Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida
Mystery, cozy style if a bit longer.
Gabby Greene is a housewife, mother of two young children, burner of meatloaf, and in the process of divorce. Laundry is a lot cause.
Gabby is surprised by two secret government agents at her door one night. Apparently she is almost an exact double of an agent that was recently killed and they want Gabby’s help to finish the case against a local business man allegedly deal with the Russian mob. Gabby will have to figure out how to get the kids back and forth to school and activities when she agrees to go undercover. With a grandmother that defected from Russia as a young woman, Gabby knows a few words of Russian, so when a couple of mob men kidnap her when she’s taking out the garbage, she figures out what’s going on. An amateur in the spy business, Gabby does her best to learn and solve the problems no ordinarily housewife should have to deal with. When granny moves in with her boyfriend, it helps with taking care of the children, but why is she being nice and chatting with the men in the car parked at the end of the driveway? She should know how the mob works.

Lots of humorous action and slapstick, while the housewife does a better job undercover than expected. The children’s attitudes and actions are typical and add to the stress Gabby has but she clearly loves and supports them. Handsome co-agent Marcus is a temptation and it’s fun to see Gabby run circles around him.
Better than I expected from an amateur spy story. Gabby is smart and figures things out even when asking friends to get involved without sharing the whole spy thing. I can easily see this becoming a series as the housewife out-spies the pros.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

On a whim I decided to read Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida. The premise sounded fun but I honestly had no idea how much fun this novel would truly be. Reminiscent of some 80’s sit con I vaguely remember, though this is actually even better. I know exactly how Gabby Greene feels from the loss of confidence over time to the overwhelming feeling of being a real live spy for the CIA. We can all have that adventure even if it is living precariously through Gabby. At least we don’t have to worry about dying unless it is from laughing.

If you are in need of a beach or pool or just an escapism read, this is the one for you. It is so unbelievable except the author writes it so that is believable. Great writing. Surely there will be a sequel in the future. I would love for there to be anyway.

What a fun read! Gabby Greene is recently divorced and trying to figure out who she is. She hopes that stepping up at the schools, hanging with her bestie, and self-help books will help her find her new identity. Her world dramatically changes one day though when she opens the door and the CIA is trying to recruit her. They have a matter of urgent national security interest and only she can help. After some contemplation, Gabby puts on her most comfortable yoga plants and jumps into a world of secrets and espionage. It isn't easy and Gabby has some awkward moments including a fake nose and a lesson in gun safety. This book totally reminded me of Elle Cosimano and her Finlay Donovan series. It's got the unexpected detective/spy, a hot love interest, and a mom just trying to manage her ex-husband and kids. I really hope the author turns this into a series- I'd totally read.

Such a fun modern cozy mystery. I love an accidental detective thriller but now I think the accidental spy might be even better!

I picked up Errands & Espionage as a Read Now on NetGalley and I'm so glad that I did!

Sam Tschida's writing is fun and her characters were so relatable. I found myself reading with a smile on my face as Gabby got deeper and deeper into her mission. The relationships she had with her kids, ex-husband, best friend and even the kooky neighbour had so my love and warmth to them, while also feeling SO real.

Sure, there were elements of the plot that were a bit predictable, but the writing was so good that this wasn't an issue for me.

I would certainly read another instalment of this series if Sam Tschida were to write it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central) Publishing and Sam Tschida for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

Mom. CIA operative. Russian mafia.

Errands & Espionage was such a fun summer read. Lighthearted and witty, Gabby was such a fun character to hang out with.

Just a mom trying to hold it all together after a divorce, who suddenly gets thrown into an undercover job she never expected, only to discover she is far more capable than she realized.

If you’re looking for a fun read to top off your summer book list, this is it!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Sometimes you just have to read a really fun book, and this satisfied that need. A housewife gets chosen to go on a secret mission for the CIA, and hilarity ensues!

