The Spy Went Dancing: My Further Adventures as an Undercover Agent

The Spy #2

by Countess of Romanones Aline

It is 1966. An ace operative, code named Tiger, is called out of semiretirement by the CIA for a crucial mission. Tiger is Aline, countess of Romanones, an internationally prominent socialite who can charm people into saying more than they intend to. The successor to Aline's The Spy Wore Red.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Espionage, History, Memoir, Spain, Mystery

319 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 1990

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aline is the wife of the Count of Romanones, a mother of three boys, a Spanish socialite, and friends of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when her former boss, John Derby aka Jupiter of the CIA, contacts her in 1966. He wants to meet and to get her assistance in trapping a mole at NATO headquarters in Paris. The Soviets received top secret contingency plans of the U.S. if the Soviets attacked, which is endangering U.S. security. Very reluctant to expose her family to espionage, she eventually agrees after learning that her old friend, Magic, who had a lead on the mole was murdered. She recruits the Duchess of Windsor not only to track down the mole but artwork stolen from the Jews during WWII. These women can circulate at dinners and parties using their charm to meet the potential suspects arousing little suspicion. The stolen artwork was from a case Aline was investigating when OSS was shut down in Madrid in the 1940s. Aline explores her romance and marriage to the Count of Quintanilla (now Count of Ramanones); her relationship with his grandfather, the former Spanish Prime Minister; and the work and the end of her former career as a spy. Danger arises the closer Wallis Simpson and Aline narrow down the suspects. Will the mole be discovered?

The second in series of the true life exploits of Aline, the Countess of Ramonones. Once again, I found her life, marriage, and espionage work intriguing. Who would have suspected that these two American-born socialites were working undercover?

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Countess of Romanones has a way of sharing history, personal autobiography nuggets and the life of a CIA agent in "The Spy Went Dancing." This lady is a heroine and should be applauded for all she did to help our country during the cold war. Often her husband had no idea what was going on and would get mad at her for lying to him and hiding dangerous details of her day from him. Her book is comedic, a thriller and full of intrigue. She was able to convince even the most dangerous of spies of her innocence; which I guess was good practice for not spilling her guts to the Count. This book takes you behind the scenes of the life of royalty, that of a mother and wife, and most importantly, the life of a CIA operative. If you like spies, history and the european lifestyles of the rich and famous---you will love this book.

[Alan Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aline, or Tiger as she is known in the spy world, is now married to Luis, a rich Spanish Count, but when duty calls... She knows everybody worth knowing in Spain and France, including the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson), so when she is called back into action she recruits the Duchess as a spy to help uncover the mole who is passing secrets of the CIA to Russia. Although there is certainly adventure to be had, a lot of the book is taken up describing castles, fabulous parties and what people wear. There is also history you didn't learn at school, and that is what makes the book worth reading.

[Gabrielle Winandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a bit frustrated in a general sense because the ending is not really one of heart racing anxiety. They just find out who is the mole and that’s it. The mole escapes, so not even a sense of justice fulfilled. But it was fascinating to learn a bit more about the lives of the royals - and the truths of being a spy. Not as interesting as the movies make it look like. It also left me wondering if I ever talked to a spy without knowing I was doing so 👀😂. All in all it was ok, I suppose.

[Janae Byler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly enjoyed this sequel to the Spy Wore Red and the adventures that the Countess of Romanones went through as an undercover spy. It took me longer to get into the book than the first one but then I was captivated by the exciting stories.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to the "The Spy Wore Red." I think I liked the sequel even better than the first! This one was a lot more exciting. There are two parts to the book. Part 1 contains a mission Aline was involved in, but had to be dismissed and then twenty years later she finds herself in another mission that is intertwining with the mission from twenty years prior! Again, I loved this book because it is a true story. This book also went into detail about the upper class of Spanish society and included real photographs of Aline and the CIA agents she worked with along with distinguished guests attending the parties like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. I loved it. I want to be Aline.

