Small-town charm, a cast of unforgettable retirees, and a past that refuses to stay buried — The Spy Coast delivers a spy thriller with heart, humor, and just the right dose of danger.
Maggie is a 60-year-old retired spy who’s traded covert missions for chicken farming in the quiet town of Purity, Maine. She’s not the only one with a secret past — it turns out Purity has quietly become home to a small circle of retired operatives, each with their own reasons for stepping out of the shadows.
When a body is dumped in Maggie’s driveway while she’s away at “book club,” she knows it’s a message connected to a case from 15 years ago. The “book club,” of course, is a cover for her inner circle — friends who are as fiercely loyal as they are resourceful, each with their own dangerous history.
Maggie is the kind of character you instantly root for — earnest, quietly powerful, and unwavering in her desire to do the right thing. Her growing bond with her neighbor’s teenage granddaughter is as touching as it is unexpected, adding a note of warmth to the high-stakes plot.
The alternating points of view — especially Jo, the town sheriff — give the story texture, balancing the intrigue of Maggie’s past with the grounded pace of small-town life. Gerritsen ties the threads together with satisfying closure, making The Spy Coast not just thrilling, but deeply rewarding.
My Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5
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