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A Stranger in Corfu
'Suspenseful, vivid and impossible to put down' TOM HOLLAND
'Laced with thrills' EVIE WYLD
'Utterly gripping' ADAM RUTHERFORD
On the Greek island of Vidos the past lingers like salt in the air. The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
For years, residents make the best of their fate – old enemies reconcile, long-lost friends swim together in the warm sea and estranged lovers share a bed once more. But secrets bind tightly. And when one of their own washes up dead, alliances fracture and a tide of suspicion begins to rise.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
'Laced with thrills' EVIE WYLD
'Utterly gripping' ADAM RUTHERFORD
On the Greek island of Vidos the past lingers like salt in the air. The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
For years, residents make the best of their fate – old enemies reconcile, long-lost friends swim together in the warm sea and estranged lovers share a bed once more. But secrets bind tightly. And when one of their own washes up dead, alliances fracture and a tide of suspicion begins to rise.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
296 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2026
About the author
Alex Preston
25 books44 followersAlex Preston was born in 1979. He is an award-winning author and journalist who appears regularly on BBC television and radio. He writes for GQ, Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country Magazine as well as for the Observer's New Review. He teaches Creative Writing at the University of Kent and regular Guardian Masterclasses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 12, 2026
If you enjoy a tale of spies and espionage and double bluffs and double crossing then A Stranger in Corfu will have you hooked.
The island of Vidos is home to a curious group of residents- ex MI6 members who have been exiled to a small Greek Island- commonly known as Spyland.
When young MI6 member Nina founds herself recovering on the island following a failed mission in Serbia, she finds herself meeting the residents and finding that all is not as it seems.
Moving between the 1990s and events of the 1940s, a picture builds of a community where nobody is as they appear; when one of the group is murdered, a sense of fear and unease builds.
Recounting the past lives of people in Spyland and combining historical periods and events, Alex Preston has created a tense read with a good lead protagonist who tries to navigate her way through a never increasing series of disturbing events .
The only slight issue with spy tales is that you often invest emotion into characters to eventually find that they aren't as you imagined- but still gripping.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thank you to Canongate books and net galley for the advance copy
The island of Vidos is home to a curious group of residents- ex MI6 members who have been exiled to a small Greek Island- commonly known as Spyland.
When young MI6 member Nina founds herself recovering on the island following a failed mission in Serbia, she finds herself meeting the residents and finding that all is not as it seems.
Moving between the 1990s and events of the 1940s, a picture builds of a community where nobody is as they appear; when one of the group is murdered, a sense of fear and unease builds.
Recounting the past lives of people in Spyland and combining historical periods and events, Alex Preston has created a tense read with a good lead protagonist who tries to navigate her way through a never increasing series of disturbing events .
The only slight issue with spy tales is that you often invest emotion into characters to eventually find that they aren't as you imagined- but still gripping.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thank you to Canongate books and net galley for the advance copy
December 7, 2025
On my blog.
CWs: rape, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
A Stranger in Corfu was, it has to be said, a quite different book than I was expecting given the blurb. I went in, thinking it would be a conventional murder mystery set-up, albeit with an unusual setting and cast. It was ultimately more John le Carre-esque, or trying to be, which was no bad thing, but I don’t think that was necessarily the best thing for the book - I will endeavour to explain.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a book about much the same time period, about much the same plot. There is a Russian spy in the British secret service. Control is aware of this but his hands are tied as to finding out who it is, beyond narrowing it down to a handful of men. He passes the question on to George Smiley, who is, to all intents and purposes, out of the service and therefore more able to investigate. In A Stranger in Corfu, it’s clear from the prologue that there are, in actual fact, several Russian spies in the British secret service (recruited out of Oxford to parallel the Cambridge Five I’m sure). This, I thought, would be the central secret of the plot - it’s not. In fact, we flip back and forth between their time as Russian spies and the “present” day (1990s).
It’s not exactly hidden from the outset that the key to the why of the murder(s) is in their past. I mean, one of these Russian spies reveals to the main character within the first chapter that actually they all were so-called traitors. The tension is not built there, though the past is where the twist is to be found. And so the book flip-flops between present and past gradually revealing what ties everything together.
This would be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that a lot of these reveals took the form of expositional monologues. I think this was a symptom of the fact that the whole thing feels like it has an Apple TV miniseries in mind. The aim is for cinematic, so the monologues are the kind of thing you could see cut to a montage of the events they describe. The overall effect is to make the book just a tad overdramatic - again, something you could see working better in a show than a novel.
This all being said, I broadly enjoyed reading this one. I was interested in where the plot was going. While I didn’t love any of the characters, I was compelled enough by them. Okay, so I found the ending a bit of a letdown for reasons I’m not sure I can articulate, but it was fine. Still good, still worth a read.