[Briony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Even better than the spy wore red. Who ever said that fact is stranger than fiction must have read this book, and yet everything fits together so perfectly in the end that it almost seems like it couldn't be true. (But it is.) I also really enjoyed the story of how she fell in love and married her husband. But I want to know what happened to Caslida. Did she ever forgive her? I also loved learning about all the famous people she knew. You really get a sense of their personalities that you don't get from watching their movies or reading about them in other books.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continued the adventures of Aline, Countess of Romanones as an undercover spy. It is now 1966. Aline is happily married with three sons, still going to extravagant parties and dinners. Her old boss, John Derby, aka Jupiter, visits Aline to talk to her about help he needs to uncover a mole in Paris who happens to be working at NATO and passing information to the Soviets. Aline’s husband Luis has forbidden her to do anymore spy work, but coincidentally the Dutchess of Windsor asks Aline if she could pick up a painting she bought with “a little yellow dog” since they would be leaving to go back home. Aline assumes this painting is by Cezanne, one of the paintings stolen by Hitler during the war. But when Aline gets to the shop, the owner says it’s been sold! Aline is hooked. She even gets the Dutchess to help her in the espionage case since she enjoys doing these kind of things and it keeps her busy.
It was interesting to read about the happenings to Aline right after the war, her being successful in espionage, but difficult to maintain a relationship. Luis stuck with her though, and they have a happy marriage.
So the current mission to find the mole who is feeding information to the Soviets has Aline on the lookout. With her extravagant social life, and being invited to the best parties, she may come across the mole and see information/documents being transferred. Also, the Dutchess is constantly going to dinner parties or hosting dinner parties where she can invite persons of interest.
At the Rothchild’s costume ball, Aline is surprised to meet up with Top Hat after all these years. He seems to be onto something.
Aline stays in Paris making an excuse to Luis who is not happy with her secrets and comings and goings.
Top Hat unfortunately is murdered, made to look like a suicide.
Aline goes to the Sevilla Fair where she is introduced to Jackie Kennedy. They attend bullfights and ride horses.
Top Hat’s replacement keeps in touch with Aline during the fair. A Colonel Michael Chandler follows Aline when she is alone and almost attacks her when luckily a coachman comes to her rescue. This puts Chandler on top of the list of suspects.
Then Claudine de Jorans, wife of Edouard, dies suddenly...right after she put on lipstick. (poisoned) A pianist who played at the Jorans’ dinners told the Dutchess that Claudine and Chandler were lovers of music and gave each other music compositions...most likely documents in code!
Things come together when Aline finds out Edouard and Klaus Fribourg, were previously roommates. They have been partners involving the paintings. Klaus commits suicide.
Chandler implicates himself by skipping a dinner party with the Dutchess and went into Hungary. He was the mole.
Edouard Jorans was arrested. He was having an affair with Klaus’ wife Ada. Ada Fribourg, who is actually a free woman, seems the real mastermind.
A lot of characters to keep straight but overall truth is stranger than fiction!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun. Interesting and exciting memoir/spy story by Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones. This is a continuation of her first book "The Spy Wore Red" which dealt with her recruitment, training, and early experiences as an undercover agent for the OSS in Spain during WWII when she was young and single.

"The Spy Went Dancing" takes place during the 60's Cold War after her marriage to a wealthy Spanish count. The OSS has now been replaced by the CIA with many of the same operatives including her former boss, code name Jupiter. Jupiter enlists her aid this time unofficially since she not only has experience as a spy but also because of her prominent social position
in Spanish society.

Not only the plot but the descriptions of high society entertaining and excesses along with a vivid description of Holy Week festivities in Seville, make for an exciting, entertaining, and informative read.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Spy Wore Red,” “The Spy Went Dancing” and “The Spy Wore Silk” is a trilogy written by Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones. Doña Aline was a graduate of College of Mount St. Vincent (my alma mater!) who was recruited after graduation to be a spy. She was sent to Madrid, Spain in 1943. There she met her future husband, the Duke of Romanones.
These books chronicle her exploits and are highly entertaining reading. The author moved in high society and was a valuable asset for America and its allies.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, enjoyable read that has elements of US, world, and military history woven in cultural and women's studies. The spy is a woman who operated in Spain during and shortly after WW II before marrying a Spanish Count and resigning from the spy business, except for an odd job or two and then in the mid-sixties aids in the search for a traitor in the American delegation at NATO. However, what I found more interesting was the description of live among the upper crust. The author describes the various dinners, balls, and other social occasions the elite enjoy. A truly enjoyable read.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a bit dated--this was published in 1990 and the events depicted took place earlier than that--the tone and plot of the book don't feel tired. It's an interesting story told with lots of verve, making it a ton of fun to read, notwithstanding some of the society names the Countess mentions are no longer as recognizable as they might have been a few decades ago.

