An Unlikely Spy: A Novel

Who are you when everything you say you are is built on a lie?

This is a question that should be central to espionage fiction but so often winds up left out, especially when the books are set in eras where moral lines can be so easily drawn: World War II, for instance. The Allies were good, the Axis was evil; I’m not here to argue against that. I do, however, feel there is always more depth in individual stories, and An Unlikely Spy certainly delivers there.

After a slow (but still interesting) start, Starford thrusts us into Evelyn Varley’s work for MI5, first as a secretary, then as an interrogator. Her spywork comes later, but the seeds for it are already sown. She is distant from her family, having done her best to leave her lower class roots behind. She is distant from her friends as well, often struggling to make and keep close connections. When she is set to infiltrate a group of secret fascist supporters in London, she finds herself drawn to them, even feeling for them, despite their abhorrent views. Starford does an excellent job in creating a fascinating and chilling tale of loyalty and friendship, and I would love to see more of its kind.