Emma an agent with MI6 is sent to investigate the death of an analyst by a chemical agent, This sends her undercover on a superyacht, Having just binged every episode of Below Deck and all of its spinoffs I really enjoyed seeing Emma working as a stewardess, and sneaking around the yacht trying to find the information she need. However I don't think she came off as a very good agent, and I didn't really get a lot of her decisions, and I did guess one of the big twists pretty early on. Although this was a bit predictable I thought this was a fun and fast-paced story and enjoyed all of the action scenes.

I don't often read spy thrillers, but after reading the first book in this series, I knew I had to read this one. Emma Makepeace is a British spy who is sent undercover. One of her colleagues is found in his home stuffed into a suitcase, and they have narrowed the field of possible suspects down to a couple of Russian oligarchs. Emma goes undercover on a luxury yacht belonging to one of them. When I say luxury yacht, I do mean luxury. The description of the yacht was amazing and the stuff of dreams. However, Emma is not onboard to enjoy the many amenities of the yacht, she is there to work and gather intel.

The pace was perfect as Emma works to put the puzzle pieces together. The tension is high as you are wondering when she is going to be discovered as these criminals are very distrustful of strangers. You will be taken to all the beautiful places we only dream about visiting as Emma tries to build a case. Emma is fearless and quite frankly, a daredevil. She has fears, but she does not let those fears get in her way of doing her job. The danger is always percolating right below the surface. I had my theories about the ending, but Ava Glass will steer you in different directions to mislead you. If you enjoy a good James Bond thriller, you will enjoy this book and this series.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The tension is mind-blowing in this international spy thriller, the second in Glass’s Alias Emma series. Her colorful characters, Teflon bad guys, and heart-stopping close calls keep the reader rivetted from the very first scene. Her writing is crisp and fast-paced, with no wordy descriptions or idle dialog to slow things down. Every encounter advances the plot. MI6 agent Emma Makepeace is fearless and savvy in her mission to thwart a group of wealthy chemical arms dealers, and to expose the traitor hiding in their midst. Who knew there could be so much high drama on a yacht in Saint-Tropez? Loved it!

This is my first foray into the female spy genre, and I had no expectations. I did enjoy it. The author did a very good job of keeping you hooked during a slow burn.

When an MI6 operative if found dead in his apartment in an unusual manner Emma and her handler Ridley know they need to solve the case as quickly as possible as the killer or killers have sent a message with the manner of the killing. While investigating they discover there is a traitor in the organization and they need to find that person fast as they seem to be high up in the organization and have no intention of stopping any time soon. But when the discover the traitor they are stunned by who it is... especially Emma!

Emma Makepeace is back as an M16 spy. She has been tasked to find out who killed another M16 spy and stuffed him in a suitcase. She is put on this yacht to work getting drinks for guests, setting up rooms and cleaning! She knows she can’t trust anyone and she has figured out that there is a traitor among them. Martha is the one that outfits the spy’s, wigs and uses makeup to change their appearances and she has became close to Emma you can’t help but love her! All the sneaking around by Emma to spy on these men well have you on the edge of your seat. They are getting so close to figuring Emma out that she is in real danger!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so excited for this sequel. It did not disappoint. It had some gripping suspenseful moments where I was flipping forward to see how it was resolved. I appreciated the mention of the DR from the first book and how the relationship would not have worked as I had totally shipped them. I figured out who the mole was rather quickly but it did not detract from the story. The story reminded me of the current Special Ops Lioness TV show a little. I really hope this is not the last we see of Emma. She kicks a**.

The Traitor by Ava Glass is the second in her Alias Emma series about British spy Emma Makepeace. Having read and enjoyed the first book in the series- Alias Emma- I was very excited to see The Traitor available on #NetGalley! This second books continues with Emma's journey as a spy and also provides more information to some of the loose ends left at the conclusion of the first book. This was a fast paced spy mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy. I look forward to more books about Emma in the future!

YES! The Traitor picks up where Alias Emma left off and continues without taking the foot off the pedal. I love strong female thriller characters and Emma Makepeace is a welcome addition to my favorites list. Eagerly awaiting book 3.

My thoughts:
The Traitor by Ava Glass is a high-octane escapist read perfect for a rainy day. I loved the incredibly fast-pace from start to finish. It’s like watching an action/adventure movie - my favorite kind - but so much more, as the novel format offers more room to develop a story. The writing is engaging and immersive, allowing me to visualize everything as the story unfolds easily.

