The Secretary

Moscow, 1958. At the height of the Cold War, secretary Lois Vale is on a deep-cover MI6 mission to identify a diplomatic traitor. She can trust only one Johann, a German journalist also working covertly for the British secret service. As the trail leads to Vienna and the Black Sea, Lois and Johann begin an affair but as love grows, so does the danger to Lois. A tense Cold War spy story told from the perspective of a bright, young, working-class woman recruited to MI6 at a time when men were in charge of making history and women were expendable."With its rich historical detail, compelling characters, and a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, The Secretary is a standout addition to Cold War fiction. Deborah Lawrenson delivers a story that is both thrilling and deeply human, a tribute to unsung heroines who dared to make history from the shadows." Women Talking magazine"A transfixing addition to Cold War literature that feels authentic rather than sensationalized, thanks to its basis in real events and experiences. This is sophisticated spy fiction that will appeal to fans of John le Carré and Helen Dunmore." Book-shelfie