I really wanted to love this but I just wasn’t blown away. It was a good read and it was intriguing enough to keep me reading but it just fell a little flat. Love the setting of a post war Manhattan and the fact that the story revolves around a woman trying to juggle motherhood and espionage.

This novel's protagonist, Katharina (Rina), begins as a career-focused woman with a penchant for partying, but we find her as a wife to a wealthy doctor, the mother of two, and the inhabitant of a luxurious Fifth Avenue home in post-WWII New York City. Though she used to work as a translator at the United Nations, her husband expects that she will now dote on their sons 24/7, because he refuses to have them raised by nannies the way he had been. On the surface, Rina's life looks perfect, but she feels a soul-crushing boredom and helplessness that no one else seems to understand. Tanabe does a phenomenal job of describing these feelings and making Rina relatable to those of us who have also felt that lack of fulfillment after becoming a stay-at-home parent.
But things pick up with Rina is contacted by an FBI agent who asks for her assistance in gaining information from an ex-lover from graduate school who happens to be a Soviet spy. Though reluctant, Rina soon finds excitement and a sense of purpose in helping the FBI, though it also brings up conflicting feelings as she reconnected with her ex and meets some nice Communists along the way. Ideologically, the book doesn't delve into too much, but it's clear that things aren't as cut and dry as the news makes it out to be.
The one fault I had with this book was that there were so many false leads. Characters or events would be introduced who then seemingly had no significance in the telling of the story. Or there's be some suspense and perhaps the hint of a mystery, but that lead would fall flat too. In a sense, though, this could also be seen as a positive aspect because Tanabe remains true to the experiences of Rina. Rather than meandering into other territory, she stays focused on Rina's personal emotional journey and empowerment. All in all, an engaging read!

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy “Woman of Intelligence” by Karin Tanabe. I have been a fan of the author since her first novel, “The List.” When she switched to historical fiction for “The Gilded Age,” that was just icing on the cake.

Here, we meet Rina, wife to a wealthy pediatrician, Tom, and mother to two children. Like many women in the early fifties, Rina is not satisfied with her role as wife and mother. In particular, Rina has an extensive educational background, is multilingual and used to work as a translator for the U.N. Hence, when Tom berates her for not doing a good job caring for their children, Rina falls into disconnect.

Enter the FBI, who contacts Rina to be an informant. Take care of an unsatisfied husband and two petulant children or spy on a former boyfriend who may be a Communist? Easy choice.

Karin Tanabe is a master at creating compelling characters that are set in different slices of history. What makes this story enthralling is its focus on a woman struggling to find out who she is outside the roles society has set for her. You watch Rina evolve as she becomes who she is meant to be. The descriptions of 1950’s New York at the height of the Red Scare are utterly absorbing. Honestly, I could have done without the superspy stuff and parts of the story do drag, but I do suggest you give this book a try.

Thanks to Karin Tanabe, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Katharina “Rina” Edgworth is a malcontent. Neither marriage nor motherhood is living up to society’s expectations. Despite the east side apartment, handsome physician husband and two healthy boys, she is dissatisfied. Her husband and in-laws are critical of her parental skills and concerned about her drinking and erratic behavior; a neighbor has accused her of infidelity. Relief comes in the form of an FBI agent, fueled by the Red Scare, who asks her to connect with a former lover from college days. In doing this, she will infiltrate a Communist ring of spies, led by this man. Lonely for her working years at the UN, she accepts his challenge and finds herself leading a second life. Energized by the thrill of being a spy and falling in love with another man feed her void. Will she continue to muddle up motherhood and marriage? Will she contact her divorce lawyer friend and give in to the passion she feels for this new man? Karin Tanabe presents a flawed, complex female protagonist who feels truly valuable when using her intelligence in the world of intelligence. A sequel seems in order.

I love female spies so this was right up my alley. Fun and thrilling! Loved it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

I absolutely loved this book. Motherhood & espionage couldn't be a better combo. Finding herself in her marriage is such a sad subject, but Rina is such a strong character. & never really forgets herself.
Thank you Netgalley for this book!

This historical fiction book takes you to the days of New York, immediately after World War II, when a return of the soldiers brought a return to normalcy and a return to the old way of doing things. The advances that women made in the workforce during the war were turned back and women were once again expected to be the keeper of the home and nothing else. Enter our protagonist, Katharina, a well-educated, smart, and spunky working woman who speaks several languages and works as a translator at the newly formed United Nations. After marrying into a prominent family, Katharina is expected to produce babies, not translated documents. She has two small boys and an absent husband who is too busy with his altruistic job as a pediatric surgeon to notice his wife’s descent into what we would describe today as postpartum depression. This leaves her susceptible to the FBI, who wants Katharina to infiltrate a Communist organization, using her language skills and intelligence. Excited to have something of her own and time away from her small children, Katharina goes on a dangerous mission to protect America against a growing Communist threat.

