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Kate Henderson #2
Double Agent
Kidnapped in Venice by a Russian defector, Kate knows she's in trouble. But when he offers her conclusive evidence that the British Prime Minister is a live agent working for Moscow, Kate's holiday quickly becomes the start of her next mission.
The defector has proof of the PM involved in a sordid scandal--a video supposedly used to blackmail him into Russian service decades prior--and a financial paper trail that undeniably links him to the Russians, but his motives are anything but clear. Riddled with doubt that the evidence she is presented with may not in fact be as bulletproof as it seems, Kate reopens the investigation into the PM. As she works through the case, Kate runs up against key people at the heart of the British Establishment who refuse to acknowledge the reality in front of them. And, more worryingly, clear signs that there's still a mole in her department.
But Kate had already identified and eradicated the mole, codenamed Viper. Could she have been mistaken? And could this horrifying video be a fake, produced by the Russians to sabotage British democracy?
These questions plague Kate as she tries to keep it together for her children and ailing mother, steadily losing sleep and, she fears, her sanity. This mission will push Kate dangerously close to the edge as she continues her relentless fight for the truth.
The defector has proof of the PM involved in a sordid scandal--a video supposedly used to blackmail him into Russian service decades prior--and a financial paper trail that undeniably links him to the Russians, but his motives are anything but clear. Riddled with doubt that the evidence she is presented with may not in fact be as bulletproof as it seems, Kate reopens the investigation into the PM. As she works through the case, Kate runs up against key people at the heart of the British Establishment who refuse to acknowledge the reality in front of them. And, more worryingly, clear signs that there's still a mole in her department.
But Kate had already identified and eradicated the mole, codenamed Viper. Could she have been mistaken? And could this horrifying video be a fake, produced by the Russians to sabotage British democracy?
These questions plague Kate as she tries to keep it together for her children and ailing mother, steadily losing sleep and, she fears, her sanity. This mission will push Kate dangerously close to the edge as she continues her relentless fight for the truth.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2020
349 people are currently reading
1793 people want to read
About the author
Tom Bradby
19 books294 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 223 reviews
May 14, 2020
Author Tom Bradby is a respected novelist, screenwriter and journalist, and has a regular slot as a news reader at ITN here in the UK. Double Agent is his follow up to the highly addictive and intelligent international spy thriller, Secret Service, although it could be read as a stand-alone.
MI6 senior intelligence officer Kate Henderson’s work life balance has hit the buffers since we last met up with her in Secret Service. She wants to spend some time with her children Fiona and Gus, and arranges to take them for a weekend in Venice, which also allows them to meet up with their father, who was previously outed as a Russian spy, and banished from the UK, and after defecting to Russia, he now resides in Moscow in a run down high rise apartment block where his life has definitely taken a turn for the worse.
Whilst the children spend time with their father, Kate takes a stroll around Venice and is temporarily kidnapped by a would be Russian defector, who offers her many secrets, including a sex videotape purporting to be that of the British Prime Minister, in return for sanctuary in the UK.
From here on in, the action never stops, the characters are all utterly believable, the storyline is full of twists and turns, so much so, that a bookmark is rendered unnecessary, as the pages literally fly by. Unmissable!
* I was invited to read Double Agent by the publisher and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
MI6 senior intelligence officer Kate Henderson’s work life balance has hit the buffers since we last met up with her in Secret Service. She wants to spend some time with her children Fiona and Gus, and arranges to take them for a weekend in Venice, which also allows them to meet up with their father, who was previously outed as a Russian spy, and banished from the UK, and after defecting to Russia, he now resides in Moscow in a run down high rise apartment block where his life has definitely taken a turn for the worse.
Whilst the children spend time with their father, Kate takes a stroll around Venice and is temporarily kidnapped by a would be Russian defector, who offers her many secrets, including a sex videotape purporting to be that of the British Prime Minister, in return for sanctuary in the UK.
From here on in, the action never stops, the characters are all utterly believable, the storyline is full of twists and turns, so much so, that a bookmark is rendered unnecessary, as the pages literally fly by. Unmissable!
* I was invited to read Double Agent by the publisher and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
May 27, 2022
Adding back into my read list as oddly both rating and review have vanished.
May 22, 2020
This is the follow up to Secret Service which I loved, however I say follow up as it really is a part 2, IMO, and so you need to have read Secret Service for a lot of it to gel and make sense
In many ways this was like a ‘tying up loose ends’ from the previous book and was good to be back with Senior MI6’s Kate and the gang as they once again tried to unravel fact from fiction as to whether the PM was indeed a Russian spy!