CWs: rape, attempted suicide
Galley provided by publisher
A Stranger in Corfu was, it has to be said, a quite different book than I was expecting given the blurb. I went in, thinking it would be a conventional murder mystery set-up, albeit with an unusual setting and cast. It was ultimately more John le Carre-esque, or trying to be, which was no bad thing, but I don’t think that was necessarily the best thing for the book - I will endeavour to explain.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a book about much the same time period, about much the same plot. There is a Russian spy in the British secret service. Control is aware of this but his hands are tied as to finding out who it is, beyond narrowing it down to a handful of men. He passes the question on to George Smiley, who is, to all intents and purposes, out of the service and therefore more able to investigate. In A Stranger in Corfu, it’s clear from the prologue that there are, in actual fact, several Russian spies in the British secret service (recruited out of Oxford to parallel the Cambridge Five I’m sure). This, I thought, would be the central secret of the plot - it’s not. In fact, we flip back and forth between their time as Russian spies and the “present” day (1990s).
It’s not exactly hidden from the outset that the key to the why of the murder(s) is in their past. I mean, one of these Russian spies reveals to the main character within the first chapter that actually they all were so-called traitors. The tension is not built there, though the past is where the twist is to be found. And so the book flip-flops between present and past gradually revealing what ties everything together.
This would be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that a lot of these reveals took the form of expositional monologues. I think this was a symptom of the fact that the whole thing feels like it has an Apple TV miniseries in mind. The aim is for cinematic, so the monologues are the kind of thing you could see cut to a montage of the events they describe. The overall effect is to make the book just a tad overdramatic - again, something you could see working better in a show than a novel.
This all being said, I broadly enjoyed reading this one. I was interested in where the plot was going. While I didn’t love any of the characters, I was compelled enough by them. Okay, so I found the ending a bit of a letdown for reasons I’m not sure I can articulate, but it was fine. Still good, still worth a read.
March 2, 2026
3.5 stars
A Stranger in Corfu is an atmospheric, stylish, spy novel set mostly on the island of Vidos, off the coast of Corfu. Vidos, once a British protectorate, is home to "spyland", a quasi-retirement home for wayward spies - either those the British Intelligence Service wishes to sideline/exile, or those for whom deployment has gone badly wrong and they need a period of recuperation.
Our protagonist Nina has had a tough period in the Balkans and arrives 0n Vidos, where she meets some of the long-term residents. As she gets to know them and their backgrounds, we're treated to flashbacks to the 1940s/50s and their recruitment into the service and a story of master manipulation, double agents and intrigue unfurls, spotlighting Nina's role in the tangled web.
I really enjoyed how this story played out. Nina and Benedict are great characters, and the historical element of the story is fascinating, inspired as it is by true events. I found the ending a little disappointing - the story just seemed to run out of steam. Still, a good spy thriller that would be perfect for a Greek island holiday. 3.5/5
Many thanks to the author Alex Preston and publisher Canongate Books for the advance copy via Netgalley. A Stranger in Corfu was published in February 2026.
A Stranger in Corfu is an atmospheric, stylish, spy novel set mostly on the island of Vidos, off the coast of Corfu. Vidos, once a British protectorate, is home to "spyland", a quasi-retirement home for wayward spies - either those the British Intelligence Service wishes to sideline/exile, or those for whom deployment has gone badly wrong and they need a period of recuperation.
Our protagonist Nina has had a tough period in the Balkans and arrives 0n Vidos, where she meets some of the long-term residents. As she gets to know them and their backgrounds, we're treated to flashbacks to the 1940s/50s and their recruitment into the service and a story of master manipulation, double agents and intrigue unfurls, spotlighting Nina's role in the tangled web.
I really enjoyed how this story played out. Nina and Benedict are great characters, and the historical element of the story is fascinating, inspired as it is by true events. I found the ending a little disappointing - the story just seemed to run out of steam. Still, a good spy thriller that would be perfect for a Greek island holiday. 3.5/5
Many thanks to the author Alex Preston and publisher Canongate Books for the advance copy via Netgalley. A Stranger in Corfu was published in February 2026.
February 11, 2026
Personally I didn’t like much I enjoyed the storyline it’s on a Greek island
The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
The inhabitants – former members of MI6 – are sent here to be forgotten. Exiled. Either too damaged or too compromised to be allowed to live freely.
A vivid reimagining of a real, hidden slice of the British Intelligence Service’s history, A Stranger in Corfu is an exquisitely tense and masterfully spun novel about shadowy morality, unravelled secrets and the futility of trying to outrun the past.
