Northern Spy

Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

By: Flynn Berry

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Reese’s Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times Best Seller
A New York Times Book Review Top 10 Thriller of 2021
A Washington Post Top 10 Thriller or Mystery of 2021

“If you love a mystery, then you’ll devour [Northern Spy].... I loved this thrill ride of a book.” (Reese Witherspoon)

“A chilling, gorgeously written tale.... Berry keeps the tension almost unbearably high.” (The New York Times Book Review)

The acclaimed author of Under the Harrow and A Double Life returns with her most riveting novel to date: the story of two sisters who become entangled with the IRA

A producer at the BBC and mother to a new baby, Tessa is at work in Belfast one day when the news of another raid comes on the air. The IRA may have gone underground in the two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, but they never really went away, and lately bomb threats, security checkpoints, and helicopters floating ominously over the city have become features of everyday life. As the news reporter requests the public's help in locating those responsible for the robbery, security footage reveals Tessa's sister, Marian, pulling a black ski mask over her face.

The police believe Marian has joined the IRA, but Tessa is convinced she must have been abducted or coerced; the sisters have always opposed the violence enacted in the name of uniting Ireland. And besides, Marian is vacationing on the north coast. Tessa just spoke to her yesterday.

When the truth about Marian comes to light, Tessa is faced with impossible choices that will test the limits of her ideals, the bonds of her family, her notions of right and wrong, and her identity as a sister and a mother. Walking an increasingly perilous road, she wants nothing more than to protect the one person she loves more fiercely than her sister: her infant son, Finn.

Riveting, atmospheric, and exquisitely written, Northern Spy is at once a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA and a moving portrait of sister- and motherhood, and of life in a deeply divided society.

©2021 Flynn Berry (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a Best Book of 2021 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, CrimeReads, Kirkus Reviews, and the New York Public Library

“A chilling, gorgeously written tale of a modern community poisoned by ancient grievances.... Berry is a beautiful writer with a sophisticated, nuanced understanding of this most complicated of places.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Thrillingly good.... Flynn Berry shows a le Carré-like flair for making you wonder what’s really going on at any given moment.... Berry won an Edgar for Under the Harrow in 2017. Here comes another contender.” (The Washington Post)

“[A] beguiling thriller that’s hard to put down.... Even at its highest pitch, [Northern Spy] remains a human-centered story that closely examines the behavior of siblings, babies, mothers and friends.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Wonderful read

I can almost feel the wind and air of the Irish coastal town and see the rows of houses described so well in this story. Flynn Berry's story is gripping and couldn't be better narrated by Katherine Lee McEwan. I highly recommend it!

Thrilling with family loyalty

I found this book fascinating because the main character Tess is so ordinary, yet she's found herself in trouble and has a strong loyalty to her sister. Definitely recommend, a thrilling read. Learned a few things about the IRA too.

Worth the read!

I really enjoyed this book when listening to it, but it didn’t necessarily keep me hungry to hurry back. Overall, good storyline and the performance was well done.

A glimpse into another world!

You read about the troubles, but you never wonder about everyone that lives with the aftermath.

Incredible Narration

As a new Mom this book was an uncanny account of the emotional swings of the first year with Baby. Add into that the powerful history of Northern Ireland and gripping story of a family’s twisted involvement with both sides of the conflict, and I was riveted. The author’s language is beautiful and the narrator was captivating. Well worth a listen!

captivating story

very honest and sincere. wonderful story

and well told. would recommend to everyone to understand the period of time.

Glad I stuck it out

The beginning was really slow moving for me, there were multiple times I wanted to stop reading, but I stuck it out and it started to pick up and hooked me around chapter 22 (about half way). Overall story was good

Great book, great narrator

I love this story. it is so heartbreaking but shows the human level of deep long conflict. It will break your heart, piss you off and have you cheering.

Great story and performance

I enjoyed this book. The story was entertaining and the performance was great. Worth the listen!

SO GOOD

This has been hands down my favorite book I’ve listened to on audible. Easily kept my attention, got invested in the characters, great storyline, pleasant narration. Deserved the 5 stars I gave it!