An interesting view on the post Berlin Wall era Russia. As someone who remembers the wall going down on tv I was intrigued by the idea of this novel.
Kate , a Londoner, travels to Moscow for a literary tour in 1990. While on tour, she meets a group of people who will influence the rest of her life, including an investigative journalist that may just end up dragging her into a real life spy novel.

The novel was a quick and easy read. Told from the viewpoints of 3 main characters. The subject matter can be heavy at times but I feel that is part of the setting and time period. All in all I found it to be something I enjoyed. I would say it is more on par as something I read when I want a bit of a sad read.net-galley-arc1 Lady Grace91 5

The story had an interesting concept, but was pretty boring throughout. I found myself having to force myself to finish the book. I felt that the basis of Kate's relationship with Valentin was not well developed- basically they has sex one night and then she was hooked on him. As a woman who is about the same as her in the beginning of the story, who has also gone through a divorce, I just can't connect with her. She was utterly stupid, but I suppose that was part of the point. Her being naive enough to get ensnared with Valentin. I wish there was more perspective from his side of the story, more information on the corruption and what he was really trying to expose other than just vague descriptions of how the powerful people he was working against were "bad men."
The dialogue in the story also left something to be desired as it gave no more information than what was already written surrounding the conversations of the characters. It felt redundant.
The only part I really felt connected to was when Harry got cancer because I am a cancer patient myself, and that hits home.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewhistorical-fiction Robin Price921 24

This is an ambitious debut novel. It reads a homage to the late John le Carré. The great le Carré didn't really hit his stride until 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold', his third novel. His debut was pale and insignificant but Helen Whitten's debut outwrites, outsmarts and outwits.
The background of the plot is the unravelling of the USSR and the chaos that followed in Russia: 'Mother' Russia, so often ruled over by untamed tyrants. The recent tragic death of Alexei Navalny is a stark reminder of just how dangerous it is to oppose the Russian regime and how topical this novel is. A prime example of how realism in fiction is often a reflection of fact.
Kate, Valentin, Anya, Lara and Tom are all pitched against the Russian baddies in a tense and riveting story which totally gripped me from beginning to end. Elsa Haughton15

Diverting but not what I would call gripping - the last quarter or so was quite dramatic and eventful, but the middle was a bit slow for me. Another reviewer said that this book reads almost a screenplay, which I can sort of see. I reckon it could be a pretty good three-part drama on TV!
Not sure how Valentin went from being Olga's cousin on page 16 to being her young nephew by page 50, but never mind..! J E S1 review

A tense but gripping read. Would make a great screenplay. Highly recommended. Cathy92

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