November 10, 2025
The story was intriguing and a good idea! I found the theme rather interesting and I did learn a few things... However, I unfortunately found out rather quickly what the plan was. The plot lacked tension and suspense necessary to describe this book as a page turner, in my opinion.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
April 23, 2026
Who to trust or believe in this dance of ‘retired’ spies, exiled to a Greek island? Their interwoven histories and loyalties, together with lost hopes and misplaced politics, unravel in this compelling and atmospheric read.
December 1, 2025
Very strong literary spy thriller - really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the jumps between present day and Cold War era. Great writing of a female character dealing with PTSD and the struggle to rebuild herself.
'she found self-dissolution in the process of forward motion, the putting of one foot in front of the other. Physical exhaustion was good for her, she acknowledged this. Although it didn't help her sleep nor stop her scratching the raw patch on her arm, it released something that cleared the reeds of her memory and permitted her to lie in her bed at night without the constant jolts of guilt and panic.'
'she let the music wash over her - a dificult comfort, each note a loose thread tugging some particular memory, all of them tied to Colin. Music plunged her into a body she no longer inhabited, one that had once known how to feel, how to breathe, when songs spoke for her better than words ever could.'
'she found self-dissolution in the process of forward motion, the putting of one foot in front of the other. Physical exhaustion was good for her, she acknowledged this. Although it didn't help her sleep nor stop her scratching the raw patch on her arm, it released something that cleared the reeds of her memory and permitted her to lie in her bed at night without the constant jolts of guilt and panic.'
'she let the music wash over her - a dificult comfort, each note a loose thread tugging some particular memory, all of them tied to Colin. Music plunged her into a body she no longer inhabited, one that had once known how to feel, how to breathe, when songs spoke for her better than words ever could.'
February 26, 2026
I wasn’t totally sure what to expect with this book but I love a spy book and the added atmosphere of it taking place in ‘Spyland’ drew me in. The atmospheric setting of the small Greek island of Vidos off the coast of Corfu, brought a more suspenseful setting to this read. An island of spy’s exiled for their betrayals to their country or because they are too damaged to lead a normal life could be considered a paradise to live their lives (certainly better than death or prison) but when history starts to catch up with the inhabitants, their true identities and crimes came to life and I was immersed into a web of secrets and the lengths people were willing to go to keep them hidden.
This was a real eclectic mix of characters which I loved, from Benedict and Humphrey exiled for their pasts, living happily together, to Nina the young woman exiled due to a bad ending to a deployment . Still young and trying to come to terms with the events that destroyed her career mere years after it started. I loved the relationship between the old hats and the new and how they worked together to make the best of island life.
At its heart this book is a tale of espionage, the manipulation and murder. I found myself investing in the characters and almost wanting to forgive them for their previous betrayal having started in the present, but as the truth of the past unravels I couldn’t help questioning if it was all man act. I found the book built tension and suspension just through the writing, making me feel my anxious about what was going to happen as the book developed I was waiting for a catastrophic ending. Overall I found this an enjoyable spy read and different to any I have read recently, I hope there really is an island of ex-spies somewhere, it feels so much more fitting than just retiring and trying to act like a normal human being also the stories they could tell would be fascinating.
This was a real eclectic mix of characters which I loved, from Benedict and Humphrey exiled for their pasts, living happily together, to Nina the young woman exiled due to a bad ending to a deployment . Still young and trying to come to terms with the events that destroyed her career mere years after it started. I loved the relationship between the old hats and the new and how they worked together to make the best of island life.
At its heart this book is a tale of espionage, the manipulation and murder. I found myself investing in the characters and almost wanting to forgive them for their previous betrayal having started in the present, but as the truth of the past unravels I couldn’t help questioning if it was all man act. I found the book built tension and suspension just through the writing, making me feel my anxious about what was going to happen as the book developed I was waiting for a catastrophic ending. Overall I found this an enjoyable spy read and different to any I have read recently, I hope there really is an island of ex-spies somewhere, it feels so much more fitting than just retiring and trying to act like a normal human being also the stories they could tell would be fascinating.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A different take on the cost of being a spy.
"A Stranger in Corfu" opens in 1995 on Vidos, a small island off Corfu. Vidos is the home of "spyland" - the place to which former MI6 officers, deemed too damaged or dangerous to be allowed to roam free, are despatched. Some have been there for 20 years or more, but Nina Wolfe, still in her twenties but a seasoned operative, is there to recuperate from a mission gone bad. As she meets the various characters she realises they have a shared history - which is about to catch up with them.
