A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore
It all began in the summer of 1928...
Minnie is supposed to find a nice man, get married and have children. The problem is it doesn’t appeal to her at all. She is working as a secretary, but longs to make a difference.
Then, one day, she gets her chance. She is recruited by the British government as a spy. Under strict instructions not to tell anyone, not even her family, she moves to London and begins her mission – to infiltrate the Communist movement.
A
compelling historical novel about how a suburban typist from
Edgbaston become a spy for MI5!
A
Typist for the Automobile Association, Minnie Gray isn't like other
young women her age. In a world where getting married and having
children is the norm, she wants more from her life. So, when she
meets Dolly Pyle at an event, the slightly older woman's mysterious
description of her job intrigues her.
'It's
not always exciting what I do, but it is useful and important.'
To
Minnie's astonishment, when the two acquaintances meet again, Dolly
suggests she should also work for the government. So with a promise,
her details will pass on to the relevant contact,
Minnie continues with her day to day life. As the weeks pass with no
news, she accepts the opportunity has slipped, that's until an
unexpected letter arrives, asking her to attend an interview – the
beginnings of a double life.
'You'd
be marvellous, I can tell. I've been watching you for a while.
There's something about you they'd like, Minnie Gray.'
The
author is new to me, so I jumped in feet first not knowing what to
expect. As I turned the pages and details of Minnie covert work are
exposed, Ms Hore's narrative highlights the intensity of the role the
heroine undertook as well as her feelings for the people with whom
she became associated. Specifically, the relationships she had with
Percy Gladings, Max and Raymond. It emphasises Minnie's conflicting
emotions and the mental pressures
she endured
whilst
leading
a double life...and the personal sacrifices
she made.
Based
on a true story, it's a point I was unaware of when I began A
Beautiful Spy and therefore appreciate how the author has drawn our
attention to the work Minnie (Olga) Gray did in the years before the
breakout of WWII.
Overall,
this is a thrilling and enlightening novel, which highlights the
emotions of the times, not only from society but for the characters
enveloped within it.
***Review
copy received courtesy of Simon and Schuster UK via NetGalley***
