise.
It’s set in Cold War Scotland and the action switches effectively from the East Neuk of Fife to Edinburgh and to the Highlands as the tale twists deliciously with a range of characters who keep us guessing what they are really up to.
Rosie, the leading character, is likeable, trusting, brave and possibly naïve when love thrusts her into a dark and strange world. But, was the art teacher turned spy hiding something as well?
The dialogue sparkles and flows, the history of the period is explained with care and the carefully-crafted guessing game devised by the author continues, as I found, all the way to the final pages.
Media reviews have praised this book and I am more than happy to do likewise.
November 18, 2025
This story captures the world as it was in the 1950's and specifically what was happening in Scotland re the start of the Cold War. The characters are wonderfully written and brought to life by the author, along with the surroundings. The story flows along at a good steady pace and is very reminiscent of a time gone by. It also highlights the roles which women played during WW2 and thereafter as well as the sacrifices which the country had to make. Beautifully written and definitely worth a read.
Thanks to SSP and the author for an ARC to review
Thanks to SSP and the author for an ARC to review
December 30, 2025
Didn’t really go anywhere and felt like I was reading something from a magazine. A romance rather than spy novel
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews