The Undercover Bookshop

by Katherine Reay

During the winter of 1950 in the small Cotswold village of Great Rollright, amateur sleuth Gemma Brown starts to suspect that the town’s best baker, Ursula Beurton, is a Soviet spy, tumbling her headlong into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that ends with a decision that will lead her to the Undercover Bookshop and change her life forever.

Recently moved to the English Cotswolds, Gemma Brown desperately wants to create the kind of idyllic life she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels, with herself as the leading lady. But fitting in proves difficult as Gemma is more adept at solving mysteries and setting up the village’s first bookstore than she is at baking cakes or grasping social niceties. Nevertheless, she finds a friend in Peggy, a young woman recently moved to town herself, and Ursula Beurton, who is not only the village’s best baker but an enigmatic figure who sparks controversy in the small-town gossip network.

As Gemma spends more time with Ursula, she begins to suspect all those novels are affecting her thinking. The oddities she starts to notice must be her imagination because, if not, they point to something far more dangerous than winning the local baking contest or being placed on the church committee. Could her neighbor be a real spy?

Following her instincts and a few skills learned through fiction, Gemma soon becomes embroiled in an international intrigue involving the village’s mysterious benefactor, Lady Marchmont, MI5, and the KGB. In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives as their next chapter unfolds in Gemma’s new venture, the Undercover Bookshop.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Books About Books, Christian Fiction, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one full length non-fiction work. Her novels have been chosen as “One Book, One Community” reads and her writing has appeared in publications such as Criminal Reads, The Daily Beast, Redbook, and USA Today, among others. She holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University. She lives in Montana with her husband and too many dogs.

You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com or on Facebook: KatherineReayBooks, X: @katherine_reay or Instagram: @katherinereay.

Reviews

[Cara Putman]

This book was a wonderful read. I adored every page and wanted it to continue far past the last page. It was a wonderful story of found family set in the early days of the Cold War. The ending didn't neatly tie up with a bow, which I appreciated. Katherine Reay is masterful at this era.

[Caitlin]

All-around wonderful read

[Eliza Hall]

Thank you to BookSparks and Harper Muse for gifting me this ARC copy of The Undercover Bookshop by Katherin Reay.

I loved the historical aspect of this story, especially the focus on the Soviet War, the Red Scare and Soviet Spies. This was so intriguing that it motivated me to research Ursula Beuton myself. I love discovering historical information I've never know before, which is beneficial in reading diversely. The mystery and suspense also kept me invested, especially following Gemma as she investigates Ursula, engaging in dangerous situations. The house scene was way too intense.

However, the story started off very slow, and the plot really didn't pick up until around 45% into the book. The character introductions and interactions felt awkward at times, making it difficult to emotionally connect with anyone. Some scenes and conversations also felt unnecessary, and Charles and Gemma's relationship seems a little too insta-love for me. I couldn't feel the personal connection with them. On the other hand, the relationship with Peggy and Ursula felt the most genuine because we were able to see the author develop their friendship through meaningful moments such as Gemma learning to bake and Peggy investigating along with Gemma.

One of the most highlighted moments was when the author lets us understand the meaning behind the title of the book, The Undercover Bookshop.

Although this story wasn't quite for me, I think readers who enjoy slow-paced historical fiction, cozy mysteries and stories with factual historical elements may enjoy it.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

[Megan]

I liked this better after learning it was based on a real Soviet spy living in a real British village. The story was good in a quiet way, slow at times but interesting in a few ways. I liked that setting of post-war Britain where people were trying to get on with their lives. I liked the characters in the town. I just didn’t like the main character much. She was too bland, bordering on boring. There is nothing wrong with that kind of person, it’s just hard to make that kind of main character compelling. That said, something kept me reading so the author did something right. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

[Beth]

Main character Gemma is a mystery loving bookworm who finds herself at the center of a high stakes thrilling mystery in her small town. This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction and classic mysteries. The author’s note sheds light on the real spy the book’s events are based upon and it’s truly a fascinating time in our history. If you love books about books you’ll also find this one to be an enjoyable homage to the wonder of browsing in a bookstore.

I’m excited to see the author at an upcoming event at My Chapter House in Hickory, NC. 🎉

Thank you, Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Karen R]

A Cold War era story based on real-life spies, set in a quiet rural English village, with an intriguing mystery.

This well-written story would especially appeal to fans of classic mysteries--many titles are mentioned--with its bookshop theme, and a spy game at play. It is an engaging read told in retrospect back to the winter of 1949-1950, from the viewpoint of a woman whose life was changed by her friendship with a person living a double life.
The main characters were people who had lived through World War II, in a place that was still recovering and trying to find its way forward; people living seemingly normal lives but hiding secrets. It really pulled me in once the story got rolling, and held just enough tension to keep me wondering how it would end. The little bit of tender romance was sweet too.
An enjoyable clean read for fans of mysteries with some real history. Recommend! 4.5 stars

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Elena]

There is a lot that works here. Post war Britain, small town charm, a quaint little grocery store and the cast of characters that comes with it: the bubbly best friend, the charming cop, the sweet boss and his wife, the town busybodies. I enjoyed being in that world and the atmosphere is genuinely friendly.

My issues are harder to get around though because they sit right at the center of the novel.