A story then unfolds, told in a series of flashbacks, of a group of people, once young and idealistic, whose lives intertwined across decades, but which all lead to Vidos. From the post-war years, to the Cold War, it's a story beautifully told, full of friendship, betrayal, idealism and cynicism, and presented against the gorgeous sights, sounds and smells of a Mediterranean paradise. As we learn more about them, we start to realise the price they pay for their ideals, and their part in The Game that is spying. There's some truly heart-breaking scenes when each has to face the consequences of their actions, and the climax brings fully into focus the cost of being a spy.
The book might unfairly be compared to Tess Gerritsen's Martini Club books, but I'm more reminded of the 70s TV series, "The Lotus Eaters" . Either way, I highly recommend it.
"A Stranger in Corfu" opens in 1995 on Vidos, a small island off Corfu. Vidos is the home of "spyland" - the place to which former MI6 officers, deemed too damaged or dangerous to be allowed to roam free, are despatched. Some have been there for 20 years or more, but Nina Wolfe, still in her twenties but a seasoned operative, is there to recuperate from a mission gone bad. As she meets the various characters she realises they have a shared history - which is about to catch up with them.
A story then unfolds, told in a series of flashbacks, of a group of people, once young and idealistic, whose lives intertwined across decades, but which all lead to Vidos. From the post-war years, to the Cold War, it's a story beautifully told, full of friendship, betrayal, idealism and cynicism, and presented against the gorgeous sights, sounds and smells of a Mediterranean paradise. As we learn more about them, we start to realise the price they pay for their ideals, and their part in The Game that is spying. There's some truly heart-breaking scenes when each has to face the consequences of their actions, and the climax brings fully into focus the cost of being a spy.
The book might unfairly be compared to Tess Gerritsen's Martini Club books, but I'm more reminded of the 70s TV series, "The Lotus Eaters" . Either way, I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having previously read and very much enjoyed Winchelsea by the same author I was excited to get an early copy of A Stranger in Corfu to read.
The story is set on a small island off the coast of Corfu and is based on the post WW2 spy scandals. The island is used to house and treat older spies who are either needed out of the way or have suffered mental breakdowns. The main protagonist is Nina, the youngest inhabitant of Spyland, recently arrived after several of her missions resulted in her being interned. She befriends a group of old spies, who, we learn through, chapters set in the past, were all part of a group of double agents working for both London and Moscow. When first one and then a second of these agents die in mysterious circumstances and Nina's father is seen on the island the truth about their past begins to come out.
I liked the character of Nina, who comes across as plucky and determined despite her mental fatigue. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the Oxford days when the elderly spies are recruited for Russia. The descriptions of the island of Vidos are vivid and realistic and book is very readable.
All in all it was an interesting story which I enjoyed, not as much as Winchelsea, however, and I look forward to more by this author.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
The story is set on a small island off the coast of Corfu and is based on the post WW2 spy scandals. The island is used to house and treat older spies who are either needed out of the way or have suffered mental breakdowns. The main protagonist is Nina, the youngest inhabitant of Spyland, recently arrived after several of her missions resulted in her being interned. She befriends a group of old spies, who, we learn through, chapters set in the past, were all part of a group of double agents working for both London and Moscow. When first one and then a second of these agents die in mysterious circumstances and Nina's father is seen on the island the truth about their past begins to come out.
I liked the character of Nina, who comes across as plucky and determined despite her mental fatigue. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the Oxford days when the elderly spies are recruited for Russia. The descriptions of the island of Vidos are vivid and realistic and book is very readable.
All in all it was an interesting story which I enjoyed, not as much as Winchelsea, however, and I look forward to more by this author.
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A solid 3.5.
This book combines the twisty machinations of post-war spies with a bit more transparency than might be found in the work of Le Carré, which makes it an easier read, and possibly more fulfilling.
Our introduction to "Spyland", a small island in Corfu, where MI6 agents who have become a problem go to "retire" or to recuperate, is via a young spy, Nina. This is a clever ploy by the author, as it makes the exposition of past dramas more natural, and also makes the post-war world still seem relevant to modern readers.
While a lot of what we get is not new, the prose is really quite good, and the author is excellent at portraying both the scenic aspects of the island, and the dramatic action scenes. The author is also good at creating characters, so that the reader is invested in, and sympathetic to, most of the rather horrible protagonists. All have done many dreadful things over the course of their lives, and yet one finds oneself feeling sorry for them, and regretting the outcome.
The ending is tied up a bit too neatly, but this merely serves to underline the ultimate futility and conceit of the espionage world - more explicit than Le Carré, but engendering the same feeling of distaste and contempt (for this reader, at least).
My thanks to NetGalley and the author, and enjoyable, immersive read; all opinions are my own.
This book combines the twisty machinations of post-war spies with a bit more transparency than might be found in the work of Le Carré, which makes it an easier read, and possibly more fulfilling.