This one is super funny. It’s very light on the romance, so don’t go in expecting it to be a regular romance novel. Basically, Gabby is a struggling divorced stay-at-home mom who gets recruited to some spy business because she looks just like the last agent who was killed and did not finish her assignment. She’s going in and pretending to be an executive assistant, which she does not actually know how to do. And she’s very bad at being a spy. It’s a huge comedy of errors, plus she’s got a wacky best friend to add to the humor. Loved it. Super fun.

ARC READ THROUGH NETGALLEY. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. The only thing I liked about this book was the writing. I thought it was well-written and had some funny lines and also had good descriptions of things. However, the storyline of a mom finding herself being a detective feels kind of overdone these days. I will admit though that some of my being tired of it probably comes from not being able to relate to it in any way, shape, or form, so I'm not as entertained by it or as drawn in to the plot.

This might be the most fun I've had with a book in a long time...I found myself snorting and laughing at Gabby's expense but also her thoughts were hysterical. I loved that while this was obviously a comedic book, it also touched on how women who have chosen to be stay at home moms sometimes feel: inadequate, under-appreciated, and lost. As one myself, this book resonated during some of the thoughtful moments. For the rest of the book, I was rolling. The prosthetic nose incident made me legit laugh out loud and this quote felt directed at me: "She had a great view of him recklessly sucking down a Big Gulp like he had access to a bathroom. He clearly hadn't given birth twice." I know sister, I know.

This book was super fun! Gabby Green is a divorced SAHM of two who is recruited by the CIA because she looks exactly like an agent who was killed in the line of duty. Hilarity ensues while she trains for the job while on the job and has a flirtation for her trainer. Completely unrealistic rom-com/mystery mashup yet 100% delightful.

Gabby Greene, in the midst of a divorce, and busy being the single mom of two kids and a Bichon Frise named Mr. Bubbles, is looking to reinvent herself. However, what she did not plan on was the CIA knocking on her door, telling her that she is the dead-ringer for an agent that was murdered while undercover, and they need her to take her place. Gabby is all set to show them the door, when they let her know that the job will pay 80K, no matter how little time it takes to accomplish. Being broke, that money would change everything for Gabby & her kids. So, against her better judgement, she agrees. As Gabby embarks on a dangerous mission involving money laundering, a Russian oligarch, and an unfortunate incident with a prosthetic nose, she begins to realize that she is far from the invisible housewife she once believed herself to be, and that maybe, just maybe, she might be capable of saving the day.

First, let me say, you will just have to suspend belief on this, because really..... are the CIA really going to recruit a housewife with no training to go undercover for a dangerous mission like this? That said, you just need to sit back, roll with it, and enjoy the comedy. This is like a smash-up of Finlay Donovan and Stephanie Plum.. and Gabby's grandma definitely gave off Grandma Mazur vibes (from the Janet Evanovich novels). Gabby is a screw-up, in the most fun loving way possible, so she was constantly getting into scrapes. The way the book ended set it up for there to be a follow-up book, so I am hoping this will be an entire series. If you are a fan of Elle Cosimano & Janet Evanovich, then you will enjoy this as well.

I enjoyed reading Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The premise of this book was super fun! Gabby was funny and resourceful and fun to read as the main character. I loved the side characters as well, especially Justin and Granny. I thought the plot was interesting, but a bit cliche. The writing style was also not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say that I was drawn in by the blurb for Errands and Espionage when I first read it and the story ended up being as fun and entertaining as I had hoped it would be!

Gabby Greene is a recently divorced, stay-at-home mom of two, who isn't the most organized, nor does she feel the best about herself these days. When there is a knock at the door and she is approached by a secret government agency due to the fact that she resembles a recently murdered spy, at first she thinks someone is trying to pull a fast one on her. She finally realizes they are serious and they want her help because she looks so much like this woman and they think she can help them get to the bottom of the mystery. And, what would a story like this be without another gorgeous spy that catches her eye?!

