Another riveting and expertly researched historical by Katherine Reay. Reay, a long time favourite, is finding a new niche in family-driven excavations of the ripples of the past to influence and relationships. A taut thriller destined to delight fans of Christine Wells and with the enveloping complexity of dynamics of Kristin Harmel's upcoming THE PARIS DAUGHTER. Remarkably timely and difficult to put down

Put this one on your radar for summer 2023. A Shadow in Moscow is a page-turner of a dual timeline historical fiction spy novel set in the Soviet Union during the cold war. I loved it and devoured it in a couple days. I was immediately hooked by the first two chapters, starting each timeline/protagonist’s story (Anya and Ingrid). I loved the attention to history and detail and appreciate the research that is clearly put into this novel. I felt like the accomplishments of Ingrid were a little far fetched but that may only reflect my own doubt in the abilities of a housewife turned spy – and the very reason she was successful was because the KGB and even her husband totally underestimated her too. I felt like I really knew the two main characters and rooted for both of them the whole way; on the other hand, I struggled to keep the male supporting characters straight in my head. The ending was satisfying and I loved the Epilogue. Thank you to Harper Muse and Net Galley for an early copy to read and review. This book will be released in July 2023.

I could not put down this book. The amount of research that went into this was unbelievably impressive. It's a book I plan to read again just to go back and find the details I missed because I was reading so quickly to find out what happens.

Fans of the London House, Reay's previous novel, will definitely enjoy this book. I think it's even better. What I enjoyed most was the honesty I saw in Anya's internal struggles. There are some characters that are almost too good, with too few flaws, I'm overall impressed with how she managed to develop these characters with all their complicated emotions and ambitions.

A very enjoyable, well-researched historical fiction novel about two courageous women working as spies in Moscow during the height of the Cold War told with a dual timeline/narrative that converges at the climax.

Ingrid Bauer loses her parents at the tail end of World War II and then in 1955 meets a man who works at the Russian Embassy in her hometown of Vienna and agrees to marry him and move back to Moscow. Communist Russia isn't what Ingrid expected and she suspects her husband works for the KGB. Ingrid's desire to find hope in her world leads her to start spying for the British MI6 and over many years she becomes the best spy or 'shadow" that they have ever had. In the other timeline, Anya Kadinova is a young Russian completing her studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC in 1980. Anya leaves behind an American boyfriend and returns to Russia but struggles to settle into her life as the freedom and the abundance she had experienced in the U.S. is glaringly absent in Moscow. When her close friend is murdered (presumably by the KGB), Anya makes contact with the CIA and starts passing intelligence to them.

I found the novel had a bit of a slow start while the author showed the hardship and stress of life in a totalitarian state and set up the backstories of how the two women became involved in espionage but once the spying was underway I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. A compelling story and an interesting look at the years of the Cold War and the role that espionage played in a world teetering on the brink of nuclear war - well worth reading!

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Generally, I’m not a fan of spy novels, and started this one with half interest. I was proved wrong! A superbly interesting and captivating book that kept me up to the small hours. I really enjoyed the characters and the style of writing. Anja and Ingrid are both believable heroines with different personalities and motivations, unknowingly going for the same outcome. I will be reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I will be honest, I typically would not read a spy novel, but being written by one of my favorite authors, I was curious. Now, I am so glad I read A Shadow In Moscow. Hooked on the first page with "Friends can’t help me now. Books can’t help me now. I’m at an end of my own making,” I couldn't stop turning the pages.
The story follows two female spies. Ingrid's story begins in WWII Austria and moves to Cold War Russia. Anya's storyline opens in 1980 at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and then transitions to Russia. Their personal worlds intertwine with international, local, and family histories. They must reconcile the messiness of their world and history in the depths of their beings and find peace within their response. As the reader, I also came to a deeper understanding of my own world through the characters' cultural histories.
I love Katherine Reay’s characters in A Shadow In Moscow. Ingrid and Anya are relatable, complicated, and flawed. The intricacies of their relationships with their loved ones make me see a bit of myself in each of them and understand why they entered into working as spies. Reay portrays her protagonists as everyday women, like me, who desire the world to be a better place for their loved ones. If ever compromised, will each be willing or even capable of sacrifice?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow this was quite the saga, in the best way ever. It covered decades but didn’t feel rushed or like the story was to flip floppy as some novels tend to be when they cover such broad timeframes. I enjoyed every minute of reading A Shadow in Moscow. The way Katherine Reay tied the two timelines together was epic, I did not see the plot twist coming. If you like Kate Quinn novels you will for sure love this one as well.

I loved this book. Once I got into the story I just kept reading and didn’t want to stop. The two strong women characters will inspire the readers. Both women are strong, but in appearance they don’t always come across that way. Ingrid is calmer and more collected throughout the book and comes across much like the quiet humble woman she shows the world. But the reality of how intelligent she is and how much she helps change the world is her true strength. Anya is strong but more impetuous and passionate, showing her emotions and weaknesses more. Readers will love the two spies and their stories, especially how they tie together. And the author puts a cherry on top with the ending.

Ingrid and Leo, in the 1950’s
Anya and Scott, in the 1980’s
Starcrossed lovers surviving communism and Russian rule 30 years apart. Anya, returns to Russia after her American college experience, leaving Scott behind. Ingrid marries Leo, but soon starts to doubt his reasons and his work. How does Ingrid and Anya’s lives intertwined? Or do they? The story was kind of slow to start for me, but definitely worth finishing. Great picture inside Communist Russia and the secrets piled on top of secrets.
I was sent an arc from Netgalley for review

A Shadow in Moscow is my new favorite book by Katherine Reay! I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down!

