This was wildly different than the type of book I normally read and I can say I'm glad I did. The beginning was slow and sort of outlandish. I didn't think I'd love it until the main character completely accepts her role as a spy and that's when things got really interesting. While we normally see intelligence as sort of this wild and fictional thing, this really humanizes it. It really gives you a lot to consider in a world constantly at war.

4.5 stars. Tightly plotted and quick paced, coming in under 250 pages. Our narrator is young and naive and doesn't entirely understand what is happenening and her role in it. Because of that, neither does the reader. Nonetheless, it's a compelling read - I was sucked in from the very beginning. And I really wanted to know how it was going to end. It's a satisfying ending.

"The young English narrator of Lea Carpenter’s dazzling new novel has grown up unhappily in London, dreaming of escape, pretending to be someone else and obsessed with a locked private garden. On the eve of her twenty-first birthday, at a party near that garden, she meets its charismatic and mysterious new owner, Marcus, thirty-three years older, who sweeps her off her feet. Before long they are married at his finca in Mallorca, and at last she has escaped into a new role – but at what price? On their honeymoon in Croatia, Marcus reveals there is something she can do for him—a plan is in place and she can help with “a favor.”

This turns out to be posing as an art advisor to a family on Cap Ferret, where Marcus asks her to simply “listen.” A helicopter deposits her at a remote, highly guarded and lavishly appointed compound on a spit of land in the Atlantic. It’s presided over by an enigmatic, charming patriarch Edouard, along with his wife Dasha, children Nikki and Felix, and populated by a revolving cast of other guests—some suspicious, some intriguing, perhaps none, like her, what they seem."

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

Ilium is the debut novel by author Lea Carpenter, a espionage thriller with the prose of literary fiction set just after the opening of the 21st century in Europe as the third act in an ongoing play of espionage is opening, and a new asset is needed to bring the play to a close.

Enter our unnamed protagonist, a female orphan with a naive sense of romance and no money. She falls in love with a man who owns the house her mother worked in while she was growing up–the one which used to have a garden she fell in love with and dreamed of owning for herself. The man, who is older than her and used to have a reputation as a career bachelor, decides to settle down with her. Right after he does, he tells her two little secrets: he’s dying, and…

This is how our unnamed protagonist is swept up in a plot to gather intelligence on a former Russian operative living in France, near Cap Ferret in a highly-protected compound. First she is there to listen. Then she is there to listen, watch, and process. Then she is there to listen, watch, process, and learn.

I loved the story, as a whole, and the characters. If you read my reviews you know I love spy novels and spy stories. So I thought this would be a win overall. However, the prose style really threw me off. While I can understand Carpenter’s narrative style choice here, it really didn’t suit me well as a reader and I felt it made the story messy. It also slowed down the pacing, which I felt did the story a disservice. I know that as the story leans more toward literary fiction it’s not beholden to the conventions of a standard thriller; therefore, it isn’t held to the same standards of tension and suspension that thrillers are. That doesn’t mean a reader expects there to be so much slowing down for the sake of narrative construct.

It’s a solid read and worth checking out, but not something I’d go out of my way to buy. If you can find it for sale or in a library you might want to give it a go, though.

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

File Under: Espionage Thriller/Literary Fiction

I do enjoy a good spy novel. This one unfolds mostly from one POV, the narrator whose identity is pretty much poor, orphaned and pretty. She realizes her situation is completely orchestrated and bc she's 21 and presumably in love the events that she takes part in make sense to her.

This is a character driven novel, more about the banalities of espionage, the watching and the listening. There's little dialogue and a lot of recounting with tidbits being share throughout in memory.

3.5 stars

An intriguing character study more than an espionage novel. The unnamed narrator is reflecting back on her involvement with intelligence services. She's incredibly naive (and she's married to a much older man) but the leaves will fall from her eyes as she moves into the mission to get to Eduard, who is not the kindly family man he wants others to see. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This didn't entirely work for me (it's unrealistic) but I suspect others will enjoy it.