American-born Aline Griffith was blessed with good looks and what would once probably have been called moxie. After finishing college she modeled for a bit in NYC where, in the early 1940s, she was recruited by the OSS. After completing its 3-month spy school she was sent to Madrid where her cover was as an employee of the American Oil Mission which sold that commodity to Spain. In truth she acted as a coder and decoder for the OSS and recruited women for various intelligence functions.

She was also extremely social during the time she lived in Madrid, allowing her to meet everyone in Spanish who counted included aristocrats, politicians, local and visiting celebrities. She reported back to her bosses at the OSS on the gossip she heard while she socialized, ultimately also meeting her future husband via these connections, enabling her to marry into Spanish nobility and wealth.

There's some controversy regarding what she actually did for the OSS and its later offshoot the CIA. She claims to have had an array of intelligence escapades including shooting a man (covered in an earlier book) and uncovering a CIA double agent, the subject of this book, in collaboration with the Duchess of Windsor (!).

Whether her tales are completely factual or embellished, they're still entertaining. If you're looking for some harmless distraction the Countess certainly delivers.

[Trish Boese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* I loved Aline's story of her romance and marriage to Luis in Spain. The cases in this book span 2 decades. After many years of marriage, Aline has a chance to try her hand at espionage again, uncovering part of the same network she was after during World War II. Because it is non-fiction, the story is sometimes unpredictable, with many moving characters. Not all parts are easy to follow, but this book was fascinating.

[Alejandro Torresano · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro tiene dos partes, una trascurre al final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la otra durante la Guerra Fría. La primera me ha parecido mucho más interesante, y sirve para hacerse una idea del Madrid de la posguerra, una joya histórica. En la segunda parte creo que la autora mezcla realidad con fantasía.
Simplemente por poder asomarse al mundo real de la aristocracia, merece la pena su lectura.

[Jeanne Hedge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to believe

The books in this series are supposed to be based on fact, and this is no exception. As entertainment I enjoyed it. The "adventures" with the Duchess of Windsor were pretty hard to swallow though.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and funof historical references

Great summer read....and offers insight into postwar issues that never fully resolved. What a fascinating life she lived....with courage, bravery, and sometimes even stupidity.

[Barb Friedrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the series of 3 about Aline , Countess of Romanones and her life as a spy, during WW II and after in Spain. Her interactions with The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and other of the beautiful people of that time make for an interesting read.

[Sharon Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this! So many people were involved in spying during the Second World War! It’s great to hear their stories! People we least expect of trying to keep the world safe & people we least expect were helping our enemies. A new perspective on the Duchess of Windsor.

[Jill Miclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun trilogy of a female spy during WWII who hobnobbed with the Nazi elite.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Tania Hubmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting details of Spain at the end of the Second World War and Aline's romance but it is the Duchess of Windsor who steals the limelight.

[Jane Darby-Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by the Countess Aline about her adventures of spying for the US as living in Spain. It is so entertaining whether all of it is real or not.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to find anyone to like or care about. I think it's fiction.

[Vicki Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great late night read. Just personally at this stage, too many characters to keep straight. Maybe next time I'll read Spy Wore Red first, then this, at a time when we're not moving and doing toddlers.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was just not believable. Writing style poor.

Doña María Aline Griffith Dexter, Countess of Romanones, Grandee of Spain (born New York, 1923 is a Spanish-American aristocrat, socialite, and writer who started at the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) as a cipher clerk during World War II. She has been a member of the International Best Dressed List since 1962.
Miss Griffith (as she then was) was working as a model when she was recruited to the OSS and sent to Spain, where she later met and married her late husband. Reporting on the gossip she had overheard after a night of partying, often with Spanish aristocracy."[2] She married Luis Figueroa y Perez de Guzmán el Bueno, Count of Quintanilla, in 1947[ they had three children
The couple later became the Count and Countess of Romanones, at the death of her husband's grandfather, Alvaro Figueroa, former prime minister of Spain.

