It has been a bit of time since the Daly sisters escaped and made new identities. But the IRA is tenacious.

The women are settled in the Republic of Ireland, raising children and trying to move on.

When Tessa is kidnapped in order to get Mairan to turn her British handler, things get tense.

The suspense in this one was done so well. A very satisfying end.


NetGalley/ Penguin Group/ Viking June 25, 2024

"Marian pointed out that mam was not, in fact, a widow, and she said, 'There's no word for what I am.'"

I've been wanting to read one of Flynn Berry's novels since she came out with "Under the Harrow" and finally got my chance when I scored a digital copy of #trusther from #netgalley (thank you). I was not disappointed. I realized after the fact that it's a sequel to an earlier novel, "Northern Spy", which was a tad disappointing, because I would've liked to start at the beginning of Marian and Tessa's stories. Still, I was enthralled by this book, and the places Tessa and Marian find themselves. Tessa's love for Finn was palpable, and such a driving force for her. Loyal is at the heart of this book - loyalty to country, to kin, and to ourselves. And it's not always clear, or black and white. Highly, highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was follows her first book Northern Spy, which would recommend reading first, but I think can even be read as a stand alone. The characters were well thought out. The plot was intriguing and the story was suspenseful. I don't know a lot about the political history of Ireland, but I did not have trouble following the story, the author did a great job.

Flynn Berry is back with another thriller set amid The Troubles. Trust Her picks up where Northern Spy left off, featuring Irish sisters Tessa and Marian and their entanglement with the IRA.

Some time has elapsed since the two escaped IRA militants determined to punish Marian's work as an informer. With new identities, the sisters are settled in the Republic of Ireland, raising their children and working.

But their peace is not destined to last. Militants find Tessa, kidnap her, and want her to turn Marian's handler with British security into an IRA informer.

Flynn deftly captures the sisters' panic at being caught in yet another trap where all the choices seem equally bad. I had to put the book down a few times to let my heart rate return to normal.

The twists are well executed – I didn't see them coming, but they made absolute sense.

I love it when you close a book and think, "That ending was perfect."


*I received an early review copy from NetGalley.

This book is the follow-up of NORTHERN SPY, which details two sisters, Tessa, and Marian, escaping Northern Ireland because they started informing for the IRA.

Three years later and both sisters are settled in Dublin, living ordinary lives. But when the past comes calling, they're thrust back into the conflict without any choice in the matter. Tessa must navigate her IRA contact, her MI5 handler, and make sure she tells no one what she's up to--her family's life depends on it.

I love Flynn Berry's books. They're always well written and keep me on the edge of my seat, and this one was no exception. I also learn a lot about Ireland and Northern Ireland in the process. The action sequences were captivating, but what I love most about Berry's writing is her portrayal of motherhood. Every time she writes it into her characters, it feels extremely relatable. I think this is what pushes her from "thriller writer" to "must-buy" writer for me.

This was a moving story about two sisters, living under assumed names being forced to work for the IRA. It was both an ordinary story of how life goes on and a tense thriller, one where the possibility of death , arrest seemed imminent. It was very well written. I didn't read the first book but now will go back and read that one. It would have been helpful to understand more about the conflict in Ireland to get the full impact

REALLY good. It is definitely a sequel to Northern Spy, but it’s been 3-4 years since I read that one and it worked as a standalone since I really didn’t remember much about NS (except that I loved it). The author has a way of really drawing you into the characters in a short span of pages and hooking you until the end.

Flynn Berry's new novel, Trust Her, continues the story of sisters Tessa and Marian Daly, three years after the events of Northern Spy. The sisters are now living in Dublin - Tessa with her son Finn, and Marian with her husband and baby daughter - having escaped the IRA and leaving their old lives in Northern Ireland behind. But time and distance doesn't mean they, or their loved ones, are safe from their pasts. Berry again excels at melding history and fiction, creating suspense and tension that simmers to an explosive boiling point. While not strictly necessary to read Northern Spy first, I do think having read it before enhanced my reading experience with Trust Her.

