The Spy Coast: A Thriller (The Martini Club Book 1)

Name: The Spy Coast: A Thriller (The Martini Club Book 1)
SKU: 52779
Availability: InStock

4.5 | 72,990 ratings

Price: 2.49

Last update: 09-06-2024

About this item

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.

From the Publisher

Can a former spy outrun the ghosts of her past?

Top reviews from the United States

Wesley Cross

A thoroughly enjoyable thriller. 4.5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024

Tess Gerritsen's "The Spy Coast" delivers a thrilling tale of a retired CIA operative, Maggie Bird, forced to confront the ghosts of her past. The fast-paced narrative follows Maggie as she navigates a deadly game, unraveling a mystery that stretches across the globe.

Gerritsen's strengths shine through in this novel. Her writing is crisp and engaging, bringing the characters and settings to life. The story unfolds at a steady pace, weaving flashbacks seamlessly into the present-day action, keeping the reader hooked. The characters, particularly Maggie and her "Martini Club" colleagues, are well-developed and relatable, each possessing unique personalities and skill sets. The exotic locations, from the tranquility of coastal Maine to the bustling streets of Bangkok, add an immersive quality to the story.

While "The Spy Coast" excels in many aspects, a couple of elements might not appeal to all readers. I found the romantic subplot taking center stage too often, sometimes almost driving the novel out of the thriller genre into romance and potentially distracting from the central mystery. Additionally, the character of Jo Thibodeau, initially presented as a potentially intriguing figure, feels underdeveloped. Her role primarily becomes that of comic relief, and her story arc lacks a meaningful connection to the main plot.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "The Spy Coast" remains a thoroughly enjoyable read. 4.5 stars.

k fenney

Older but wiser and still capable.

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024

Chose the book because I have read other books by the author. Lots of twists and turns, well developed characters,and lots of action that was believable.

Ski Bear

A pleasant surprise read/listen

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024

“The Spy Coast” is my first Tess Gerritsen read (though we were Rozolli and Isles followers on TNT I never had read the books) a recommended free read and listen with Kindle Unlimited that was leaving soon; after reading the summary and desperately needing something different from usual reading prowess, I downloaded and listened/read in one sitting with “Whisper-Synch”, the coolest product Amazon.com has to offer imo. Well paced, good storyline and storytelling by the narrator who gets five out of five stars from me. Really, if you like crime fiction and suspense, taunt but not gory or hard boiled, this is your next book. What’s not to like; retired CIA blue hairs with varicose veins, false teeth and too much time on their hands, an X- operative suddenly pulled back into the life she so desperately worked so hard to put behind her, a wonderful very successful physician as a husband living in a small unremarkable town under a new alias with no traces from her past life to connect her to her new life and husband.

Of course this proves to be reckless delusional thinking considering the agency she worked for, the many enemies she has accrued as the result of her investigations with a relentless absolute unfailing constitution to go 110% 24/7 seven days a week until the job is done, her subjects apprehend and her pockets dripping with evidence- many of whom are extremely powerful people with most powerful friends in epic powerful positions with just unlimited resources. Add the small town sheriff who has a murder in her small Main community that leads back to Maggie, our protagonist, that has five retirees sitting around the kitchen table when the Sheriff calls on her for an interview; well, it’s all the trapping one needs for a entertaining page turner filled with likable characters, suspense, some twists, and a little comic relief though never campy! The humor is subtle, appropriate to the scene and very relatable. I will be reading the follow up to “The Spy Coast” very soon! Well worth the credit, charge or cash. In fact, I purchased the Kindle edition when I returned it back to Kindle Unlimited, if you are not familiar with Kindle Unlimited or Whisper-Synch and do a lot of reading, I highly recommend joining asap! (these books have an expiration date, just like borrowing from a library but without having to go to the library to return late books lol, and you have months before they expire most of the time)

Jjspina

A gripping and intriguing mystery thriller!

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024

The Spy Coast is an enjoyable read and a wonderful first installment of The Martini Club. I loved the characters who were varied, intriguing, and well-seasoned retirees.

The author takes the reader on a wild chase as the main protagonist, Maggie bird, a former spy tries to settle down in the village of Purity, Maine, away from her past which continues to haunt her. Her neighbors are her closest friends from her past life and support her even though she does not want them to endanger their lives for her when someone in Maggie’s past finds her and puts her life in danger once again.

Maggie cannot ignore the summons from a person who she once worked with but at the same time she fears that this person will only draw her in and bring back other dangerous individuals who will not leave until she is dead.

This was an intriguing story that kept me riveted. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a mystery.

Erika

A Page Turner

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024

Based on the description of this book, I wasn’t excited to read it. I don’t have any interest in spy stories. I chose to read it just to get credit for the current Kindle Challenge. I’m so glad that I did. The story immediately grabbed my attention. The spy theme was present, but the bonds that Maggie made with her former colleagues, ex-husband, neighbors and The Martini Club made it a lot more fun. I really enjoyed how the story was told from two different time periods. I also enjoyed getting the perspective of the small town police chief. This turned out to be a fast paced book with a lot of action. It was clever and very interesting. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Kblaha

A real page turner!

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024

I haven't read anything by this author since Rozolli and Isles, and I'd forgotten what a great storyteller she is. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, with its interesting characters and their exciting adventures. If you like spy novels, you'll love the twists and turns, along with a surprise ending. Well done.

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