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Kate Henderson #1
Secret Service
To those who don't really know her, Kate Henderson's life must seem perfectly ordinary. But she is in fact a senior MI6 officer, who right now is nursing the political equivalent of a nuclear bomb. While heading up the Russia Desk of the Secret Intelligent Service, one of Kate's undercover operations has revealed some alarming evidence. Evidence that a senior UK politician is a high level Russian informer.
Determined to find out who it is, Kate must risk everything to get to the truth. Until a young woman is brutally murdered as a consequence, which puts Kate and her team under the spotlight.
With blood on her hands, her reputation to uphold, her family hanging by a thread and a leadership election looming, Kate is quickly running out of options and out of time.
Determined to find out who it is, Kate must risk everything to get to the truth. Until a young woman is brutally murdered as a consequence, which puts Kate and her team under the spotlight.
With blood on her hands, her reputation to uphold, her family hanging by a thread and a leadership election looming, Kate is quickly running out of options and out of time.
353 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2019
509 people are currently reading
3155 people want to read
About the author
Tom Bradby
18 books292 followersTom Bradby is a British journalist and novelist. He has been political editor for ITV News since July 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
May 25, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author Tom Bradby is a highly respected British journalist, screenwriter, and anchorman on ITV news here in the UK. It’s a long time since his last novel, but boy was ‘Secret Service’ worth waiting for!
Kate Henderson is a senior intelligence officer based at the London headquarters of the Special Intelligence Service, otherwise known as MI6. When the Prime Minister suddenly announces his resignation due to ill health, Kate believes she has discovered a plot to infiltrate British politics, and place a Prime Minister with pro Putin leanings, right at the heart of British Government. The secret agent trying to bring about this major coup is codenamed ‘Viper ‘.
Kate’s boss, Ian Granger is sceptical about what she’s discovered, he’s not a fan of hers, and he prefers to see it as ‘her paranoia’, but Head of MI6, Sir Alan Brabazon also known as (C) decides to allow Kate to follow up on her suspicions and gather evidence, and that doesn’t go down well with Granger. The problem though, is whether the intel she’s receiving is actually genuine, or is it just another game of cat and mouse and interference in the democratic process that the Russians appear to enjoy so much.
Besides this huge responsibility in MI6 and the evident dangers that it carries, Kate also has to juggle her family life and that helps give the novel extra depth - there’s her Civil Servant husband Stuart, her estranged mother Lucy, now in a care home with dementia, and fractious teenagers Fiona and Gus.
I won’t go into detail with this one as it’s a pretty complex storyline, but this is a geopolitical thriller at its best. It’s fast paced, exciting, filled with unbearable tension, and red herrings are used to maximum effect, keeping the reader guessing right up to the last page, and just to add to the intrigue, the aptly named Russian agent ‘Viper’ most definitely has a killer bite, the venom spreading far and wide. Highly recommended.
* Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my ARC, for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Author Tom Bradby is a highly respected British journalist, screenwriter, and anchorman on ITV news here in the UK. It’s a long time since his last novel, but boy was ‘Secret Service’ worth waiting for!
Kate Henderson is a senior intelligence officer based at the London headquarters of the Special Intelligence Service, otherwise known as MI6. When the Prime Minister suddenly announces his resignation due to ill health, Kate believes she has discovered a plot to infiltrate British politics, and place a Prime Minister with pro Putin leanings, right at the heart of British Government. The secret agent trying to bring about this major coup is codenamed ‘Viper ‘.
Kate’s boss, Ian Granger is sceptical about what she’s discovered, he’s not a fan of hers, and he prefers to see it as ‘her paranoia’, but Head of MI6, Sir Alan Brabazon also known as (C) decides to allow Kate to follow up on her suspicions and gather evidence, and that doesn’t go down well with Granger. The problem though, is whether the intel she’s receiving is actually genuine, or is it just another game of cat and mouse and interference in the democratic process that the Russians appear to enjoy so much.
Besides this huge responsibility in MI6 and the evident dangers that it carries, Kate also has to juggle her family life and that helps give the novel extra depth - there’s her Civil Servant husband Stuart, her estranged mother Lucy, now in a care home with dementia, and fractious teenagers Fiona and Gus.
I won’t go into detail with this one as it’s a pretty complex storyline, but this is a geopolitical thriller at its best. It’s fast paced, exciting, filled with unbearable tension, and red herrings are used to maximum effect, keeping the reader guessing right up to the last page, and just to add to the intrigue, the aptly named Russian agent ‘Viper’ most definitely has a killer bite, the venom spreading far and wide. Highly recommended.
* Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my ARC, for which I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
June 29, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up
Up till the last 40 pages, this was a 4 star read. Long in parts and full of emotional, overly matey spies who act more like journalists or college chums than MI6, but in general not bad.
Then something happened.
The identity of Russian mole "Viper" was revealed and The Teder Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ came on with sirens blaring...and I sent the novel sailing across the room to splat against the far wall and tumble into the waste bin.
Don't worry, I fished it out.
But honestly, that's your plot, Mr Bradby? Really, you CANNOT be serious with such a blatantly predictable villain. Everything you had that man do was suspicious Mach 5 and everything out of his mouth sounded like Grade A bullshit.
It was like he was waving a red (haha) flag at us the whole time screaming "It's me! I'm Viper! Notice me! Notice me!"
What does that say about your hero, Kate Henderson, if we can see that at first glance and she...uh...is she playing along? Or something? Well, pretty much
It's quite rare to see a novel shoot itself in the foot so badly, but it's been done. (Paul Auster's Mr. Vertigo for example.) Or perhaps, not in the foot, but in the head in this case, because thriller mysteries rarely get dumber than this set up.
On the plus side, the writing is not bad and the action, although slow in parts, does keep you reading. The characters themselves, esp Kates superiors, Sir Alan and Ian, are well done. Even the walk on characters are fully rounded and easily recognisable types.
