The Traitor was like reading my favorite genre of Netflix shows. Emma Makepeace is a special agent who will not take no for an answer and risk her life to find out the truth in order to save many lives from terrorism. Trust is a powerful thing that can turn catastrophic. Follow Emma on the hunt to uncover the traitor! This was a quick engaging read and I really enjoyed it. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this second book about Emma Makepeace as a British spy. It’s a fast paced page turner espionage story and I was surprised by the ending, though I had a feeling about it. I read lots of spy thrillers and this can hang with the best of them.

While I enjoyed this installment (2nd book in what I’m hoping is an ongoing series), I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first. Emma appears to be a good agent, however she’s quite headstrong and doesn’t always “play nice with others”, others being her superiors at the agency. I have to say that while I anticipated a twist, I didn’t see this one coming. The book did seem a little long, but I wouldn't be able to identify what might have been discarded.

Regardless, I look forward to the next intallment.

DNF at 25 percent. This is just not my kind of book. I did try it and there isn’t anything particularly wrong with it. I just didn’t find it entertaining. The spy stuff has a certain amount of cheesiness to it that I can’t take seriously. I do think a lot of people will enjoy this if they like spy books. Their writing is decent and it reads quickly. I just didn’t want to read this and rate it low knowing it isn’t a book for me.

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an arc of this to try out!

The Traitor by Ava Glass will make you doubt the sincerity of nearly every character in the novel. Emily Makepeace, no, that is not her real name, is a skilled, though young MI6 agent. She is placed on an oligarch’s yacht to learn whatever she can. She shares the life saving tips that keep spies alive despite danger and the life of lies they must always live. Emily is a very engaging character. And the mystery will keep you awake, guessing. Very entertaining.

I didn’t realize this was the second in a series but do not feel I was left wondering by not reading the first book. The story was fine, taking place on a super yacht with some sketchy characters and Emma Makepeace, a spy, trying to obtain information. I didn’t find the story overly suspenseful, but I couldn’t determine who the traitor was prior to the reveal and enjoyed that part. Overall, a pretty good read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam, and Ava Glass for the eARC.

The Traitor was the follow up / next in the Emma spy series by Ava Glass. The book starts several years later after her first assignment. I like when a book is part of a series and if you haven’t read the first one you can still enjoy later books because while they reference the previous book it doesn’t impact the story enjoyment. Emma and Ripley of the M16 are back at it again in the war of spies with the crafty Russian GRU. This book finds Emma becoming Jessica and taking them on in a yacht out at sea. The excitement and drama continue in this series. I enjoyed it. I am still a fan of the fact that our spy hero is a female and continues to be as crafty and lethal as her male counterparts. It’s fast paced and exciting.

Thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC. I read the first Eva Makepeace book, Alias Emma, and this one is just as good. Funnily enough I am not really into spy thrillers but this author is changing my mind. FYI, you don't have to read the first book to read this one. It is completely able to stand on its own. What I really like about this is that the intelligence/government/political part (M16 vs. Russian Oligarchy) isn't too deep for me to understand. Maybe that is why I skip this genre normally? But no fears--it is an easy and thrilling read.

“The Traitor” is not a bad novel. But it’s not the “electrifying thriller” its promotional materials promise. While author Ava Glass gives us a likable protagonist in Emma Makepeace and delivers a plot that includes action and some moments of tension, on the whole, I found it to be a tame and sometimes not very believable offering.

An MI6 analyst investigating Russian oligarchs and their secret multi-million-dollar sales of chemical weapons to rogue nations has just been murdered. Now, MI6 wants to gain evidence concerning that murder and those weapons. They assign top agent Emma Makepeace to pose as a stewardess aboard one oligarch’s yacht and find that evidence without getting caught or killed by the oligarch’s dangerous retainers, or by a traitor within MI6. In a nutshell, “The Traitor” is a murder mystery, a “mole hunt,” and a tale of action and adventure all rolled into one.

