The Spy Coast - (Martini Club) by Tess Gerritsen (Paperback)

About the Book

"Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she's living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement. But when a body turns up in Maggie's driveway, she knows it's a message from former foes who haven't forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends--all retirees from the CIA--to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why"--

Book Synopsis

A retired CIA operative in small-town Maine tackles the ghosts of her past in this fresh take on the spy thriller from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen.

Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she's living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement.

But when a body turns up in Maggie's driveway, she knows it's a message from former foes who haven't forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends--all retirees from the CIA--to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This "Martini Club" of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they're eager to use again, if only to spice up their rather sedate new lives.

Complicating their efforts is Purity's acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau. More accustomed to dealing with rowdy tourists than homicide, Jo is puzzled by Maggie's reluctance to share information--and by her odd circle of friends, who seem to be a step ahead of her at every turn.

As Jo's investigation collides with the Martini Club's maneuvers, Maggie's hunt for answers will force her to revisit a clandestine career that spanned the globe, from Bangkok to Istanbul, from London to Malta. The ghosts of her past have returned, but with the help of her friends--and the reluctant Jo Thibodeau--Maggie might just be able to save the life she's built.

Review Quotes

"This is a nice take on retirement--five old spooks whose bones may ache but whose minds remain sharp. You can expect mystery, action, and bloodshed in this exciting thriller launched straight from the peaceful shores of Maine." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The plot bustles along nicely, careening from Thailand to Italy and many points in between, but the real surprise is the richness of Gerritsen's supporting cast, a cantankerous bunch whose love for one another runs deep." --Publishers Weekly

"Gerritsen...branches out into the world of espionage...expertly mixing spy drama with romance and wry comedy... Gerritsen fans and readers of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club mysteries will love this." --Booklist (starred review)

"Tess Gerritsen delivers a thrilling, endearing read." --Seattle Book Review

"Tess Gerritsen writes in a smoothly elegant style; it's always a delight to read her. The Spy Coast is a marvelously plotted read with action-packed pages, g-force twists and turns, and a platoon of fascinating characters. I truly hope to see Maggie Bird and her team of silver-haired helpers on the pages again." --David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Master storyteller Tess Gerritsen has written an ingenious, spellbinding novel that moves from Bangkok to a small town in Maine, seductive settings where secrets are kept and lives upended...The Spy Coast is utterly thrilling, full of morally complex characters with deeply buried secrets and a life-and-death chase into the past and back again. It's a great novel." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author

"Powerful, resonant, absorbing, freighted with menace and suspense...Gerritsen is a born storyteller, and this new series showcases her talents more than ever. Irresistible and highly recommended!" --Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A riveting tale filled with engaging characters. I look forward to the rest of the series." --Kathy Reichs, author of the Temperance Brennan Bones series

"Tess Gerritsen is a brilliant, must-read novelist, and she's done it again with The Spy Coast. Readers will want to follow the adventures of Maggie Bird and her band of Mainer compatriots for a long, long time." --C. J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Storm Watch

"A crackerjack thriller." --Paul Doiron, bestselling author of the Mike Bowditch novels

"I loved it. A hugely entertaining read!" --Ann Cleeves, creator of the Vera and Shetland series