You do have to wade through lots of semi-dull family scenes that err on the more serious chick-lit side - difficult elderly mum, bastard teenage kids, marital problems - and lovey convos among coworkers where you feel they're going to burst into tears and group hug while mumbling "I love you all so much". 😢😢
Okay, so maybe I've been spoiled on Le Carre and Slough House, but when did British Intelligence get so domestic and ...gooey?
There seem to be 2 more novels with Kate Henderson, so perhaps what this is is just a wobbly, largely unconvincing series start. I'd be willing to try book 2...but only if I found it for dead cheap at a flea market.
Up till the last 40 pages, this was a 4 star read. Long in parts and full of emotional, overly matey spies who act more like journalists or college chums than MI6, but in general not bad.
Then something happened.
The identity of Russian mole "Viper" was revealed and The Teder Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ came on with sirens blaring...and I sent the novel sailing across the room to splat against the far wall and tumble into the waste bin.
Don't worry, I fished it out.
But honestly, that's your plot, Mr Bradby? Really, you CANNOT be serious with such a blatantly predictable villain. Everything you had that man do was suspicious Mach 5 and everything out of his mouth sounded like Grade A bullshit.
It was like he was waving a red (haha) flag at us the whole time screaming "It's me! I'm Viper! Notice me! Notice me!"
What does that say about your hero, Kate Henderson, if we can see that at first glance and she...uh...is she playing along? Or something? Well, pretty much
It's quite rare to see a novel shoot itself in the foot so badly, but it's been done. (Paul Auster's Mr. Vertigo for example.) Or perhaps, not in the foot, but in the head in this case, because thriller mysteries rarely get dumber than this set up.
On the plus side, the writing is not bad and the action, although slow in parts, does keep you reading. The characters themselves, esp Kates superiors, Sir Alan and Ian, are well done. Even the walk on characters are fully rounded and easily recognisable types.
You do have to wade through lots of semi-dull family scenes that err on the more serious chick-lit side - difficult elderly mum, bastard teenage kids, marital problems - and lovey convos among coworkers where you feel they're going to burst into tears and group hug while mumbling "I love you all so much". 😢😢
Okay, so maybe I've been spoiled on Le Carre and Slough House, but when did British Intelligence get so domestic and ...gooey?
There seem to be 2 more novels with Kate Henderson, so perhaps what this is is just a wobbly, largely unconvincing series start. I'd be willing to try book 2...but only if I found it for dead cheap at a flea market.
September 29, 2019
First off, I got this through a BookPage giveaway. So thank you Atlantic Monthly Press.
This was a twisty and turny spy novel and it had a good plot device. So if you have never made a foray into spy novels this is a good introduction.
My long association with this genre made it an enjoyable read. I’m not going to say anymore because I don’t want to spoil the story.
This was a twisty and turny spy novel and it had a good plot device. So if you have never made a foray into spy novels this is a good introduction.
My long association with this genre made it an enjoyable read. I’m not going to say anymore because I don’t want to spoil the story.
September 19, 2023
This was a free flowing read with decentish character development, but perhaps a bit too much family angst. Plenty of misinformation cutting about to keep you guessing…until the disappointing end.
January 28, 2020
Enjoyable and nicely paced thriller that pits Kate Henderson, of Britain's MI6, against Russian spy services in a battle to discover if a potential prime ministerial candidate could be influenced, or even worse in the Russians' pockets.
The story moves between London, the home counties, Russia, Greece and Finland and sees Kate, and her team, work to gather intelligence and understand what is going on and why. Alongside this is a threat that there is an agent within SIS (MI6) who is helping the Russians know what is going on and how to react.
Is it all a ruse to create disagreement and uncertainty in British politics, or is it more with people in high office exposed or sympathetic to Russia?
Why three stars? I enjoyed the story and the characters but the ending was a little weak and slightly predictable. That said a good fun story that kept me reading.
The story moves between London, the home counties, Russia, Greece and Finland and sees Kate, and her team, work to gather intelligence and understand what is going on and why. Alongside this is a threat that there is an agent within SIS (MI6) who is helping the Russians know what is going on and how to react.
Is it all a ruse to create disagreement and uncertainty in British politics, or is it more with people in high office exposed or sympathetic to Russia?
Why three stars? I enjoyed the story and the characters but the ending was a little weak and slightly predictable. That said a good fun story that kept me reading.
June 1, 2019
I recognised the authors name but wasn’t till looked him up realised who he was and saw he has had published quite a few books
Well this is one is a corker!
If you imagine every element needed to make a modern spy thriller then its in this book
Its SO current it deals with a Prime Minister having to stand down and the potential winners of a leadership race to replace him!!!!
No mention of Brexit in this book though as this story deals with Russian involvement in the race and that one of the contenders has been compromised
I loved all the characters from spies to Govt officials and Kate, the main character, was ruthless when needed but also had a gentle, human side
The action starts on page 1 and carries on right through to the very WOW ending where you will have to re read a few lines to make sure you have just read what you think you have!!!!
Uncannily current and a fast, furious and explosive read, I loved every page and quite happily would have read another 357 pages
My only small niggle is the authors very vocal anti Russia sentiment in the book, it didnt spoil it at all but was obvious his thoughts throughout!
As exciting as the Bodyguard, thoroughly enjoyable, well written, satisfying and left me wanting to read all his previous books!
10/10 5 Stars
May 29, 2019
Secret Service is one hell of a spy thriller which makes other espionage fiction look rather lame. Bradby crafts a race-against-time novel with a plot exploring the long-term tensions between Russia and the UK, Russian interference in British elections and the fact that Russian moles and spies will likely have infiltrated many of our important British institutions just as we will have spies in Russia and elsewhere. The plot is scarily realistic and is not beyond the realms of possibility making it all the more terrifying. The fact that Bradby is a former political editor lends authenticity to the narrative and roots it deep in the reality of our current political situation.
