NORTHERN SPY

by Flynn Berry

Spy novels and thrillers are not my go-to genres of book.  But my trusted friend Jane recommended Northern Spy so I took the plunge. Set in modern- day Belfast, Northern Ireland, Northern Spy deftly lays out the story of Tessa, a single mother and producer at the BBC. She is acutely aware that although the IRA has gone underground in the past few decades, they are behind many of the current bomb threats and terrorist raids.

Berry writes at her very best as she reveals Tessa’s shock and disbelief at seeing television camera footage of her beloved sister Marian pulling on a ski mask at a recent IRA raid.  Disbelief turns into incredulity and eventually spurs Tessa on to do things she would never have dreamed possible. The reader agonizes with Tessa as she strives to uphold her primary responsibility to her infant son Finn, while feeling strong tugs of loyalty to Marian. 

Berry pulls the reader in with her clear and emotionally taut writing.  I felt I was right there in the throes of violence in Belfast, heart pounding, routing for Tessa and Marian and their mother, all strong women trying to right what’s wrong with their world and leave it a better place for Finn and his generation.  This is a must read. (Liz)