The Last Flight from Moscow

The Spy Next Door #2

by Andie Newton, Laurel Lefkow (Narrator)

10 hours, 17 minutes

The USA Today Bestseller!

In the shadowy underbelly of Cold War Moscow, Mae Pierce, once a formidable OSS agent, has found herself once again thrust into a perilous mission that could spell redemption—or ruin.

Tasked with posing as a model at the American Exhibition, Mae is haunted by the ghosts of her past and the weight of a life she thought she had left behind. As she navigates the treacherous waters of deceit, betrayal, and the ruthless Russian Mafia, Mae realizes that the stakes are higher than she ever imagined.

In a game where trust is a luxury and survival is paramount, can one broken agent rise from the ashes to confront the Cold War's most hidden secrets?

Prepare for a gripping tale of courage, sacrifice, and the haunting echoes of a life once lived in the shadows.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Espionage, Thriller, Historical, Russia

Audiobook

Published May 7, 2026

About the author

Andie Newton is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. Her work has been published in multiple languages and has topped e-book bestseller charts around the world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Washington State University and a master’s in teaching. When she’s not writing gritty war stories about women, you can usually find her trail running in the desert and stopping to pet every dog that crosses her path. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.

Reviews

[MarilynW]

The Last Flight from Moscow
By Andie Newton, narrated by Laurel Lefkow

I listened to this story because I enjoyed The Housewives of Atomic Lane, by this author, and although I enjoyed hearing the author's note and the story is true to what she meant to accomplish, I enjoyed the story less than I enjoyed The Housewives of Atomic Lane. Maybe I haven't seen enough (actually no) old Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies because they didn't appeal to me, but this story just wasn't the type of spy story I enjoy. If this was a movie, it could have a laugh track, with the main character, Mae Pierce, wisecracking all the way through the adventure.

It doesn't help that I'm not fond of stories that depend on so much gambling, drinking (apparently the problem is just vodka?), loan sharks, the Russian Mafia, and such fun things. Mae has problems and her gambling problem is probably what caused her to get into serious, almost deadly, trouble fourteen years ago. She lived through that incident thanks to her spy partner, at the time, who risked her own life to save Mae's life.

Mae's been wallowing since those fourteen years, hiding from loan sharks, close to losing her house and any money she can scrap up, and turning down going back to spying when asked to do so by the woman who saved her long ago. But now she can't turn down her old friend because she needs her debts paid off or she'll lose life and limbs if she doesn't pay off the loan sharks. So, Mae will be going to Moscow, posing as a model at the American Exhibition, which will include a coming together of Vice President Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev. All kinds of very bad things could happen at a time like this and American spies are present to try to find a traitor and prevent another world crisis. Mae will be training a new recruit while apparently missing out on the real spy work, much to her chagrin.

But things change, things go wrong, and Mae and her trainee are in big trouble. Mae is determined to make up for the mistakes she made fourteen years ago and to pay back those who helped her back then. Her favorite skills may get to play a part even. I enjoyed the historical aspects of this story, enjoyed learning more about the dangers of a spy in Cold War Moscow, but I just couldn't get behind Mae, her attitude, and her passion for gambling, Vodka (which she tried to avoid), and, I guess, for Mae, herself. This might be a "me' thing and I know others loved this story.

Pub May 7, 2026 by One More Chapter

Thanks to my library and Libby for this audiobook.

[eyes.2c]

A solid Cold War tale with a difference.