It's a fast-paced, easy read which plays perfectly on the fears of both the political establishment and the general population. Moving between rich, vivid locations we follow protagonist Kate who begins a covert investigation into corruption in the top-levels of the UK government but her conflicting loyalties creep into her head rather a lot. It's certainly a high-octane, high-stakes story full of palpable tension which builds and builds beautifully. There are some parallels that can be drawn between some of the cast here and those currently in the real-world political spotlight. I suspect that was intentional on Bradby's part.
It's an intense, gritty and topical thriller which has been a long time in the making. So was it worth the wait? ABSOLUTELY. Kate is a very likeable and relatable character who has to juggle family life with the need to drop everything at a moments notice to attend to work responsibilities. There are twists and turns aplenty and the author uses red herrings and misdirection to trick the reader into backing the wrong horse. The ending wraps things up nicely in a satisfying fashion and is the perfect way to conclude the heart-pounding suspense delivered through the entirety of the book. Many thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC.
It's a fast-paced, easy read which plays perfectly on the fears of both the political establishment and the general population. Moving between rich, vivid locations we follow protagonist Kate who begins a covert investigation into corruption in the top-levels of the UK government but her conflicting loyalties creep into her head rather a lot. It's certainly a high-octane, high-stakes story full of palpable tension which builds and builds beautifully. There are some parallels that can be drawn between some of the cast here and those currently in the real-world political spotlight. I suspect that was intentional on Bradby's part.
It's an intense, gritty and topical thriller which has been a long time in the making. So was it worth the wait? ABSOLUTELY. Kate is a very likeable and relatable character who has to juggle family life with the need to drop everything at a moments notice to attend to work responsibilities. There are twists and turns aplenty and the author uses red herrings and misdirection to trick the reader into backing the wrong horse. The ending wraps things up nicely in a satisfying fashion and is the perfect way to conclude the heart-pounding suspense delivered through the entirety of the book. Many thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC.
June 3, 2019
This is an excellent spy thriller - clever, gripping and chilling, involving a leadership battle in the Tory government (timely, eh?!) and sinister Russian influence. In the middle of it is Kate, in charge of the Russia desk in M16. How far will she go to uncover the Russian mole in the British secret service? Really good! Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
December 13, 2019
I knew I was taking a chance on this book but what the heck. I thought how the dialogue was in this book was weird for example the main hero would be talking to her husband and then the next paragraph with no warning she was talking to someone at work. here was not much about this book I liked-it was a struggle for me . I would say read something else and do not give this book a spin
October 26, 2019
Boring, unrealistic and predictable.
After reading Tom Marcus books I just found this fiction unbelievable. The speaking about current operational matters out in the open was just appalling bad, I just hated it.
Save your time and read Soldier Spy instead. And I Spy: My Life in MI5 - they're the only books I know that take you behind the scenes of surveillance teams following dangerous criminals such as terrorists and Russian thugs/spies.
After reading Tom Marcus books I just found this fiction unbelievable. The speaking about current operational matters out in the open was just appalling bad, I just hated it.
Save your time and read Soldier Spy instead. And I Spy: My Life in MI5 - they're the only books I know that take you behind the scenes of surveillance teams following dangerous criminals such as terrorists and Russian thugs/spies.
October 24, 2019
Secret Service is an espionage novel featuring Kate, an MI6 agent working the Russia Desk while also trying to manage her marriage and raise her two kids. While her team is working surveilance on the son of an Oligarch, Kate and the team discover that the PM is going to step down, which is something no one at MI6 knew. How did the Russians know this and who told them? Could there be a mole in the British government?
Kate and her team set out to vet the two contenders who are in the running for British PM with information that one of them could be the mole, Codename: Viper. Kate must put all at risk, including her life and the lives of her team to get to the truth.
What ensues is a twist filled, fast paced thrill ride. There are many misdirections in discovering who Viper is and it really keeps you guessing. I found this book really hard to put down and read it in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend!.
My thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, The Atlantic Monthly Press, and Tom Bradby for gifting me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kate and her team set out to vet the two contenders who are in the running for British PM with information that one of them could be the mole, Codename: Viper. Kate must put all at risk, including her life and the lives of her team to get to the truth.
What ensues is a twist filled, fast paced thrill ride. There are many misdirections in discovering who Viper is and it really keeps you guessing. I found this book really hard to put down and read it in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend!.
My thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, The Atlantic Monthly Press, and Tom Bradby for gifting me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2021
Uneven but interesting enough to make me wanna read the next book in the series.
November 9, 2019
A spy thriller where everyone is a suspect and you’re not sure whom to trust – there were times I even questioned the main character. But in addition to being a spy thriller, this is also a story where secret service agent must juggle the demands of both work and home.
Thoughts:
Secret Service is a rather timely spy thriller/political intrigue story that puts Russia’s desire for influence in other country’s political elections front and center. Set in the U.K., Kate Henderson and her team are listening to a conversation when they learn that not only is the current minister resigning soon, but that Russia has a very good foothold into who the next prime minister will be. If that wasn’t enough, the team also learns there is a mole amongst the British ranks, code-named Viper, that can assist Russia and help ensure their candidate’s success.
The story itself revolves around MI-6 operations as they try to ascertain who all the players are that were discussed in the overheard Russian conversation, but unfortunately knowing that there is a mole leads them to a lot of frustrating moments since no one is sure who it is and whom they can trust. But while there is a spy whose identify must be ascertained, Kate also has a home life that involves two teenagers, a mother with Alzheimer’s, and two family members – her husband and her aunt – who are also employed by the government. Kate is trying to figure out how to balance home life with the overtime work being required of her as well as short notice trips abroad.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It didn’t immediately draw me in when I first started reading, especially since Kate was pushing a girl really, really hard to plant a bug for them. The girl was scared – really scared – but Kate continued to push. Instead, I became rather captivated once the British Secret Service began listening to the Russian conversations. The dialogue between the Russians and the immediate take by the British on what Russians may be referring to made for a very interesting read as it went back and forth. Plus, I rather enjoyed the other spy-related moments, not to mention deaths of characters I liked that kept my interest. However, as the course of the story played on some of the drama in the home life started to wear on me at times. But, all in all the plot progresses nicely and is evenly paced through out the entire story.
