The Widow Spy

My CIA Journey from the Jungles of Laos to Prison in Moscow

By: Martha D. Peterson

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

The Widow Spy is the firsthand account of a true Cold War spy operation in Moscow told exclusively by the CIA case officer who lived this experience. Martha D. Peterson was one of the first women to be assigned to Moscow, a very difficult operational environment.

Her story begins in Laos during the Vietnam War where she accompanied her husband, a CIA officer. She describes their life in a small city in Laos, ending with the tragic death of her husband. Then her own 30-year career begins in Moscow, where she walks the dark streets alone, placing dead-drops and escaping the relentless eye of the KGB.

Experience her arrest and detention in Lyubianka Prison, as only she can relate it. What she reveals in The Widow Spy has never been told.

©2012 Martha D Peterson (P)2018 Tantor

Riveting

I can’t give this book enough stars or say enough good about it. If you’re the least bit interested in the Cold War, or the CIA, or women in the intelligence community, this is a great book. Martha Peterson Had an amazing career, first in the jungles of Laos then as a covert operator in Moscow. It reads like suspenseful spy novel, only it’s real. Ms Petersons courage, intelligence, and service to our country are a challenge to us all. Her story had me on the edge of my seat. You will be glad you bought you will love it. Thank you for your amazing courage.

interesting, but dry

Widow Spy is a very interesting story about a very important person and event in America's secret history. But .... it's a bit dry. This is not Mission Impossible, it's real life. And real life moves slow. And real spys don't jump motorcycles off cliffs. They hide in the shadows and try not to get noticed.

First person account of brave CIA case officer who happened to be female

While much of this story was familiar to me from other books about the Cold War, Peterson’s book filled in many details about the CIA asset, Trigon. To hear her story about losing her husband, who worked for the CIA in Laos during the Vietnam war was heartbreaking. But her life didn’t end with his. Peterson’s mission in life became to honor her husband John’s life by becoming an agent herself, during a time when female CIA officers were uncommon. Peterson didn’t just serve, she distinguished herself by becoming an integral part of the most famous espionage case in Cold War history.

Although this case is absolutely unique and details what it is like to work for the CIA in the former USSR, I found the narration is a bit distracting,l because the narrator just didn’t fit the story, IMHO. Listening to the narrator say “C I A” hundreds of times pausing to precisely say the acronym just sounded unnatural. You’ll have to excuse that slight criticism because my minor annoyance is nothing compared to the credible job the narrator did with pronouncing the difficult Russian locations and names. (At least she sounded authentic to this person who knows nothing about the Russian language.)

Undeniably Martha Peterson is a hero. I’m so glad I listened to her book and learned more about the Trigon case. I felt tension throughout considering what was at stake.

My last thought about this book is a couple of suggestions. I wish Ms Peterson would tell the story herself. Since the story began with her explaining herself to her 2 children, at the end, I expected to hear more about her life after she told them. I wanted to know a bit more to bookend the story.

I hope my presumptive comments will keep no one who enjoys true stories of bravery and exciting stories of espionage from listening to this one! It is definitely worth a listen!

Incredible story...

But with some weird narration. Pronounces S/E Division as “Southeast Division” and at times it sounds like Siri is reading to you. Not ideal.

Rich in detail, satisfying and touching

I've read many such CIA agent autobiographies. This one may be my favorite among them all, with Dick Holm's being a close second. It is touching and full of unique details about Peterson's life in Moscow. My only regret : it left me wanting a bit more. Very good narration by Laural Merlington.

COA

This a fair story and I realize the author and the CIA may have limited what she could publish. What does the S stood for.?

Puts you in the shoes of an American spy in Moscow

Martha Peterson’s story is essential reading in the history of the Cold War, shedding light on a topic that has long been taboo for security reasons, making it more compelling than spy fiction. It is particularly important because it chronicles the rise of one of the earliest women at CIA, who was more than a secretary. Peterson was closely connected to one of the most significant Soviet assets, the Russian diplomat Aleksandr Ogorodnik, who paid for his clandestine betrayal of the USSR with his life. Ironically, Ogorodnik was originally recruited in Bogotá by the most notorious American CIA traitor Aldrich Aimes, through which he received his cryptonym TRIGON. Peterson’s recollections of KGB interactions in Moscow are rich in some details, but lacking others, leaving one wanting to know more. That is the nature of spy biographies and I cannot deduct for it. I appreciated the author’s humanization of the work of intelligence collection, as well as her bravery. Contrary to what some reviewers have stated, I thought the narration was quite good, though the pronunciation of some Moscow street names, etc were Americanized (judge for yourself by sampling it). I would recommend this book especially for young women considering how to serve the cause of democracy as the Free World faces a new era of growing authoritarianism.

(Mostly) Fascinating Story

For the most part, this story gives a fascinating glimpse at the daily life a CIA Case Officer, and the recruiting process. My only complaint is that the author spends a little too much time recounting the furniture and lay-out of her rooms and living spaces (seriously, this goes on for 10+ minutes several times throughout the book), which feels more like padding than interesting description. Otherwise, excellent, fun listen!

Real life Bond story

Martha is a true American Hero. Her story should be a movie between her time in Laos and Russia.

Enthralling story

Very well written and spoken, particularly revealing of how women’s abilities were downplayed in earlier decades and by foreign services too.