The book is character rich and some
in quite similar roles and so took me a few chapters to put them all in their rightful places and let the games commence, and once they did it was every bit as exciting and tense as I remembered book 1 being and once again I loved being back in Whitehall, Cobra Meetings and The MI6 building, have to say there was more ‘personal lives’ in this book but that was a bonus not a nuisance
Part of the book is based in Georgia and loved the descriptions of the Country and Capital City, Tbilisi, the people, food and housing as well as the history which was interestingly given and made me want to visit it
A great 2nd book by a keen on detail author and I hope there is a 3rd book although there was a definite end to this part of the story!
9/10
5 Stars
In many ways this was like a ‘tying up loose ends’ from the previous book and was good to be back with Senior MI6’s Kate and the gang as they once again tried to unravel fact from fiction as to whether the PM was indeed a Russian spy!
The book is character rich and some
in quite similar roles and so took me a few chapters to put them all in their rightful places and let the games commence, and once they did it was every bit as exciting and tense as I remembered book 1 being and once again I loved being back in Whitehall, Cobra Meetings and The MI6 building, have to say there was more ‘personal lives’ in this book but that was a bonus not a nuisance
Part of the book is based in Georgia and loved the descriptions of the Country and Capital City, Tbilisi, the people, food and housing as well as the history which was interestingly given and made me want to visit it
A great 2nd book by a keen on detail author and I hope there is a 3rd book although there was a definite end to this part of the story!
9/10
5 Stars
April 27, 2021
Much better than the first book and now I’m really looking forward to read the next book out later this year.
June 5, 2020
A modern rival to George Smiley and his struggles with Karla.
But while John le Carré's had his readers’ equally confused with double agents, Tom Bradby offers us a mole in MI6 but also the possibility the PM is a Russian agent too.
If Spy Thrillers have to be dark mazes of corruption and confusion then Tom Bradby has delivered a classic.
The second in this series, that brings the same characters as book 1, Secret Service and the same unanswered dilemmas for MI6. We follow Kate Henderson again, a wonderful character, her kids call ‘James Bond’ but she is a true agent as unassuming as a Smiley as she balances family life, looking after her ‘difficult’ mother and coming to terms with her husband’s treachery. Stuart was unveiled in the first book as an adulterer with her best friend but more embarrassing to a secret service high flyer also a Russian Spy.
Double Agent is all that the first novel but more intense. More locations, more jeopardy, more locations, more suspicion, making for a more intensive read. Kate is also breaking down; not coping, unable to sleep. Filled with anxiety and stress. She needs to rest and recharge but work comes first, especially at a time of national emergency and the biggest spy exposé since “Kim” Philby.
The book works as it is character based and thrill driven. Demands teamwork, but opens a woman’s heart trying to wear so many hats. Kate is a terrific protagonist and her personal journey is as revealing and worth sharing as the action adventure the overall plot and story brings.
This should encourage readers to return to earlier Bradby novels as he has delivered an incredible thriller where politics and duplicity are at odds with truth and justice. He muddies the waters and honestly matters are no clearer at the end of it all. Such is the world of secret operations within a political regime while a totalitarian state will always have an advantage.
The author may have insights but not to bring clarity just enjoyments - if he had the truth an unknown hand would have to silence him, then who’d read the News.
But while John le Carré's had his readers’ equally confused with double agents, Tom Bradby offers us a mole in MI6 but also the possibility the PM is a Russian agent too.
If Spy Thrillers have to be dark mazes of corruption and confusion then Tom Bradby has delivered a classic.
The second in this series, that brings the same characters as book 1, Secret Service and the same unanswered dilemmas for MI6. We follow Kate Henderson again, a wonderful character, her kids call ‘James Bond’ but she is a true agent as unassuming as a Smiley as she balances family life, looking after her ‘difficult’ mother and coming to terms with her husband’s treachery. Stuart was unveiled in the first book as an adulterer with her best friend but more embarrassing to a secret service high flyer also a Russian Spy.
Double Agent is all that the first novel but more intense. More locations, more jeopardy, more locations, more suspicion, making for a more intensive read. Kate is also breaking down; not coping, unable to sleep. Filled with anxiety and stress. She needs to rest and recharge but work comes first, especially at a time of national emergency and the biggest spy exposé since “Kim” Philby.
