Northern Spy

Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

By: Flynn Berry

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Reese’s Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times Best Seller
A New York Times Book Review Top 10 Thriller of 2021
A Washington Post Top 10 Thriller or Mystery of 2021

“If you love a mystery, then you’ll devour [Northern Spy].... I loved this thrill ride of a book.” (Reese Witherspoon)

“A chilling, gorgeously written tale.... Berry keeps the tension almost unbearably high.” (The New York Times Book Review)

The acclaimed author of Under the Harrow and A Double Life returns with her most riveting novel to date: the story of two sisters who become entangled with the IRA

A producer at the BBC and mother to a new baby, Tessa is at work in Belfast one day when the news of another raid comes on the air. The IRA may have gone underground in the two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, but they never really went away, and lately bomb threats, security checkpoints, and helicopters floating ominously over the city have become features of everyday life. As the news reporter requests the public's help in locating those responsible for the robbery, security footage reveals Tessa's sister, Marian, pulling a black ski mask over her face.

The police believe Marian has joined the IRA, but Tessa is convinced she must have been abducted or coerced; the sisters have always opposed the violence enacted in the name of uniting Ireland. And besides, Marian is vacationing on the north coast. Tessa just spoke to her yesterday.

When the truth about Marian comes to light, Tessa is faced with impossible choices that will test the limits of her ideals, the bonds of her family, her notions of right and wrong, and her identity as a sister and a mother. Walking an increasingly perilous road, she wants nothing more than to protect the one person she loves more fiercely than her sister: her infant son, Finn.

Riveting, atmospheric, and exquisitely written, Northern Spy is at once a heart-pounding story of the contemporary IRA and a moving portrait of sister- and motherhood, and of life in a deeply divided society.

©2021 Flynn Berry (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a Best Book of 2021 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, CrimeReads, Kirkus Reviews, and the New York Public Library

“A chilling, gorgeously written tale of a modern community poisoned by ancient grievances.... Berry is a beautiful writer with a sophisticated, nuanced understanding of this most complicated of places.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Thrillingly good.... Flynn Berry shows a le Carré-like flair for making you wonder what’s really going on at any given moment.... Berry won an Edgar for Under the Harrow in 2017. Here comes another contender.” (The Washington Post)

“[A] beguiling thriller that’s hard to put down.... Even at its highest pitch, [Northern Spy] remains a human-centered story that closely examines the behavior of siblings, babies, mothers and friends.” (The Wall Street Journal)

No Irish narrators available?

I’m really struggling to finish this book, the narrator’s accent keeps slipping from very fake Northern Irish, to what I suspect is her own northern English accent. The questioning lilt to every sentence is also irritating. Couldn’t they find anybody with a genuine accent to read it? The story could be gripping if it were not for the constant aural distraction.

A good listen for people interested in Ireland

The narration was beautiful to listen to. The story was interesting and reasonably suspenseful. I thought it was written pretty well, which was a refreshing change from my last read. I am interested in the Troubles, the before and after, the why, what Ireland looks and feels like, how the people live. I felt that perhaps the baby was too large a character, but perhaps a younger woman would find that to be the most appealing feature.

Northern spy

loved it! excellent narrator.
enjoyed the story, scenery, character interactions, setting, time element, and location.

Very engaging story

Story flows very well, falls into place perfectly, with suspense building. The Irish voice is lovely. The details of mother’s love for her baby ring so true — I related automatically to my baby granddaughter— and reinforce the sense of these characters as real people.

Boring

I can’t tell if it’s the content or the performance, but this was one of the most boring audio books I’ve ever heard. It felt like it just sort of plodded along until the last few chapters when there was finally some action. I enjoyed the ending, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hours you have to put in to get there.

I loved the reader

The reader’s ability to change voices for the characters in the book. I loved the use of the sons age to tell how much time had passed in the book.

Insanely good

I listen to about two books a month- I finished this one in three days. The narrator was really easy to listen to, with an authentic Irish accent. She didn’t do any fake voices, and it wasn’t cheesy at all. The story was incredible. I skimmed Reese’s book list and just picked one at random. Was not disappointed. Definitely recommend giving this a listen

Can’t stand the fake accent

The accent of the narrator sounded like a Dublin 8/Geordie accent. I would have preferred to read this book if I knew the narrator wasn’t native to Northern Ireland.

Edge of your seat listen

This is a great momentum building listen. Definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat with several unexpected twists. Excellent book!!

Wonderful read

I can almost feel the wind and air of the Irish coastal town and see the rows of houses described so well in this story. Flynn Berry's story is gripping and couldn't be better narrated by Katherine Lee McEwan. I highly recommend it!