I recently read "Her Last Flight" by this author, which I liked. When I saw the reviews for this book, I thought there must be something wrong with me. I did not enjoy this book. I liked the premise, but the story wandered so much, I lost interest. If I had not been able to listen to it at double speed, I probably would not have finished it. I feel like I missed something and should try again, based on all of the 4 and 5 star reviews this book received. Maybe I will get try to get a physical copy and give it another chance. The story seemed to end abruptly and I can't even remember what happened. I am left feeling perplexed and disappointed.
I think I gave it 3 stars out of guilt.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I must say, Beatriz Williams has truly honed her craft these last few years. Her writing is just absolutely remarkable and continues to get better and better with each book that she publishes. The way that she is able to give us these richly developed characters and spin a page turning tale over and over again year after year with a truly well researched piece of historical fiction continues to impress me.

While I didn’t love this one quite as much as her 2020 release HER LAST FLIGHT {a true masterpiece if there ever was one....}, it was truly a page turner and this one has a bit of a mystery element as well.

OUR WOMAN IN MOSCOW tells the tale of twin sisters Iris and Ruth, who have not spoken in 12 years....and Iris and her family during the Cold War have ended up Moscow, and she sends a postcard to her sister with a coded message asking for help, leading Ruth to end up on a plane there with an undercover FBI agent. Told with dual narrative from the sisters perspectives from 1948 and 1952, Williams expertly weaves the tale until it comes to a very satisfying resolution.

I listened to this on audio in one day thanks to an Advanced Listening Copy from NetGalley; and it kept my attention all day. What a great narration. Cassandra Campbell never disappoints. I would buy any audiobook she reads.

4.5 ⭐️

Reads like the history of subterfuge during the Second World War brought to life. Told through the experiences of twin sisters, very different from each other and both engaged in exercising their power over the war interests in different ways.

4+ stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes an audio book is so much better than reading a book and Our Woman in Moscow is one of those books. Narrators Nicola Barber and Cassandra Campbell did a fantastic job with the voices of Ruth and Iris.

Twins Ruth and Iris haven’t seen each other in 12 years since they lived in Italy in their 20s. Iris married a diplomat and four years ago they disappeared and defected to Russia. Ruth gets involved in trying to help her sister.

The novel goes back and forth between the two women and also to different point in their lives.

Ruth is such an incredible character—I absolutely love her.

One downside with audio books is I got a bit lost with some of the date switching and you can’t just flip back and double check a date.

I highly recommend the audiobook.

Ruth and Iris are twins that haven't spoken for more than a decade when agent Sumner Fox starts asking Ruth questions about Iris. Iris and her family have defected to Russia but now she is asking for Ruth's help with a difficult pregnancy. Ruth isn't sure what to think but its her sister so she eventually agrees to help. But things are not easy and definitely what they seem. How did Iris end up in Russia and why is she asking for help now? A story of espionage and loyalty and family that keeps you listening to the very end.

The narrator does a convincing job of pulling you in to the story.

More 2.5 stars because the writing is decent, but I just didn't care about most of the story. And by the time the twist is "revealed" (which the title tells you), I was underwhelmed by learning the unknown how/why and even what is the actual surprise. I wouldn't have finished reading this if I wasn't listening to it.

I’ve really enjoyed previous titles by B. Williams and this is one of my favorites. Intriguing story and the bond between these two very different sisters is wonderful. Highly recommend!

Trigger warnings: murder, imprisonment

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

Ruth Macallister's twin sister Iris disappeared from her home in London along with her husband and children in 1948. They haven't had contact in a dozen years when Ruth is approached by the FBI asking about Iris.

Iris' story at the beginning of the novel takes place in the past when she's with Ruth in Rome. There, she meets USA Embassy worker Sasha Digby, her future husband. The novel goes through their relationship while leaving the reader wondering what drove the twins apart.

The Russian arc in the novel's beginning follows KGB officer Lyudmila Ivanova, who is following an American family that sounds much like the Digbys. She intercepts Ruth's application for a visa and thinks the family's activity is suspicious.

The story is told in multiple timelines, revealing the past as you're also learning about the present. The plot moves forward while instilling a sense of foreboding -- it seems like this will not end well for the people involved. There's a lot to follow with plotlines and espionage so this might not be the best before-bed reading.

Ruth's narration is arguably the better performance, with her captivating voice and emotion. Iris' reader has a more displeasing voice, bordering on annoying. She also reads Lyudmila's story. There's so much happening in this audiobook that you have to pay attention; allow your thoughts to wander and you'll miss something important.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction and espionage.

Ruth McAllister receives a post card from her estranged twin sister Iris asking her to come to Moscow to help support her difficult pregnancy. So begins this historical novel of Cold War Era intrigue with a cast of characters who may or may not be who they claim to be. Beatriz William's choosing wives and overlooked women to tell a tale centered around the Cambridge Five spies was an intriguing perspective. However, the story was slow to build. The popular story structure of flipping between multiple characters and timelines can certainly add interest to a story--but it can put the brakes on forward motion just as easily. It wasn't until well into the second half of the book that I was hooked by Iris and Ruth and the world they found themselves in. But then I was all in!

The audiobook was well done with each character clearly delineated. Accents were plausible. I would also suggest that a reader should go to the Author's Note first. I found it quite informative and if you weren't familiar with the Cambridge Five, this would provide some helpful information and insight to the author's goals.

The author of Her Last Flight returns with a riveting story of Russian espionage base on real events after World War II. Sister, Ruth and Iris have been left orphans after the death of their parents. They join their brother in Rome, Italy just before World War II breaks out. Ruth returns to the US and a glamorous life in New York City. Iris remains married to Sasha, an employee of the US embassy. Her life isn’t easy. Sasha drinks and is violent when he drinks. She has her children to keep her busy while in England. When her husband defects to Russia she and the children go with him. She’s struggled with the birth of her other children and writes to Ruth asking her to come assist in the birth. Ruth, along with her recently acquired husband, who is a US spy head to Russia to bring Sasha, Iris and the children back to the US. Its tense and at then end the reader is left stunned with the conclusion of the storyline. Its so complex a story that a review cannot do it justice. If you struggle with the book at the beginning, just hold on, you’re just getting set up for the roller coaster ride. Excellent narration, including the ability to voice the many characters make the audio an excellent choice.

I really enjoyed this audio book. There were multiple story lines and a cast of narrators which helped identify the characters. This book has amazing historical connections and a part of history I was not aware of.

Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams was a story about two sisters who choose different paths but reunited in the end.

Another engrossing story from Beatriz Williams. This contained all of her usual tight storylines and engaging characters, but added an element of intrigue that kicked the story up a notch. The audiobook was made even more enjoyable by great narration/characterization. Highly recommend!