Rating: 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced ready copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Thoughts:
Secret Service is a rather timely spy thriller/political intrigue story that puts Russia’s desire for influence in other country’s political elections front and center. Set in the U.K., Kate Henderson and her team are listening to a conversation when they learn that not only is the current minister resigning soon, but that Russia has a very good foothold into who the next prime minister will be. If that wasn’t enough, the team also learns there is a mole amongst the British ranks, code-named Viper, that can assist Russia and help ensure their candidate’s success.
The story itself revolves around MI-6 operations as they try to ascertain who all the players are that were discussed in the overheard Russian conversation, but unfortunately knowing that there is a mole leads them to a lot of frustrating moments since no one is sure who it is and whom they can trust. But while there is a spy whose identify must be ascertained, Kate also has a home life that involves two teenagers, a mother with Alzheimer’s, and two family members – her husband and her aunt – who are also employed by the government. Kate is trying to figure out how to balance home life with the overtime work being required of her as well as short notice trips abroad.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It didn’t immediately draw me in when I first started reading, especially since Kate was pushing a girl really, really hard to plant a bug for them. The girl was scared – really scared – but Kate continued to push. Instead, I became rather captivated once the British Secret Service began listening to the Russian conversations. The dialogue between the Russians and the immediate take by the British on what Russians may be referring to made for a very interesting read as it went back and forth. Plus, I rather enjoyed the other spy-related moments, not to mention deaths of characters I liked that kept my interest. However, as the course of the story played on some of the drama in the home life started to wear on me at times. But, all in all the plot progresses nicely and is evenly paced through out the entire story.
Rating: 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced ready copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
February 5, 2022
This story of espionage at the highest level was written by a new-to-me author. All I can say is if you are enjoying the story have Double Agent on hand at the end.
May 22, 2020
This is the type of fiction to pack on our two weeks summer holidays; shame for now we’re in lockdown and waiting to escape.
This spy thriller is just the escape we need however; packed with political intrigue and Russian interference in government elections and deep seated agents.
A special operation seems to good to be true when MI6 hear information around the PM’s health and the possible general election where one of the candidates has strong leanings toward the Kremlin. Furthermore in intel implies the agency is compromised with a mole ready and willing to ensure the result is in Russia’s favour.
In the past MI6 have been manipulated by false whispers and it is treated suspiciously until the PM unexpectedly steps aside.
The book is rooted in relationships; secrets and lies and that shady area of spies and departmental ambition. People’s motives and associations are placed under the microscope as the spies investigate themselves while trying to protect the country at large.
That the author’s protagonist is a married woman with teenage children and strained relationships with her own Mother adds to the tension. It is also a breath of fresh air as we see a woman risking her life in the field while seemingly unable to win an argument with her kids.
I loved the humanity of the story; and I felt the characters were fleshed out and believable. The tension is high and the stakes involve life and death decisions.
Kate is a good spy but as the investigation proceeds you feel she can not be a loyal wife, supportive parent and faithful agent of the government.
I warmed to her character and found the book easy to read, especially with her being the driving force of the novel.
A book that you can whizz through and enjoy; great escapism but routed in the trends and realities of modern espionage. A clever piece and full of insight and the occasional lighter moment. I particularly liked the quip of calling out one of the team as thinking he was the embodiment of George Smilely.
Read as the follow-up is out at the end of May. Book 2 - Double Agent. Not such a wait for me but for many Bradby left a few unanswered issues in this first outing. I can’t wait to see Kate back and hopefully stronger and ready to kick ass.
This spy thriller is just the escape we need however; packed with political intrigue and Russian interference in government elections and deep seated agents.
A special operation seems to good to be true when MI6 hear information around the PM’s health and the possible general election where one of the candidates has strong leanings toward the Kremlin. Furthermore in intel implies the agency is compromised with a mole ready and willing to ensure the result is in Russia’s favour.
In the past MI6 have been manipulated by false whispers and it is treated suspiciously until the PM unexpectedly steps aside.
The book is rooted in relationships; secrets and lies and that shady area of spies and departmental ambition. People’s motives and associations are placed under the microscope as the spies investigate themselves while trying to protect the country at large.
That the author’s protagonist is a married woman with teenage children and strained relationships with her own Mother adds to the tension. It is also a breath of fresh air as we see a woman risking her life in the field while seemingly unable to win an argument with her kids.
I loved the humanity of the story; and I felt the characters were fleshed out and believable. The tension is high and the stakes involve life and death decisions.
Kate is a good spy but as the investigation proceeds you feel she can not be a loyal wife, supportive parent and faithful agent of the government.
I warmed to her character and found the book easy to read, especially with her being the driving force of the novel.
A book that you can whizz through and enjoy; great escapism but routed in the trends and realities of modern espionage. A clever piece and full of insight and the occasional lighter moment. I particularly liked the quip of calling out one of the team as thinking he was the embodiment of George Smilely.
Read as the follow-up is out at the end of May. Book 2 - Double Agent. Not such a wait for me but for many Bradby left a few unanswered issues in this first outing. I can’t wait to see Kate back and hopefully stronger and ready to kick ass.
August 3, 2020
I don't really understand all the five star reviews here. This is no Le Carrė or Baldacci for that matter. There are better spy books. You're supposed to be excited about finding out who is the mole and who is the Russian spy but personally I started losing interest after a while. Partly because it was quite obvious and partly because a lot of stuff happens without enough justification.