I could not get behind our MC. She is positioned as this remarkably keen observer, almost a Miss Marple type, sharp enough to crack a case that nobody else can see clearly. And yet she is constantly distracted, easily rattled, losing focus at the drop of a hat. She is the kind of person who swaps sugar for salt. Those two things just never reconciled for me no matter how far into the novel I got. I could not fully root for her even as the stakes got higher because I never quite believed she was the person the book needed her to be.

I also think the synopsis undersells the mystery element, which created a disconnect for me. When she started aggressively pursuing the case I kept thinking why is she doing this, because it did not feel like something that grew naturally out of who she was on the page.

I suspect I am in the minority on this one. The setting and the cast around her are genuinely charming. This one just did not fully come together for me.

[Dawn Wagner]

📱(kindle) I absolutely adored this book! Katherine Reay is one of my favorite authors, and she has really blossomed these past few years in her shift to historical fiction. This one is a true gem. I loved that Gemma, a lover of mystery novels, found herself in a mystery of her own in her new hometown. I loved the characters, the mystery, the intrigue, the mishaps, the romance, and just all of it! This has moved to the top of my reads for 2026!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. It was a delight to be able to read it before its release. All thoughts are my own.

[Sydney]

Gemma has moved to the sleepy village of Rollright. Trying to find her place has been difficult since she is terrible at baking, and a little bit scattered leading to chaos wherever she goes. When she hears that the recluse matriarch Ursula is a champion baker, Gemma begs for her help and to her surprise, Ursula agrees. But as Gemma gets to know Ursula more, she wonders if Ursula is distant on purpose, keeping more secrets than anyone could know.

Based on the real life story of the Soviet spy Ursula Kuczynski Beuton who lived in the Cotswolds in the 1940s-50s, this cozy mystery really worked for me. I loved how endearing Gemma was, even if she made some terrible decisions. I found this book easy to read and flew through it in a day as I didn’t want to put it down! Always a good sign for a great read.

[Mieke]

Thank you Harper Muse for the ARC copy
I had no idea what expect of this book but it was a fun read with interesting people some intrigue and a finished story

[Susan Mather Barone]

Mystery-lover Gemma Brown takes a job at Hastings’ General Store in the small Cotswold village of Great Rollright in Oxfordshire, England. She wants safety, stability, and a place to call her own. During the war years, she was one of the children evacuated to Yorkshire. Six years later, she returned to London only to lose her mother soon afterward.

Gemma begins building a new life far from the losses and loneliness that have followed her since childhood. After a few missteps, she settles into life as a shopgirl with her small bedsit upstairs. When Mr. Hastings allows her to create a book corner, she is thrilled and orders one hundred books. Only after they arrive does she realize they are all mysteries—her favorite genre.

Living in a small village means nothing goes unnoticed. Nothing. Gemma tries to bake, and her failures soon become public knowledge. First, her shortbread fails on a hotplate. Then she takes on a twenty-four-step coconut cake from a magazine, said to be Princess Elizabeth’s favorite, for her new bestie Peggy’s birthday. When Peggy forgets to buy a sweet for a ladies’ church gathering, she serves Gemma’s ambitious creation instead.

And that cake is a catalyst for a meet-and-greet with a mysterious woman in the village. The coconut cake looked inviting, but hid a disaster inside. Mrs. Sylvia Sharpe chokes on a bite and gulps down water to dislodge it, spilling it down the front of her blouse. She is mortified to have done this in front of Lady Marchmont, the parish’s wealthiest and most stylish resident—a woman who seems to have stepped straight out of 1950s Vogue. Before long, the story grew to include an exaggerated rumor that Mrs. Sharpe had to be taken to the hospital.

Peggy - Lauren Bacall to Gemma’s Ingrid Bergman -suggests that Gemma ask one of the local Blue Ribbon baking competitors for baking lessons. Mrs. Ursula Beurton’s name is on the list, and she has won for several years. Rumors have spread that her family is blacklisted for communist sympathies. Ursula avoids committees and keeps to herself, so many villagers see her as an outsider. But Peggy admits that Mrs. Beurton is friendly, so Gemma thinks she will ask for help.

Gemma visits The Firs—an aptly beautiful name for the Beurtons' home—and gathers the courage to ask Ursula for lessons. The two women size each other up at first, but eventually form a friendship and mentorship. Gemma sees Ursula as close to the age her own mother would be if she'd lived, so around forty. A German Jew, Mrs. Beurton has traveled widely and is the mother of three, with her oldest at university. She lives with her injured husband, Len, in a home that feels bold, colorful, and inviting, much like her own personality.

She explains to Gemma the plausible reason why she doesn't usually shop in the village: to avoid people prying into her business. Under Ursula’s guidance, Gemma learns to bake well and to play chess. Ursula encourages the young woman to make connections in the village. Gemma acquires a bicycle and starts a book club to help sales at the store.

Baking disasters aside, Gemma proves to be a bit of a sleuth, helping solve small mysteries around the village. She shares her observations with her friend, Peggy, as well as a handsome police constable. When she first meets Constable Herbert Charles, Gemma accidentally calls him “Charlie,” to her embarrassment, but soon after, the two begin dating.

Of Secrets and Spies
Gemma is a clever young woman whose situational awareness makes her less of an amateur sleuth than she knows. She notices Ursula asks far more questions than she answers. Gemma's questions hang in the air between them, but she has tenacity, so she will continue asking them.