Romanones wrote six books, The Spy Wore Red,[1] The Spy Went Dancing, The Spy Wore Silk, all sold as non fiction, about her involvement in espionage and intelligence, and The Well-Mannered Assassin, her first fiction, based in part on Carlos The Jackal. In 2009, she appeared in "Garbo: The Spy"[6], a documentary about Juan Pujol, a Spanish double agent who supported Britain during World War II.

There is some controversy over the accuracy of Romanones' depiction of her work for OSS and the CIA in her memoirs. There is no doubt that she served as a cipher clerk for the OSS in Madrid during World War II, but historian Rupert Allason, writing under the pen name "Nigel West", contends that her "supposedly factual accounts [of her espionage work] were completely fictional..In 1991 Women's Wear Daily reported that it had retrieved her OSS file from the National Archives and found that Romanones had "embroidered her exploits as an American spy". According to the paper, she started out as a code clerk and then moved into a low-level intelligence job that involved reporting on gossip circulating in Spanish high society; there was no mention of her shooting a man or assisting in the exposure of a double agent, as her first book, "The Spy Wore Red," alleges. Romanones responded to the allegations in a March 1991 Los Angeles Times interview: "My stories are all based on truth. It's impossible that whatever details of any mission I did would be in a file." Women's Wear Daily had also quoted an anonymous former intelligence officer's complaint that Romanones' later memoir gives the misleading impression that she and the Duchess of Windsor alone found a CIA mole when "it took the whole CIA two years and about 200 people to do it." Romanones replied "I did not pretend to do it single-handedly. I explained clearly that they only came to us when they couldn't find him." The CIA has declined comment on Romanones.

In Spain, instead of birthdays, everyone celebrates his or her name saint's day.

In Spain, embalming is not customary but according to law buriel must take place within 24 hours of death.

[Karen Mosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her first book, "The Spy Wore Red", was better in my mind. It was fun to read of another "spy" adventure for Aline, but much of the book described the lives of the rich and famous, with masquerade balls, hunting sorties, dinner parties and meeting other rich and famous people. Even Jackie O was invited to the festival in Spain, not because anyone had ever met her, but she was famous and had the right chic and society savoir faire. The utterly boring life of the Duchess of Windsor was a confirmation of the truth that fame and money don't bring happiness, and romantic love is difficult to sustain once reality sets in. And of interest is the controversy as to whether this story is in reality very accurate. But even if it was fiction, it was mostly entertaining.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually enjoying this series more than I expected. When I started the series I didn't think that the Countess's adventures were actually true but after reading the first two books in the series I started to think that some of it is true after all. This book had a lot of information about life in Spain from her personal point of view which I found a lot more interesting than the European history class that I was forced to sit through in high school. There are also some photos in this book that make the whole thing seem a little more real.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of four exciting spy stories based on the experiences of Aline Griffith, a young American model recruited by the OSS during WWII to infiltrate the highest levels of Spanish society. For this adventure, she needed a unique partner, the Duchess of Windsor! A gifted storyteller, she shares glimpses into the Windsors' lives, as well as tidbits about time spent with Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, the Rothschilds, who figure in a number of her stories, and Audrey Hepburn.

[Nfreynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good sequel to The Spy Wore Red. Perfect travel reading, although I couldn't put it down. Again, I loved the descriptions of her lifestyle in post-World War 2 Spain. She is definitely in a special aristocratic milieu, friends with the Duchess of Windsor and entertaining Jackie. The detective/spy part of the story kept me turning pages...but then I loved Nancy Drew books when growing up. Easy reading.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enthralling spy novel. I never wanted to put it down. It is well written and based on actual events from the author. Aline is a former American spy and now a Countess of Spain. She is approached to do another job and can't resist. Her addiction to the job puts strains on her marriage. It is mildly graphic in a couple parts.