Emma Makepeace (and no, that’s not her real name, but I do love the irony) is smart and determined, and physically, she can take down men more than twice her size. But, she constantly feels like she has to prove herself, as women in a man’s world often do. She believes that a couple of missteps define her in a not-so-capable light as a secret agent. Yet, they define her as human and ensure the reader knows she is vulnerable and relatable and could fail in her mission. This keeps the tension high and me wholly invested in the story.

The twist was not such a twist to me, as a particular character might as well have been wearing the equivalent of a red shirt on Star Trek. No, that person didn’t die, but they are marked from early on in the story. The only surprise is that Emma didn’t see it coming. But again - that makes her human, and I don’t hold that against her. The Traitor was an excellent rainy weekend read, and I can’t wait for more books in this series!

Emma Makepeace returns in another sensational investigation. The plot is beautifully detailed and brings to life the life of a British spy. Emma goes undercover to gather information and finds herself in trouble. It is a page turning nail biter as she tries to uncover who the enemies are and stay alive. This is definitely one of those series to watch and keep on your reading list.

The Traitor lets us continue getting to know a British female spy named Emma Makepeace. The action and suspense is continuous and grabs you and won't let go. She is going undercover to identify Russian oligarch's who are dealing in drugs and chemical weapons. The Russians have already killed one person and will not hesitate killing others who are looking into their business. There are many twists and excitement that I hesitate to say more except for read this book, and also Alias Emma if you haven't already. I really enjoyed this spy novel and will look forward to more by Ava Glass.
Thank you to #Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and #NetGalley for this advanced copy to read and enjoy. This is my honest review. The release date is 9-19, 2023.

Wow - really enjoyed this book from page 1! Although I had guessed one of the final plot twists, it was a pleasure to get there.

I loved the European scenery - I will definitely look for the first book in this series and more to come!

Who can you trust? This was such a great book! Once you start you won’t be able to stop so plan on no sleep!

When a member of MI6 is murdered and stuffed in a suitcase British Spy, Emma Makepeace is tasked with going undercover on an oligarchs yacht in hopes of solving the murder. Emma's mission quickly becomes dangerous as suspicious rise. I don't normally read spy book but really enjoyed this one. I kept me enthralled and I did not see the ending coming at all!.

Emma Makepeace is back in a second heart stopping thriller. This was a quick read for me because Ava Glass’ books are so incredibly well written that sometimes I forget I’m reading while my mind is absorbed into the world of Emma.

Emma is a young British spy that’s apart of a secret organization called MI5, she’s abruptly taken off a case and launched into the investigation of the death of one of their own. She’s going undercover on a Russian yacht called, the Eden, to gain intel about chemical weapons and the oligarchs that are making money from them. It’s a dangerous mission, and even worse when there’s a traitor within her organization that’s blowing her cover. Will Emma survive this mission?

A worthy sequel to Alias Emma! Set on a Russian oligarch's yacht, this fast-paced thriller has it all: a complex heroine, fantastic setting, and a plot that twists and turns all the way to the end.

The Traitor was an action packed read with a good twist. This book caught my attention from the very beginning and it left me wanting to read more by Ava Glass. At times while reading this, I found myself up late at night telling myself, "just one more chapter," and then reading five more chapters. It kept me on the edge of my seat many times.

First, thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Traitor. Ava Glass nailed the suspense aspect of this story. I did not read the first in this series, Alias Emma. This one got me from page one. Emma Makepeace is a British spy whose latest job involves Russian oligarchs involved in the sale of drugs and weapons. At the core is the money trail and the revelation that there may be a traitor in the midst of these dealings. Emma goes undercover with a goal of identifying those involved. Her mission takes her to a yacht in the Mediterranean where she attempts to follow the money and find out who is involved. “Maybe she was arrogant to think she should be the one to do this. Or maybe she really was the one person who’d could do it.” Was she equipped? Not knowing who to trust, Emma takes dangerous steps to solve the questions, Emma puts herself in peril to find the answers. A tense, satisfying read.

A gripping read, <i>The Traitor</i>, is the second in the Alias Emma series featuring MI6 operative Emma Makepeace. This time around the tension is ratcheted up as Emma goes undercover as a member of the crew on a Russian oligarch’s “super yacht” where she is on the trail of murderers and chemical weapons dealers. While off shore, she is essentially without communication or support which is made even more precarious by her growing suspicions that there is a traitor on her team.

Full of suspense and numerous twists, this was an entertaining, fast-paced page turner featuring an engaging plot and a great heroine/lady spy. There was a good balance of intrigue and tension without relying on a lot of technology or graphic violence plus just a touch of glamour and romance . It was on track for a full five-star rating except for one missed opportunity. I thought the search for the mole didn’t receive the level of treatment it deserved.

Spy novels are not my usual fare, but this series has me hooked. I look forward to reading the next installment.


FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.