While admiring Ursula’s kitchen, Gemma sees the garden, the roses, and a shed with an unusually tall antenna. She later notices other details, including a specialized radio hidden in the living area and another in the basement. When Gemma discusses the antenna with Peggy and Constable Charles, they help her think through what may be happening at The Firs.

Then Ursula reacts strongly to a newspaper headline and rushes off on an errand. The article concerns theoretical physicist Klaus Fuchs, a former ally-turned-spy who leaked Manhattan Project blueprints to the Soviet Union. Alarmed, Gemma decides to follow her new friend, fearing Ursula may be a Soviet spy. And a dangerous game begins....

Postwar Unease and the Search for Safety
I first reviewed a book by Katherine Reay in December 2023. She traveled back in time to cover the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall in The Berlin Letters: A Cold War Novel. Her book The Undercover Bookstore gives her a chance to travel back to the Cold War years that followed World War II. People were longing for safety and a return to normal life. Gemma worries that what Agatha Christie writes in her mystery, Taken at the Flood, is right when she suggests that “there’s a sense of ill will, malice even, pervading [the] nation since the war.” She wants Peggy to reassure her that Christie is wrong, but Peggy agrees with the mystery writer. She tells Gemma that, in truth, the war is never fully over. She said that people are “still fighting something,” even as they yearn for the lives they once knew.

An Oxford Times article warned of a new menace—the Red Scourge, or Red Menace—linked to the Soviet Union, Peggy said. Spies like Fuchs had infiltrated both the U.S. government and Parliament. The danger does not remain contained for long; every day brings a new enemy, and the battle for peace and home never truly ends.

Gemma made me nervous for her, and I mean, I had secondhand anxiety as Reay's story unfolds. At the same time, I enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries before Gemma. With a name like “Ursula Kuczynski Beurton,” I suspected Reay was once again weaving real people into her fictional tale. The real Ursula had been a colonel in the Red Army who did live in Great Rollright from 1945 to 1950. She escaped to East Germany in February 1950. She later became a bestselling novelist under the name Ruth Werner, who wrote Sonya's Report: Fascinating Autobiography of One of Russia's Most Remarkable Secret Agents.

Reay said she chose to tell the story through a lighter character -Gemma – and she threads in names from classic British mystery novels. She celebrated the joy, comfort, and transportive power of reading in this story, and in that, we are kindred spirits. She even persuaded me to add some of Gemma’s beloved mystery writers to my reading list, including Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, Josephine Tey, G.K. Chesterton, Frances Crane, Dashiell Hammett, and Hillary Waugh. Since my Grandma Mae loved Agatha Christie, I should probably start with her.

At the end of the novel, Reay gathers the books she mentions throughout the story just in case the reader didn't have a pen and paper to keep track of the titles. I have added links to some:

Christie’s The Big Four, The Body in the Library, and The Hollow;

G.K. Chesterton’s The Innocence of Father Brown;

Dorothy Sayers’ Gaudy Night and Strong Poison; and

Dashiell Hammett’s The Thin Man.

Reay invites readers to enjoy some of her own favorite mystery writers—and perhaps fall for Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey along the way as she did.

Reviewer Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Robin]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read set in postwar Britain, following young Gemma Brown as she attempts to make a life for herself in the small Cotswolds village of Great Rollright. Gemma had answered an advertisement for a shop clerk for one reason: the job offers a bedsit as part of the job. In London, Gemma had been lonely in her boarding-house, and she’s wanting to find a sense of community she couldn’t find in the big city. She settles into work and life pretty quickly, getting to know the villagers through waiting on them at the store, and making a few friends at the pub each night.

While this is not technically a murder mystery, it does have a mystery to be solved. This truly ends up as a gentle espionage novel. While set in the same (or close) time period to books by Allison Montclair and S.J. Bennett, this book doesn’t share some of the vivid sharpness of storytelling that sets those writers above the pack. However, I loved meeting Gemma, and I was fascinated by the story Reay has to tell.

As the story continues, it appears that while Gemma has a love for baking, baking doesn’t love her, and one of her cakes is such a disaster it shuts down a church committee meeting. Her friend Peggy, the vicar’s secretary, points to the baking prizes on the wall and suggests Gemma ask someone for lessons. Gemma selects a woman who has been in the store only once and who intrigues her. To the interest of the entire village the woman, Ursula, doesn’t buy her groceries in Great Rollright but bikes to the closest larger town for hers. She’s the town mystery.

Gemma turns up at her door one morning to make the request. She’s enchanted by Ursula’s home, her busy household, and her cozy kitchen. She does agree to take Gemma under her wing and teach her to bake, and the two begin a few early mornings a week before Gemma heads to the store for work. Before she knows it, her boss is actually looking forward to the shortbread she is now able to bring him, and Ursula and Gemma have become friends.

Her other entry into life in Great Rollright is adding a book “corner” to the store, stocking mainly mystery novels but others as well, and when she starts a book club – the kickoff helped by her own delicious lemon cake – sales in the store take-off and remain steady. Postwar, people were looking for the kind of classic and diverting puzzles that writers like Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers were providing to readers.

But doubts about Ursula begin to creep in. Gemma is the kind of person that notices details – to the point where she helps her policeman boyfriend crack a few cases – and she notices that Ursula has a huge and unexplained radio antenna at the back of her house. After the purchase of a bicycle, Gemma is able to follow Ursula, and she begins to think she might be a spy. The 1950’s was the time of the “red scare” with communists around every corner, and the details Gemma notices are enough for her to take the leap.