I liked the personal and family aspects at first but even these became rather uninteresting and repetitive as they didn't really go anywhere. The ending is really bad and disappointing. It's as if the author had no real idea how to end the book and just stopped writing.
I liked the personal and family aspects at first but even these became rather uninteresting and repetitive as they didn't really go anywhere. The ending is really bad and disappointing. It's as if the author had no real idea how to end the book and just stopped writing.
June 13, 2019
Spies on speed.
I lapped up this zipalong spy-and-politics plot and very much enjoyed the ride. As contemporary political shenanigans combine with the uncovering of a Russian power-play interference story, I was compelled to read on.
Tom Bradby paces everything perfectly. He gives us a great plot, a mix of fully rounded characters with sufficient back story to provide believability without slowing down the narrative and then treats us to a killer twist in the tail.
I have always enjoyed Tom Bradby as a relaxed news anchor with a different slant to all the others. Now I can admire him as an author too.
I lapped up this zipalong spy-and-politics plot and very much enjoyed the ride. As contemporary political shenanigans combine with the uncovering of a Russian power-play interference story, I was compelled to read on.
Tom Bradby paces everything perfectly. He gives us a great plot, a mix of fully rounded characters with sufficient back story to provide believability without slowing down the narrative and then treats us to a killer twist in the tail.
I have always enjoyed Tom Bradby as a relaxed news anchor with a different slant to all the others. Now I can admire him as an author too.
November 26, 2019
EIN SPIONAGETHRILLER VOM FEINSTEN.
Wenn plötzlicher jeder – eingeschlossen deiner Familie zum Verdächtigen wird… Die Topagentin Kate Henderson steht genau vor diesem Problem.
Der Klappentext verrät zwar nicht allzu viel, aber doch genug, dass man mehr wissen möchte. Nach der kurzen Leseprobe war ich dann total von dem Buch angefixt und ich wollte am liebsten sofort weiterlesen…
Die Story dreht sich um Kate Henderson, eine Topagentin des britischen Geheimdienstes, die für eine gefährliche Operation eine junge Frau rekrutiert. Sie soll für sie gewisse Aktivitäten eines Mannes ausspionieren, für den sich Kate schon seit geraumer Zeit interessiert. Dafür muss die junge Frau Lena auf seinem Boot als Kindermädchen anheuern.
Ihre eigentliche Mission ist noch viel gefährlicher als es scheint, denn der Premierminister ist an Krebs erkrankt und muss sein Amt aufgeben. Doch einer der Kandidaten für dieses Amt schein ein russischer Spion zu sein. Kate gerät in einen Sumpf aus Lügen, Intrigen und brutalen Machenschaften…
Der Einstieg ins Buch war sehr rasant und die Spannung dadurch gleich von Anfang an auf einem sehr hohen Level. Der Spannungsbogen hielt sehr lange an, was ich persönlich grandios fand. Es kamen im Laufe der Story dann immer mehr Handlungsstränge hinzu, die letztendlich alle miteinander verknotet wurden. Man hatte als Leser immer das Gefühl „ah okay, so könnte es sein“ und dann kam aber immer eine neue Wendung hinzu, die mich hat staunen lassen. Bis kurz vor dem Ende war ich mir nicht sicher, wer der Spion ist. Ebenfalls wurden einige Twists eingebaut, die ich persönlich total schockierend fand. Ein paar Vermutungen meinerseits haben sich bestätigt, aber längst nicht alle.
Ein bisschen schade fand ich, dass es in der Mitte dann einen kleinen Durchhänger gab, da viel außenherum geredet wurde, aber der Fall eher in den Hintergrund gerückt wurde. Aber zum Glück wurde die rasante Jagd schnell fortgesetzt.
Der Schreibstil des Autors ist wirklich brillant. Er führt den Leser häufiger auf die falsche Fährte als es einem lieb ist. Auch fand ich die Idee und die Umsetzung grandios – trotz vieler politischer Handlungen ist man immer mitgekommen, da der Autor viel erklärt hat. Als Leser ist man mitten im Geschehen und für mich ist das Buch definitiv ein Pageturner.
Das Ende ist der einzige Kritikpunkt, den ich habe. Denn dieses hat mich persönlich leider nicht wirklich vollends zufriedengestellt. Der Fall ist zwar abgeschlossen, aber trotzdem bleibt eine offene Frage und Handlung, wodurch ich hoffe, dass es einen weiteren Teil geben wird.
FAZIT.
Ein Politthriller mit vielen Irrungen und Wirrungen, der mit ordentlich Spannung auffährt. Ich persönlich fand es wirklich ein grandioses Buch – wenn auch das Ende nicht befriedigend war. Für mich ein bisschen zu viel Raum für Spekulationen, falls kein zweiter Teil kommen sollte (worauf ich persönlich sehr hoffe). Ich würde die Laufbahn der Agentin sehr gerne weiterverfolgen. Ebenfalls interessiert mich, wie es nach diesem Ende mit ihr weitergeht.
Bewertung: 4,5 von 5 Lesezeichen.
Wenn plötzlicher jeder – eingeschlossen deiner Familie zum Verdächtigen wird… Die Topagentin Kate Henderson steht genau vor diesem Problem.
Der Klappentext verrät zwar nicht allzu viel, aber doch genug, dass man mehr wissen möchte. Nach der kurzen Leseprobe war ich dann total von dem Buch angefixt und ich wollte am liebsten sofort weiterlesen…
Die Story dreht sich um Kate Henderson, eine Topagentin des britischen Geheimdienstes, die für eine gefährliche Operation eine junge Frau rekrutiert. Sie soll für sie gewisse Aktivitäten eines Mannes ausspionieren, für den sich Kate schon seit geraumer Zeit interessiert. Dafür muss die junge Frau Lena auf seinem Boot als Kindermädchen anheuern.