The book works as it is character based and thrill driven. Demands teamwork, but opens a woman’s heart trying to wear so many hats. Kate is a terrific protagonist and her personal journey is as revealing and worth sharing as the action adventure the overall plot and story brings.
This should encourage readers to return to earlier Bradby novels as he has delivered an incredible thriller where politics and duplicity are at odds with truth and justice. He muddies the waters and honestly matters are no clearer at the end of it all. Such is the world of secret operations within a political regime while a totalitarian state will always have an advantage.
The author may have insights but not to bring clarity just enjoyments - if he had the truth an unknown hand would have to silence him, then who’d read the News.
May 24, 2020
Double Agent is another readable spy thriller from Tom Bradby. It follows on directly from Secret Service and I would strongly recommend that you read Secret Service first.
Kate and the rest of the small MI6 circle concerned are trying to recover after the events of last time. The question of whether there is still a high-level traitor remains, and Kate is now offered evidence by Mikhail. There again begins an operation to determine the veracity of this and we get more office and political manoeuvring, Kate putting herself in danger again and so on. It’s all pretty well done and Tom Bradby knows a lot about what he is writing about here – perhaps to the point of overdoing the detail at times.
Alongside this is Kate’s struggle with insomnia and anxiety. Again, Bradby knows a lot about this, writes pretty well about it and it is a very important subject, but for me I didn’t fit comfortably with the style of spy thriller in the rest of the book. I found the two aspects distracted from each other rather than enhanced the book and I struggled a bit as a result.
I don’t want to be too critical; Double Agent is perfectly readable, it has good things about it and I’m sure there will be a third novel in the series which I shall probably read. I hope it is a little more tightly focussed, though, and branches out from the slightly samey structure of the first two.
(My thanks to Random House for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Kate and the rest of the small MI6 circle concerned are trying to recover after the events of last time. The question of whether there is still a high-level traitor remains, and Kate is now offered evidence by Mikhail. There again begins an operation to determine the veracity of this and we get more office and political manoeuvring, Kate putting herself in danger again and so on. It’s all pretty well done and Tom Bradby knows a lot about what he is writing about here – perhaps to the point of overdoing the detail at times.
Alongside this is Kate’s struggle with insomnia and anxiety. Again, Bradby knows a lot about this, writes pretty well about it and it is a very important subject, but for me I didn’t fit comfortably with the style of spy thriller in the rest of the book. I found the two aspects distracted from each other rather than enhanced the book and I struggled a bit as a result.
I don’t want to be too critical; Double Agent is perfectly readable, it has good things about it and I’m sure there will be a third novel in the series which I shall probably read. I hope it is a little more tightly focussed, though, and branches out from the slightly samey structure of the first two.
(My thanks to Random House for an ARC via NetGalley.)
October 24, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the very last. Its a thoroughly addictive spy thriller and a follow up to Secret Service. which is an equally good book by News Reader Tom Bradby. It's an action packed thriller which takes you between London, Venice and Russia.
I'd recommend you read Secret Service first as both are so good, you wouldn't want to miss out on the background to characters and their history as could be a little difficult to understand the plot if you don't..
Kate Henderson is back and her world has been turned upside down. She has to deal with the possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family, along with her own family issues. In exchange for a safe place to stay, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy - but is he? Who can be trusted? Can the evidence be believed?
I really hope this series of books get made into a film or tv series as would be fantastic and hope there will be a third instalment n the not too distant future!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read another fantastic ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I'd recommend you read Secret Service first as both are so good, you wouldn't want to miss out on the background to characters and their history as could be a little difficult to understand the plot if you don't..
Kate Henderson is back and her world has been turned upside down. She has to deal with the possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family, along with her own family issues. In exchange for a safe place to stay, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy - but is he? Who can be trusted? Can the evidence be believed?
I really hope this series of books get made into a film or tv series as would be fantastic and hope there will be a third instalment n the not too distant future!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read another fantastic ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
May 13, 2020
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#DoubleAgent #NetGalley
A good spy thriller has always been one of my guilty pleasures. A great spy thriller is even better, and this is what Tom Bradby has produced in, 'Double Agent'. Spy novelists inevitably fall into two camps; those that dazzle with their insider knowledge of duplicitous governments and their rogue agencies - so much so that they forget the compact of mutual understanding with their reader. Then there are those who rely on cardboard stereotypes of spies and opposing ideologies, with their often reductive tropes of good vs evil. Bradby avoids both these pit-falls to produce an intelligent, thoughtful and meticulously-plotted spy thriller. The hook is an irresistible one: the possibility that the British Prime Minister is a Russian spy. This would have been an absurd storyline in the context of the immediate zeitgeist of post-Soviet Russia. Not any more. We are arguably now entering a new Cold War, with tensions between East and West at its ever increasing height. The weapons are less crude, the ideology more subtle - if indefinable, but we have undoubtedly entered a period of renewed hostilities between old enemies. Bradby captures these permutations, with their subtle configurations of change and continuity in realpolitik, with a deft touch. Above all, however, 'Double Agent' is a darn good read. It is thoughtful, absorbing, enthralling, tense and highly addictive. A literal page-turner - full of style and substance. Bradby at his inimitable best!
