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naluju's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Did not enjoy this one, was not for me!!
alayna017's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks for this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
I really liked this domestic, suspenseful story. The sisters’ relationship and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other and the cause they believed in was central to this book. It was slow paced and focused more on the relationships, but there were some spy, thriller elements. It still kept me wanting to know what was happening next.
I really liked this domestic, suspenseful story. The sisters’ relationship and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other and the cause they believed in was central to this book. It was slow paced and focused more on the relationships, but there were some spy, thriller elements. It still kept me wanting to know what was happening next.
kateburstein31's review against another edition
4.0
This was an engaging book that kept my interest throughout, with intriguing characters and plot.
kenzieerenee's review against another edition
It was just boring in my opinion. The plot and the characters were not engaging enough, and too much time spent talking about the MC’s child. Maybe would have been better if I knew more about Irelands history and “the Troubles” but without that prerequisite knowledge it felt dull and too political.
hattisellers's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Liked the story but I did find the characters slightly annoying
meghancolbert's review against another edition
I was hooked at first. I was willing to suspend my disbelief that a convenience store robber waited until she was standing directly in front of a security camera to put her mask on. However…
I don’t love the use of present tense narration in any adult novel, because it’s very YA. This book is written at an 8th grade level, which is weird considering that the first person narrator is a 30+ year old woman, but ok. I’m more upset that the editor didn’t see anything wrong with bizarre similes such as “my body tightens in the cold water, like a loose screw” and anatomical impossibilities such as “Marian bites her top lip between her teeth.”
Why is Tessa so apathetic about her husband’s infidelity? She tells us that she felt pain when she discovered the lip balm in the car, but doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that she gave birth only seven months afterwards and now has to split custody with her ex while also adjusting to new motherhood. That’s an incredibly shitty situation and I find it hard to believe anyone would just gloss over that and move on with their life.
Why would Marian spill all her secrets to Tessa, not knowing what Tessa would do with that information? Why did she suddenly decide to trust Tessa after 7 years? Why did she become an informer when she loved her unit members? Her motivations are unclear and her behavior doesn’t make sense.
I don’t love the use of present tense narration in any adult novel, because it’s very YA. This book is written at an 8th grade level, which is weird considering that the first person narrator is a 30+ year old woman, but ok. I’m more upset that the editor didn’t see anything wrong with bizarre similes such as “my body tightens in the cold water, like a loose screw” and anatomical impossibilities such as “Marian bites her top lip between her teeth.”
Why is Tessa so apathetic about her husband’s infidelity? She tells us that she felt pain when she discovered the lip balm in the car, but doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that she gave birth only seven months afterwards and now has to split custody with her ex while also adjusting to new motherhood. That’s an incredibly shitty situation and I find it hard to believe anyone would just gloss over that and move on with their life.
Why would Marian spill all her secrets to Tessa, not knowing what Tessa would do with that information? Why did she suddenly decide to trust Tessa after 7 years? Why did she become an informer when she loved her unit members? Her motivations are unclear and her behavior doesn’t make sense.
shannonparkerinstlouis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
4.25
pwrofguinness's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
mstall_'s review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I found Northern Spy to be a really entertaining and fast paced book, albeit a little far fetched. The bokok focused on Tessa, a single mother living in Belfast in current day who works at the BBC. The IRA had been ramping up attacks again and Tessa become more and more worried about her and her sons safety. When she sees a group of IRA members robbing a convenience story on the television, she recognizes one as her sister. Adamant that her sister is not a terrorist, Tessa begins a descent into the world of the IRA which she realizes she might not come back from.
Overall, I enjoyed the pacing of the book and the story line. This is a book about the resiliency of single mothers, family, and occupied peoples. You do have to suspend some major disbelief here, namelyat the end of the book where Marian and Tessa fake their deaths, they are moved only two hours away, DEEPER into republican Ireland?? And Tessa keeps her son, he doesn't go live with his dad which is what would happen if she was dead? Like, how is that realistic in anyway? . I know that there is a second book coming out and I'm already struggling with these details that keep me from believing the plausibility of this story.
I'd give this book a 3.75 overall.
Overall, I enjoyed the pacing of the book and the story line. This is a book about the resiliency of single mothers, family, and occupied peoples. You do have to suspend some major disbelief here, namely
I'd give this book a 3.75 overall.
okevamae's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
BBC producer and single mom Tessa and her sister Marian live in Northern Ireland, where despite peace having been officially reached decades earlier, the IRA is still active and tensions in the community remain high. One day, much to Tessa’s shock and confusion, Marian is caught on video participating in an armed robbery. Police believe Marian has joined the IRA, but the very idea of this goes against everything Tessa knows about her sister, with whom she has a very close relationship.
The plot and pacing of the story get more intense as Tessa slowly becomes embroiled in a world of espionage and her life spins out of her control. But through it all she remains focused on what is most important to her – the through line guiding all of her actions is her love and concern for her son, Finn. Tessa’s fear and desperation are palpable, as is her love for her family. The book contains beautiful depictions of motherhood, and captures the devotion (and frustration) of sisterhood, as well as including some gorgeous descriptions of the Irish scenery. This book was beautifully written, and the plot kept me flying through the pages. It’s the first book I’ve read by Flynn Berry, but now I’m definitely interested in looking into her other works.
BBC producer and single mom Tessa and her sister Marian live in Northern Ireland, where despite peace having been officially reached decades earlier, the IRA is still active and tensions in the community remain high. One day, much to Tessa’s shock and confusion, Marian is caught on video participating in an armed robbery. Police believe Marian has joined the IRA, but the very idea of this goes against everything Tessa knows about her sister, with whom she has a very close relationship.
The plot and pacing of the story get more intense as Tessa slowly becomes embroiled in a world of espionage and her life spins out of her control. But through it all she remains focused on what is most important to her – the through line guiding all of her actions is her love and concern for her son, Finn. Tessa’s fear and desperation are palpable, as is her love for her family. The book contains beautiful depictions of motherhood, and captures the devotion (and frustration) of sisterhood, as well as including some gorgeous descriptions of the Irish scenery. This book was beautifully written, and the plot kept me flying through the pages. It’s the first book I’ve read by Flynn Berry, but now I’m definitely interested in looking into her other works.