Ihre eigentliche Mission ist noch viel gefährlicher als es scheint, denn der Premierminister ist an Krebs erkrankt und muss sein Amt aufgeben. Doch einer der Kandidaten für dieses Amt schein ein russischer Spion zu sein. Kate gerät in einen Sumpf aus Lügen, Intrigen und brutalen Machenschaften…
Der Einstieg ins Buch war sehr rasant und die Spannung dadurch gleich von Anfang an auf einem sehr hohen Level. Der Spannungsbogen hielt sehr lange an, was ich persönlich grandios fand. Es kamen im Laufe der Story dann immer mehr Handlungsstränge hinzu, die letztendlich alle miteinander verknotet wurden. Man hatte als Leser immer das Gefühl „ah okay, so könnte es sein“ und dann kam aber immer eine neue Wendung hinzu, die mich hat staunen lassen. Bis kurz vor dem Ende war ich mir nicht sicher, wer der Spion ist. Ebenfalls wurden einige Twists eingebaut, die ich persönlich total schockierend fand. Ein paar Vermutungen meinerseits haben sich bestätigt, aber längst nicht alle.
Ein bisschen schade fand ich, dass es in der Mitte dann einen kleinen Durchhänger gab, da viel außenherum geredet wurde, aber der Fall eher in den Hintergrund gerückt wurde. Aber zum Glück wurde die rasante Jagd schnell fortgesetzt.
Der Schreibstil des Autors ist wirklich brillant. Er führt den Leser häufiger auf die falsche Fährte als es einem lieb ist. Auch fand ich die Idee und die Umsetzung grandios – trotz vieler politischer Handlungen ist man immer mitgekommen, da der Autor viel erklärt hat. Als Leser ist man mitten im Geschehen und für mich ist das Buch definitiv ein Pageturner.
Das Ende ist der einzige Kritikpunkt, den ich habe. Denn dieses hat mich persönlich leider nicht wirklich vollends zufriedengestellt. Der Fall ist zwar abgeschlossen, aber trotzdem bleibt eine offene Frage und Handlung, wodurch ich hoffe, dass es einen weiteren Teil geben wird.
FAZIT.
Ein Politthriller mit vielen Irrungen und Wirrungen, der mit ordentlich Spannung auffährt. Ich persönlich fand es wirklich ein grandioses Buch – wenn auch das Ende nicht befriedigend war. Für mich ein bisschen zu viel Raum für Spekulationen, falls kein zweiter Teil kommen sollte (worauf ich persönlich sehr hoffe). Ich würde die Laufbahn der Agentin sehr gerne weiterverfolgen. Ebenfalls interessiert mich, wie es nach diesem Ende mit ihr weitergeht.
Bewertung: 4,5 von 5 Lesezeichen.
March 12, 2019
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I do think the author could have furnished us with a bit more background on the characters and there were an awful lot of people to remember and their positions in government and MI5 and MI6. I’m afraid I did get a bit muddled from time to time especially with the Russians and their politics.
I think maybe, it’s an excellent book for a man to read or anyone au fait with the political systems of these countries. I think perhaps I’m a not quite so well versed, and I did get a bit lost along the way.
Having said that it was a gripping and enjoyable read. I found it absolutely fascinating, as anything to do with politics, you’d never really know who was telling the truth, as they are all such accomplished liars, and these people rule over us.
There are a lot of red herrings, and although I had my suspicions, I was never sure who was who! As the book reached its climax, I discovered I was right all along, despite thinking it couldn’t be so. What a cracker of a book, makes a change from murders all the time.
My thanks to the author and netgalley for the ARC.
I think maybe, it’s an excellent book for a man to read or anyone au fait with the political systems of these countries. I think perhaps I’m a not quite so well versed, and I did get a bit lost along the way.
Having said that it was a gripping and enjoyable read. I found it absolutely fascinating, as anything to do with politics, you’d never really know who was telling the truth, as they are all such accomplished liars, and these people rule over us.
There are a lot of red herrings, and although I had my suspicions, I was never sure who was who! As the book reached its climax, I discovered I was right all along, despite thinking it couldn’t be so. What a cracker of a book, makes a change from murders all the time.
My thanks to the author and netgalley for the ARC.
September 24, 2019
Secret Service took me a while to get into, and I began to think it was going to be a run of the mill espionage thriller. However, things improved the more I read and Tom Bradby did a great job of slowly ramping up the tension. I was soon thoroughly engaged as the plot unfolded and rushed towards the climax... which was were it all went wrong again, leaving me disappointed. It was a nothing of an ending for me. Which was a shame, as after the slow start I really enjoyed the majority of the novel. Worth a read if you like the genre.
December 13, 2020
Disappointed with this. I just didn’t get on with it at all, yet the premise was the sort of book I’ve enjoyed in the past eg Stella Rimmington. Alas I felt there must have been a prequel as characters were not defined, nor work relationships even job roles. So sorry Tom won’t be reading anymore of your books.
July 6, 2019
Upon reading the book description, I knew I had to read SECRET SERVICE, and the prologue confirmed I had made the right decision; it was exactly the sort of book I was hoping for. It's almost impossible to say anything about the superb plot without giving away spoilers, so I won't. Kate Henderson is a spy and chief of MI6's Russia Desk, she is married to Stuart, a civil servant; they have two teenage children. When the Prime Minister resigns for health reasons, all hell breaks loose: Kate learns that one of the candidates is backed by the Russians, and there is a traitor in the house.
At first, I wasn't too sure I liked that there was so much emphasis on Kate's family life, but in the end, it was for the best, as it gives Kate more depth, more dimension, more challenges than a typical lone wolf agent. In the beginning, I also wondered if the book was part of a series, as some information seemed to be missing. It was not the case, we are told everything in due time, and in fact, it prevented info dumping. Kate is unlike any other spy I had ever seen, yet SECRET SERVICE is very much like the glorious spy stories of old.