Mae Pierce is an ex OSS agent who’d been in Vienna when the Red Army liberated the city. At the time she was a prisoner of a German Officer, Kommandant Wolff. She’d been tortured and more when rescued. How she remained behind in Vienna is mixed up with drinking too much vodka, gambling and a silky black Japanese dressing gown.
Her old partner Sutton Maxfield talks her into going undercover on a trade exhibition in Moscow looking for an unknown spy who’s to assassinate Krushchov. Unfortunately it seems Mae’s being thrust into the mix as a trade fair model at the exhibition. Mae’s not pleased as the men from the CIA feel the spy looking for couldn’t possible be a woman. They leave her out of the loop. They see Mae as a “has been”. Except Mae is anything but. Sure she has her demons and her loyalties.
In the meantime she’s acquired a wide eyed innocent type trainee who needs mentoring by one of the best. Mae seems to imbue every situation with her own personal brand of chaos, particularly when the chips are down.
Gripping, slightly exotic and downright addictive. I loved it.

A Harper Collins UK ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Grace]

Another ARC read 🥰

This is my sort of history/post WW2/Cold War read, there’s enough mystery, history, a bit of glamour and spies that it’s just super easy and fun to read.

The characters were believe able, the setting fascinating (USSR) and it was fun trying to work out who to trust and who not too.

Overall I really enjoyed it getting through it in two days - I will definitely be picking up more of Andie’s books.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and of course Andie Newton for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Jess Svajgert]

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: May 7, 2026

Set in Cold War era Moscow, this spy thriller/suspense novel was a page turner! Mae is a former WWII OSS agent down on her luck due to some gambling debts with the mob, when she’s called in for a mission to Soviet Russia to help thwart an assassination attempt on Khrushchev at the American Exhibition in 1959. This was a page turner so I got through it in one day. It did a good job world building the aura of Soviet Moscow but also felt relatively low stakes—I was never stressed about what was going to happen, I just wanted to figure out the puzzle!

[Raegan Comstock]

I’ll say 3.5⭐️ rounded up.
This was a fast paced story, with likable characters. I was never bored.
The writing was on the more simple side for a spy novel, and the dialogue was a little cliche, with the “toots” and “pops” but it was a fun read.

[Gail Wylde]

3.75⭐️

[Stefani Higdon]

This was such a fun, twisty ride—think Cold War espionage with just the right amount of glam and humor.

Set in 1959, the story follows Mae, a former wartime operative who’s pulled back into the spy world by her old friend Sutton. She reluctantly takes the job (thanks to some unfortunate mob-related debt) and is paired with Elaine, a very green CIA recruit she has to train. Their cover as trade show models (pardon me, i mean guides. iykyk) in Russia adds a unique, slightly chaotic layer that makes the whole mission even more entertaining.

The beginning takes a minute to build, but once it gets going, it really takes off. The suspense is constant—everyone feels suspicious, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story pivots. I loved not knowing who to trust.

One of my favorite elements was how immersive the setting felt. The small details—like bartering for hair dye, coveted blue jeans, and even books—really grounded the story in 1959 Russia and made the world feel tangible and lived-in.

Mae and Elaine’s dynamic is a standout, and the all-female spy energy adds a fresh, empowering edge. It honestly gave me “historical fiction meets Miss Congeniality” vibes in the best way. Also… Mae deserves her dressing gown back, and I genuinely hope this isn’t the last we see of her.

Highly recommend if you want:

- Female-led espionage
- Twists that keep you guessing
- Historical fiction with personality and style

I’ll definitely be adding more of Andie Newton’s books to my TBR. The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is the slower start—but once it picks up, it’s hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Andie for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[ManOfLaBook.com]

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

The Last Flight from Moscow by Andie Newton is a Cold War espionage novel with real personal stakes in a geopolitical arena where our characters are throw-away cogs. Ms. Newton is a best-seller author of historical fiction.

Once a formidable OSS agent, Mae Pierce is living in suburban America. Mae has a difficult time transitioning from spy to civilian. She is still haunted by the ghosts of World War II, in debt to the Italian mob, and spends her money on vodka and gambling.

Sutton, Mae’s former OSS partner and now a CIA agent offers her a lifeline, come to the American National Exhibition to showcase the American way of life in Moscow posing as a model. Together with a rookie partner, Mae is supposed to stop the assassination of Khrushchev. But the assignment takes a dangerous, more personal turn.

