Thank you Random House for The Traitor, a great sequel to Ava Glass's debut Alias Emma. I just love books that have strong, smart and capable women; Ava Glass is one such character. The Traitor reminds me that I should read some more spy novels. I don't read them often, and how much I appreciate a well balanced read that has deftly developed suspense but also strong character and plot development. It's a fun read, spy books are to me supposed to be a little witty, a little subtle fun, and filled with action and movement. The Traitor does this well!

I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading the next one in the series. It was well-written, and the author created a compelling story. She had me fooled until the very end.

Reading a fast paced espionage is great. Having a female protagonist’s is even better. Emma returns in the second book in a series. Great read.

The Traitor is only book number two in the Emma Makepeace series, but I'm obsessed and hooked! Ava Glass once worked for the British government (and writes using an alias) so she is the perfect person to write a book featuring a female spy as the main character. Emma takes on a Russian oligarch after the murder of an MI6 analyst; fast-paced and entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC.

British Spy Thriller

Emma Glass works for a top secret agency in MI6. When on of their analysts is found murdered and locked in a suitcase in his apartment, Emma is assigned to go undercover to discover the identity of the killer and untangle the plot he was working on. The plot involved Russian oligarchs who were known to be involved in criminal activities, specifically dealing in chemical weapons sales to anti-Western groups. Emma goes underground on the super yacht of one of the oligarchs. This is an incredibly dangerous assignment, particularly when it appears that there is a mole in MI6 giving information to the Russians.

In this exciting spy novel, Emma faces danger at every turn. Any slip will end her in the same position as the murdered analyst. I enjoyed Emma’s character. She’s smart, gutsy, and fearless. She does make mistakes, but through the book, you can see her growing as an agent.

The background is delightful. The super yacht is cruising the waters of the Mediterranean. The author does an excellent job of bringing not only the gorgeous scenery to life, but also the interior of the yacht. The pace is fast with no dearth of exciting escapes. If you enjoy spy thrillers, this is one not to miss. It is also the second book in the series, but the author seamlessly weaves the history into the current book.

I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley.

<b>Emma Makepeace returns with new enemies in her sights--but this time she must work undercover on a Russian oligarch's yacht without MI6 contact. She faces unknown dangers and heartbreaking betrayal in this fast-paced novel.</b>

Ava Glass's <i>Alias Emma</i> was a fast-paced cat-and-mouse chase across London and through an underground warren of tunnels, all part of an elaborate plan to avoid Russian murderers. It was also a book that hit the spot and suited my mood perfectly when I read it.

Emma Makepeace returns in the second book in the series, <i>The Traitor,</i> and when one thing leads to another, Emma finds herself working undercover on a ruthless Russian oligarch's yacht.

But Emma is cut off from tracking, useful intel, and protection from MI6. She's got just days to figure out what the dangerous men are up to--and these are men who feel accountable to no one and well above the law.

Oh, and someone who's supposed to be on her side may have revealed her true identity to those who want her dead.

Glass moves the story along in entertaining fashion. The novel references elements from book one, such as Emma's familial career inspiration, but it isn't necessary to have first read <i>Alias Emma</i> in order to dive into this story.

I love a spy book, a book about Russia, and a feisty, strong young female protagonist, and <i>The Traitor</i> offers all three. I wasn't shocked by the story's twist, but Glass didn't make me feel manipulated or red-herring me to death along the way.

I received a prepublication edition of this book, published yesterday, courtesy of NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine, Bantam.

You can check out my review of <i>Alias Emma</i> <a href="https://www.bossybookworm.com/post/review-of-alias-emma-alias-emma-1-by-ava-glass/"><b>here.</a></b>

Published by Bantam on September 19, 2023

Emma Makepeace is a predictable spy novel heroine. She volunteers for dangerous assignments, expresses her displeasure when her bosses want her to play it safe, disregards their instructions when she feels she is the only one who can complete the mission, outfights thugs, and exposes the mole. The existence of a mole is one of the plot elements that makes The Traitor predictable, but nothing about the story is fresh.

Emma is in MI6. Despite her success in Alias Emma, she feels her gender is a barrier to the assignments she deserves. She begins the novel by trying to catch a Russian who is laundering money through a British bank. Emma is pulled off that project and tasked with figuring out why a low-level MI6 number cruncher was murdered. The investigation brings her to a Russian oligarch who is suspected of selling chemical weapons. She joins the staff of the oligarch’s yacht with the hope she will find evidence of those sales.

Emma follows the usual path of an undercover agent. She takes risks to search the oligarch’s yacht-office, dodges the suspicions of the oligarch’s security thug, and befriends (uses) the oligarch’s gorgeous, bored, drug-addled girlfriend. The oligarch eventually learns that Emma is a government agent. While MI6 blames that discovery on Emma’s tradecraft, Emma is convinced that someone sold her out to the oligarch. Hence, the obligatory mole.