While her evidence is not definitive enough to take to the police she eventually does, and as a reader, you are certain she is correct in her suspicions. The front Ursula has been putting up does begin to crack, with results that affect many people in Great Rollright, including Gemma. This is the fairy tale version of an espionage thriller, and I enjoyed the read and the resolution to Gemma’s story.

[Maine Colonial]

This book is historical fiction based on one of the most intriguing espionage cases of the Cold War era. What I’m going to write next isn’t a spoiler, since it’s part of the historical record, but since this book is built around this case, and some readers may not know about the case ahead of time, I’ll mark it as a spoiler.

Ursula Kuczynski wasborn into a privileged German Jewish family in 1907, but became a fervent communist and a spy for the USSR in China, Poland, Switzerland, and England, before fleeing to East Germany in 1950. There, she continued to work for the government and, under the name Ruth Werner, published a number of children’s books and a memoir of her days as a spy.

Ursula was often on the run in the 1930s and, in 1940, married fellow communist Len Buerton to obtain a British passport and move to England. For 10 years, she lived in various villages around Oxford, appearing to be an ordinary housewife and mother, while being the contact for atomic spies, like the famous Klaus Fuchs. A few weeks after Fuchs was captured in February of 1950, Ursula left England for East Germany, in case Fuchs included her name in his confession.

Intelligence agencies are loathe to give up their secrets, even decades later, so we don’t know how much MI-6 knew or suspected about Ursula when she lived in England, and whether she did need to flee after Fuchs was caught. In any case, she did abscond, and lived a long life with no negative repercussions from her espionage career.

Our lead character, Gemma Brown, moves to Great Rollright, a small village outside Oxford, where she has landed a job as an assistant at the general store. Gemma, an orphan with a bad experience with a boyfriend, is happy to leave London and find a job that comes with its own pleasant bed-sitting room upstairs from the shop. She begins to make friends and has ideas about including a tiny bookshop in the corner of the store. She’s an avid reader and especially loves murder mysteries and all the classic authors.

One too many baking disasters lead Gemma to ask a neighbor down the road, Ursula Buerton, for baking lessons. Mrs. Buerton isn’t often seen in the village, which makes her the subject of gossip, but she has entered and won the local baking contest more than once. Gemma is intrigued by Ursula, but begins to wonder if she isn’t what she seems. Gemma first wonders about the extra-tall radio antenna at the back of the house, then more and more little things make her think Ursula might just be a spy. But she can’t imagine anybody in law enforcement will believe her, so she decides to do some sleuthing on her own, with a little help from her friend Peggy and, later, her boyfriend Charlie. But if Ursula really is a spy, can Gemma hope to outsmart her?

This is an intriguing story, and Gemma is an appealing character. It bothered me at the beginning that she is portrayed as practically a savant at noticing discrepancies and picking up on clues but, at the same time, her baking disasters are so incompetent you can’t believe she has a brain in her head. We do get past that, and it doesn’t ruin the story, which is a nice mix of espionage and a personal story of growth, friendship, and love.

[Alice]

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and Katherine Reay for a copy of the eARC.

I love historical fiction and the fact that this book was based off of an actual person made me enjoy it even more.

In this book we follow Gemma Brown, a girl who was sent to the countryside when the war started, and has just moved into the Great Rollright. She tries very hard to fit into the village and to build a new life. She settles in as a shopkeeper and also persuades the owner to open a book nook in the store. We find out here that Gemma is an avid mystery reader.

On one occasion, Gemma bakes her friend, Peggy, a cake for her birthday using the recipe found from a magazine. Peggy forgets to buy dessert for a church meeting so she offers Gemma's cake instead. This ends in a disaster as Gemma mixed up the sugar with the salt. This event is what leads Gemma to Ursula Beurton, the "outcast" of the village. Ursula is apparently an amazing baker and agrees to teach Gemma how to bake. Little does Gemma know that this will lead her to a new life.

The book was a very intriguing read, especially since it involved the Cold War and life after World War II. As much as I love to read historical fiction (bonus points it is loosely based off an actual historical event/person), I am not very good with history myself. The most I know is whatever was taught in high school. I really enjoyed learning a little more about life in the years following World War II through this book.

Our protagonist, Gemma, is very intelligent. I love how she's also a reader. She seems to be able to pick up things that others don't usually pick up. She's very easy to love. Even though she's very intelligent, she's not very good with navigating the social world. I love how she still has the country girl vibes when she deals with people in the village. I find it super endearing that she's trying her best to fit in, but also doesn't really understand the relationship between people as well as her friend, Peggy, does.

I was also pleasantly surprised by a little bit of romance added to this book. It's definitely not a romance novel, but it does have a romance side plot. I am glad that even though Gemma is not very good with interpersonal relationships at the beginning, she managed to catch her own happiness quite early on.

I was sort of expecting a little more on the "spy" portion as hinted in the description of this novel. However, I found that the novel did not go into as much detail as I was expecting. It was still quite a pleasant read as it blended enough cozy x danger.

[Nikki]

This book was delightful! The description was very misleading however - this is not a spy story at all, and if you have read The Berlin Letter or Shadow of a Spy by the same author, you might be disappointed that this book does not have the same intensity and intrigue that those did. The title, while clever, was also a poor choice, because it is merely a name of a store that appears at the end of the book. It has nothing to do with the plot.