I have never read any books by the author, but she is now definitely on my "authors to look out for" list. This is not just a Cold War story, but it’s original, sharp, suspenseful, and with a dark sense of humor which is right up my alley.

Mae Pierce, the protagonist of The Last Flight from Moscow by Andie Newton is a fantastic protagonist. She is chaotic, reckless, and independent. She’s coping with her life after the war with a strange belief that she has some sort of super-natural ability to predict numbers, or cards. But her real ability is being able to read people like an open book which makes her a dangerous poker player.

I loved the historical backdrop of the 1959 exhibition. These types of events are rife with agents and spies looking for people who are primed for recruiting. This is where a lot of espionage takes place, not in luxurious places you always wanted to visit.

Nevertheless, this is not a rigid, realistic depiction of tradecraft. It’s a fun, loose and fast paced book that often decides to ignore the Soviets’ known espionage techniques (like bugging hotel rooms).

I loved that the author spent two thirds of the book on one, part of the story, only to completely pivot on the last third to something totally different. This shift in narrative was jarring, but I think it made the book exciting.

[martyn benny]

The Last Flight from Moscow is a riveting blend of historical fiction and espionage thriller that captures both the tension of the Cold War and the emotional cost of life in the shadows. Andie Newton delivers a fast paced, atmospheric novel filled with danger, deception, and unforgettable characters, making this another standout entry for readers who love intelligent historical suspense.

Mae Pierce is an exceptional protagonist. Once a skilled OSS agent, she is drawn back into a world she hoped to leave behind, carrying both the scars of her past and the determination to finish what history demands of her. Her resilience, vulnerability, and courage make her far more than a traditional spy, giving the novel an emotional depth that complements its pulse pounding action.

The Cold War setting is one of the book's greatest strengths. Newton vividly recreates Moscow during a period defined by suspicion, surveillance, and political tension. Every encounter feels dangerous, every conversation carries hidden meaning, and every decision could mean the difference between survival and catastrophe. The setting becomes a character in its own right, immersing readers in a world where trust is almost impossible.

The espionage plot is expertly constructed, weaving together undercover operations, betrayal, organized crime, and international intrigue with remarkable precision. The suspense builds steadily while the emotional stakes remain just as compelling, creating a story that satisfies both thriller enthusiasts and historical fiction readers alike.

Beyond its gripping action, The Last Flight from Moscow explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, loyalty, and the lasting psychological impact of those who dedicate their lives to serving causes greater than themselves. It reminds readers that history is often shaped by ordinary individuals forced into extraordinary circumstances.

Fans of Cold War espionage, strong female protagonists, and meticulously researched historical thrillers will find themselves completely absorbed. The Last Flight from Moscow is a tense, intelligent, and emotionally satisfying novel that keeps readers invested from its opening pages to its thrilling conclusion.

[Mana]

Moscow, 1959. The American National Exhibition. Kitchen debates and dioramas of the suburban dream. Mae Pierce is there, ostensibly as a model, actually as a relic of the OSS. She carries the weight of past failures into a city that breathes suspicion. The mission is redemption, or perhaps just a final, desperate act of relevance. Newton places a broken woman in a landscape of high-stakes artifice, where the Russian Mafia provides a jagged edge to the usual Cold War posturing.

The prose moves. It lacks friction. It is a trait of this author, a certain velocity that keeps the pages turning even when the terrain feels oddly familiar. Mae is the anchor. She is not a polished super-spy; she is fractured, navigating her own history as much as the Soviet streets. The supporting cast fills their slots with precision. They serve the plot, though the shadows they cast sometimes feel like ones we have stepped in before.

There is a resonance here with our current era of performative diplomacy and hidden agendas. The book examines the cost of truth in a culture built on curated appearances. It is observational, sharp in its depiction of the disconnect between the shiny American surface and the grim Soviet reality. It avoids the typical sentimentality of the genre. It stays lean. It stays cynical enough to feel honest.