I really enjoyed this thrilling read and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Katharina is a very likable character, not without flaws but with real, complicated issues with work, family, and life balance that almost any mother could empathize with, even in today’s world. The tug between her children’s needs and her need for intellectual stimulation outside of the four walls of her apartment is palpable and understandable. Her husband’s lack of awareness of his wife’s needs and his obvious issues stemming from his childhood are infuriating. You just want to scream at him to help her, be there for her, allow her to get some help! One of the most enjoyable things about this book was the witty banter between the female characters and their willingness to help each other whether it was a touching gift from an enemy turned friend to the mother-in-law finally telling her whiny son how hard it is to be a mother. The action from the spying scenes in the book are heart-stopping and propel the story to a satisfying ending.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves strong women characters who finally come into their own in books. I loved the evocative scenes of 1950s New York and the vivid descriptions of the clothes, food, and lifestyle of New Yorkers from all walks of life. The powerful messages it gives about women’s roles in work and family life are as important now as they were in 1950. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy to review.

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

9781250231505

Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: July 20, 2021

Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction, Espionage

In the 1940s and 1950s, Katharina worked for the United Nations as an interpreter. She was an independent free spirit until she met Dr. Tom Edgeworth. After they married and she was pregnant with their first son, she quit work and became a stay-at-home mother and wife. Her life then revolved around walks to the park and chasing her toddler son. She was slowing losing herself.

After a small breakdown, she met an FBI agent and was recruited to do some undercover work. Her history at university and her ability to speak several languages, including Russian got her in the door. She became a part of the investigation into official documents being smuggled to Russia. As the work progressed, she felt more like her old self and wondered if she could ever go back to being Mrs. Edgeworth again.

Initially I had a problem getting into the book. Except for Rina, many of characters were unlikeable. The story had a steady pace and was told in the first-person point of view. As I was reading, I thought if this was my life, I would have run away by now. I felt so bad for the Rina and the life she lost and cheered as she gained some independence. This is a glimpse into the life of an upper class married woman at the time. If you like books with strong woman roles, you will definitely enjoy this one.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this was full of historical references. Set in post-war Manhattan it followed a mother of two boys through a journey of losing herself in her marriage and motherhood but finding herself again through an unexpected turn of events. Seeing this woman struggling through motherhood and marriage being tapped to help the FBI in following Communists and give information was quite interesting. This novel was a little slow for me at times, but I did enjoy the story. I was itching for more interactions between Rina and Turner and to have their relationship move further along, but for the 1950s that was the right amount of lust and feelings for them.
At moments I found myself getting angry and frustrated at Tom and the others in their elite circle judging her for excessive drinking and struggling to be a mother. I am sure a woman who has multiple degrees, can speak four or five languages and used to work for the United Nations has a hard time running after two rambunctious boys. She lost her identity in her marriage and tried to cope in any way she could which led to people thinking she is an alcoholic and having a psychotic break.
I loved the parts where she was working with Turner and Lee and following Jacob and Ava. The story started off pretty slow and I wanted more of the story in the end. The ending to me felt unfinished, but I liked the fact that it was open ended and you hoped she found herself again and was able to work in City Hall and keep doing great things for the country.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who like historical fiction!
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A Woman of Intelligence is a historical fiction novel set in New York City in the early 1950’s. The main character, Katharina (Rina) Edgeworth is in her early forties, the wife of a wealthy pediatric surgeon and mother of two young boys. Prior to the domestic life she currently leads, she used her Ivy-league credentials and talent in speaking several languages to work as a translator for the United Nations- a career that was exciting, stimulating, and fulfilling. When Rina is approached by the FBI to help by being an informant about someone from her past who is involved in the Communist Party, she seizes the opportunity to not only assist in her patriotic duties in fighting communism, but sees it as an opportunity to reignite an exciting life like what she used to have, instead living in her current trappings of domesticity.

This book was written in a way that I could immediately be drawn into the story. The time period of post-war America, with the threat of communism and the Cold War was fascinating. It was easy to sympathize with Rina. On the outside, she appeared to have everything, yet her husband and society expectations held her back, and no one seemed to understand her frustrations, or her actions. She was a strong woman but didn’t seem to have a voice in her own home, with her husband, or with his elitist family.

At times the book did feel long, but the writing was excellent and I would definitely want to read more from this author!

Publication date is July 21, 2020.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Such a good book! I am so glad that more authors are writing about the post-WWII period these days and the Red Scare time period. Here we have Rina, who is doing quite well for a woman of the time. She is married to a typically chauvinistic yet successful husband and has two young children. Being just a wife and mother is not fulfilling though, so when she gets the chance to do secret government work, she takes it. Not sure I would have been that brave regardless of how smart or unhappy I was, but Rina is a complex woman. At times the pace of the book was a little slow, but I enjoyed it. Great historical fiction selection.