This is actually a story of a young lady going out on her own, trying to establish herself, make a home, and find her place in the community. Gemma is a darling character who has the best of intentions but fumbles her way through everything - hotplate fire, baking disasters, social embarrassments, etc. The relationships that she develops with the townspeople are really the best part of the story, and they pick her up when she falls and help her to grow as a character.

When Gemma tries to improve her baking skills by asking a local woman to teach her, she and the woman become good friends and spend a great deal of time together. The woman's husband has been rumored a spy, but Gemma starts noticing strange things about her friend and does a bit of an amateur investigation, indeed discovering that she herself is a spy. She does have one dangerous encounter but it's about 2 seconds long and not a major plot point. It does have some consequences that cause some major life changes, but I still would not describe this book as a spy story.

The publisher summary says, "In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives as their next chapter unfolds in Gemma’s new venture, the Undercover Bookshop." This has nothing to do with the story. The favor is asked after all of the excitement is over and the book is winding down. It is merely that Gemma will read a letter if Ursula ever sends her one. We never get to see a letter; but it is mentioned in the last chapter (which occurs 40+ years after the previous chapter) and is not a big deal. They could have left the entire last chapter out and it would not have had any impact on the book.

Highly recommend! But curb your expectations based on the publisher summary.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jacqueline Rackard]

The Undercover Bookshop, mostly set in 1950 England, has the ingredients of a cozy mystery book with more serious elements of post WW2 trauma and the possibility of a Soviet spy.

The FMC, Gemma Brown, moves to Great Rollright hoping to start a quiet life in the beautiful Cotswold town. After securing a job in the town’s only general store, she quickly becomes embroiled in the town gossip, thanks to her new friend, Peggy, a true cynic.

Gemma is an endearing young woman, equal parts clumsy and absent minded while also being clever, intuitive and resourceful. Her life changes dramatically when, in hopes of perfecting her less than stellar baking skills (she serves a devastatingly awful cake to one of the town’s matrons), she meets Ursula Beurton, a mysterious and secret mother, and the wife of man who seems to have a shady past.
Clever Gemma, who has a canny ability to perceive deception in people and possesses an incredible memory, begins to suspect that something is truly up with Ursula. From here the story shifts into a mystery that the reader hopes to solve.

Katherine Reay’s portrayal of the main characters- Gemma, Peggy, Mr. Hastings (the shop owner), and Charlie, is sharp and defined. There are a number of significant minor characters who are well developed, relatable and believable. Peggy, the suspicious and jaded young woman who reveals her loss of hope for the world, Mr. Hastings, the kind and patient owner who puts trust in Gemma to build a book corner for his shop, and of course, Gemma’s love interest, the gentle and loyal Charlie, all work well to create a insular world seemingly so far away from the devastation and ugliness of post war London.

The pacing of the story line is steady and engaging. By half way through the book, the mystery and intrigue reach a fevered pitch and from there, the events move more quickly. The elements of the story fit so well together: Gemma’s sleuthing capabilities connected to her love for mysteries (Agatha Christie is one of her favorite writers), the contrast between the coziness of the town and unfolding mystery, the real trauma and serious topics that the characters are going through losing loved ones, all function to create a compelling, engaging story.

I want to thank Net Galley, Harper Muse, and of course, Katherine Reay for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara Wise]

** “People love books. They are the one thing a person can get lost within and find sanctuary, comfort, adventure, and more … They also take you outside of yourself — which is a good thing.” **

Katherine Reay dives into the world of espionage with “The Undercover Bookshop.”

Wanting a fresh start after World War II, Gemma Brown answers an advertisement for a shop girl in the small British village of Great Rollright. Addicted to mysteries, she’s thrilled when shop owner Mr. Hastings agrees to offer books for sale in a corner of his establishment.

Gemma quickly learns to love her job and the small town, yet wants to grow even more as an adult, including improving on her non-existent baking skills. When she learns the mysterious Ursula Beurton is the best baker in town, she gathers the courage to ask for her help.

The two women quickly form an unusual bond. But Gemma quickly begins to suspect there is more to the secretive woman than meets the eye. She, along with her friend Peggy, begin to suspect Ursula is a Soviet spy, and work to figure out if that’s true.

Reay brilliantly weaves together a fun yet mysterious and thrilling tale. She also creates a delightful cast of characters, with relatable flaws and enigmatic qualities. She also fills “The Undercover Bookshop” with several great themes, like the power and impact of gossip; always trust your gut instincts; you must pay attention to all the details in life; never dismiss your talents; causes can pull people together with connection and shared purpose; and knowledge leads to power.

Based on the historical woman Ursula Kuczynski Beurton, one of the Soviet Union’s most famous and celebrated spies, this story is also a love letter to books and the power of words.

Fans of classic mystery authors like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, as well as authors like Kristy Cambron and J’nell Ciesielski, and series like Helena Dixon’s “Secret Dective Agency” and Julia Kelly’s “Evelyne Redfern Mysteries” will love “The Undercover Bookshop,” which is due out Oct. 6.

