Shadow Cell - by Andrew Bustamante & Jihi Bustamante (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A thrilling firsthand account by husband-and-wife CIA operatives who, against all odds, triumphed in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against a mole within the agency--an unprecedented insider account of 21st-century spycraft in the tradition of Argo and Black Ops."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A thrilling firsthand account by husband-and-wife CIA operatives who, against all odds, triumphed in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against a mole within the agency--an unprecedented insider account of 21st-century spycraft in the tradition of Argo and Black Ops.

Andrew and Jihi Bustamante were a "tandem couple" married spies who'd dedicated their lives to the CIA. They met as trainees at Langley, and got married while hunting terrorists across the globe. Then, suddenly, they were assigned to a mission so sensitive and explosive that the CIA still has never acknowledged it. The CIA's source network in a country code-named "Falcon"--one of America's most formidable rivals--had been compromised by a mole, and the agency needed a new way to collect intelligence there. Young newlyweds, the Bustamantes were considered safe choices for this daunting task precisely because they had no experience in Falcon. They were also loyal, forgettable, and completely disposable--operatives who could help to strengthen the CIA's position in Falcon while simultaneously serving as bait for the mole.

But although their superiors at the CIA didn't realize it, the Bustamantes also brought another advantage to the table: a granular understanding of how terrorist cells operate, and how the agency could exploit those same tactics to keep America safe. Assembling a rag-tag team of fellow operatives and recruiting new sources from Falcon, the Bustamantes pioneered a new way of spying by building a cell of their own--right at the heart of the CIA.

The propulsive, untold tale of one of history's greatest intelligence crises and the unlikely band of agents who were sent in to clean up the mess, Shadow Cell allows us to peer behind the curtain to see how today's spy wars are being fought--and won.

Review Quotes

"Nail-biting...An unusual window into the normally closed world of spies' private lives....Part autobiography, part true crime--or rather, true espionage--their tale of the hunt for a highly placed mole, which is also partly an exposé of the sometimes-dubious practices of CIA corporate culture, is a page-turning read."--Telegraph (UK)

"A fast-paced account of an effort to root out a mole and recruit double agents in an unnamed enemy nation...The adventures and misadventures are plentiful here, but of equally great interest to readers are the authors' lucid explanations of how spycraft proceeds to begin with...A gripping espionage yarn that happily contradicts the authors' advice for crafting a cover story: 'Make it boring as hell.'"--Kirkus (starred review)

"Hair-raising... an alluring crash-course on spycraft...the authors pack in plenty of suspense, providing the cliffhangers and paranoid atmosphere of a John le Carré novel."--Publishers Weekly

"A pacy and fascinating read. I suspect the closest an outsider will get to sitting in on CIA training in agent-running."--Professor Sir David Omand, former British Security and Intelligence Coordinator

"A tense thriller in which Andrew and Jihi Bustamante are both the hunters and the hunted in a cat-and-mouse game with a dangerous double agent working in the heart of the CIA. Every page is more gripping than the last, propelling the reader to its exciting finale."
--Robert Verkaik, author of The Traitor of Colditz and Jihadi John

"The Bustamantes write with a frank, conversational tone that is easy to follow and welcomes the reader into their world...an excellent account of real-world spy games and an entertaining and informative look at the logistics of modern intelligence work."--Booklist

"This is a uniquely compelling spy memoir. Two former CIA field operatives take turns to recount clandestine life in the world's hot spots. Together they reveal the latest CIA techniques, including building their own look-alike terrorist cell. It is a behind-the-scenes story of a secret war that blends love, mystery and betrayal."--Richard J. Aldrich, author of GCHQ

"Shadow Cell rips the curtain off the modern spy game with the kind of insider access only two former CIA operatives could provide. It's a rare glimpse into the shadow war of the 21st century, where loyalty is tested, trust is weaponized, and victory comes at a personal cost."--Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Sky Mourning

"The 'Shadow Cell' operation is arguably one of the most esoteric, innovative and successful by CIA to date. It is also proof of how important fresh blood is to any organization. As you will read, the selection of these two young officers was a gamble that not only paid off but also exceeded everyone's expectations. Reads like a novel, educates like a thesis. I truly enjoyed the read and even learned a trick or two."--Ric Prado, New York Times bestselling author of Black Ops, and former Chief of Operations at CIA's Counterterrorism Center

About the Author

Andrew Bustamante is a former clandestine CIA intelligence officer and co-founder of EverydaySpy, a one-of-a-kind training platform for adapting the skills of intelligence operatives for business and life. He hosts the EverydaySpy Podcast, an iTunes top 100 podcast rated in the top .5% of all podcasts worldwide; serves as a go-to expert for international news and security issues; and is a highly sought-after public speaker and respected corporate consultant who has been featured by award-winning news outlets The Tampa Bay Times and Business Insider, major podcast platforms including Diary of a CEO and Lex Friedman, as well as international TV outlets including FOX, ABC, and the History Channel. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and decorated US Air Force combat veteran, he spent the bulk of his military career specializing in nuclear ICBM operations. After winning decorations in both Afghanistan and Iraq, he was recruited into CIA's National Clandestine Service (NCS), where he served for seven years handling sensitive operations still classified Top Secret. Proud parents, Andrew and his wife Jihi left CIA to pursue a new mission: building their family and their company.

Jihi Bustamante is a former clandestine CIA targeting officer and co-founder of EverydaySpy. After earning a master of social work and a juris doctor, she was recruited into CIA's National Clandestine Service from a career in social work supporting refugee children and survivors of torture. Unlike her public-facing husband, she remains private in both her personal and professional lives.