A little slow moving but lovely insight on a women between lives and eras--and how she makes it work. I loved reading about an independent very intelligent and capable complicated woman, in the 1950s!
Could've relied on stereotypes but didn't.

I tried for some time to read this because I was excited by the premise, but it dragged on and by the time the interesting parts came, I wasn’t very interested anymore. I skimmed most of it because I was so bored.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Being a mother is so difficult, especially when you have two precocious boys! I can so relate to Rina! Maintaining your dignity as a stay-at-home mom is as challenging as balancing a career and family. I thought it was ironic when her husband and mother-in- law were so concerned about Rina’s drinking but yet they still drank alcohol in her presence. I enjoyed reading this book. Unlike Rina, books are my escape from my responsibilities.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mid-century spy fiction is one of my favorite niches in historical fiction, and although 'A Woman of Intelligence' doesn't hit every single mark, it kept my interest and kept me curious throughout. A huge part of that is down to the heroine at the center of it all: Katharina, a UN translator feeling stifled by her gilded, circumscribed life as the wife of a fast-rising New York surgeon. At one of her lowest moments, she's approached with a lifeline that's also an enormous risk: the FBI wants her help in learning more about a former acquaintance who's involved with the KGB. Soon, she becomes a courier, handling sensitive documents and getting deeper into the world of Cold War era espionage.

Most of the characters who surround Rina are familiar tropes, though not un-entertaining: the cryptic senior agent handler, the forbidden love interest, the unpleasant husband. It's Rina's story that keeps things interesting, even when the plot follows a fairly expected series of events. Ambitious and messy and imperfect, Rina's the kind of heroine who can hold your interest no matter what, elevating this book.

Okay, so I liked this book but didn't love it. I felt for her and her feelings being stifled in a marriage when she had so much potential and I could understand her looking elsewhere for...well, mental stimulation and a break from the tedium of everyday life.. I guess I just wanted a little more character depth and a bit faster pace during certain timeframes. I can't really put my finger on what left me dissatisfied as I did enjoy it for the most part.

Excellent premise and well researched. I enjoyed this one but felt it was a little slow to get into and felt the plot could be better fleshed out.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I've previously read and enjoyed Karen Tanabe's novels The Gilded Years and A Hundred Suns, so I was very excited to read her upcoming novel, A Woman Of Intelligence.

In A Woman Of Intelligence, Rina used to be a UN translator, using her fluency in four languages, but now she's married a doctor and given up her work to be a full-time mother. Caring for toddlers is frustrating, and she misses her old life and her old friends.

A few times, as Rina catalogued her frustrations, I felt like asking, but why? You have plenty of money to hire a nanny, you have the skills and contacts for a fulfilling job, so... why? Why are you dragging your sons around the city and hating every day of your life? It only worked because her closest girlfriend from her UN days also wondered why Rina would pack it all in for housewife life.

She gets a break in the monotony when she's approached by a government agent with a request. Her college boyfriend may be working for the Russians, and Rina is quickly caught up in Cold War spy drama, attending underground communist meetings, delivering photo negatives and arranging "accidental" meetings, pretending to be a Red while delivering all her information back to her government contact. There's a lot of intrigue and drama here, and tension comes from a nagging worry that some of the double agents were not actually on Rina's side. The world of pay phones and camera film added to the intrigue.

Again with the romance, I found myself asking, but why? Rina's love interest was nice enough but I felt more like Rina was lonely than that this was a tragic love story. I did love the character growth this provoked, and it highlighted Rina's struggle to be a supportive doctor's wife and fulfilled SAHM, while quietly running espionage missions.

Overall, A Woman Of Intelligence is an enjoyable historical spy story with a feminist slant.

A Woman of Intelligence is by Karin Tanabe, and will be published by St. Martin's Press on July 20, 2021.

A woman of intelligence tells the story of a woman in NYC split between her duties as a housewife and her more exciting life between children. It involves a good bit of intrigue including spying, the Communist party, and romance. The book feels relevant today while still being a historical fiction novel.

Excellent premise, and great potential. I wanted to love it! Unfortunately, this one just left me wanting a little more. This is the story of an interesting and vibrant woman who lost herself in her marriage and children. . . . then has the opportunity to step out of that vacuum when the FBI asks for her help. Some of the scenes are so relatable, but just as many are so far-fetched - ie I just can't see a married woman with children leaving town for the day once a week without her husband or anyone noticing. I think younger people will love this story though. This would actually make a good series - book or tv! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc. Solid 3.5 stars.