It's the sort of book that appears interesting at first glance, but then plot-wise, it just seems to be stagnant, with very little happening but a lot of character monologue and description going on. Our narrator is one that is naive at first, but then is sort of detached and hesitant and slowly gains confidence over time and the clever wits to survive and there were lots of profound quotes which I liked. All in all, it was an okay book

An immersive tale of love and loss and the things we are willing to do for those we love. This slow burn story of an untrained and mostly unwilling spy takes us into this world of intrigue through the eyes of a woman in love and the truths she finds along the way. The rich characters bring the story to life and, even though the narrative becomes a bit muddled in places, it puts you in the headspace of deceit and betrayal to the point where the twists almost don’t surprise anymore. Excellent read!

Ilium is a very character driven novel. There is some espionage and spy elements but this was not the thriller I expected. It was interesting and took us all over the world. While well written this one did not take me on the thrill ride I anticipated.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC by Lea Carpenter. I have read her first two fiction novels, Red White Blue and Eleven Days. Initially, it was the cover and small size (beautifully put together) that attracted me to this author who I had never heard of- it was her writing that kept me there. Her writing is elegant and at times, stark, all the while pulling you in. Ilium, her newest novel follows a 20-something woman who longs for a different life. On the eve of her twenty-first birthday she meets a much older man and is soon married, and seems to be heading in the direction of the new life she’s dreamed of. But like Carpenter’s first two books, there’s a touch of intrigue in the realm of undercover operations, which adds to the beauty of her writing. Her books and writing are a study of simplicity, yet quietly luxurious. I always want to savor her books. They don’t scream for attention, because they’ve had it from the beginning. Go read all of her books.

My thanks to NetGalley and Borzoi Books/Alfred A. Knopf for the ARC of "Ilium" in exchange for an honest review.
This is very much a deeply perceptive character driven thriller and far far away from the high octane adventures of Jason Bourne or James Bond.
"Ilium" resides more in that morally vague, treacherous world of John le Carre espionage. It's like a deceiving hall of warped funhouse mirrors where worldly-wise, duplicitous jaded spies think nothing of using their 'assets' as emotional bait as means to justify their ends. And their clandestine wars with each other seem last forever, an endless cycle of missions and the revenge they generate.
Plunged into this world is the unnamed young English girl who serves as the book's narrator and anchor. She's been wooed and married by Marcus, over 30 years her senior and something of an 'international man of mystery'.........also an apt description of Marcus's lifelong best friend. Raja.
Marcus's young wife is persuaded to ingratiate herself into the family of the equally mysterious wealthy Edouard. She's merely to observe but it's clear that in some way, Edouard's in the crosshairs of those veteran spymasters, Marcus and Raja.
At the reclusive family's scenic compound at Cap Ferret on the coast of France, our young fledgling spy at first embraces her adventurous and potentially dangerous new life. But while she forms a loving bond with Edouard's young son Felix, twists and surprises begin to reveal themselves.....and there's an inevitable but still shocking conclusion coming toward her..... with all the brutal ironies that come with spies devoting their lives to their 'tradecraft'.
"Ilium" functions as a literary fiction thriller, so this is not a book for readers who crave perpetual shootouts and hairbreadth escapes. But its total immersion int0 character development kept me glued to the story from beginning to end. Every person here holds their own secrets, backstories and motives that propels the action and makes the finale all the more powerful.
It's been some time since I've read this particular type of thriller, wary of confusing plots and excess verbiage. But author Lea Carpenter perfectly combines the drama and mystery as her prose peels off the unseen layers to her characters. Overall an expert voyage through le Carre territory. Well done in every way.

Loved Ilium! A young, naive woman marries for love but quickly finds herself used in a secret operation to take down a Russian asset. The writing is excellent, almost ethereal. We never learn the young woman’s name which adds to the secret nature of this book. I did have some questions surrounding the why of this operation and what happened to Felix’s mother. I went back and reread some parts to make sure I didn’t miss anything only to find all of my questions answered in the last chapters. This is the first I’ve read from Ms. Carpenter and I’m excited to read more of her work!

Lea Carpenter's "Ilium" is a masterfully crafted espionage novel that transcends the boundaries of the genre, delivering a spellbinding narrative that reads like a psychological thriller. As a storyteller, Carpenter proves herself to be both sharp and riveting, guiding readers through a secret world of intrigue and betrayals with a deftness that keeps the pages turning. Prepare to set aside the night to tear through this one.

At the heart of the novel is a nuanced exploration of character and identity, exploring questions about love, loss, and the harsh realities of war. Carpenter's portrayal of espionage is captivating, going beyond the conventions of the genre to offer a deeply human and female-centric perspective.