The storytelling is functional and effective. Newton chooses pace over deep atmospheric indulgence. It works, though a bit more breathing room for the Moscow gloom might have added weight. The familiarity of the narrative beats is the only real hurdle. If you have spent enough time in this genre, you might see the corners before you turn them. Yet, the execution remains professional, devoid of the usual fluff that plagues historical thrillers.

It is a solid, intellectual exercise in tension. It reminds us that we are often just actors in someone else’s exhibition. It is worth the time for the rhythm alone. It is a reminder that survival is often just a matter of who tells the better lie.

[Aimee Brown]

I absolutely LOVED this story! Honestly, the jacket copy barely scratches the surface of what’s inside. Yes, it’s a Cold War suspense story, but it’s also sharp, funny, completely original, and oozing with 1950s charm and atmosphere.

Mae is a wildly entertaining main character. She’s complicated, a little chaotic, and endlessly clever (her dialogue had me in stitches). She’s down on her luck more than once, and her gambling habits don’t always do her any favors, but that’s part of what makes her so compelling. She’s scrappy, a little reckless, and the kind of woman who can land herself in trouble and then somehow claw her way back out of it with sheer grit and nerve. Watching her pull herself together and step up to complete the mission she was clearly born to do was incredibly satisfying.

Her voice is distinct, and the dialogue throughout the book is fantastic. Really fantastic. It’s quick, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny, yet it never undercuts the real tension of the story. Watching Mae train newbie Elaine to become a spy in Moscow adds a whole extra layer of charm and humor. But Mrs. Dietz as a nosy neighbor, and those women at the exhibition... I will not say any more, except hold on to your hat!

And the romance? Perfectly pitched. Mae and Hayden Quaid have that delicious push-pull energy where you can feel the attraction and the irritation at the same time. Every scene between them has sparks. Every scene.

This is one of those rare books that feels fresh from the first page to the last. I tore through it, but simultaneously wished it would never end. I just wanted to spend more time with these characters. I have been thinking about these characters for hours now since I finished the book. I would love a sequel. This wasn’t just a good book; it was absolutely spectacular.

Andie Newton ALWAYS delivers.

[Jas Stock]

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC of The Last Flight from Moscow by Andie Newton.

This story follows seemingly washed up ex agent Mae who's life had spiralled into debt and depression following a bad experience as part of her work as a spy during WW2 on behalf of the Americans. Her life takes a pivot when she's asked to come back into the field for one last ride by her friend and former partner Sutton. Her task? Take a green new agent under her wing in soviet Russia.

I was hooked from the start with this story. It is set in a part of history I know less about particularly from the American perspective and the pov of a spy definitely gave it an interesting angle. We are brought into.the belly of soviet Russia in the midst of the post war troubles and the world building really supports this. There are perhaps a few too many characters developed and I think the book could have been just as good with one or two less however it helped with the whodunit aspects. The pacing was good and I really felt the two acts of the book well. The twists and conclusions were well done and I really enjoyed the camaraderie between the girls in various groupings. One major.gripe is the lack of dialect. This is a common issue with books as they tend to be generic British or generic American written and to really get the atmosphere and the characters you need to write with the accents and dialects of the people you are portraying and this was not done well unfortunately. This didn't distract too much from my enjoyment but I felt it needed highlighting..it has lost half a star on bookmory/my insta ratings as a result.

Overall, a very enjoyable book, I felt invested in the plot and characters and was surprised by some of the reveals throughout. The girls being the focus was done very well which isn't easy to do and the story was different from others I've read. I'll definitely check out others by this author.

[Karren Sandercock]

1959. Mae Pierce was once a wartime OSS agent, her friend Sutton Maxwell contacts her and wants her to go to Moscow. To pose as a model at the American Exhibition, with new CIA recruit Elaine Holiday and she accepts the job. Mae has got herself in trouble with the mob, a gambling debt and she needs money to pay them back and some breathing space.

