I just couldn't get into this book. It felt like there was no driving force or tension, which is very necessary in a spy novel. I'm bummed, because the premise sounds so interesting.

Alex Gerlis (https://alexgerlis.co.uk) is the author of 20 novels. Every Spy a Traitor was published earlier this month and is the first book in his Double Agent series. It is the 53rd book I completed reading in 2024.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

This novel begins in the early 1930s and concludes just after WWII started. Several characters are included in the story, but two Englishmen stand out. One is Charles Cooper, while the other is the mysterious man code-named Archie. While this novel is set on the precipice of WWII, the focus is on British and Russian spies.

Cooper is a young man just out of college when he is approached and somewhat forcefully recruited to spy for the Russians. Incredibly, he is later recruited by MI-6 to spy for the British. Neither side knows of his conflicting connections. He must walk a narrow path to preserve his secrets and avoid detection.

Archie is a man of mystery. Only identified as a high-ranking official within British Intelligence. He will do anything to preserve his position and his secret affiliation with the communists.

The stories of other spies are told. Too often, they end with discovery and death. In some way, these stories intersect with those of Cooper and Archie. Over the period covered by this novel, British intelligence slowly realizes that it has a traitor within.

I enjoyed the 9.5+ hours I spent reading this 397-page WWII-period thriller. I have had the opportunity to read a few of Mr. Gerlis' excellent novels. Among them are Agent in Berlin, Prince of Spies, Ring of Spies, and Agent in Peril. I like the cover art selected for this book. I give this novel a rating of 4.4 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Every Spy a Traitor by Alex Girlis is a novel about spies, double agents and the people that choose this way of life, some willingly, some much more skeptical.
Most of the Russian espionage books I have read or podcasts I have listened to happened during the Cold War, especially the 50’s. This story, however, went in a different direction. It occurred pre WWII in Europe during the late 1930’s.
Much of the book centers on Christopher (Charles) Cooper (Shaw) who has gone by several names. He is a man who pretty much looks out for himself. Wanting to write his own book, he is befriended by strangers who want to “help” him. Ultimately, these friends will bring him into the inner working of Russian espionage.
“Archie” is the unknown agent who pops up on a regular basis.
The first part of the book sets up the recruitment of Cooper and others. This, for me, was the slow part. Cooper seemed unrealistically naive. I think this part of the novel could have been more condensed.
The second part, however, seems to do a good job of redeeming itself. There we run into thrilling world of spies, double agents and covert operations. Both British and Russian Secret Service are kept busy with the double agents. The ending, I believe, it is a satisfying one.
I thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this novel. This was a new author for me and will look forward to reading more from him. I would give it a 3.5-4 stars.

Every Spy a Traitor is a spy’s espionage novel. This book is the first of three in a new series by Alex Gerlis called the Double Agent Series where we meet a handful of spies during the pre-WWII years. Several of the spies we meet are indeed double agents – some purposeful and some only because of blackmail.
We meet Cooper, a young journalist, who is purposeless and rather naïve until he is swayed to join not one, but two, different spy agencies. For opposing sides. He is allegedly writing a book that never happens; probably for the best as he is quite busy trying to escape his duties with both agencies without the other finding out.
And then there is the mole in the British war effort. Unfortunately, this story line is disappointing as we are left with less than an answer as to who and what is going on before the novel ends…. It IS a trilogy, of course. But still disappointing to have so many unanswered questions on the last page.
While the novel has a great deal of realistic and convincing spy craft and detail about pre-WWII Europe, our hero Cooper is likewise a bit of a disappointment as he proves to be less than competent and amazingly unsophisticated – while at the same time a psychopath and killer. Is he really our hero?
The many twists and turns in Every Spy a Traitor, as well as the excellent agent activities, keep the reader happy and compelled to read on. However, I do wish the ending had more of a conclusion than wait until next time. And I do worry about our hero’s dark side.
Rating: 3 of 5

Excellent multi layered spy thriller with lots of twists and turns that keep the attention level high. A lot of characters all serve the narrative well and though the fate of most is revealed there’s enough left over to make one hungry for the next episode as we move into WW11.