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Rhonda Woloshun]

3.5 or 4 stars ⭐️

The Author & The Writing:
Katherine Reay truly has a way with words. I love when a book is written in a way that you find yourself hanging on phrases, almost like you’re not ready to move on from them and she does that throughout this read. I absolutely loved that and it makes me want to read more from her. She also builds characters that are so tangible and unique, I feel like I knew them all as real people.

The Characters:
Gemma Brown is a likable, albeit a bit intentionally flat, FMC. I really enjoyed her desire for more, a drive to grow and eventual relentless pursuit of writing a story worthy of her own spot on the shelves at Hastings. Charlie was exactly who I wanted him to be - a trustworthy, wholesome man for Gemma, who sees beyond the timid persona she initially assumes. He brings out the best in her and believes in her through and through. Peggy is THANKFULLY not actually an undercover bad guy, as I feared she might be up until the 11th hour! And of course, Ursala. The dynamic, mysterious spy and baker extraordinaire. I wanted to be in that kitchen - to learn to bake from her knowing I was likely cooking up more than I bargained for.

The Plot:
This read kept me hooked start to almost-finish! As the title implies & the prologue confirms- there’s a bookshop belonging to a woman named Nora. And this spy turned author undercover is someone she knows well and may fear as well as she reveres….and will be visiting. The back of the book’s synopsis also points to their eventual return to working together. So by the end of it, after being intrigued throughout, it left me with a feeling of “wait. We already knew all that!”
I feel the book is a MUCH better read without the dust jacket synopsis and if the prologue left a bit more mystery (unironically!)

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this regardless but I can’t say the ending was as satisfying as the majority!

[Leanne]

The Undercover Bookshop is a charming blend of cosy mystery, Cold War intrigue, and bookish delight — the kind of story that feels like settling into a warm armchair only to discover there’s a secret passage hidden behind it. Set in the Cotswolds in 1950, it captures that perfect mix of village gossip, quiet ambition, and the sudden shock of danger slipping in through the cracks.

Gemma Brown is instantly endearing. She’s earnest, imaginative, and determined to build the idyllic life she’s always read about, even if she’s far better at sleuthing and organising a bookshop than she is at baking or navigating village politics. Her longing to belong makes her easy to root for, and her friendship with Peggy adds a lovely warmth to the story.

Ursula Beurton, the village’s enigmatic baker, is a wonderful foil — mysterious, poised, and just suspicious enough to make Gemma’s imagination run wild. Watching Gemma try to decide whether she’s reading too many spy novels or genuinely stumbling into something dangerous is one of the book’s great pleasures. The tension builds gently at first, then sharpens as Gemma finds herself entangled with MI5, the KGB, and the secrets of Lady Marchmont.

The novel balances whimsy and danger beautifully. It’s cosy without being saccharine, suspenseful without losing its charm, and full of that irresistible “what if?” energy that fuels the best amateur‑sleuth stories. The transition from village mystery to international intrigue feels surprisingly natural, and the final twist — leading Gemma toward the Undercover Bookshop — is both satisfying and full of promise.

A delightful, atmospheric read perfect for fans of historical mysteries, bookshop settings, and heroines who follow their instincts even when they lead straight into trouble.

with thanks to Katherine Reay, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[theliterateleprechaun]

I enjoyed my trip back in time to late 1945 Great Rollright, a tiny village in the English Cotswolds, and an opportunity to examine a little-spotlighted time frame. While there's plenty of WW2 historical fiction available, not many highlight the days immediately following the end of the war when ordinary people were trying to get their lives back together and find a way to exist in a completely different world.

Readers will follow Gemma Brown, who works at the Hastings General Store, and see how she allows her suspicions to convince her that asking Ursula Beurton for baking lessons will help find an answer to more than one of her challenges.

Author Katherine Reay’s story was inspired by the real-life Ursula Kuczynski Beurton, who was much more than just a great scone baker. Reay asks us to consider that danger comes in all sorts and forms and that appearances can be deceiving. Gemma’s intuitiveness and her inquiring mind endeared her to me, and I hope that I have a measure of her determination when it comes to following my instinct.

One of the characters claims that books are like lobster shells and that we grow out of them! I was happy to see a rebuttal from another character that we don’t grow out of the stories; we merely grow through them. I’m not a fan of rereading or rewatching when I know the outcome, but I’ll consider what I learned from Reay’s characters: books we reread point us to our former selves and show us how much we’ve grown.

If you enjoy historical fiction, international intrigue, spy stories, a slower-paced investigation of post-war Europe, and uncovering secrets, this is one to add to your reading list.

I’d love to say more or add detail, but to do so wouldn’t be fair to readers.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Denise]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Muse, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Undercover Bookshop.

Mysteries aren’t usually my genre, but the premise of a Cold War Soviet spy quietly living in a small British village, and a lover of all things mysteries and mystery books recently relocating to the same village to start a new life, sounded intriguing.

Gemma recently moved to the quaint village of Rollright, hoping to make new friends and start anew. She attempts to impress the local ladies with her baking skills, but her efforts are hilariously unsuccessful. Determined to make amends, Gemma decides to learn baking from the renowned local baking award winner, Ursula Beuton.

As Gemma works with Ursula, she not only learns the art of baking but also begins to question Ursula’s peculiar habits, such as her reluctance to shop local or associate with the local ladies.

As we follow Gemma, her keen eye for detail and love of mystery prove invaluable in helping the local Constable Charlie solve various small-town cases. However, her involvement in a larger mystery soon becomes dangerously overwhelming.