The walls are thin at Hotel Leningrad, she’s sure the phones are bugged, the ladies are escorted to and from the premises on a bus and with chaperones and she doesn’t know who she can trust and what side they are on?

Mae has jumped from the frying pan into the fire, the narrative is based around the setting up of the exhibition and leading up to the opening, where over four hundred American companies and their new products are going to be on display, kitchen gadgets, convenience foods, and blue jeans.

Nikita Khrushchev is the new leader, he wants to modernize the nation, the space race is on and America is worried about the Cold War. Anything can be bought or bartered for, not just luxuries and people can disappear! Mae finds herself having to save one of the models from the Russian mafia and underbelly, it’s a risky game and a big gamble.

I received a copy of The Last Flight from Moscow from NetGalley and Once More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. I have read other books by Andie Newton, I’m sorry but this one fell short for me and not my favourite. The main character wasn’t what I was expecting, anyone who had been an agent in World War Two would have problems and a dysfunctional life, and I felt like I was reading a comedy and not a fast pace and page turning historical thriller.

Three stars, I won’t be giving up on Ms Newton and I’m still a fan. Please read The Last Flight from Moscow yourself and makeup your own mind about Mae.

[Jack]

A Historical Trainwreck — Amateur Hour in Moscow

As a lifelong devotee of Cold War history, I hunt down books set during this era. I crave the tension and the tradecraft. So you can imagine my fury when The Last Flight from Moscow crashed and burned right on my screen! It reads like the author's entire research phase consisted of watching 90s action movies.

Here is exactly what infuriated me:
The Gender Guessing Game: Chapter 1 kicks off with an unnamed "I" narrator. As I read, I had no clue if the I-narrator was man, woman, or even a kid who plays baseball and keeps a bat under the bed. We then meet "Sutton Maxfield"—a name reading as masculine—only for a "her head" to be tacked onto the end of a long sentence. To make matters worse, the "I" narrator isn't revealed as a female character until pages later. This isn’t clever, artistic ambiguity. It’s a disorienting, sloppy writing that forces you to backtrack and re-visualize the entire scene.

The 1990s Called, They Want Their Mafia Back: The book description boasts about a "ruthless Russian Mafia" operating in Cold War Moscow. This is historically illiterate. Organized crime was heavily suppressed by the KGB; it only exploded after the Soviet collapse. Shoving 90s gangster capitalism into mid-century espionage is a lazy, unforgivable anachronism.

An "Americanised" Soviet Union: As other critics note, the book is riddled with modern Americanisms. Local Russian characters act like 21st-century Americans who accidentally wandered onto a poorly lit 1950s Russian film set, completely shattering any real immersion or stakes.

I wanted a tense trip behind the Iron Curtain. Instead, I got a historically flawed thriller that values "cool vibes" over basic facts. Two stars, only because I didn't throw my Kindle out a window.

[Ariana Ochoa]

This witty Post WWII/Cold War book is an intriguing and gripping nod to a female agent who is deemed a wash-up but is anything but the label her superior male cohorts believe her to be.

1959: The middle of the Cold War - Mae Pierce was once a highly trained OSS agent in WWII. Post-war, civilian life is not as radiant as it seems when Mae is still haunted by her previous war work and when she is being chased by the Italian mob. In dire financial trouble, Mae cannot pass up this financial opportunity even if she wanted. As she is pulled back into spy work by her former partner and friend, Sutton, she takes a rookie CIA agent under her wing on a mission in Moscow. Their assignment is to stop the assassination of Khrushchev under the guise of American trade show models at the American National Exhibition. Re-entering the fold after a period of dormancy in espionage often means a level of recklessness, but Mae is as sharp as ever. The walls have ears, the phones are bugged, the two agents cannot trust anyone, and they are running out of time to stop the assassination attempt.