Our introduction to "Spyland", a small island in Corfu, where MI6 agents who have become a problem go to "retire" or to recuperate, is via a young spy, Nina. This is a clever ploy by the author, as it makes the exposition of past dramas more natural, and also makes the post-war world still seem relevant to modern readers.
While a lot of what we get is not new, the prose is really quite good, and the author is excellent at portraying both the scenic aspects of the island, and the dramatic action scenes. The author is also good at creating characters, so that the reader is invested in, and sympathetic to, most of the rather horrible protagonists. All have done many dreadful things over the course of their lives, and yet one finds oneself feeling sorry for them, and regretting the outcome.
The ending is tied up a bit too neatly, but this merely serves to underline the ultimate futility and conceit of the espionage world - more explicit than Le Carré, but engendering the same feeling of distaste and contempt (for this reader, at least).
My thanks to NetGalley and the author, and enjoyable, immersive read; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
'A Stranger in Corfu' by Alex Preston is a thoughtful and atmospheric novel that blends seamlessly with real historic events.
set in a close-knit community, ex-agents are living on Corfu, the story follows MI6 agents sent there to recover, only to find themselves reliving and confronting defining moments from their past.
Through their memories, the narrative reaches back to the late 1960's, a period shadowed by Cold War paranoia, the legacy of Kim Philby, and the devastating consequences of double-agent betrayals linked to Russia.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is the way it uses personal recollection to explore wider political and moral questions. The author captures the mindset of the era with great sensitivity, vividly conveying the attitudes, fears and loyalties that shaped intelligence work at the time of the story.
The author’s descriptive writing shows that Corfu itself becomes more than a backdrop, the islands landscape is rendered in poetic language that contrasts beautifully with the darker memories and inner turmoil of the characters.
It is an engaging, reflective read for anyone interested in Cold War history, intelligence work, or character-driven stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
set in a close-knit community, ex-agents are living on Corfu, the story follows MI6 agents sent there to recover, only to find themselves reliving and confronting defining moments from their past.
Through their memories, the narrative reaches back to the late 1960's, a period shadowed by Cold War paranoia, the legacy of Kim Philby, and the devastating consequences of double-agent betrayals linked to Russia.
What makes this novel particularly compelling is the way it uses personal recollection to explore wider political and moral questions. The author captures the mindset of the era with great sensitivity, vividly conveying the attitudes, fears and loyalties that shaped intelligence work at the time of the story.
The author’s descriptive writing shows that Corfu itself becomes more than a backdrop, the islands landscape is rendered in poetic language that contrasts beautifully with the darker memories and inner turmoil of the characters.
It is an engaging, reflective read for anyone interested in Cold War history, intelligence work, or character-driven stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an intriguing story of spies, double agents and MI6, and also a thrilling murder mystery, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved the descriptions of idyllic Corfu and tiny Vidos, of swimming in the bays, visiting the quaint villages, walking the meandering coastal footpaths, of the bird and animal life and the indigenous plants. Perfection!
Well, perhaps not - not when it is Spyland and peopled with flawed and damaged spies from WWII and the Coldwar. Some recovering from ptsd and injuries, and others pensioned off with very questionable loyalties. As the story progresses with flashbacks to their past exploits it becomes murky as to how many of them were double agents, taking delight in memories of their dealings with Moscow. Although some of these devious characters are somewhat likeable there are certainly none of them it could be deemed wise to befriend.
As the past catches up with them, someone is being followed, then murders start to occur, and suddenly the island is not the safe haven it first appeared. And how do you find the murderer when none of them can be trusted!
Many thanks to Alex Preston, Canongate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I loved the descriptions of idyllic Corfu and tiny Vidos, of swimming in the bays, visiting the quaint villages, walking the meandering coastal footpaths, of the bird and animal life and the indigenous plants. Perfection!
Well, perhaps not - not when it is Spyland and peopled with flawed and damaged spies from WWII and the Coldwar. Some recovering from ptsd and injuries, and others pensioned off with very questionable loyalties. As the story progresses with flashbacks to their past exploits it becomes murky as to how many of them were double agents, taking delight in memories of their dealings with Moscow. Although some of these devious characters are somewhat likeable there are certainly none of them it could be deemed wise to befriend.
As the past catches up with them, someone is being followed, then murders start to occur, and suddenly the island is not the safe haven it first appeared. And how do you find the murderer when none of them can be trusted!