Later in the novel, Emma befriends (uses) another oligarch’s girlfriend. This oligarch is the boss of the oligarch whose yacht she infiltrated. Emma thinks that surveilling him will let her discover the mole. Well of course it will, and of course Emma’s plan places her in grave danger.

Emma has almost no personality. Her complaints about not being taken seriously because of her gender are at odds with the important assignments she receives. She feels unappreciated because she has sacrificed any semblance of a personal life to serve king and country. Her last relationship fell apart because she couldn’t tell her boyfriend why she was always jetting off without notice. Although she bemoans her fate, Emma manages a spark of romance with another MI6 agent. This leads to cheesy sentences like “With Jon, though, everything felt possible” — sentences that would be at home in a romance novel.

Fortunately, the cheese is not overdone. Unfortunately, the plot — including the identity of the mole — is entirely predictable. Emma outfights large thugs with blows that are only vaguely described and occasionally stabs them with a tiny knife. The plot is mundane, the action is underdeveloped, and the compulsory mole subplot is so obvious that the reader will guess the mole’s identity well before the reveal. Had the mole been anyone else, I might have recommended the novel without reservations. I thought Ava Glass might at least try to surprise the reader, but she makes no effort at all.

While Glass has technical ability as a writer, she fails todeliver the suspense and credible action that spy novels require. The Traitor is at best a time-killer for spy fiction fans who are waiting for a better novel to give them their espionage fix.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS

Ava Glass is back and even better with her second installment in the Emma Makepeace series. I absolutely loved reading the author’s first book Alias Emma and was super excited to read her newest book The Traitor. A huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced electronic copy of the book. The Traitor is an enthralling, edge-of-your-seat, espionage thrill ride.

The premise of the story starts when the body of a MI6 agent is found assassinated stuffed inside a suitcase. Emma begins to delve into his past she discovers he was investigating Russians oligarchs who are based in London. To find out what exactly happened to this agent Emma goes undercover on one of the oligarchs million dollar yachts as it sets sail for Monaco. While Emma works to figure out the truth she discovers secrets that she definitely would be better off not knowing. As the danger heightens she must protect her identity at all costs, because she knows it would be an instant death sentence for her. But the more Emma uncovers the more she realizes that the killer just might be someone closer to home. And she won’t be safe until he or she is captured. With an action packed, electrifying storyline The Traitor is certainly not to be missed.

The Traitor by Ava Glass is the second in the Alias Emma series. If you haven’t read the first book don’t worry because this book could totally be read as a standalone. This time the main character and British spy, Emma Makepeace, goes undercover, She will be completely alone with basically no communication with her agency on an enormous fancy yacht to catch a man who may be dealing in serious weapons. Some time later on Emma realizes that her agency has a mole. She is out to find out who in her agency is the traitor.

I was so looking forward to this book since I finished the first! There was a lot more substance to this book. It was so intriguing to see Emma be undercover. She actually gets into a lot of dangerous situations. The traitor aspect added that additional intrigue.

Ava Glass deftly writes intriguing and great stories. The main character is complicated, strong, smart, brave, quick thinking, deep and memorable. The suspense of who the traitor keep me guessing well into the novel. It was one of those books that keep you up reading late into the night because you cant stop reading.

Ava Glass writes wonderful spy stories! I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next. I absolutely recommend this book. Well done.

I would like to thank Ava Glass, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A female spy, a super yacht and beautiful European settings? This book has it all. Emma Makepeace is in disguise on a yacht trying to find out who killed her colleague. This book will have you reading past your bedtime trying to figure out who’s going to walk the plank.
I need to go back and read the first book in this series. Many thanks to the author, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

a really wonderful spy novel! Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem, intrigue and complex characters! The story captured me on the very first page! Agent Emma Makepeace is not someone you want to cross! wonderful details and so much information! I could not put the book down! This is a real page turner and a must read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Happy Pub Day @avaglassbooks 🥳

The Traitor is available in the US today! It is the 2nd book in the Alias Emma series. This book picks up a few months after when book 1 ends and has a whole new case for Emma to investigate. This time, Emma is going undercover on the yacht of a Russian oligarch to find out who was involved in the murder of a MI6 financial analyst. Book 2 is just as fast paced as book 1 and it keeps you turning pages to find out what happens next! This book seals this series in as a must read for spy thriller fans and I can’t wait to find out what is in store for Emma in the future!

Thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This review is also posted on the Barnes & Noble site)

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Traitor (Alias Emma #2) by Ava Glass
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 336 / Genre: Spy Thriller

I loved the fast-paced thrill of the chase in Alias Emma #1 and I loved The Traitor even more! British Intelligence officer Emma Makepeace goes undercover on a Russian oligarch’s super yacht, stopping off in Nice, Barcelona, and Monte Carlo. I loved the locations and the non-stop action in this spy thriller. You can’t not binge your way through this one. Another five stars for Ava Glass!

Thank you @NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the advanced copy of this book. I loved it!