This delightful read is loosely based on the true story of Ursula Kuczynski Beuton, a Soviet spy who resided in the Cotswolds during the 1940s and 1950s. It’s a charming tale filled with small-town characters, unexpected twists, and intriguing plots.

If you’re a fan of small-town stories with a hint of mystery, I highly recommend this one!

[Dodi]

Thank you, Harper Muse, for this advance reader copy.

This is my first advance reader copy of a book, and it feels exciting. I think it hasn't biased my review, but how can I really know objectively?

I began reading The Undercover Bookshop several weeks ago on a day when I was exhausted. It didn't hook me, and I put it aside. I picked it up again last weekend, and I was drawn in immediately. It makes me wonder how my mood and my life affect my reading choices.

This cozy mystery would be perfect to curl up with over a weekend. Set in 1950 in Great Rollright, a small English village, the story follows Gemma as she impulsively takes a job in Great Rollright. She moves from a shared, crowded flat in London to her own place above the shop where she works. The village welcomes her warmly. Soon Gemma convinces Mr. Hastings, her employer, to dedicate a corner of his shop to selling books. It becomes Gemma's little shop, and she keeps track of the books.

The bookshop develops a sort of symbiotic relationship with the local book club, where different women bring baked goods to the meeting. After a catastrophic flop, Gemma asks a local award-winning baker to give her baking lessons. Some red flags go up as Gemma interacts with the baker. Gemma can't be sure if it's her love of reading mysteries fueling her imagination, or if something nefarious is happening. Katherine Reay kept the pacing just right, included a sweet romance, and wrote interesting side characters. I didn't think anything was extraneous, and that's unusual for me. This is an easy, pleasant read.

[Daniela]

A lovely new book from Katherine Reay, author of the English Masterpiece. The Undercover Bookshop is well written and engaging. Something about it reminds me of the Keep the Home Fires Burning series, and I think it will be well received by fans of Masterpiece theater.
The characters are developed and have some depth, and I was rooting for Gemma/Nora through the end. While the book is based on a real person, I appreciated that Reay chose a fictional character as the focus of the narrative. The book is thematically relevant to current times, as we may ask the same question of whether a general sense of ill will pervades society. There’s nothing particularly moving, inspiring, or earth shattering in the book (so I wouldn’t give it 5 stars), but it was a solidly enjoyable and easy read. I highly recommend it!
I read and reviewed an advanced copy from NetGalley. The book could do with a final edit - there are a handful of grammatical and other errors. The cover and title are striking and drove my decision to request this book for review (I had forgotten Katherine Reay’s name, though I’ve read the English Masterpiece). I might also consider the tone of the first chapter compared with the end. I dislike restating the plot or giving spoilers in my reviews, so I don’t want to be too specific…but there was a bit of a mismatch in tone and consideration of Ursula in the first chapter compared with the final. I realize it’s partially because Reay didn’t want to give everything away, but something felt off enough that I re-read the first chapter after I finished the book.

[Chelsie]

Gemma is trying to settle into a new life in the small town of Great Rollright. She has found a nice couple who have given her a job at their store as well as the apartment above. She quickly befriends Peggy, who hasn't lived here long herself but gives Peggy some reassurance about her move and a little insight into the different townspeople she will get to know. However, there is one elusive person that Gemma surprisingly has already met, the Mrs. Beurton. She is a mysterious one and yet it seems like she is the most talked about. After a few baking disasters, Peggy jokingly suggest Gemma ask Mrs. Beurton for help, she did win a few baking events. Gemma takes this advice and soon her and Ursula are baking weekly together. But Gemma senses that something isn't right and the more she thinks about things, she really wonders if she isn't some sort of spy. The Red Scare is all the rage right now, and with WWII still very fresh in the memories of many, how can anyone trust anyone really?! A little sleuthing and Gemma knows she is onto something and soon things are out of her control. Peggy has left, Ursula seems to be on the move as well and Gemma has put herself at risk. Who is Gemma to trust and was this just another mystery she created or is she really in danger? I really enjoyed that this novel was based on a true woman spy and that Gemma helped to bring this character to life for us. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complementary novel and to BookSparks for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Sarah K]

Katherine Reay writes very readable novels, with likable characters and interesting settings. The Undercover Bookshop is no exception! I was fully engrossed in Gemma's story as she experienced live in post-World War II England. Despite a life of sadness and hardship, she finally found a home and family in a sweet little village called Great Rollright.... but then, she meets a mystery that seems right off the page of her favorite mystery novels. This mystery involves her unlikely friend, Ursula - a woman who has lived in the village for a handful of years, yet is still an outsider.

For reasons yet unclear, Ursula opens up to Gemma and lets her into her home to help her learn to bake. The women bond but also keep secrets from one another. This story is full of charm and intrigue, where Gemma uses her wits to figure out if Ursula could actually be a Soviet spy. In the meantime, she begins to fall in love with a young policeman and needs to decide who she can trust.