#DoubleAgent #NetGalley
A good spy thriller has always been one of my guilty pleasures. A great spy thriller is even better, and this is what Tom Bradby has produced in, 'Double Agent'. Spy novelists inevitably fall into two camps; those that dazzle with their insider knowledge of duplicitous governments and their rogue agencies - so much so that they forget the compact of mutual understanding with their reader. Then there are those who rely on cardboard stereotypes of spies and opposing ideologies, with their often reductive tropes of good vs evil. Bradby avoids both these pit-falls to produce an intelligent, thoughtful and meticulously-plotted spy thriller. The hook is an irresistible one: the possibility that the British Prime Minister is a Russian spy. This would have been an absurd storyline in the context of the immediate zeitgeist of post-Soviet Russia. Not any more. We are arguably now entering a new Cold War, with tensions between East and West at its ever increasing height. The weapons are less crude, the ideology more subtle - if indefinable, but we have undoubtedly entered a period of renewed hostilities between old enemies. Bradby captures these permutations, with their subtle configurations of change and continuity in realpolitik, with a deft touch. Above all, however, 'Double Agent' is a darn good read. It is thoughtful, absorbing, enthralling, tense and highly addictive. A literal page-turner - full of style and substance. Bradby at his inimitable best!
May 29, 2020
I love Tom Bradby and I think he is an excellent writer, though I have to admit that spy stories are not my favourite genre. Every time I read about Russia I keep thinking Killing Eve and I am waiting for someone to be assassinated in a ridiculously theatrical style, while dressed as a clown. But this is serious. I read the first book Secret Service and enjoyed the relationship between our main protagonist Kate, her husband Stuart, his affair with Imogen who wants to be the next PM and Julie who is sleeping with the odious Ian who wants to be the head of MI6. This is a book about spies, politics, affairs and unbridled ambition. Double Agent continues where Secret Service left off.
When we start Stuart has been exiled to Russia, having been discovered to be the Russian agent Viper. Kate's children Gus and Fiona are deeply upset and blame Kate. Kate is kidnapped and given a deal that they (more Russians) will give her a video that will destroy the career of the current PM in exchange for safe passage to the UK.
I read this with The Pigeonhole and it wasn't helped by having one stave every two days, plus reading two other books which came out every day. I occasionally lost the plot (in more ways that one) but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to Book 3. Please make this into a TV series. I think it will work even better than the book. Especially if Keeley Hawes is Kate.
Many thanks to the Pigeonhole and to my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
When we start Stuart has been exiled to Russia, having been discovered to be the Russian agent Viper. Kate's children Gus and Fiona are deeply upset and blame Kate. Kate is kidnapped and given a deal that they (more Russians) will give her a video that will destroy the career of the current PM in exchange for safe passage to the UK.
I read this with The Pigeonhole and it wasn't helped by having one stave every two days, plus reading two other books which came out every day. I occasionally lost the plot (in more ways that one) but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to Book 3. Please make this into a TV series. I think it will work even better than the book. Especially if Keeley Hawes is Kate.
Many thanks to the Pigeonhole and to my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
May 28, 2020
It was my first time reading a book by Tom Bradby and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this!
It was captivating and I would probably have read it in one go if I'd had an actual cooy of the book (another book read on Pigeonhole, so it was a stave a day!).
Kate was a really likeable character, who you really felt bad for at times. She seemed really lonely and the insomnia and pressures of work didn't really help her.
There were some unanswered questions left in this book, so I'm pleased that there will be a third book, which will be published next year! Will be waiting impatiently waiting for that to come out! I haven't read the first one, so I'll be looking to read that in the meantime!
Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller!
It was captivating and I would probably have read it in one go if I'd had an actual cooy of the book (another book read on Pigeonhole, so it was a stave a day!).