Tom Bradby writes in a polished, refined style that flows easily, with crisp descriptions giving an overall clear picture of the characters, their work environment, and the various locations. The pace remains steady throughout while allowing for the tension to build naturally. Mr Bradby achieves a perfect balance of adrenaline-fuelled action and the more sedate sides of espionage: watching, planning, and digging for information. There is never any respite, as there is always something going on. SECRET SERVICE kept me guessing all the way through. I think I must have suspected everyone at least once of being the traitor. Yes, everyone! The characters are exceptionally well drawn, and I connected with all of them, the good and the bad. At 96%, I still didn't know who was Viper - the mole! It was the person I had first suspected, but I just didn't know for sure! I wish I could say more about my favourite characters, but in true British fashion, Mr Bradby treats us to positively shocking plot twists, where the unfathomable happens and no one is safe. I was stunned a few times, and I admire an author who dares to be so bold. It gives the narrative so much more authenticity, and raises the excitement level tenfold. If you enjoy a flawlessly executed classic British espionage novel, SECRET SERVICE is a book you do not want to miss!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
At first, I wasn't too sure I liked that there was so much emphasis on Kate's family life, but in the end, it was for the best, as it gives Kate more depth, more dimension, more challenges than a typical lone wolf agent. In the beginning, I also wondered if the book was part of a series, as some information seemed to be missing. It was not the case, we are told everything in due time, and in fact, it prevented info dumping. Kate is unlike any other spy I had ever seen, yet SECRET SERVICE is very much like the glorious spy stories of old.
Tom Bradby writes in a polished, refined style that flows easily, with crisp descriptions giving an overall clear picture of the characters, their work environment, and the various locations. The pace remains steady throughout while allowing for the tension to build naturally. Mr Bradby achieves a perfect balance of adrenaline-fuelled action and the more sedate sides of espionage: watching, planning, and digging for information. There is never any respite, as there is always something going on. SECRET SERVICE kept me guessing all the way through. I think I must have suspected everyone at least once of being the traitor. Yes, everyone! The characters are exceptionally well drawn, and I connected with all of them, the good and the bad. At 96%, I still didn't know who was Viper - the mole! It was the person I had first suspected, but I just didn't know for sure! I wish I could say more about my favourite characters, but in true British fashion, Mr Bradby treats us to positively shocking plot twists, where the unfathomable happens and no one is safe. I was stunned a few times, and I admire an author who dares to be so bold. It gives the narrative so much more authenticity, and raises the excitement level tenfold. If you enjoy a flawlessly executed classic British espionage novel, SECRET SERVICE is a book you do not want to miss!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 14, 2020
Secret Service was a decent spy thriller, but I did have my reservations.
Tom Bradby has created Kate Henderson, family woman and chief of the Russia section at MI6. A tip-off leads her and her team to begin a hazardous operation which reveals both possible Russian interference in the appointment of a new Prime Minister, that there may be a Russian agent among the candidates and that someone is leaking secrets to the Russians. The plot moves along quite nicely, the who-can-I-trust stuff is nicely done and Tom Bradby writes pretty well much of the time. It does get a bit clunky in places, and although the dialogue is generally convincing, characters do tend to lapse into pretty stilted speeches rather regularly. Bradby is also no stranger to a cliché, which gets a bit much at times with sentences like, “I’d like to bury my head in the sand, but I need to go home and face the music.”
Overall, it was sufficiently involving to keep me interested until the end. It’s nothing that special but it’s not bad by any means and I’ll try the next one because there’s promise here. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
(My thanks to Penguin Random House for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Tom Bradby has created Kate Henderson, family woman and chief of the Russia section at MI6. A tip-off leads her and her team to begin a hazardous operation which reveals both possible Russian interference in the appointment of a new Prime Minister, that there may be a Russian agent among the candidates and that someone is leaking secrets to the Russians. The plot moves along quite nicely, the who-can-I-trust stuff is nicely done and Tom Bradby writes pretty well much of the time. It does get a bit clunky in places, and although the dialogue is generally convincing, characters do tend to lapse into pretty stilted speeches rather regularly. Bradby is also no stranger to a cliché, which gets a bit much at times with sentences like, “I’d like to bury my head in the sand, but I need to go home and face the music.”
Overall, it was sufficiently involving to keep me interested until the end. It’s nothing that special but it’s not bad by any means and I’ll try the next one because there’s promise here. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
(My thanks to Penguin Random House for an ARC via NetGalley.)
July 19, 2021
Liked the storytelling and the main character. Unfortunately, I guess the ending; it was the only conclusion that fit with the story, and also with the number of pages remaining. :)
March 16, 2019
I had no idea that Tom Bradby is such a prolific writer. He is my favourite ITV news anchorman (no flannel Tom - it's a fact) and I jumped at the opportunity to read an ARC of Secret Service when offered by the publisher Random House UK, Transworld and NetGalley. Thank you! So, I was rather taken aback to learn that this is Tom's seventh novel; I thought it was his first!
Stand aside John Le Carré - Tom Bradby has nailed it! Secret Service crackles with tension. Puts you right inside MI6 and the machinations of government. This is 'Spooks' on steroids. When the current Prime Minister suddenly announces that he is resigning owing to ill-health, the possible candidates to succeed him bare their teeth. Foreign Secretary James Ryan and Imogen Conrad at Education are the front runners. Intelligence at MI6 has identified that one candidate might be a Russian spy and a mole known as Viper is suspected to be amongst their own ranks.
Kate Henderson is a senior operative at the Russia Desk; her boss, Ian Granger, is head of Europe and Russia; 'C', the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, is Sir Alan Brabazon. Kate works with Rav and Julie and is married to Stuart, who happens to be the private secretary of Imogen Conrad. Could anyone of them be Viper? The race is on in a deadly game of smoke and mirrors as Kate and her crew travel to Istanbul and Greece, coerce a young Serbian, Lena Savic to work as a clandestine nanny for a high ranking oligarch family - all to try and identify who might be the spy and who is Viper. And like the best plans so much goes horribly wrong. This is real, this is clear and present danger. Heady stuff that rattles along at breakneck speed. The last twenty minutes of Secret Service had me reeling, at one moment shouting out: "OH **** NO! Completely blindsided! Never saw it coming!