This book is such a fun read! I love how the author incorporates books and the joy of reading (as well as the escape of reading) into a mystery/spy novel. While there is some tension and drama, this is not a scary or dark book... just a great historical fiction read, perfect to cozy up with in the fall. I loved the ending too! There wasn't much I didn't adore about this book, but I will note that the beginning was a little slow to start--but give it a chance. I'm so glad I did!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jess]

Review of The Undercover Bookshop ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆(3/5)

The Undercover Bookshop had such a promising premise with its Cotswolds setting, books, baking, and hints of espionage. I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately, it didn't hold my attention as much as I hoped. The pacing felt slow, especially in the first half, and I found myself skimming at times just to keep the story moving. I also struggled to keep track of some of the historical details, names, and connections. Based on the description, I expected the spy element to play a much bigger role, so that was a bit disappointing.

I did enjoy Gemma and her journey of finding her place in the village, as well as the relationships she built along the way. The love of books and the cozy village atmosphere were easily my favourite parts, and the story had a lot of heart. The final few chapters picked up and gave the book a satisfying ending, but for me, it came a little too late to fully change my experience. Overall, this was a decent historical fiction read with a lovely setting and some charming moments, but it just wasn't for me. I can see this being a great fit for readers who enjoy slower-paced historical fiction centered around community, relationships, and books.

Thank you to HarperMuse and Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Netgalley #HarperMuse #TheUndercoverBookshop

[Homerun2]

3.75 stars

A post World War II novel set in Britain. The mood is grim after the war, and everyone is worried about the threat of Communism and the Soviet menace.

Main character Gemma Brown has moved from London to a small village and taken a job at the local store. The big appeal for her was the included apartment above the store. She was one of the British children evacuated during the war and spent 6 years away from family and feels fairly untethered.

But she finds and makes a home in the village, with kind employers, some friends her age, and even a possible local love interest. The village is gossipy and she soon hears about a local family with German connections that were investigated as potential spies. Gemma meets them when she takes baking lessons from the wife and they become friends.

But there are a lot of red flags, mysterious meetings, the family's standoffishness, strange radio setups. The fairly implausible plot details Emma's efforts to get some evidence of suspicious activity.

Things unfold with some surprises and unexpected endings. Gemma is an appealing character with the usual flaws of incredible nosiness and a strong disregard for personal safety. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karyn]

enjoyable read! Set in Great Rollright a small Cotswold village The Undercover Bookshop follows Gemma Brown, a young woman who is determined to build a new life for herself in post war England. She applies for a job working in the general store which has a bed sit as part of the job. Soon she finds she is part of the close-knit community.

Gemma is clever, curious and her love of books and mystery novels makes her amateur sleuthing all the more fun. She seeks out Ursula Beurton to help her learn how to bake but Ursula may be hiding a much darker secret. Gemma begins to suspect that there is something strange going on in the life of Ursula. The story takes an intriguing turn into espionage and Cold War mystery.

The cosy village setting, friendships, romance and wonderful references to books—particularly Agatha Christie—were some of my favourite parts. I also enjoyed the themes of belonging, friendship and finding a place to call home after the trauma of war.

If you like historical fiction, books about books, mysteries, sleuthing and charming English village settings, this is definitely one to read.

A nice story with an endearing heroine and plenty of bookish references and charm.

[Deb Kiley]

Set in a Cotswold village in 1950, Gemma is trying to fit into the tight knit community. She befriends Ursula to help teach her how to bake since Gemma's mom was not around to do that. Gemma found a job with a very kind couple to help run their shop and lives in a bedsit above the it. Her love of reading convinces them to allow her to establish the first bookstore (corner) in the shop for the village. Gemma loves mysteries and considers herself somewhat of an amateur sleuth. When she sees a suspicious antenna above Ursula's house, she convinces her new best friend, Peggy, to help investigate Ursula. What she finds out surprises everyone.
I loved how Gemma dove head first into the investigation without any real training except reading the great mystery authors of the time. She was creative to build the community's love of reading with her little book corner. She was brave to snoop, follow, and observe Ursula and even got her friend, Peggy, to help do some of the leg work. There is much more to Peggy's story as it is revealed piece by piece. Lady Marchmont, who lives in the village, takes in interest in Gemma and covertly helps her until the end when she gifts Gemma her own bookshop. The epilogue jumps to 1991 which wraps up the character's stories nicely and was a very pleasant surprise.
This story is about spies, love, and found family. I was drawn in by the characters and their experiences. It was an engaging tale that uses fictional people to give the reader a glimpse into the story of Ursula who was a real spy!
I would recommend this for all readers of historical fiction and mysteries! 4.5 stars

#TheUndercoverBookshop #NetGalley
Thank you Harper Muse and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk]

Set in the 1950s, post-WWII, Katherine Reay takes us on an adventure with Gemma Brown, a mystery-obsessed reader who works in a shop in the Cotswolds. She’s recently relocated from London and falls in love with
her little village. She becomes friends with Peggy, a fellow book nerd, and with Ursula, the town’s
best baker, who is extremely antisocial. As Gemma and Ursula’s friendship deepens, Gemma’s imagination starts to run wild. Drawing on the skills she’s learned from Miss Marple, Inspector Hercule Poirot, and others, she tries to
find out whether Ursula is a spy. Reay holds nothing back here and lets our imaginations run amok with Gemma, leaving the end to leave you reeling. I admire Katherine Reay so much for her historical fiction perspective and the
diligent research work behind the book. Put this on your reading list—you’ll be happy you did.

Thank you to Harper Muse and Katherine Reay. It was an absolute pleasure and honor to read this ARC early for free in exchange for an honest review.

#KatherineReay #TheUndercoverBookshop #HarperMuseBooks #libraryninja📚