The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen

The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

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.

Maggie Bird is a sixty-something, happily retired lady living in a small seaside town in Maine. Happy with her chicken farm and simple life, that peace is shattered one evening when – while out to dinner with her book club – a woman’s dead body is unceremoniously dumped in Maggie’s front driveway. She and her friends are more than willing – and capable of stepping up, but have some of their old ghosts come back to haunt them?

I bought this book on a whim, the blurb and plotline tickling my fancy. Overall I found this quite an enjoyable espionage/mystery style of book though have to admit the pace was a little slower than I’m used to and was expecting. Readers looking for a high action, quickly plotted story might not find themselves satisfied. Personally I found the pace a little slower – and while the plot was very well woven and I especially enjoyed the characters, I do admit I found the tone a little waffling at times.

That said, this I do feel this is a solid mystery and I definitely found myself enjoying Maggie’s character and that of her fellow neighbors and friends. While there are strong espionage overtones to the book – it’s not an action packed Bond or Bourne style adventure. I was impressed at the multi layers to the plot and I was very pleased that it wasn’t as simple or straightforward as you’d expect initially. There were definitely enough twists and turns to keep me turning the pages and while I did guess parts of the solution I was delightfully surprised by a few things I hadn’t guessed. So overall a really good balance to my mind.

Readers looking for a well plotted and interesting mystery should find themselves very happy with this book. For something I picked up on a whim I am very happy with this and plan to look into others by this author. Recommended.