I requested it because of author James Patterson’s praise (in the blurb) of protagonist Emma Makepeace as “a worthy heir to the James Bond mantle.” Unfortunately, I found this not to be so. In fact, I had lots of trouble believing Ms. Makepeace could have success as a spy or “world-saver.” While she’s likable, she lacks any of the distinctive qualities, and the edginess, that have made other sleuthing or spying or “adventuring” heroes and heroines so popular. She doesn’t have Bond’s mixture of tenderness and toughness, even cruelty, wrapped inside that gadget-toting package of urbane savoir-faire; or Bourne’s or Reacher’s or Katniss Everdeen’s physical prowess and close-combat proficiency; or Lisbeth Salander’s quirky brilliance and tech genius, or Gabriel Allon’s skills as an assassin/intelligence officer/brilliant painter/art forger. As the old Sondheim song from “Gypsy” goes, “You gotta have a gimmick.” Emma Makepeace doesn’t have one.

Nor does she possess the laser-like focus and commitment, or steadfast belief in herself and her abilities, displayed by other successful protagonists. On the contrary, at certain times—indeed at crucial moments—her self-confidence crumbles, and self-doubt takes over. In other instances, she’s more concerned about the safety of secondary characters she barely knows than accomplishing her supposedly high-stakes mission. While these vulnerabilities may serve to make Emma Makepeace a character that readers can like or relate to, they do not help to create a credible heroine who can be relied on to "save the world."

Other important characters, such as the villains of the piece and Makepeace’s fellow agents, are not all that distinctly drawn. They’re not cartoons or cardboard figures, but their passions and desires—the things they want that drive them to villainy or heroics—are more assumed and implied than they are spelled out. An oligarch is evil because…well…he’s an oligarch and all oligarchs are obsessed with greed.

Finally, I thought the novel lacked specificity and cleverness when it came to the “nuts and bolts” of espionage. For example, at one point Emma is captured and locked in a room. Despite a lengthy description of her lock-picking skills, it’s not those skills that free her. Instead, another character simply opens the door. And while Emma is given a special phone with lots of special apps, I don’t remember any of those apps being specified, much less used.

IMHO, all these deficiencies combine to render “The Traitor” a spy novel of the second tier. It’s readable, the plot hangs together, and the main character is a likable figure that some readers may care about. But it’s not the next Fleming or Silva or Ludlum or Larssen.

All in all, two and a half stars rounded up to three.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Ava Glass, and publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for providing me with an electronic ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

"The Traitor" by Ava Glass is an electrifying espionage thriller that takes readers on a heart-pounding journey filled with mystery, danger, and high-stakes intrigue. The story begins with a chilling murder of an MI6 operative, setting the stage for an adrenaline-fueled plot that unfolds brilliantly.

Emma Makepeace, the tenacious protagonist, delves into the deceased spy's investigation, leading her to confront two enigmatic Russian oligarchs and an elusive third man. As she unravels the web of espionage, the narrative builds tension and keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Glass's masterful storytelling grips readers with each turn of the page, expertly balancing intricate plot twists with well-developed characters. Emma's daring decision to go undercover on a luxurious yacht adds an extra layer of excitement to the already gripping tale.

Throughout the novel, the stakes continually escalate, and danger lurks around every corner. The fear of discovery and the risk of a lethal outcome keep readers hooked, invested in Emma's fate as she races to uncover the truth.

"The Traitor" excels in its ability to transport readers into the shadowy world of espionage, leaving them captivated by the complexities of the spy game and the profound emotional depth of the characters. With its skillful blend of suspense, action, and a touch of emotional vulnerability, Glass delivers a stellar spy thriller that lingers in readers' minds long after the final page. A definite must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and unforgettable espionage experience.

Another winner from Ava Glass. I
thoroughly enjoyed this second entry in her Emma Makepeace - a young British spy. While this book can be read as a standalone, it definitely builds on the narrative backstory Glass created in the first instalment. Glass ratchets up the tension with a wild ride on a luxury super yacht in the Mediterranean through to one of London’s most iconic buildings. Excited for the next instalment! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>The Traitor</i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Second in a series, Emma Makepeace is a young British woman working for the Agency, a super secret section of MI-6. As an agent she had already proven her skills in the first novel which I have not read. The author clearly sets up Emma's character and background so the second book is definitely a standalone read.