Once upon a time I got to study abroad at Trinity College in Dublin and learned about the history of Ireland through films. As a part of this course, we traveled to Northern Ireland and got to take an in-depth look at the lasting impact of the IRA conflict with immersive tours and interviews. It was a truly eye-opening and sobering experience of a part of history that I had never truly understood. Flynn Berry’s new novel, Trust Her encapsulates the experience of two sisters who are on the run after becoming informants on the IRA in an absolutely spellbinding, gripping manner. In a morally gray universe where the fight to survive is constant, how do you know what is right and what is wrong? The experiences of Tessa and Marion come alive brilliantly in this novel, a perfect portrayal of a community ripped apart by turmoil that is still so fresh in history yet almost forgotten. In our modern world that is still rife with conflict, Trust Her is a poignant reminder to look to the past for lessons and keep an open mind to the experiences of fellow people around the world.

A great follow up to Northern Spy. A story of gullibility, naiveté, and family with the background of The Troubles. While it’s not necessary to have Northern Spy, it does being a sense of context to the story.

Trust Her is a thrilling must-read. Flynn Berry, with her masterful storytelling, weaves suspense, action, and emotions that will keep you enthralled from the first page to the last. As you follow the journey of Tessa and Marian Daly, two sisters who have escaped the clutches of the IRA only to find themselves caught in a new web of danger, you'll be drawn into their world, feeling every heartbeat, every twist, and every turn.

What sets Trust Her apart is its richly drawn characters, particularly the fiercely determined Daly sisters, who will stop at nothing to protect their family and each other. Through their eyes, we see the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the unwavering bonds of sisterhood. As the tension mounts and the stakes escalate, you'll find yourself holding your breath, unable to tear yourself away from this fast-paced novel.

With its expertly crafted plot and unexpected twists, Trust Her is a 5-star novel that has stayed on my mind long after I have finished. So if you're looking for a must-read book to add to your summer reading list, look no further than Trust Her– it's an unforgettable journey you won't want to miss.

Thank you @vikingbooks and @netgalley for the eARC of Trust Her by @flynnberryauthor in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Once upon a time I got to study abroad at Trinity College in Dublin and learned about the history of Ireland through films. As a part of this course, we traveled to Northern Ireland and got to take an in-depth look at the lasting impact of the IRA conflict with immersive tours and interviews. It was a truly eye-opening and sobering experience to view a part of history that I had never truly understood. Flynn Berry’s new novel, Trust Her encapsulates the experience of two sisters who are on the run after becoming informants on the IRA in an absolutely spellbinding, gripping manner. In a morally gray universe where the fight to survive is constant, how do you know what is right and what is wrong? The experiences of Tessa and Marion come alive brilliantly in this novel, a perfect portrayal of a community ripped apart by turmoil that is still so fresh yet almost forgotten. In our modern world that is still rife with conflict, Trust Her is a poignant reminder to look to the past for lessons and keep an open mind to the experiences of fellow people around the world, a beautifully written and thrilling read!



5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

Trust Her takes place 3 years after Tessa and Marian have escaped the IRA and have new lives in Dublin. Using aliases, the two have been able to create new lives and maintain contact with their families. The problems begin when a thug from the IRA appears and forces Tessa to contact her handler and try to turn him. She has little choice as she has a 4 year old and an extended family that the IRA would hurt.

Thus begins a race against time. A thrilling story with beautiful writing. The characters are complex and it is easy to become as torn as they are to make choices that may impact generations of their families. I love, love loved this book and you will too! Keep writing about Tess Flynn!
#penguinegroup #trusther #flynnberry

Life has gone on for Tessa and Marian. Three years after escaping the IRA in Northern Ireland, they have new lives in Dublin. But the past is about to catch up with them again.

With the same beautiful writing as before, Flynn Berry crafts a heartbreaking and hopeful story. I loved it.

Tessa makes a snap decision to travel to a more distant swimming hole to escape the oppressive heat. She is rear-ended, but the accident turns out to be merely a ruse to gain access to her. The IRA wants her to inform on her handler. Tessa must protect her son at all costs, but her feelings for Eamonn threaten to scupper her plan to cooperate. Fans of domestic suspense and Irish locales will enjoy it.

I'm only 20% into the book but far enough to know I'm hooked. Love the writing and perspective. Just requested the print copy so i can mark it up in advance of my interview with Berry.