This gripping novel, dressed in humor, is a brief glimpse into the life of an agent battling her past in a city brimming with suspicion. I always had the feeling that the author dropped us into the middle of a conversation leaving the readers backpedaling to catch up, but when we start to see Mae's true character emerge, readers are easily swept away into the plot. There was a great juxtaposition of solemnity to comedy as the gravity of Mae's past was covered in absurdity. This dramatic whiplash was well-executed and made Mae's character seem realistic.

Just when I thought the story was finished, readers are swept back in for a side mission where Mae, a civilian, is called back in to help.

If you are a lover of Cold War espionage, this suspenseful book will appeal to you. If you enjoy Katherine Reay's Cold War novels, this book should be added to your TBR.

Content warnings: mild language, drinking, and references to an off-page romance.

Many thanks to Harper Collins, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.

[Rachel]

Mae has been out of the spy game for fourteen years when her good friend and old partner comes calling. Teach the newbie (Elaine) everything you know while on her first mission and you'll get a nice pay packet at the end. As much as she wants to turn down the offer, Mae could certainly do with the money so agrees to the job.
Thinking it would be an easy way to make money she doesn't take it too seriously at the start, as the job initially seems like the women are just there to look pretty while the men do all the hard work in finding the person trying to assassinate the leader.
Mae and Elaine, while working with the other women at the exhibition, uncover bits and pieces and it's not long before Mae figures out the men are looking at the wrong person, and of course at first they won't listen - they think they have the correct person.
Mae somehow manages to persuade someone that matters that she is right and they are wrong and a plan is made to stop the assassination attempt.
From that moment Mae and Elaine's lives change and nothing will be the same again.
This was my first book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and Andie Newton for the eARC of this book which I received for free in exchange for my review.

[Chelsea Walsh]

The Last Flight from Moscow is an absolute heart-pounder. Andie Newton has crafted a high-stakes thriller that feels so authentic, you can practically feel the chilly, paranoid atmosphere of 1950s Soviet Russia seeping through the pages.

The story follows Mae, a former OSS agent who is pulled back into the shadows for one last dangerous mission. I loved the unique setup of her posing as a model at the American Exhibition in Moscow—it’s such a clever, glamorous cover for such a gritty, life-or-death job. Mae is a fantastic protagonist; she’s tough and capable, but her struggle with the ghosts of her past gives the book a layer of emotional depth that you don't always find in spy novels.

The pacing is relentless, and the tension between Mae and the people she has to trust (or pretend to trust) is electric. Newton’s writing is incredibly cinematic, making the stakes feel personal and the risks feel terrifyingly real. It’s a multi-layered tale of courage and sacrifice that kept me guessing until the very end.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a sharp edge and a lot of heart, this is a must-read. Easily one of my favorite books of the year!

[The Page Judge]

I received a copy of The Last Flight from Moscow from NetGally for a review.

I admit, I picked this up when I saw it was historical fiction set during the early stages of the Cold War. Having lived in Russia for a couple of years, I enjoy reading novels set there.

In The Last Flight from Moscow, we see a group of women, sent over to Moscow to be part of an exhibition. A couple are with the CIA and are there to help stop an assassination attempt on Khrushchev during the exhibition. We see the firm grip communism had on reality as what life was really like is written into the story. Carefully choreographed where attendees can go, and what they see, along with scripted words from Russians that hype how wonderful the Soviet Union is, while begging for American jeans, or other Western products.

The story itself is enjoyable and an easy read, keeping you entertained throughout. Good characters with their flaws that they are forced to confront and overcome. I appreciated that modern language and profanity was not interlaced into their speaking, keeping it more authentic to the time period.

A book I would recommend.

[Louise Wilson]

In the shadow underbelly of Cold War Moscow, Mae Pierce, once a formidable OSS agent, has found herself once again thrust into a perilous mission that could spell redemption - or ruin. Tasked as posing as a model at the American Exhibition, Mae is haunted by the ghosts of her past and the weight of a life she had left behind. As she navigates the treacherous waters of deceit, betrayal and the ruthless Russian Mafia, Mae realises that the stakes are higher than she ever imagined.