This is one of the best spy stories I have ever read. Superb characterisation and an all too realistic plot. Brilliant! An unequivocal 5 STARS from me!
Stand aside John Le Carré - Tom Bradby has nailed it! Secret Service crackles with tension. Puts you right inside MI6 and the machinations of government. This is 'Spooks' on steroids. When the current Prime Minister suddenly announces that he is resigning owing to ill-health, the possible candidates to succeed him bare their teeth. Foreign Secretary James Ryan and Imogen Conrad at Education are the front runners. Intelligence at MI6 has identified that one candidate might be a Russian spy and a mole known as Viper is suspected to be amongst their own ranks.
Kate Henderson is a senior operative at the Russia Desk; her boss, Ian Granger, is head of Europe and Russia; 'C', the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, is Sir Alan Brabazon. Kate works with Rav and Julie and is married to Stuart, who happens to be the private secretary of Imogen Conrad. Could anyone of them be Viper? The race is on in a deadly game of smoke and mirrors as Kate and her crew travel to Istanbul and Greece, coerce a young Serbian, Lena Savic to work as a clandestine nanny for a high ranking oligarch family - all to try and identify who might be the spy and who is Viper. And like the best plans so much goes horribly wrong. This is real, this is clear and present danger. Heady stuff that rattles along at breakneck speed. The last twenty minutes of Secret Service had me reeling, at one moment shouting out: "OH **** NO! Completely blindsided! Never saw it coming!
This is one of the best spy stories I have ever read. Superb characterisation and an all too realistic plot. Brilliant! An unequivocal 5 STARS from me!
December 14, 2020
I write this on the day after John le Carré died. He was the undisputed master of the spy genre and it's unfair to compare this book with say, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but unavoidable when Smiley is so much on my mind.
George Smiley in one book and Kate Henderson in this one are hunting a mole inside the service. There the similarity ends. George is the abandoned loner, Kate is burdened by a complicated family. George is never called upon to use muscle; his brain is his only weapon. Kate is in the thick of the action when the knives are out and the bullets are flying.
One of the many strengths of le Carré's tales is their verisimilitude and this is the weakness of this book. I don't believe in the reality of the settings or the plausibility of the main character. Sadly, the key reveal is not hidden well enough and comes as no great surprise. The manner in which it arrives is too contrived.
I see that this book is billed as being the first in a series featuring Kate Henderson but I won't be joining her as she deals with the all too obviously signalled fallout from this one.
Perhaps on another day I would have given it one more star but ...
George Smiley in one book and Kate Henderson in this one are hunting a mole inside the service. There the similarity ends. George is the abandoned loner, Kate is burdened by a complicated family. George is never called upon to use muscle; his brain is his only weapon. Kate is in the thick of the action when the knives are out and the bullets are flying.
One of the many strengths of le Carré's tales is their verisimilitude and this is the weakness of this book. I don't believe in the reality of the settings or the plausibility of the main character. Sadly, the key reveal is not hidden well enough and comes as no great surprise. The manner in which it arrives is too contrived.
I see that this book is billed as being the first in a series featuring Kate Henderson but I won't be joining her as she deals with the all too obviously signalled fallout from this one.
Perhaps on another day I would have given it one more star but ...
May 12, 2019
Thanks Netgalley/publishers for the e-arc and the chance to read the book Secret Service. I haven't read any of Tom's books before, so this was an excellent introduction.
It's a really exciting fast paced espionage adventure with a twist. The main character Kate is a wife and mother, trying to balance family life with her job. She's trying to figure out who the perpetrators are, while tracking foreign agents, politics and avoiding assassins, with many ups and downs along the way.
You're also kept guessing until the very end.
I could imagine this book being turned into a short tv series and feel it would be very well received.
A very enjoyable read and I would recommend to everyone who enjoys a thriller. I'll definitely look out for Bradby's other books.
It's a really exciting fast paced espionage adventure with a twist. The main character Kate is a wife and mother, trying to balance family life with her job. She's trying to figure out who the perpetrators are, while tracking foreign agents, politics and avoiding assassins, with many ups and downs along the way.
You're also kept guessing until the very end.
I could imagine this book being turned into a short tv series and feel it would be very well received.
A very enjoyable read and I would recommend to everyone who enjoys a thriller. I'll definitely look out for Bradby's other books.
November 13, 2020
I wanted to like this but just didn't. It was choppy and confusing in places. The characters never gelled or felt particularly real. The story stuttered from place to place and it felt like the reader is just dropped into random parts of a better story. For a Russian spy novel it was tedious and there was not a single tense moment. The reveal of the mole was really predictable and anticlimactic. Premise and execution was unrealistic and kinda dumb.
January 3, 2023
Wow. Plotting this tight and intricate boggles my mind. There were moments I feared I wasn't smart enough for this book.
That said, it may be important to add that Kate Henderson is someone to root for unreservedly as she navigates the shark-infested waters she has chosen to swim in, to keep her country from peril. She is the warm beating heart of this story.
This is my first Bradby and early in my spy-thriller reading career, so I'm, uh, hooked, I guess. A more benign addiction than to, say, Irish whiskey, right?
Other books in this genre may not measure up as often as I'd hope, however...
That said, it may be important to add that Kate Henderson is someone to root for unreservedly as she navigates the shark-infested waters she has chosen to swim in, to keep her country from peril. She is the warm beating heart of this story.
This is my first Bradby and early in my spy-thriller reading career, so I'm, uh, hooked, I guess. A more benign addiction than to, say, Irish whiskey, right?
Other books in this genre may not measure up as often as I'd hope, however...
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