Ben Macintyre is one of my most read, and favorite, authors. He writes about WWII and Cold War era espionage, subjects that I find fascinating. I learned about his latest book in the pages of The Wall Street Journal.

I must confess, I did not enjoy this book. It took me months to read it, but only because I found the first 200 pages dull. Agent Sonya follows the path of the Soviet Union’s most prodigious female spy and her 25-year career. It starts with her youth and follows her all the way until her death.

I think what I found so boring about this book was its singular subject. Characters came in and out of her life, but the whole narrative focused on a single person’s life. Macintyre’s other works have main and supporting characters, but always weaves together the different plot lines into a unified story. It’s easier to be engaged.

That being said, when he finally moved the story into 1939, the book became much more fascinating, and I read through the remaining pages quickly.

Would I recommend: NO

ISBN: 978-0593136300