"Ilium" stands out by building complex characters and straightforward, compelling prose, contributing to a satisfying read that goes beyond the superficial layers of spy fiction. Carpenter's writing is refreshingly and compelling. The novel's narrator brings depth to the mystery. Not only does the novel explore the world of international espionage, but it also brings an intimate portrait of a young woman looking to find her place in the world after losing both parents. This brings a level of humanity and accessibility to the tale that is unexpected and explores how the need for a sense of belonging can lead to unimaginable consequences.

That was a spellbinding tale about love and war, innocence lost, and the intricate dance between personal identity and the roles we play in the world. Lea Carpenter has not only crafted an exceptional espionage novel but has also given readers a deeply human experience that will resonate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing House for this Advanced Readers Copy of Ilium by Lea Carpenter!

This was a really interesting - and for me unusual - spin on the spy genre, with writing that is absolutely beautiful. I will admit that I'm not sure I made all the connections I should have, as there is a LOT going on and it is very intricately layered and too involved for a single-seating read, which I suspect would have helped. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be looking up Carpenter's other works. She does a masterful job creating her characters and making even the most minor participants feel fully three-dimensional.

I found the ending to feel a little rushed, with things that weren't explained as well as I'd like them to be, but I think that is intentional and in keeping with a fundamental truth of the book, which is that nothing is ever fully explained while we are in the midst of it... This was a thoughtful as well as entertaining read - and it's no small task to blend those two so seamlessly. I really enjoyed this one.

A good mystery that really kept me going. This is a great weekend read to escape in. Thanks for the opportunity to read as I thoroughly enjoyed.

Much like John le Carré’s spies, the people who inhabit this novel are edgy, flawed, and morally ambiguous. Carpenter provides much of the intrigue one expects in spy novels, but with themes that are more common in literary fiction. She seduces her readers into liking both sides, regardless of their willingness to commit despicable acts in the name of patriotism and revenge. Not unlike most fictional spies, these characters have a facile hold on truth and are adept at inventing and reinventing their identities. However, Carpenter gives them an attractive sense of humanity.

The unnamed protagonist/narrator is a middle-aged woman who is reminiscing about a past when she first was recruited to a life of espionage. At 21, she was a lonely naive young woman looking for adventure and romance. She found both with the charismatic Marcus, an older man who swept her off her feet and married her. Unfortunately, he had a life-threatening illness and a hidden agenda. Before he died, he recruited her to work with a skilled crew of spies to carry out a revenge hit on a “retired” Russian spy living in isolation with his family in a secure compound on Cap Ferret, a remote peninsula on the eastern coast of France.

Carpenter’s deceptively simple spy plot evolves into a romance and coming-of-age story when her narrator becomes enthralled by the Russian family she was recruited to spy on, especially its patriarch and his young son. Likewise, she is captivated by the consummate competence and humanity of the members of the CIA/MI6/Mossad hit team.

Using a confessional narrative tone, Carpenter widens her focus to multiple themes, including loyalty, revenge, friendship, family, loveless marriage, and parenthood. Notwithstanding its broad thematic focus, the novel maintains tension with the measured use of flashbacks that give the reader an understanding of plot elements that initially seem puzzling. Ultimately this genre-bending novel provides a satisfying reading experience.

“The game of espionage, at its essence, is observation, seduction, patience. And a fluid relationship with your sense of self. To commit espionage at the highest levels you have to be willing to forget who you are in order to inhabit someone else."


Our protagonist, a young and single British woman leading a mundane life in London, followed the same unexciting routine every day. She even felt she was boring, wishing that she was not averse to risks. So, why would this make her the perfect asset for covert agencies, like the American CIA, Israeli Mossad and The British M16, to close an assignment that was several years in the making?



She realizes that her life is about to change when she meets a wealthy, attentive American man, thirty-three years her senior. When they marry just shy of her twenty-first birthday, he asks for her help. She is to assume another identity and merely “listen” to certain individuals and report back to a man named Raja.



What ensues is a series of methodically plotted encounters she is involved in, the details of which she is not privy to. What keeps us in suspense is not only the unfolding events and their potential repercussions, but also the uncertainty of how this new lifestyle will be resolved for our protagonist.