This was a very good book. I really enjoyed it.

I thought the book was well written, and I enjoyed the multiple POV aspect to the story.

There were some questions that were left unanswered, but I understand that it's going to be a series, so that's understandable.

I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for Book 2!

Thank you to author Alex Gerlis, NetGalley, and publisher Canelo for the chance to read this.

I read this book purely because it was written by Alex Gerlis, and I wasn't disappointed.

Honestly, the time period doesn't really hold any appeal for me, so the narrative didn't do much for me. But the writing? Oh my. Gerlis writes prose that flows like melted butter. Every bite feels sinfully rich. I suppose I would read Gertis if he wrote about ancient Rome, which holds even less appeal for me that Europe before WWII. The writing is just too good not to enjoy no matter what the subject matter.

I love spy novels! All very exciting. Between wars, post wars, the Cold War. Fascinating! The idea of how a person becomes a spy and then a double agent is arresting. This was fairly slow in developing in the first instance however, which was a drag. In the end I liked Every Spy a Traitor but I just didn’t love it as I’d wanted to.

A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

A gripping plot with twists and turns is an understatement. The writing was excellent and the characters were fleshed out just enough. Would definitely recommend.

Every Spy a Traitor is the first book in a new series by Alex Gerlis and whilst the conclusion was good I found the first three quarters a bit meandering and it didn’t grab my attention which was a disappointment as I have enjoyed his previous books.

Hopefully this was a scene setter and future books will see a return to form.

This is a strange book. There's a huge cast of characters listed at the front but I couldn't remember them all. I got mixed up with Bertie and Archie. It was quite interesting, being set in the period just before the second world war when political priorities were different. I felt that there were too many loose ends and the ending was a bit abrupt.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

Every Spy a Traitor is a twisty tale of the late 1930s in Europe. A young English writer is reluctantly drawn into the world of espionage, spying for both the UK and the Soviet Union. But there are many other spies, and loyalties are always changing. Perfect for fans of Josh Lawton, this thriller is based on real events.

The first in a new series and I look forward to the further adventures of the double agent,Cooper - or whatever name he currently goes by! Lots of political background about Europe in the 30sand the book slowly drew me in given its thoroughness but there was not enough action or spy craft for me but I have high hopes for the next book in the series

I'm a sucker for a good WWII spy story. Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter. Just give me more. Every Spy a Traitor sets a compelling story of double agents, spies on both sides and government agencies crippled with spies in their ranks.
While the main protaganist seems a bit naive at times, I think that was on purpose and you see the character grow through the book into a reliable agent. Agent Archie is akin to Kim Philby in my mind, and I treated him like that as I read. A highly placed spy in the British ranks who gave great information to the Soviets. And hard to find who he was no matter what.
With the backdrop of Nazi Germany, the rise of paranoia in Stalin's USSR and fear in the rest of Europe, this book weaves fact with fiction is such a way that you feel like you are reading more fact than fiction.
I am glad that this is the first in a series as there are a few story lines that are not resolved and I need to know how they end.
Great characters, good settings and lots of intrigue.
I think this book is more enjoyable knowing more of WWII spy history, allowing the reader to appreciate the stories, the thoughts going through characters minds and how easy it would be to be trapped in these circumstances.
A highly entertaining read and I look forward to the next in the series.

I enjoyed this espionage thriller, the first book in the Double Agent series by a new-to-me author.
As the synopsis states above it’s about a mole in British Intelligence known as ‘Archie’ and also about Charles Cooper, a young writer whose life takes an extraordinary turn whilst travelling around Europe writing his novel.
It was set in Europe in the 1930s just before the Second World War, so Charles comes into contact with some very interesting people and situations. People who you and me would definitely avoid, but he’s incredibly trusting and tends to take people at face value, which causes him a lot of problems in the long run.
I liked Charles at first and enjoyed his European adventure, although I did find his naivety annoying at times. Maybe it’s because I’ve read a few spy novels, because it was quite obvious what was going to happen to him, every time he thought he was safe.
I loved the setting of this novel, especially the way it took me across lots of European cities. I didn’t have a clue who ‘Archie’ was and I look forward to trying to find out who he is in the the next book.
Recommended if you enjoy espionage thrillers set in 1930s Europe.