Well, this was a fun ride! I enjoyed Ava Glass's first book, "Alias Emma," which introduced us to Emma Makepeace, the tough and determined British agent. "The Traitor" is even better!
Tasked with finding the person(s) responsible for another agent's death, Emma goes undercover aboard a Russian oligarch's yacht. The story is easy to follow, and tensions are high. There are no lulls in the story, and I was kept reading almost nonstop. And that cover is divine. Highly recommended.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for the complimentary e-book.

The second Emma Makepeace book is another fast-paced thriller with the young MI-5 agent on the trail of Russian criminals who are trading in chemical weapons. Emma and her handlers, techie Zach and disguise artist Martha are a hip James Bond-esque crew and lots of fun. I can't wait for more in the series.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Traitor: Alias meets Below Deck
In The Traitor, young British spy Emma Makepeace goes undercover as a steward on a Russian oligarch’s yacht to gather evidence and to try to identify one of his partners in arms dealing--while cleaning and serving drinks to demanding guests. There are a lot of tense moments at sea, where Emma has no backup and limited chances to communicate with her handler, as well as on land, both in ports and in London. The book was fast paced and fun, like Alias meets Below Deck. This can be read as a standalone, but I bet you will want to check out Alias Emma, the previous book, after reading The Traitor.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance copy. I look forward to the next book in the series!

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This is an outstanding mystery about spies and a traitor within their organization. Emma is a trained spy working for an exclusive British agency who is trying to track down the murderers of one of her own spies . She finds out that a high ranking spy within her organization is a traitor and she must find and identify him. This is a wonderful story with a lot of surprises and twists that keep the reader guessing until the very end .

Emma Makepeace has had a somewhat humdrum year since the events of Alias Emma, the first book in this series. She’s eager to really dig into something, but The Agency has been lobbing her softballs for awhile and she’s kind of sick of it. She didn’t become a spy to sit around and play tiddlywinks. Be careful what you wish for.

All of a sudden, an analyst for MI-6 dies from VX gas, of all things, and it looks like two Russian oligarchs are the ones responsible. The problem? One seems to be impossible to find, and the other lives almost full-time on his superyacht. Not only that, but it seems they might have a silent third partner, and no one has a clue who it could be. All of a sudden Emma goes from 0 to 60 so she can become a server on board the superyacht to see if she can unravel the mystery. Without backup. Or weapons. Or, well, anything really.

I loved Alias Emma. I do have to say this book wasn’t as good, but not because of the plot (which is wicked cool and timely), the characters (which are awesome, defined, unique, and thankfully not caricatures), Ava Glass’s writing style (which I love, especially her ability to write fight choreography), or the worldbuilding (you can tell Glass did her research, which I envy, because that means she spent time in the Cote d'Azur). What this book has that Alias Emma didn’t was predictability. I was genuinely surprised constantly during Alias Emma. My heart was in my throat throughout the entire book. With this book, though? It was pretty predictable. I hate that I have to say that. That’s the only thing that’s holding this book back from a five star rating. Other than that, this book is a fabulous thrill ride with great style and a great story to tell. I’ll be looking forward to the next one.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Book Series/Espionage Thriller/Suspense Thriller

I’d not read a book by this author, but the description was such I thought I was going to do an all-nighter. Emma Makepeace (a very cool name) is a spy working for a secret agency outside of M16. Emma is investigating Russian oligarchs attachment to a chemical weapon they may be developing and used to kill an M16 agent left stuffed inside of a suitcase. I didn’t love this book as I had hoped I would, but will definitely give Emma Makepeace another shot.
Thanks to NetGalley for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Traitor by Ava Glass
The traitor by Ava Glass

The Traitor is a follow-up to Ava Glass’s epic Alias Emma. Emma Makepeace has recovered from being shot though she harbors ill-will for the superior who left her out to dry in the last book. Her boss, Ripley, is grooming her for advancement, but the jobs have been relatively safe. Suddenly, one of the national intelligence apparatus is murder, killed by a nerve gas. They are pretty sure two Russian oligarchs are involved. Emma’s mission is to infiltrate the yacht belonging to one of them in hopes of proving they are dealing arms and chemical weapons.

She finagles her way on the Russian’s oligarch’s yacht, but is somehow exposed. There is a traitor in the house. She finds proof they work together but also learns there is a third man – an insider – a traitor. She has to smoke him out.

It must be so hard to write an unstoppable, breathtaking first book. Everyone will want a second and want her to take it up a notch. The expectations are unfair and not every Book Two lives up to its predecessor That’s what happened with this story. The instant she was exposed, I know who did it. She should have as well. There was no one else. The story provides other suspects but how did they get the information? Emma is too smart not to look at who knew what and know instantly who the traitor was. But that would make the story a third shorter, so Glass betrays Emma a little bit, allowing her to put faith in the wrong people.

I received an e-galley of The Traitor from Penguin Random House. It will be released on September 19th

The Traitor
Ava Glass
Alias Emma review