Many thanks to Alex Preston, Canongate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A Stranger in Corfu" is steeped in the world of spies in the 20th Century, specifically during the period of the Cold War. It starts on the Greek island of Vidos where a number of ex-spies have been sent to "recuperate" or in other words they've been retired to a place where they can do no further work. The story then switches between disturbing events on the island and the backstory of some of the inhabitants. And we find out that not all of them are quite as they are presenting themselves with tragic consequences.
I am really interested in this period of history and was looking forward to reading this book but maybe my expectations were too high as I was disappointed. I couldn't follow all of the ins and outs of the characters and their interactions and when some of the big reveals happened, they either passed me by or I didn't care enough about the characters to feel the impact. I'm really sorry to give such a negative review. I'm sure others will enjoy it, but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I am really interested in this period of history and was looking forward to reading this book but maybe my expectations were too high as I was disappointed. I couldn't follow all of the ins and outs of the characters and their interactions and when some of the big reveals happened, they either passed me by or I didn't care enough about the characters to feel the impact. I'm really sorry to give such a negative review. I'm sure others will enjoy it, but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
February 12, 2026
In 'A Stranger in Corfu", Alex Preston tells the story of a group of 'retired' MI6 agents who live on a Greek island called Vidos. They are sent there to relax, recover or process the trauma of their occupation. That sets the stage for more drama and intrigue as it is a clever way for Preston to force these characters to interact and create the tension. Preston focuses on Nina who has been sent to the island after she had trouble dealing with some failed missions. This sets the stage for a mystery as a murder occurs, and the former agents must grapple with their history as well as how the past impacts the present. Preston highlights character development within the mystery, rather than just focusing on stereotypical action scenes which I greatly appreciated.
I found the book enjoyable and engrossing because Preston took the time to flesh out the characters. We grow to understand the agents even if we don't always like them. When the reveals happen, they mean more because we are invested in the outcome. That's the mark of a good mystery novel.
I found the book enjoyable and engrossing because Preston took the time to flesh out the characters. We grow to understand the agents even if we don't always like them. When the reveals happen, they mean more because we are invested in the outcome. That's the mark of a good mystery novel.
February 24, 2026
This one was a rouge pick for me as I generally dont tend to go for stories about spies and espionage (I have read a couple of John Le Carre books but that is about the extent of it!) however this one really sucked me in and held on tight. The timeline switches between current events happening on the island and the older spies lives leading up to their exile, and the author slowly drip feeds you information in these past sections that build up the tension at the same time as answering questions for the reader that the characters don't get straight away. The characters make you feel really conflicted, you see these affable older folk enjoying their "retirement" in the sun that make you really like them, but then you see what they've done in their younger days and the betrayals they've committed and this makes you question who they really are. The main character Nina is the only exception to this as she seems to retain her morals and appears to be wholly genuine. It was really hard for me to quantify my feelings about this book, but I would definitely recommend if you're looking for something twisty and deceptive that makes you question your own morals!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is indeed a strange one, but good.
Here the small island of Vidos which is off the coast of Corfu, is home to several ex members of the British Secret Service. Some were past Cold War operatives, others are there of which some were guilty of misdeeds, and some were being treated in a sanitorium on the island. Among this last group is Nina who was badly injured and tortured during the Balkan conflict of the late 1990s. They have what some would say is idyllic existence, but then the body of one of them is found is suspicious circumstances.
Much of the story is set in the late 1990s, but some chapters are set in much earlier years where readers learn much about the early lives of the players and their motivations.
The book starts in a quite gentle and calm style, but tension soon creeps in, and is sustained d right up to the end. Some of the scenarios included could well be true which makes it a thought provoking read.
Here the small island of Vidos which is off the coast of Corfu, is home to several ex members of the British Secret Service. Some were past Cold War operatives, others are there of which some were guilty of misdeeds, and some were being treated in a sanitorium on the island. Among this last group is Nina who was badly injured and tortured during the Balkan conflict of the late 1990s. They have what some would say is idyllic existence, but then the body of one of them is found is suspicious circumstances.
Much of the story is set in the late 1990s, but some chapters are set in much earlier years where readers learn much about the early lives of the players and their motivations.
The book starts in a quite gentle and calm style, but tension soon creeps in, and is sustained d right up to the end. Some of the scenarios included could well be true which makes it a thought provoking read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting novel using the spy scandals of the mid 20th century for inspiration. A small Island of the coast of Corfu is being used to by MI6 to isolate current and former agents who have been compromised or are suffering burn out and mental health problems. Some of the residents have been double agents in the past and passing information to Moscow . Nina is recent arrival , daughter of a respected MI6 officer, but suffering from acute stress. She becomes suspicious of events following being followed while on a walk with one of the former double agents. The back story of the older residents is told flashbacks to their youth .Suddenly some of compromised agents die in mysterious circumstances and the sighting of Nina’s father on Rhodes further confuses the residents.