You do have to suspend reality to read this, as some of it just wouldn't be possible otherwise, but that's part of the fun. I did find a lot of it relatable though in terms of how Gabby had to juggle her home life with her kids and the job she was trying to do. None of that is easy, ever. Overall, this was an enjoyable and fun, summer read!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Fans of Finlay Donovan, I’d like you to meet Gabby Greene. Sam Tschida has entered the chat with her hilarious, tongue-in-cheek spy novel, ERRANDS & ESPIONAGE.

Gabby Greene is a recently divorced mom of two struggling to hold it all together. After 14 years of stay-at-home-momming while living in yoga pants, she’s at a crossroads. Her ex is hounding her with legal action to get a job so he doesn’t have to pay spousal and child support. Her skill set is way out of date. It’s looking like Tupperware sales is in her future until she is - wait for it - recruited by the CIA to be a real life spy.

Everything after that is a jumble of ridiculously bizarre happenings as Gabby works to take down the Russian mob. There may even be a little romance thrown in. It’s necessary to suspend your disbelief, but oh-so-rewarding when you just go with the flow and embrace the unlikely shenanigans that follow. The supporting characters are much of the fun here. Embracing their quirkiness is a big part of the charm of this book.

The ending hints at a sequel and I hope Ms. Tschida delivers on that promise. I’m ready for more adventures with Agent Gabby Greene.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Combine a newly divorced housewife desperate for cash, who looks like a recently deceased operative, with an undercover job, energetic kids, and a grandma with a Viagra-using boyfriend, and you get a hilariously entertaining book. The best way to describe it? AMAZING. My patrons will absolutely devour this book!

Gabby Green is a mom, chief bottle washer, taxi driver, etc. You get the picture. She is one busy single mother. Things are a little hectic at her house these days since her divorce. She has her hands full. When a secret government agency comes knocking on her door asking her to go undercover. This has to be a joke, right? She is wondering who is pranking her. Well it is not a joke. Her government needs her.

As she goes to work undercover, she finds herself again. She gets a much needed confidence boost while also saving the world and being a #1 mom. She has felt underappreciated and invisible for a while. She no longer feels invisible and realizes she may have a real knack for this.

I kept having visions of True Lies. This was a good read for a hot summer day around the pool. It has a little drama/mystery and humor, as well as a great cast of characters.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to Forever for a gifted ARC and to NetGalley for the electronic version, too. I didn’t know what to expect from this new-to-me author, and I had a fun time reading the book with some delicious sushi at one of my favorite local breweries. All opinions are my own.
Gabby Greene is recently divorced, with her husband forcing her to go back to work so he doesn’t have to pay her as much spousal support. Gabby hasn’t worked in fourteen years and doesn’t know what she can do besides maybe sell Tupperware. But then, out of the blue, a job appears for Gabby - she has the same face as a spy for the government agency EOD (Elite Operatives Department) who needs to be replaced, as she was killed while undercover… in the same role that Gabby is being expected to fulfill. Some quick training, and then Gabby’s out there - with a whole lot on the line.
Errands and Espionage definitely has some unbelievable parts, but it was a fun romp with some really excellent side characters. I also loved seeing Gabby’s confidence grow and her relationships with her two children improve as the book progressed. I would argue it’s more mystery/comedy than a romantic comedy, as the romance part didn’t really work nor was it completely necessary for the plot. While the premise seems similar to the Finlay Donovan series, it’s different due to the mom working solo with an organization backing her (for the most part), but I think readers who enjoy that series will also enjoy this one.

Happy pub day!

Gabby, newly divorced and living a monotonous stay at home mom life the last 14 years finds herself in quite the pickle when the CIA wants to recruit her for a job.

Although I found the writing a bit hard to follow at times this was such a fun read! Gabby and the cast of characters were a ton of fun. I loved her character growth from beginning to end. I think this book would resonate with any mom, single or not. The whole time I kept thinking this would make a great movie! If you liked Finlay Donovan is Killing it I would highly suggest this for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.