Moscow, 1959: This is a Cold War suspense story. Mae's life had plunged into depression and debt due to a bad experience. She had been a spy during WWII. Now she's been asked to be a new agent mentor.

I quite enjoyed this story. The pace is steady, it's well-written with well-developed characters. It catches the atmosphere of 1950s Soviet Russia. Mae is a strong and likeable character, and the story is told from her perspective.

Published 7th May 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #AndieNewton for my ARC of #TheLastFlightFromMoscow in exchange for an honest review.

[Doreen Prentiss Gabriellini]

The Last Flight from Moscow by Andie Newton is another fabulous book by this gifted author. I was hooked from the beginning. During the Cold War, one of the former Office of Special Services agents is living a life where she has fallen. She has a gambling problem and has borrowed money from men who are willing to kill her if she doesn’t pay it back with interest.

After her last mission went wrong, Mae has no desire to be involved in the world of espionage ever again. Her best friend from her espionage days is pleading with Mae to come back to work and train a new hire. Mae is perfect for the job as she is fluent in Russian and the “job” is at the American Exhibition in Russia. The carrot at the end of the stick is that OSS is willing to pay her well for her time should she say yes. That cash would solve a lot of problems. She agrees. When Mae’s trainee goes missing, she is determined to fulfill her promise to keep her ‘partner’ safe.

The Last Flight from Moscow is a great read. I always look forward to reading Andie Newton. Well done! I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.

[Claire Smith-Simmons]

Part spycraft, part mystery with a sprinkle of glamour and a whole lot of vodka, this was thoroughly enjoyable to read.

Mae is haunted by her last OSS operation 14 years ago but when her former partner asks her to train up a new CIA recruit and help to stop a suspected assassination attempt in Russia she gets pulled back into that world.

I really liked Mae, she was wounded and fragile but this was a job she was born to do and those old instincts don't let her down. Set in a fascinating Cold War period it was really interesting to get the background to the Exhibition and see the restrictions placed on those involved. I really enjoyed having Mae explore forbidden Russia and slowly come round to teaching Elaine.

There were twists and suspicions and a good frisson of tension throughout. It was also great to explore this period through the eyes of women, to have them and their roles belittled, undervalued and underappreciated even when they are beyond capable.

Thank you to the author, One More Chapter and Netgalley for my copy.

[Shelagh]

There’s nothing like a good spy thriller to pique my interest and this one is a beauty! Set mostly in Moscow in 1959, this story is packed with interesting twists and unexpected red herrings. Add to that the contrast between western nations of the time, places where the latest machines to make life easier were the norm, and Communist Moscow, where Orwell’s 1984 seems to play out in real life. I loved the Russian fascination with blue jeans and books and the use of an exhibition to highlight the differences between the USA and the USSR. While the central theme revolves around an assassination plot, it is the sub-plots that kept me guessing. Who was spying on who and for whom? Mae is a formidable character ably supported by newly minted CIA agent Elaine, whom she’s been asked to train while at the same time sniffing out the assassin. This story is refreshing and different to anything I’ve read recently and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[lara]

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. It was a different era for me, set during the Cold War in Moscow. Mae is sent with Elaine to find out who is a double agent informing the Russians of British secrets. The story has many twists and turns as Mae teaches Elaine how to be Special Agent. Mae has many years experience in Vienna during the 2nd World War, which did not go well for her. This gives her nightmares as she remembers the tortures she endured. She has a unique skill to see through the stories given by the people they encounter in Moscow and picking up on discrepancies. . Elaine has an excellent memory for detail. They develop a good working relationship.
The story was gripping and unexpected at times. I found it a real page turner. If you enjoy historical fiction and thrillers you will enjoy this book.

[Jill]

What a frustrating novel! It’s so unimaginable - a couple of females calling themselves spies - are sent to Moscow playing the part of Exhibition Models to prevent an assassination.

