The first third of the book was so slow that I put the book down for a few months. When I picked it up again it was a bit better. A historical fiction account of Elizabeth Bentley, an American, turned Soviet spy, turned American Patriot. Interesting, except when reading the author's notes she inserted her own family's history into the story. No, no, no. I know there is fiction in this book, but this seems so wrong. Stick to Elizabeth Bently's life. She seemed to have an interesting but sad life as an adult. ( )

Thanks to Stephanie Marie Thornton, Berkley, and Edelweiss for the chance to read this book in return for an honest review. This book has a publication date of Sept. 14, 2021.

Catherine Gray has just lost her mother and learned the news that will forever change her life. She confronts the one woman who can answer all of her questions, Elizabeth Bentley, a famous spy, and Communist. While holding her at gunpoint, Catherine demands that Elizabeth be held accountable for killing her mother. In order for this to happen, Catherine must learn Elizabeth's history.

Elizabeth Bentley has lost her parents and has no friends to speak of. She soon meets a woman named Lee who lives in her apartment house and is recruited into the American Communist Party. Soon after, it is determined that she is far more valuable to the Party than originally thought and she is soon taught how to be a spy and pass that information along to her handler who gives her the code name of Clever Girl. As she and her handler become more involved, she is given access to untold secrets that make her invaluable. After her handler dies, she continues to operate on her own until the Party decides she is incapable and demands she step down. In order to protect herself, She goes to the FBI and is made a double agent - she would now report the Party's movements to J. Edgar Hoover. During the height of the Cold War, Elizabeth testifies before the Senate regarding her contacts within the Communist Party to stay alive. Catherine learns that there is more to Elizabeth than she ever imagined.

I had never heard of Elizabeth Bentley before and I found the story based on her life thrilling. The research was well done and told in a manner that you wanted to read the story quickly as well as make it last. Stephanie Marie Thornton did a fantastic job of weaving the fact with the fiction to ensure a readable story that made the reader want more. This was my first read by Thornton but I can guarantee that it will not be my last. ( )

This is what historical fiction should be! Interesting, well researched, and thoughtful. One of those books that sends you to Google to check on it's accuracy. While she combines and adds some characters, the book is an accurate, interesting story. She started out as a naive, lonely, young who was appalled at the Anti fascist movement and got sucked into by ideas of communism. I didn't want to put it down. Remember the cold war & spies...well she was in it up to her ears. ( )

This novel, the story of Elizabeth Bentley, a Soviet spy turned informant, is engaging from the first page to the last. Elizabeth is young and very alone in the world when she is introduced to communism and joins the Communist Party of the USA, a place where her talents are appreciated and she develops a few friendships. But before long, she's recruited to help pass intelligent from the US to the Soviet Union. Believing she's helping defeat Nazis, Elizabeth helps to manage one of the largest Soviet spy networks. But after WWII ends, she realizes her Soviet contacts may more sinister motivations and Elizabeth decides to take what she knows to the FBI. I'm surprised I haven't encountered this story before, but I'm very glad I did. This novel makes for a fascinating story and one that kept me turning the pages. ( )

Absolutely could not put this book down! When I finished the book, I found myself deep in thought about it for days, wishing there was more to the story.

Explores the very fine line between patriotism and sedition, and just how easily those lines can be blurred without realizing it. ( )