Emma's ability to speak Russian sets her up as the perfect candidate to become a crew member on a yacht owned by a Russian criminal. She's on her own at sea so she has to think and act quickly to protect her cover and determine who was responsible for the death of another agent. Could there be a mole in British intelligence?

Emma's bravery and intensity made this a fun read.

Excellent Spy thriller, reminding me of Jennifer Garner in the Alias TV serious. Plenty of nail biting action and twists and turns. Emma is the daughter of a betrayed double agent who worked for British M16 by spying on his homeland Russia. He was caught and murdered by the Russians as his wife and unborn daughter fled to England. Fast forward 24 years later Emma is working for a super secret spy program in London. One of their analysts was brutally murder and Emma is taped to discover by who and why. Which leads her to investigate a billionaire Russian businessman. She was infiltrate his world by gaining employment on the yacht from which he does business. The story was so engaging that I finished it in a day! I believe this is the second in a series and anticipate more about Emma’s next case. Thanks to Net galley and Ballantine for an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

The Traitor by Ava Glass

British spy, Emma Makepiece, goes undercover on a Russian yacht, where she is one wrong move from a watery grave, in this electrifying thriller.

I enjoyed this book. Full of adventure, many twists and turns. A full cast of characters. You never knew who actually knew what was going on. I recommend this novel.

Thanks to Net Gall;ey for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

I loved the first Emma Makepeace novel and snapped #2 up as soon as it became available on Netgalley. Alias Emma introduced the young British spy and had her on a dangerous action filled flight through the back alleys and most hidden parts of London. Traitor has a slower start but when the action gets started it's nonstop. Emma goes undercover working on a Russian oligarch's luxury yacht. I did figure out who the traitor was before Emma did, but that added to the suspense for me as I wondered when she would realize.

Love this book. Action packed and suspenseful. You won't want to put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Random House Publishing-Ballantine allowed me to read an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. I happened to read the author’s first book about the heroine, Emma Makepeace, and absolutely loved it. I was disappointed that there wasn’t a second book out when I finished it. I was ecstatic when I found out a second book was coming out and that the publisher let me read an advanced copy!
The main character is a capable, ingenious spy, who uses her brain to get out of situations. She takes way too many risky chances, which leaves us with our hearts pumping on the edge of our seats. I had an inkling of who the traitor was but was also wrong about other characters. I thought Madison was going to be CIA, I thought maybe Michael would make it back into her life again (alas, no). There were some twists and turns and it was all around an enjoyable escape into Emma’s spy world.
I also think I may have found a mistake where Jason calls her Emma when she’s supposed to be Jess. He says, “Emma pour the cocktails.”, instead of “Jess pour the cocktails.”
I’m looking forward to book 3, and please bring Michael back for Emma, somehow.

The Traitor is an interesting novel depicting spy operations involving MI6 operatives in various locations throughout Europe. However, this reader found the writing to be somewhat disconcerting especially with the constant usage of British slang not understandable to U.S readers — “I’m not going to flannel you,” he’s a to’al barobag,” “the place is a tip,” “I’ve got to babysit some bint” and “a sodding screwdriver “ to mention a few instances. While the actual storyline causes the reader to plod through to the unsurprising conclusion to this reader, the writing is somewhat stilted with ludicrous phrasing such as “a cut-glass accent “ and “the sky was alight with a silvery icing of stars.”

I thank NetGalley and Bantam Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
I liked this book. It's not great but it's a good story. The "heroine' Emma Makepeace is a strong woman and shows us that woman are definitely equal to men in the spy department. When someone dies a horrendous death, the Russians are suspected and Emma is brought in to do undercover work on a Russian yacht. Lots of action with a surprise ending. I think that this is #2 in the Emma series so there may be a #3.

I listened to the audiobook for the first in this series (Alias Emma) and was hooked on the pulse-throbbing thrill ride across London. Of course, I was up for the second outing of Emma Makepeace and curious to see if reading would provide as exciting a journey. It did, and I read the entirety of Emma's latest operation to find who was responsible for the assassination of an MI-6 numbers analyst. The trail takes her from London to a yacht in the Mediterranean and back again. Cut off from traditional backup support Emma must rely on herself to escape from life-threatening situations. A thrilling spy story!

Thanks to Random House Publishing for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.