To me, this novel is very tongue-in cheek, but I couldn’t work out whether it was to be a humorous story, or whether the main character, an aging spy called Mae, was just totally out of touch with reality. Mae undertook the operation to get out of debt, but also to mentor a new special agent, Elaine. Lots of little capers, close shaves and travels into the Russian Mafias den.

This novel just wasn’t for me - Mae’s behaviour was a poor attempt to draw in the reader.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for a copy of this ARC for review

[Kelly Hollingworth]

This is the second book I have read by this author. In this one the setting is the Cold War period where we find Mae Pierce needing money desperately. She accepts a role from her dear friend and ex colleague Sutton Maxfield to be a special female agent, offered in part, as Mae speaks Russian. Using the guise of being guides at the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow, Mae and new inexperienced partner Elaine Holiday’s real mission is to spy on Red Russia. Theirs is a strong partnership that develops with their individual strengths helping each other and the cause. I really enjoy this author’s writing style and storylines. She demonstrates the period, the fears and the courage well and depicts Mae as a formidable female. I can’t wait to read the next book she writes.

[Kelly]

The Last Flight from Moscow was an enjoyable historical fiction read with an engaging storyline and a well-crafted setting. Andie Newton does a great job bringing the time period to life, and I appreciated the historical details woven throughout the novel.

While it wasn't my favourite of Newton's books, I still found it to be a worthwhile read. The story kept my interest, although I didn't connect with the characters quite as strongly as I have in some of her other novels. That said, the plot was compelling, and I was eager to see how everything would unfold.

Overall, I would give this book 3 stars. It may not be my top pick from Andie Newton, but it was a solid read that historical fiction fans will likely enjoy.

[Jessica Gilmore]

This is the first of Andie Newton's books I have read, requested because I love a cold war spy thriller especially with a strong female lead. I was also really intrigued by the setting of the American Exhibition in Moscow, an historical event new to me. But I will definitely be seeking out some of her backlist titles. Mae is a very satisfying heroine - flawed, damaged, loyal, courageous and with plenty of sass, the setting evocative and atmospheric whether surburban New York or cold war Moscow and the many supporting characters well drawn. The plot was suitably twisty and high stakes with a hint of cynical humour from Mae's POV to add light to the shade. Very enjoyable - recommended.

[R Evans]

This was a gripping novel that took you behind the iron curtain during the Cold War. Two women are part of a cia investigation into an assassination plot on Khrushchev in 1959.during an American exhibition in Moscow. The characters are really well developed such that you can picture them easily. The plot is good although seems slightly unrealistic. One character goes back to USA thinking mission is accomplished only to find her partner has been left behind. She then makes her way back to Moscow. Given the political situation this did not seem probable. However, this did not spoil what was an enjoyable read.

[Ann-Marie]

Mae Pierce, ex-OSS agent, is down on her luck and owes a lot of money to the wrong people. So a job offer from an old friend and colleague, now a CIA agent, comes at just the right time. On the surface, Mae and her inexperienced partner, Elaine, are being sent to Moscow to be guides at The American Exhibition. In reality, their job is to find a spy. Mae and Elaine develop a very strong partnership, based around Mae’s experience in WWII and Elaine’s eye for detail.

A fast paced, thrilling adventure with intriguing characters set in interesting times.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins (One More Chapter) for an ARC for my honest review.

[Cassie]

I was not familiar with Newton's work and selected this book from the title. I love historical fiction and this one set well past the end of WW2 and into the Cold War was a breath of fresh air!
Mae was a great character - you could root for her, she was believable (flawed but genuine) and had a great heart. I also really liked the supporting characters and the plot was interesting and believable. It was light-hearted but also full of emotion. There was absolutely suspense but nothing gory.
I absolutely loved this book and I will be reading more of Newton's works.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a dARC to review; this is my honest opinion.