Amidst the captivating plot, the supporting characters are expertly developed and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The reader gains a deep understanding of their personalities and motivations.


Author Lea Carpenter’s intent to infuse a personal dimension into the espionage tale is masterfully achieved. She emphasizes that events and characters on both sides are not simply black and white. The story proves to be utterly mesmerizing, making it a challenge to put the book down. I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on Jan. 16, 2024. Please let me know if the opening quote will not appear in the final version of the book.)

"Ilium" by Lea Carpenter is a gripping and suspenseful novel set in the dark world of international espionage. The story follows a young English woman who, on the eve of her twenty-first birthday, meets Marcus, the mysterious owner of a locked private garden. They quickly marry, and as their relationship progresses, Marcus reveals a favor he needs her to do for him—a crucial part of a covert operation.

The protagonist, now Marcus's wife, is asked to pose as an art advisor to a family on Cap Ferret. Her task is to listen and gather information, becoming unwittingly entangled in a high-stakes CIA-Mossad operation. The story unfolds in various locations, including London, Mallorca, Croatia, Paris, and Cap Ferret, adding an international flavor to the narrative.

The novel explores themes of deception, trust, and the sacrifices individuals are willing to make for larger objectives. The characters are intricately woven into the plot, with enigmatic figures and a sense of mystery surrounding the operation. The setting, ranging from the cosmopolitan cities to remote and guarded compounds, enhances the tension and intrigue.

"Ilium" promises a spellbinding and unexpectedly poignant journey as the protagonist becomes the perfect asset in a long-planned operation. The combination of espionage, complex characters, and a carefully crafted plot makes this novel a compelling read for fans of the genre.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. "Set in the dark world of international espionage, from London to Mallorca, Croatia, Paris, and Cap Ferret: the gripping and suspenseful story of a young woman who unwittingly becomes a perfect asset in the long overdue finale of a covert special op" it would be a thriller. The narrator, a 21-year old English woman, obsessed with a locked, private garden, "meets its charismatic and mysterious new owner, Marcus, thirty-three years older, who sweeps her off her feet. Before long they are married at his finca in Mallorca, and at last she has escaped into a new role – but at what price? On their honeymoon in Croatia, Marcus reveals there is something she can do for him—a plan is in place and she can help with “a favor.”" Add in that the publicity machine said: "Brilliantly compelling, this is a spellbinding and unexpectedly poignant story of a long- planned, high-stakes CIA-Mossad operation that only needed the right asset to complete." Well, that is the job of publicists though I did not see it in that light!

I thought it would be quite the ride [not necessarily]. At the beginning, the patter/rhythym was appealing--but it did not continue. I kept hoping it would grip me, but it did not. It was SOMEWHAT interesting and intriguing but no payoff. Written well enough--no nails on chalkboard and some vivid, on point descriptions of people and places, Thankfully short, An atypical thriller [to me]. A cast of many characters all with an interesting--and international--backstory. I persevered, wanting more [no dice]. And, I did not care for the ending,

Still, it may appeal to some.

An atypical thriller [to me]. A cast of many characters all with an interesting--and international--backstory.

This is an unforgettable story which gives us a lot to digest within the world of espionage.

A 21-year-old girl is trying to figure out her life. She makes a list: be less boring, take new risks and learn more about the world. She gets her wish when she meets a man that will change her life.

She is introduced to Marcus at an event and it doesn’t take long before they decide to get married. But right before the ceremony, he asks her if she wants to change her mind. He’s 33 years older. He has a career with the CIA and he thinks she would be ideal as someone that could help his team with the last part of a long search for a Russian general. He tells her it’s simple; all she has to do is listen, observe, remember…and lie.

This book is inspired by the Ancient Greek poet, Homer, of “The Illiad and Odessey” with much to process about war and peace. It’s not your typical spy book but a character analysis of what happens to a girl in her new role that she has stepped into. I found it to be unsettling that the protagonist didn’t have a name that I could identify with while reading. However, I found the story to be engaging with the curiosity of what might transpire with a family she would meet. There was only a handful of characters and I felt like each one was familiar.

The author put a lot of thought in this plot. Some words made me pause about the future of the world with out-of-control anger, killings and war. One has to ask: will it ever end?

My thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 16, 2024.