Kate was a really likeable character, who you really felt bad for at times. She seemed really lonely and the insomnia and pressures of work didn't really help her.
There were some unanswered questions left in this book, so I'm pleased that there will be a third book, which will be published next year! Will be waiting impatiently waiting for that to come out! I haven't read the first one, so I'll be looking to read that in the meantime!
Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller!
May 4, 2021
This book is very bad. I should have put it down when the protagonist equates autism and rudeness on the first page, and I regret that I didn't. None of the characters are developed beyond one note, whether that's "annoying", "has affairs" or "depressed". The research is also very bad. One scene set in Berlinhas guns drawn and a brawl happen 20 metres from Angela Merkel's front door, and the author doesn't seem to realise this, or realise that there is always a police presence there.
And the ending was disappointing on every level. Everyone behaves as stupidly as possible, and in the end nothing much has changed from the beginning of the book, other than the fact that the protagonist has an addiction to sleeping pills now. Thoroughly disappointing.
And the ending was disappointing on every level. Everyone behaves as stupidly as possible, and in the end nothing much has changed from the beginning of the book, other than the fact that the protagonist has an addiction to sleeping pills now. Thoroughly disappointing.
January 24, 2021
Lacked resolution and almost all the plot threads were left hanging.
The ending was rushed as though to finish the book as it had met its required number of pages. Tension at the end was tacked on and had no authenticity.
Presumably, the narrative has all been left hanging in order to reserve content for the next book. Shameful.
The ending was rushed as though to finish the book as it had met its required number of pages. Tension at the end was tacked on and had no authenticity.
Presumably, the narrative has all been left hanging in order to reserve content for the next book. Shameful.
August 26, 2020
Pretty anticlimactic
November 10, 2020
This book was one of the better books I have read this year. The story is good, fast-paced. The characters are well-written. There were some parts that seemed a bit off to me but that's probably because I haven't read the first book in the series.
Picking it up immediately and looking forward to the next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for giving me an ARC.
Picking it up immediately and looking forward to the next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for giving me an ARC.
May 25, 2020
I loved Secret Service and Double Agent deals with its fallout in dramatic style. Side by side with the tense spy thrills is the story of the unravelling of M16 agent Kate as she tries to cope with the personal implications of events. This is dealt with sensitively and adds another layer to what is an excellent and exciting tale of spies, deceit, secrets, fear and love. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
PS Do read Secret Service first!
PS Do read Secret Service first!
December 29, 2020
#doubleagent - Tom Bradby
#transworldpublishers (#penguinrandomhouse)
Kate Henderson, employed by British intelligence, is kidnapped by a potential Russian defector whilst on holiday in Venice. The deal on the table: arrange for the safe passage of the defector and his family in exchange for proof that the British Prime Minister is an agent for the Russians. But all is not as it seems and several hidden agendas and deceptions are exposed.
The novel is the second in the Kate Henderson-trilogy, but should rather be described as a sequel. The plot of the first novel (#SecretService) is resurrected and extended in the second. This technique creates two problems: firstly it is almost impossible to appreciate the novel without reading the prequel beforehand and, secondly, the plot becomes somewhat drawn-out. I battled to remain interested and was also unable to summon any empathy with the characters.
Readers who enjoy political thrillers might want to try #secretservice, but will be disappointed in the sequel; there are no intricate plots; intellectual challenges or breathless anticipation; the characters mostly argue about what should be done and who should be believed. There are a few action packed scenes towards the end, but to me it was too little and too late.
Two stars from me.
#Uitdieperdsebek
#transworldpublishers (#penguinrandomhouse)
Kate Henderson, employed by British intelligence, is kidnapped by a potential Russian defector whilst on holiday in Venice. The deal on the table: arrange for the safe passage of the defector and his family in exchange for proof that the British Prime Minister is an agent for the Russians. But all is not as it seems and several hidden agendas and deceptions are exposed.
The novel is the second in the Kate Henderson-trilogy, but should rather be described as a sequel. The plot of the first novel (#SecretService) is resurrected and extended in the second. This technique creates two problems: firstly it is almost impossible to appreciate the novel without reading the prequel beforehand and, secondly, the plot becomes somewhat drawn-out. I battled to remain interested and was also unable to summon any empathy with the characters.
Readers who enjoy political thrillers might want to try #secretservice, but will be disappointed in the sequel; there are no intricate plots; intellectual challenges or breathless anticipation; the characters mostly argue about what should be done and who should be believed. There are a few action packed scenes towards the end, but to me it was too little and too late.
