The Spy Coast is an engaging new thriller and the first installment in author Tess Gerritsen’s The Martini Club book series. Retired CIA operative Maggie Bird’s past catches up to her in the bucolic town of Purity, Maine long after her retirement from the agency. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to face the intrigue alone – other agents who also retired in the area relish the opportunity to give her a helping hand.

This post may contain Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, from qualifying purchases. (This in no way affects the honesty of my reviews!) All commissions will be donated to the ALS Association.

Maggie has some ghosts from her past that still haunt her. When a former colleague suggests she visit Purity, Maine, where a handful of former operatives and analysts have retired, she finally finds peace. Life on a chicken farm is a far cry from being an international spy, but it suits Maggie.

And then, out of the blue, a woman from the agency shows up at Maggie’s house to ask for Maggie’s help locating a missing former colleague. The missing spy is someone who double-crossed Maggie on one of her last operations, so Maggie is indifferent about her disappearance and not willing to get involved.

But then the CIA messenger is found dead in Maggie’s driveway – a victim of torture and murder – and Maggie has to unwillingly confront and examine the past.

Buy now on Amazon!

In flashbacks, Maggie recounts how she met the love of her life in Bangkok and how, through him, she became embroiled in an operation to uncover a Russian spy operating in the highest levels of British society. The assignment ended in a tragedy the now missing spy could have averted.

Back in the present day, Maggie is in a race to find out why this past case is resurfacing and to stop the bad guys before they stop her.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Spy Coast. I love a good spy thriller, and by focusing on a small community of retired agents, the author gives herself plenty of material to work with for a book series. Collectively, the retirees have decades of experience – just think of all the past missions that could suddenly resurface!

There is plenty of suspense in The Spy Coast, both in the past and present. Maggie does not have ice water running through her veins, so the reader can feel it every time she’s scared, nervous, grieving, and happy, and may even share some of these emotions. Maggie wasn’t a spy because she craved an adrenaline rush. Rather, she worked in intelligence out of a sense of duty, so kudos for that!

The author alleviates the suspense with some humor, primarily in scenes with the acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau, and the retired spooks. Jo doesn’t understand why they always seem to be one step ahead of her, and for their part, the “Martini Club” members seem to enjoy the change of pace from their now quiet lives.

The narrators of the audio version of The Spy Coast are terrific, easy to understand, and set the proper tone for the story.

I give The Spy Coast a solid thumbs up and would recommend it to readers who enjoy action and suspense.

Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

If you enjoyed this The Spy Coast book review, how about pinning it for later?