SOOO GOOD! This was more than a historical fiction novel and I loved that this was a different time in history that I haven't read as much about. Great espionage novel.

In the Thick of the Cold War, two female spies' stories are told through two timelines. However, this story is much more than "just another spy story." It gives a glimpse into life behind the Iron Curtain, and the story moves from Washington DC to Vienna to Moscow, showing historical events among these countries. Admittedly, it took me a little bit to settle into the story (this can happen with historical fiction reads, in particular). However, once acquainted, I really enjoyed learning more about the Cold War, as well as the drama, tension, history, and secrets scattered throughout. The narrators did an excellent job!

At the end of WWII, Ingrid has lost everyone she loves, she ends up marrying a man who works at the Soviet embassy and they move to Moscow. Throughout the book, she picks up that her husband must be part of the KGB and that even her marriage was just a way for him to get promoted at work. (The KGB does not allow divorce or any sort of separation unless you want to be demoted.) After the birth of her daughter, Ingrid makes the bold decision to work with MI6, her mother's homeland's intelligence.

Anya goes to college in the United States where she meets the love of her life, Scott. After she graduates, Anya goes back to her home country and she tells Scott that they need to cut ties. They both need to move on with their lives, but their love is so strong that they always think about each other. When Anya's best friend is killed by the KGB, she decides to work with the CIA.

It was incredibly interesting how the two women lived in different time periods, but went through a somewhat similar path. I enjoyed reading about how strong these women were and thought it was interesting to read about where their loyalty lies and the reasons behind their decisions. At times, I did think it was a bit difficult for me to understand what was going on since I'm not that knowledgeable with the Cold Wars, but I thought it was a great introduction for me to have a better understanding. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook!

I received a paperback copy from the publisher, but when I saw the narrators on the audiobook, I knew I needed to listen to this one. Saskia Maarleveld and Lisa Flanagan are OUTSTANDING and really brought this book to life! 🙌🏻

A Shadow in Moscow is a gorgeous, dual timeline, double POV, historical fiction novel about two badass women living decades apart but with some parallels.

1950s Vienna - WWII: following the death of her family, Ingrid marries a Soviet Embassy worker who secretly works for the KGB. But after the birth of her daughter, Ingrid has some secrets of her own... What do you do when you're married to the enemy and what he stands for is the antithesis of what YOU stand for?

1980s US - Cold War: Anya is participating in the Foreign Studies Initiative at Georgetown. She loves her time in D.C., makes friends, and falls in love with an American man. So when it's time to go back to Moscow, Anya does so with a new perspective, and realized how oppressive the Soviet Union really is. When the KGB kills her best friend, Anya decides to work as a spy, doing what she can to help end the 1980s arms race.

Both women are strong, courageous, and inspirational. And while I loved the way the author wove these two seperate but connected stories, Anya's story resonated with me more. Her story was such a stark reminder of what it means to be free, and the things we take for granted. The part that I keep thinking about is the cost of knowledge. The knowledge that she obtains while in DC came with such great cost. And I really appreciate this angle.

All in all this was a beautiful historical fiction with a little bit of everything. War, spies, family, danger, high stakes, love... Just a solid book through and though. Highly recommend, especially in audiobook format. My review will be posted to my Instagram in the coming days.

Thank you Harper Muse for my gifted ALC. ❤️

This is an absolutely fabulous story! It is very well written with fascinating characters that have such depth that I felt like they were my friends . They come alive throughout the story! I could not stop listening!! The setting was so well described that I felt like I was walking the streets with the Ingrid and Anya. The narrator did a superb job in voicing the various characters - I never wondered who was talking or felt any conflict in the characterization.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperVia for my copy of A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Lisa Flanagan in exchange for an honest review. It publishes June 13, 2023.
First off, the narration of this book is very well-done. I felt like everything was well-read and pronounced! I would listen to anything by these narrators.
As usual, Katherine Reay writes another fantastic novel! I could not stop thinking about this one and kept coming back to it. It may be my favorite of hers so far! This book had my on the edge of my seat unlike some other cold war novels I've read.
I loved the overall theme of hope threaded throughout this and the epilogue was definitely perfect!

5 stars! 5 Stars! Admittedly, I felt something when I realized 1985 was historical fiction now, but this novel was much more than I expected.
I initially requested the ARC because I’ve read a bit of WWII historical fiction and this seemed a bit different, I was absolutely drawn into Anya and Ingrid’s story and stayed up way past bedtime to come to the conclusion.
So in this novel, the reader is introduce to “Life in the USSR” in the 1980’s. Anya has just returned from a foreign student exchange and graduated from an American university with a degree in engineering. Although offered an opportunity to stay in the US with her vey dedicated boyfriend, and possibly offered an opportunity with US intelligence, she hopped on a plane back to Moscow. She knew she couldn’t disappoint her family. She’s headed to be.a missile/defense systems engineer. Her friends are all embarking on assigned careers, living in assigned housing and eating what they can with the ration cards they have. No one seems particularly happy or unhappy, but they have each other. Until one day they don’t. Her best friend is killed and something in her breaks, and she embarks on a journey into the world of espionage and intelligence. Anya is good at her job, but she’s too impatient and often tries to rush things along. At one point she finds herself on a list of informants and must make some hard choices rapidly. She’s saved, in the end, by her steadfast mother who has many secrets and surprises of her own.
I think this book is really an excellent read, it captures the Cold War environment that I recall from my youth and the author provides fascinating bits of information that was new to me. In addition, Anya repeatedly refines her “why” which gives the reader many insights on the concept of freedom - not from a flag waving jingoistic perspective but really from the core of her being,
This would be a fantastic book club read, I found myself describing chapters to friends and encouraging them to read it when it comes out.

Da. Da. Da. A million times da. Since reading Red Sparrow years ago I have been waiting for another historical fiction Russian spy book to grab my attention like the KGB conducting an interrogation. This book absolutely did just that. The plot was enthralling long before all the pieces came together. I am truly sad that this story is over for me but highly recommend any historical fiction lover to pick it up and introduce yourself to two INCREDIBLE female leads, Ingrid and Anya, and hear their stories that likely reflect so much of what so many never got to tell for themselves.

A huge thanks to @netgalley and @harpermuse for allowing me to relish in the bravery and brilliance of Anya and Ingrid.

I picked up A Shadow in Moscow because of the author. Katherine Reay has written some Austen-adjacent books that I really enjoyed, especially A Portrait of Emily Price. She seems to now be delving into historical fiction with The London House in 2021 and now A Shadow in Moscow.
As far as historical fiction books go, I found this one very difficult to follow in audiobook format- I couldn’t keep track of all of the different names and who belonged in which timeline. I also found it slow to start, although interesting enough once it got going. I did enjoy the storyline about spies during the Cold War as this is a time period I haven’t read any historical fiction about.