Two stars from me.
#Uitdieperdsebek
May 28, 2020
My thanks to Random House U.K. - Transworld Publishers for their invitation to receive an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Double Agent’ by Tom Bradby in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you also to The Pigeonhole for hosting a group read that allowed me the opportunity to read and comment alongside my fellow Pigeons as we read our daily chapters.
This is the second in his spy thriller trilogy featuring MI6 Officer, Kate Henderson. This book follows on from ‘Secret Service’ and while some background is provided, I do feel that it is best to read the books in order to allow both an appreciation of the characters’ development and the events that brought Kate and her team to the current situation.
As I want to tread carefully with respect to spoilers for ‘Secret Service’, I will be vague about the plot for ‘Double Agent’.
While Kate is visiting Venice with her children, she is kidnapped by a senior Russian agent, who wants to defect. In exchange he offers Kate conclusive evidence to prove the identity of a live Russian agent at the very heart of the British Government. Proof of both a sordid sex scandal and a financial paper trail that would be bulletproof evidence.
Yet the motives of the defector are unclear and key people in the British Establishment are refusing to acknowledge the reality that could be revealed by the defector’s evidence and so drag their feet. As the mission continues Kate realises that she can trust no one.
Bradby has again crafted an intelligent, fast paced modern spy thriller. Kate is clearly under a great deal of strain and the office politics in the intelligence service are just mind boggling.
Alongside, the action are more gentle moments such as Kate’s interactions with her kids.
‘Double Agent’ did seem to end quite abruptly and I was very pleased to learn that Bradby is currently working on the third book, ‘Triple Cross’, provisionally due out next year. I can hardly wait!
Highly recommended novel and series.
Thank you also to The Pigeonhole for hosting a group read that allowed me the opportunity to read and comment alongside my fellow Pigeons as we read our daily chapters.
This is the second in his spy thriller trilogy featuring MI6 Officer, Kate Henderson. This book follows on from ‘Secret Service’ and while some background is provided, I do feel that it is best to read the books in order to allow both an appreciation of the characters’ development and the events that brought Kate and her team to the current situation.
As I want to tread carefully with respect to spoilers for ‘Secret Service’, I will be vague about the plot for ‘Double Agent’.
While Kate is visiting Venice with her children, she is kidnapped by a senior Russian agent, who wants to defect. In exchange he offers Kate conclusive evidence to prove the identity of a live Russian agent at the very heart of the British Government. Proof of both a sordid sex scandal and a financial paper trail that would be bulletproof evidence.
Yet the motives of the defector are unclear and key people in the British Establishment are refusing to acknowledge the reality that could be revealed by the defector’s evidence and so drag their feet. As the mission continues Kate realises that she can trust no one.
Bradby has again crafted an intelligent, fast paced modern spy thriller. Kate is clearly under a great deal of strain and the office politics in the intelligence service are just mind boggling.
Alongside, the action are more gentle moments such as Kate’s interactions with her kids.
‘Double Agent’ did seem to end quite abruptly and I was very pleased to learn that Bradby is currently working on the third book, ‘Triple Cross’, provisionally due out next year. I can hardly wait!
Highly recommended novel and series.
May 18, 2020
Tom Bradby’s Secret Service was one of my favourite espionage novels of 2019. A credible, twisty spy thriller, it was powered along by a clever plot and a strong cast of characters.
Double Agent is the follow up to Secret Service and once more features embattled MI6 agent Kate Henderson as she tries to determine the truth behind claims that the new British Prime Minister is really working for the Russians. Shaken by the personal betrayals and tragedies detailed in Secret Service, Kate is not in a good place at the beginning of the new novel and things only become worse for her when a high ranking Russian intelligence figure offers proof of the Prime Minister’s true allegiance in exchange for political asylum and protection. Thrust into a web of lies and danger, with her physical and mental health rapidly declining, Kate must play a very dangerous game to determine where the truth lies.
Double Agent is a more pacier spy novel than its predecessor, and there are some well-written and suspenseful set-pieces on the way to the taut climax. Kate’s deterioration adds a good deal of tension to the story and the ending has a nice touch of cynicism to it. As with Secret Service, Bradby excels in his portrayal of the interplay of personal and professional relationships in the secret service, reminding me of Len Deighton’s Bernard Samson novels.
The contemporary geopolitical detail is also convincing and the descriptions of the various locales from Venice to London to Moscow and Tbilisi are spot-on and quite evocative and add a further layer of credibility to the story. There is also a good cast of convincing secondary characters.