A follow on that expands the story line from the first book as 00’s try to track and trace both nefarious villains and Bond himself. Further complicated by another a traitor in their midst it’s a race against both time and an ever changing landscape. Not to sure about slipping various Bond titles into the actual narrative but guess thats like a martini - personal preference. The ending leaves you compelled to read the next book which is never a bad thing.

I found it rather difficult to get into the story and to keep my attention all through the novel. I can't say the novel was not good, it was just not for me. I couldn't take the characters seriously (nor their actions!), sometimes finding them downright stupid rather than naïve! Not my style of novel.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

The start of a brand new spy series. I've read all Alex Gerlis's previous series and enjoyed them all. This one is set the 1930s. Charles Cooper has inherited some money. He decides to take a break and travel around Europe. He is, to a certain extent, an innocent abroad. He finds himself unwittingly recruited by the Soviet Union as a communist spy. On returning to England, he believes he has walked away from the situation but his life soon becomes even more complicated.
This is a gripping read which at times seemed rather amusing. Cooper's hapless attempts to stay out of trouble seem to only lead him into worse scenarios. The operations of the different spy agencies in both Britain and Russia makes for interesting reading, as did the changing political situation in Russia as Europe heads towards war.
There are a number of unresolved points at the end of the book and so I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the next in the series.

A gripping and atmospheric start to a great new series.

“Every Spy a Traitor” opens in Moscow, in 1937. A man is rudely awoken to noises outside his hotel room, and he quickly realises it's about to be raided. His female companion urges him to hide in a pre-prepared hidey-hole. Just as she closes him in, he hears the banging at the door, and soon is forced to listen as the woman is taken away and the room searched.

We then turn to an earlier time, Paris 1931, and an unnamed man is enjoying a leisurely road trip across France. He is approached at a café by a man offering advice on what to drink. When he meets the same man again later in Lyon, he realises all is not as it seems.

Skip ahead to England 1936 and another man, soon to find himself in a whole load of trouble, is about to receive some life-changing news from his solicitor.

Soon the reader is set on a journey which will cover the years leading up to WW2, in which plots are set in motion, lives are forever changed, and decisions are made that will have far-reaching consequences. We find ourselves in England, France, Russia and Germany as we are introduced to a large cast of characters, many of whom are swept along in fast moving events over which they have little control. It's difficult to say more without spoiling some wonderful twists and turns which I'm sure will be developed further in the forthcoming books (this is a four-book series).

Fan of Alex Gerlis' previous books will find this one a slightly different read. We've still got characters, some more astute than others, all of whom find themselves drawn into the world of spies and spying, who then suffer the stresses of life as an undercover espionage agent. We still see the effects of living a double life have on them and those around them, and how the spying fraternity is a heartless one. But, unlike the previous books, some of which arguably could be read as stand-alone novels, “Every Spy a Traitor” is clearly part one of four-part, overarching saga. Events are set in motion and plots are put in place, all of which will take time to unfold and become clear. The final lines of the book certainly leave us in no doubt of that.

The opening chapters of this book read like a 1930's black and white Noir film. Naïve young men enjoying the halcyon pleasures of Europe, others whose lives seem set but are about to change, more sinister characters who know dark days are coming, and events which at first seem random, but which soon coalesce into a web of deceit and danger. It seems to do the book an injustice to call it a “page turner”, but that's what it is. Again, the research is impeccable, the atmosphere thick with dread and suspicion. And all painted against the backdrop of 1930's Europe. I dare you not to want to visit a Paris café, or the Kremlin, or the Hague after reading this.

I was fortunate to receive a Netgalley review copy of this book, but be sure I'll be first in the queue for a proper copy of this, and the rest of the series. It's the best yet from a writer who knows his subject. Heartily recommended for existing fans and those of Len Deighton, Ben Creed and Helen Macinnes.