I have struggled to get into other books about Russia and the Cold War. This one was so enthralling as it switched between the two timelines. I admired both women so much, for their courage and determination to do what was right. My heart broke for the sorrow and despair they experienced in their lives. Katherine Reay has given us a haunting view into what life was like under fear of the KGB.

This story will definitely stay with me - I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, spy stories, and stories of resilience and hope.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Katherine Reay for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

A remarkable story of two brave women changing their harsh reality.

I've a soft spot for WW2-based novels, docos and films after studying this era of history as a teen. It's such a tragic time on the human calendar, and the stories can be suffocating and heartbreaking, yet there's always a glimmer of hope somewhere.

But the Cold War? It's a less familiar part of history to me (probably because I haven't obsessed over it, LOL). I knew more about the suffering of the Russian people and less about the espionage. Despite my ignorance, I was able to fully immerse myself in Anja and Ingrid's worlds.

I fell in love with Ingrid the moment she graced the pages and enjoyed seeing her growing from the hurting girl of the 1940s to the courageous woman she became. I mourned her many losses - family, love, freedom - but cheered her choice to make a difference in the world.

Anja's first scene was shockingly bleak that I HAD to know what happened to her, so was happy to travel back in time and see how she'd ended up where she did. I sympathised with her pull to Scott despite knowing it could never be, the futility of her life and expectations back in Russia, and her internal fight.

The characters throughout this book were phenomenal, regardless of whether I liked them, loathed them, or struggled to know where to place them in my heart. I don't think I've been as invested in a story like this in a long time. The tragedy overwhelms me because fiction always finds its root in reality.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a fascinating book, but it was hard to read the first half, which doesn’t have a lot of hope in it. I pushed through to get that far before quitting for the first day. The second half starts having glimpses of hope, and eventually reaches good resolution. However, reading about life in the Soviet Union during the Cold War is not an enjoyable thing. The characters are well drawn, and their hopes and fears come to life. Reay does an amazing job describing the daily life of that time and place.

If you like reading about spies (especially women spies) and the Cold War, you will really go for this book. If you want a quick, light, easy read, go read something else.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #AShadowinMoscow #NetGalley

Wow, wow, wow!! One of the best books I've read in a long time.

I really loved this book. It is different from the genres I normally read, but I enjoy this Author & have read all her books, so I wanted to give it a chance & I'm so glad I did! I look forward to reading it again.

I appreciated how well written it was. The book is full of intrigue, suspense, mystery & surprise!! The author did a lot of research & it showed. And, as always, it's fun to catch her quotes from classical literature! 😉

I won't give anything away, so as not to spoil the surprise, but I will say I was surprised by the way the book turned out. It was hard to out the book down.

Book club questions are included at the end of the book, which is always appreciated. I would highly recommend this as a book club book. I look forward to discussing it with others & sharing the book.

** Note: If you are reading an ebook version especially, I would HIGHLY recommend you bookmark each chapter so you can flip back & forth and follow the timeline. As the book is written about 2 main characters, and over the course of 30+ years, it was challenging to figure out how much time had passed since the last chapter.**

(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

WOW! A Shadow in Moscow is so seeped in history. This is one that I kept liking more and more as I continued reading it, and I couldn’t put it down, especially once I reached the half way mark. Well researched and beautifully written, Katherine Reay gives us an interesting story about two spies whose timeline eventually converge. I loved this book but I think I could also read just an entire novel about Ingrid and her accomplishments. I highly recommend this book to those who love learning something while reading historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Since the Cold War has been a long-term interest for me, I’m always excited to find a book dealing with the era. Maybe it’s because my family background has strong roots in Eastern Europe. Or because when I was growing up, my dad took several mission trips to Ukraine, and I eagerly soaked up stories dealing with the effects of post-sovietism and the Orange Revolution. Regardless, I was sold on the story concept alone—and spies?! I never say no to reading about spies.

Everything about this book was so beautifully done. From the breathtaking cover to the heart-wrenching story and characters who will forever live in my heart. And that ending completely shattered me. What these men and women have for freedom—true freedom not just the illusion of it—is beyond amazing. They deserve to be remembered for the heroes they were. Their bravery is something I can’t even begin to fathom.

London House and Dear Mr. Knightley have been my favourite books from Katherine Reay, who is deeply talented. But this book may just have stolen first place in my heart! 💛😭

* Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Wow…this book. Katherine Reay is such a talented writer, and she never disappoints. My favorite book of hers I think will always be The London House, but this story was so, so good. There was so much rich history in this story, and I loved reading both timelines through Anya and Ingrid’s POVs. Also, I adored Scott—how he never gave up and never stopped loving no matter how many times he was pushed away or how long he had to wait. Such a beautiful love story between him and Anya! The writing was beautiful and mesmerizing while telling a captivating story of bravery, sacrifice, and love.

Highly recommend this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of A Shadow in Moscow. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

Without a doubt my book of 2022!

Well researched, brilliant.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Harper Muse for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Katherine Reay has done it again! This was stunning! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful telling of the power of friendship and love. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This book drew me in just as quickly as 'The London House' did last year. I never enjoyed learning about the Cold War in history class as I found it too political and boring (I prefer medieval history or even early 20th Century history), but this book was hard to put down!

Katherine Reay has obviously done her research, and it shows. This book is fascinating and hard to put down.

Unlike when I was reading 'The London House', I was not almost late to a dinner with a family member because I was so engrossed in the book, but that's only because I didn't have a family dinner planned.


This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the history of the Cold War, or even a bit about spies and family dramatics.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own