The end result is a first class piece of spy fiction that kept very happily engaged from beginning to end. See my full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/d...
Double Agent is the follow up to Secret Service and once more features embattled MI6 agent Kate Henderson as she tries to determine the truth behind claims that the new British Prime Minister is really working for the Russians. Shaken by the personal betrayals and tragedies detailed in Secret Service, Kate is not in a good place at the beginning of the new novel and things only become worse for her when a high ranking Russian intelligence figure offers proof of the Prime Minister’s true allegiance in exchange for political asylum and protection. Thrust into a web of lies and danger, with her physical and mental health rapidly declining, Kate must play a very dangerous game to determine where the truth lies.
Double Agent is a more pacier spy novel than its predecessor, and there are some well-written and suspenseful set-pieces on the way to the taut climax. Kate’s deterioration adds a good deal of tension to the story and the ending has a nice touch of cynicism to it. As with Secret Service, Bradby excels in his portrayal of the interplay of personal and professional relationships in the secret service, reminding me of Len Deighton’s Bernard Samson novels.
The contemporary geopolitical detail is also convincing and the descriptions of the various locales from Venice to London to Moscow and Tbilisi are spot-on and quite evocative and add a further layer of credibility to the story. There is also a good cast of convincing secondary characters.
The end result is a first class piece of spy fiction that kept very happily engaged from beginning to end. See my full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/d...
September 14, 2021
The second in the series with Kate Henderson as a senior MI6 intelligence officer in Secret Service. The story continues from where The Secret Service ended. Kate is somewhat trying to build bridges with her two children, Fiona and Gus, though she might benefit from a parenting class. She arranges a weekend in Venice, which also allows them to meet up with their father, who was previously outed as a Russian spy, and now lives a dull life in Moscow.
So is this how the Secret Service would operate? Have a senior officer whose husband turned out to be a spy for Russia, go off to Venice to meet up with him; or might she have been placed into a dull desk job rather than at the centre of an investigation into whether the Prime Minister is a Russian spy.
As ridiculous as this start is it gets more ludicrous, Kate is captured by a would be Russian dissident and then has to work out is she being played or has she made a brilliant coup.
It's a silly book really; a good read and with a good pace; but just a little too full of ineptitude. Of course there are spies who somehow leave damning documents at bus stops; or have flings with shallow seducers; more likely though there are enough smart chaps even from Eton who would pull rank with people too caught up in their personal dramas.
Having said all that; I might be tempted to try book 3 in the series; they read well and though we're short on interesting characters at least there's enough left hanging to persue it.
So is this how the Secret Service would operate? Have a senior officer whose husband turned out to be a spy for Russia, go off to Venice to meet up with him; or might she have been placed into a dull desk job rather than at the centre of an investigation into whether the Prime Minister is a Russian spy.
As ridiculous as this start is it gets more ludicrous, Kate is captured by a would be Russian dissident and then has to work out is she being played or has she made a brilliant coup.
It's a silly book really; a good read and with a good pace; but just a little too full of ineptitude. Of course there are spies who somehow leave damning documents at bus stops; or have flings with shallow seducers; more likely though there are enough smart chaps even from Eton who would pull rank with people too caught up in their personal dramas.
Having said all that; I might be tempted to try book 3 in the series; they read well and though we're short on interesting characters at least there's enough left hanging to persue it.
June 9, 2020
The follow up to “Secret Service” which you must read first or this will make no sense.
The basis of Secret Service was that the British Prime Minister might be a soviet agent. MI5 officer Kate Henderson and her team had to investigate in a storm of politics and hidden agendas along with the possibility that one of her own team was also a spy. It didn’t end cleanly and, to be honest, neither does this one.
This is not a shoot them up, jump of buildings type thriller, it has strong characterisations and a glimpse of politics within both Government and the intelligence agency.
On this, more evidence is offered about the Prime Minister and, once more, Henderson and her colleagues need to investigate. The stress is getting to Kate and her family but the time is coming where she may have to choose between country and sanity.
Tense and enjoyable but I felt we readers deserved a proper resolution and didn’t really get one.
The basis of Secret Service was that the British Prime Minister might be a soviet agent. MI5 officer Kate Henderson and her team had to investigate in a storm of politics and hidden agendas along with the possibility that one of her own team was also a spy. It didn’t end cleanly and, to be honest, neither does this one.
This is not a shoot them up, jump of buildings type thriller, it has strong characterisations and a glimpse of politics within both Government and the intelligence agency.