I found this to be an interesting but rather slow moving novel based round real events that took place in my younger days
I found this to be an interesting but rather slow moving novel based round real events that took place in my younger days
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
If you go to Vido (which is an actual island, right off Corfu), walk around the small island, see the beautiful nature, view and visit the WWI Serbian mausoleum, and you can see the events in the book unfold before you. You can tell that Preston did quite the research on MI6 (as confirmed by him at the end of the book) before writing the story, and it really shows in the most positive way. As a person who has close to zero knowledge on the subject, I didn't feel left out at any point. I also feel he did a really good job of describing Nina's PTSD, which is not an easy feat. I also think that the wibbly wobbly timeline not only works, but has an advantage when it comes to unfolding the story. I did see where the story was going early on, so I didn't really experience tension, but I still wanted to read it so I could see how they got to the end arc of the book.
Overall, I would recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC
If you go to Vido (which is an actual island, right off Corfu), walk around the small island, see the beautiful nature, view and visit the WWI Serbian mausoleum, and you can see the events in the book unfold before you. You can tell that Preston did quite the research on MI6 (as confirmed by him at the end of the book) before writing the story, and it really shows in the most positive way. As a person who has close to zero knowledge on the subject, I didn't feel left out at any point. I also feel he did a really good job of describing Nina's PTSD, which is not an easy feat. I also think that the wibbly wobbly timeline not only works, but has an advantage when it comes to unfolding the story. I did see where the story was going early on, so I didn't really experience tension, but I still wanted to read it so I could see how they got to the end arc of the book.
Overall, I would recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a new author to me and a different type of novel than I expected - slower and more lyrical. It is set in the 1990s when Nina, an MI6 agent recovering after an undercover operation gone wrong led to her capture and torture, is sent to an island of ex-British spies.
The story of the older residents she befriends is told in flashbacks from the 1940s onwards, while back in the 1990s Nina tries to deal with the wreckage of her life and work out who she can trust in the shadowy world of espionage.
I was left wanting to know much more about Nina, and slightly less invested in the past storyline, but it was an interesting read and I couldn’t put it down.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story of the older residents she befriends is told in flashbacks from the 1940s onwards, while back in the 1990s Nina tries to deal with the wreckage of her life and work out who she can trust in the shadowy world of espionage.
I was left wanting to know much more about Nina, and slightly less invested in the past storyline, but it was an interesting read and I couldn’t put it down.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! What an imaginative use of one of the two small islands just opposite Corfu Town, the capital of the Ionian island. This was an intricate, exciting thriller set in a place I know so well.
Alex Preston envisages Vidos as the home - or sanctuary? - for compromised or spent MI6 agents. It's not long before something happens and a tangled web of deceit begins to unravel as the body count stacks up.
I won't say much more than that for fear of spoilers but this is a well-researched (both in terms of spyland and Corfu) novel which is multi-layered. Very well written, easy to lose yourself within its pages and duplicitous characters.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
Alex Preston envisages Vidos as the home - or sanctuary? - for compromised or spent MI6 agents. It's not long before something happens and a tangled web of deceit begins to unravel as the body count stacks up.
I won't say much more than that for fear of spoilers but this is a well-researched (both in terms of spyland and Corfu) novel which is multi-layered. Very well written, easy to lose yourself within its pages and duplicitous characters.
Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.
February 23, 2026
Thank you so much to Adventures With words for having me on this readalong.
I found the premise of this book to be so interesting and unique. It did not quite follow what I was anticipating following the blurb, but with that being said, I still found it riveting.
I really liked Nina as a protagonist, and I genuinely think I trusted her the most. She was desperate to find out answers and figure out her place and the place of the other islanders and this made for a really engaging read. The 'spy' element was written exceptionally well, and added a new dimension to your typical 'mystery' novel.
There was so much deceit, and I love how this revealed itself throughout the story. The community wasn't what it initially seemed and I felt tense throughout, desperate to find out what would happen.
I found the premise of this book to be so interesting and unique. It did not quite follow what I was anticipating following the blurb, but with that being said, I still found it riveting.
I really liked Nina as a protagonist, and I genuinely think I trusted her the most. She was desperate to find out answers and figure out her place and the place of the other islanders and this made for a really engaging read. The 'spy' element was written exceptionally well, and added a new dimension to your typical 'mystery' novel.
There was so much deceit, and I love how this revealed itself throughout the story. The community wasn't what it initially seemed and I felt tense throughout, desperate to find out what would happen.
February 8, 2026
An intriguing premise: a group of disgraced former British intelligence officers living in semi-exile on a small island off Corfu. When one of them is found dead, old loyalties fracture and buried secrets surface. The past, unsurprisingly, refuses to stay buried.
It has been described as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy meets The Durrells, which feels about right — sun-drenched setting, faded spies, simmering mistrust. Preston evokes the Mediterranean atmosphere well, and the set-up is appealing.
For me, it remained an okay read. The idea is stronger than the execution, and while the mystery keeps things moving, the characters never fully came alive. Enjoyable enough, but it did not linger.
It has been described as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy meets The Durrells, which feels about right — sun-drenched setting, faded spies, simmering mistrust. Preston evokes the Mediterranean atmosphere well, and the set-up is appealing.
For me, it remained an okay read. The idea is stronger than the execution, and while the mystery keeps things moving, the characters never fully came alive. Enjoyable enough, but it did not linger.
February 12, 2026
I was drawn to this book by both the setting and the premise of a group of ex spies being exiled to be forgotten about. Having recently visited Albania and learnt about its history, and having loved visiting Corfu several times over the years, I really enjoyed the fondness shown for these places. I enjoyed the twists and turns that each of the residents encountered during their lives as spies and found it interesting to see behind the scenes of life as a double agent. Overall, it’s a good murder mystery with lots of great characters, ones you’ll love and others less so, and it’s an enjoyable, easy read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Canongate, for a copy in exchange for a review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Canongate, for a copy in exchange for a review.
April 13, 2026
Nothing in the. description for this book made me think it was about spies. Maybe I just missed it. That said, I was happy to give it a go. I thought it started off ok but as the central characters were gradually revealed to be double agents I lost interest. I understand the attraction of the theory of communism, I believed at one point that it was a fairer system but in practice though, the same corruption infiltrates as it does with most other political systems. I found the author's seeming sympathy with the spies grated on me. These people betrayed their country but, more importantly, their colleagues and so to me they had no integrity. Not for me I'm afraid.
November 24, 2025
2.75 stars rounded up. I think I was hoping for a bit more of a murder mystery, whereas it ended up more a few murders and a lot of reflecting back on spying decades ago - it was hard to really connect with characters who’d effectively committed treason, and so it felt a little underwhelming for me as a result. Perhaps the blurb wasn’t very clear that it was more reflective spy and not spy Cosy murder mystery?
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really gripping spy thriller.
Corfu and the Island of Vidos is where a group of people have been exiled- these are ex MI6 members.
This is Spyland and the story is set between the 90s and the 1940s.
No one is as they appear and Nina who is recovering form being in Serbia and knows all is not as it would first appear on the Island, and is weave her way through some awful events.
A gripping recommended read, due for publication February 12 2026.
Corfu and the Island of Vidos is where a group of people have been exiled- these are ex MI6 members.
This is Spyland and the story is set between the 90s and the 1940s.
No one is as they appear and Nina who is recovering form being in Serbia and knows all is not as it would first appear on the Island, and is weave her way through some awful events.
A gripping recommended read, due for publication February 12 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Videos, a small island off Corfu, houses a strange community, one full of ex-MI6 spies, one who are no longer of use for one reason or another. Nina has gone to recover from her ordeal in Bosnia, Benedict, Violet, Harris and Humphrey are all ex double agents, hidden away after the exposure of Philly et al.
The story runs back and for the from the present (1996) to the past 1948 when the older ones were recruited at Oxford to their spy days in the 60s and 70s.
A story of a very different world. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
The story runs back and for the from the present (1996) to the past 1948 when the older ones were recruited at Oxford to their spy days in the 60s and 70s.
A story of a very different world. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
Read
February 23, 2026A Stranger in Corfu by Alex Preston follows former MI6 operatives exiled to the island of Vidos — cast aside for being too damaged or compromised. What unfolds is a gripping story of friendship, betrayal, and deception, where secrets simmer beneath the surface and the past refuses to stay buried.
This isn’t my usual genre, but I was completely pulled in and genuinely loved the experience of reading along. It’s tense, atmospheric, and full of the question that lingers long after the last page: can you ever truly escape your past, or will it always find you?
This isn’t my usual genre, but I was completely pulled in and genuinely loved the experience of reading along. It’s tense, atmospheric, and full of the question that lingers long after the last page: can you ever truly escape your past, or will it always find you?
April 1, 2026
This author blatantly plagiarized another's work (via A.I.) in the New York Times, and the Times fired him (well he was a freelancer so they cut ties with him). This happened after he also published a white paper at his private equity day job about the "opportunities" available to those who use A.I. No reason to believe this work isn't wholly plagiarized via A.I. as well. Why pay in money or time to read this allegedly stolen work by a desperate technocrat world-destroying hack when you could read the actual originals?
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