On this, more evidence is offered about the Prime Minister and, once more, Henderson and her colleagues need to investigate. The stress is getting to Kate and her family but the time is coming where she may have to choose between country and sanity.
Tense and enjoyable but I felt we readers deserved a proper resolution and didn’t really get one.
June 12, 2020
Another brilliant read by Tom Bradby!
Its the type of book that is full of action and it takes you on a breathtaking ride from England to Venice and Russia.
Kate Henderson is back and she has to deal with a possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family. In exchange, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy......or is he? Who can she trust? Is the evidence real or fake?
This book follows directly on to Secret Service and I would recommend you read them in order. If you don't it will be difficult to follow the storyline as it unfolds.
It is very well written and you can see the author is very knowledgeable on the subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Its the type of book that is full of action and it takes you on a breathtaking ride from England to Venice and Russia.
Kate Henderson is back and she has to deal with a possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family. In exchange, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy......or is he? Who can she trust? Is the evidence real or fake?
This book follows directly on to Secret Service and I would recommend you read them in order. If you don't it will be difficult to follow the storyline as it unfolds.
It is very well written and you can see the author is very knowledgeable on the subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 15, 2022
Good sequel but really an interlude between 1st and 3rd (I think). It is important to read them in order. Bradby continues to do provide spy craft and frame details while providing CH growth, maintaining a varying Pace, and ramping up the Tone. In this sequel, we get to see everyone again and catch up and continue to search for moles in MI6. The only problem I had was with Kate’s icy and almost non-existent reaction to something that would be a spoiler but I feel should have had more emotional kick—perhaps her training, perhaps the author’s choice, but did not resonate as the Kate I am coming to understand. Avidly waiting for #3, so Bradby did his job here. For more see my review on Secret Service.
January 13, 2023
Very good. No middle-book-itis here!
This series is really one tale, and the three titles should ideally be read back-to-back, so line 'em up before you start.
I love these because Tom Bradby beautifully balances the edge-of-your-seat thriller elements with the spycraft and political infighting. What's Really Going On is rarely clear, whether in-house or Out There.
This series is really one tale, and the three titles should ideally be read back-to-back, so line 'em up before you start.
I love these because Tom Bradby beautifully balances the edge-of-your-seat thriller elements with the spycraft and political infighting. What's Really Going On is rarely clear, whether in-house or Out There.
June 2, 2020
This book is the follow up to Secret Service. I would recommend reading in order to follow our intricate plot and main characters. MI6 agent Kate is following the clues to prove the Prime Minister is a double agent. Her own life is spiralling out of control. She will eventually have to make the ultimate choice family or her country. This is a fast paced easily read well plotted story that will have you turning in circles to find if we really do have a traitor and will Kate survive the ride.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2020
Another gripping read, I tore through this one in two days.
A follow on from last year's "Secret Service", Kate Atkinson is temporarily kidnapped in Venice by a Russian who wants to defect, and promising compromising video of the British PM, as well as evidence that the PM is on Russia's payroll.
A follow on from last year's "Secret Service", Kate Atkinson is temporarily kidnapped in Venice by a Russian who wants to defect, and promising compromising video of the British PM, as well as evidence that the PM is on Russia's payroll.
May 8, 2020
Kate's work life balance is pretty screwed in this second installment of the working mother M15 agent thriller series. Come to think of it work is pretty messed up too. I really enjoyed this second installment and hope for more racing round Europe battling against her internal demons and treachery at home and at work. Be warned a couple of truly shocking scenes that will make you yelp in surprise (love those).
August 18, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Very quick and easy to read novel with an engaging plot which keeps the reader engaged until the last minute!
Much more realistic than other espionage novels too, more of the so-called ‘mundane reality’ of intelligence rather than just car chases and shoot-outs!
Much more realistic than other espionage novels too, more of the so-called ‘mundane reality’ of intelligence rather than just car chases and shoot-outs!
January 16, 2021
just love this series, I'm so invested and love them all
November 11, 2023
2.5 stars
May 28, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this exhilarating book set in the intriguing world of the Secret Service. Spies, moles, Westminster interference, internal politics, treachery, breakdowns, edge of your seat moments, the struggle of a work life balance with catastrophic consequences, fascinating plot line and very interesting characters. Skilfully written to draw you in and not let you go. I was lucky enough to be able to read this via the Pigeonhole App and I couldn’t wait for each stave to arrive. I can highly recommend this excellent book.
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