After visiting the SPY museum in Washington DC I am super interested in spy stories. True or fiction I’ll take them. This one fit the bill.

Two women, a couple decades apart. Cold War. Russia. Fiction.

It was interesting to see what led them to become a spy against the KGB, how they contributed and a few sticky situations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advance e-copy.

This story intrigued me from the moment I first heard of it. I'm so happy that I was able to read it here. As I'd hoped it was a lovely story and I adored meeting these characters! Atmospheric and emotional, this is an unforgettable read!

WHAT. A. RIDE! A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay should be required reading. This story is the kind that strikes fear into the reader’s heart, then crushes it, and then leaves the reader in a book fog that will last for quite a while. This story had me travel a gamut of emotions: I was terrified, angry (SO, SO angry), frustrated, excited, intrigued, curious, and sad. This is a heavy story that depicts a heavy time in history. What I have come to realize, though, is that all time in history — including now — is a heavy time. And I really struggle with this. Reay has crafted very real, very human characters. I loved how Reay juxtaposes Ingrid’s story with Anya’s. Two strong women in their own rights both living and surviving in the USSR during the 1st an 2nd Cold War eras. Each woman deals with life differently, but ultimately with the same goal in mind: make the world a better, safer place. Anya, if I am honest, frustrated me something fierce. She acts and then thinks, and all that does is get others hurt or put in danger. She is well-meaning, but impetuous. She feels so naïve. Then there is Ingrid. Ingrid is AMAZING. She is so perfectly human and lovely and brave and HIGHLY intelligent. I loved her chapters the best. And I learned SO much from her character — when to be quiet, when to speak, when to sit still, when to act, and when to be sacrificial. Ingrid is a truly remarkable character. In addition to the characters, I also really loved all the many topics brought up in this book. Of the many topics, the one that really struck me is that maybe we don’t know our parents as well as we think we do. Anya believes she knows her parents. She loves and appreciates them. And she can see them every day, so she assumes her assessment of them is the whole picture. But it’s not even close. Her assessments of her parents illustrate the myopia and narcissism of youth. We think we know, we think we are so smart and so right, but we don’t know. And that is why sitting down with our parents, if they are willing and able, and learning their stories is so important. I’m not sure we can ever really know our parents fully, but we can show them we care about their past, their stories, and what makes them tick. And I think this is one of the most important take-aways from this excellent, poignant, heavy story.

A Shadow in Moscow is an exceptional story. This review cannot do this book justice. I’m not sure any review can do this book justice because this story is just too BIG for a review. This story must be experienced! So, if you are a fan of superbly written novels with outstanding attention to historical detail that will leave you breathless, then I implore you to purchase a copy of this novel today. You will not want to miss out on this memorable story.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Harper Muse, via AustenProse PR. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is stunning.

The characters have moments of bravery and moments of indecision. They are so human I often forgot they were fictional.

@katherinereay weaves through her story the truths fiction sometimes glosses over. Spies who make mistakes, countries that let us down and love that is imperfect and can’t solve everything.

But she also beautifully portrays that love is a choice; and hope, humanity and freedom are worth fighting for.

The plot twist is created in such a way that you are expecting in, but are still left in awe when it happens.

She writes fascinating cultural details and ideas that speak newness on both sides. Written in such a way that it leaves an impression on your heart.

I loved the generational nature of the story and the difference between the facade and the strength of the women.

I loved the history and the emotion.

I loved the pacing and the suspense.

This story is a must read.

A Shadow in Moscow is one of the best espionage thrillers that I've read and the first book by Ms. Reay. The story starts during WWII and ends in the 21st century portraying the life of a family that starts in Europe and ends in the USA. It deals with the horror of a possible nuclear war, shows how the countries led by the communist regime fell in Europe, and especially how Russia operates in the world puzzle game and how it treats (or treated?) its citizens.
It's also a powerful story of love and strong women. Beautifully written and very entertaining.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I grew up watching the Bruce Boxleitner/Kate Jackson spy show Scarecrow & Mrs. King which pitted the dashing spy (code name Scarecrow) and his common sense civilian sidekick (a divorced mom of two) against KGB operatives who seemed to be lurking around every corner. Ahhh the 1980s and the height of the more modern-day Cold War. Given my love for (aka slight obsession with) that TV show and growing up in the 1980s, I have a soft spot in my heart for stories that take place against this backdrop. So, needless to say, when A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay came across my book radar, I knew I had to read it.

The author seamlessly takes us back and forth between the early days of the Cold War, just after World War 2, and then to the arms race of the 1980s, both eras full of tangible tension, heart-in-your-throat intrigue, and a dash of romance. Through the engrossing narratives of Ingrid Bauer in the 1940s and Anya Kadinova in the 1980s, readers are given a behind-the-scenes look at the espionage that not only kept MI6 and the CIA a step ahead of the KGB but also took a stand against the Soviet Regime and even saved lives. For each woman there is a defining moment where they decide they are no longer content to toe the party line and choose to fight back against their oppressive government – at great personal risk. Reay beautifully captures their motivations, their emotions, their passionate quests for freedom and peace, and most importantly their courage.

I was fascinated by the cast of characters that helped tell their story, from other agents to handlers to friends and family. Besides Ingrid and Anya, I especially loved Dolores, Dimitri, Scott, Reginald, and Adam. I have a feeling you’ll love them once you meet them too. Some of the people you’ll encounter on these pages are actual historic figures – and if you know your Cold War history you may know how some of the story will play out. But I can guarantee you won’t be able to predict everything.

Bottom Line: A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay immerses the reader in the heart-in-your-throat, always-sweep-for-bugs world of Cold War espionage. But even more than that, it is a compelling character study of two women who have loved deeply, lost much, and decided to do their part to fight for hope. It will leave you reflecting on those throughout history who have dared to reflect Light in the darkness, who have counted the cost of doing the hard thing because it’s the right thing, and who, in so doing, have found the kind of freedom that no one can take away. The ending absolutely undid me, and the epilogue absolutely delighted me. The perfect book club read with much to discuss!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I enjoyed the storylines of both women and the explanations of life behind the Iron Curtain, but I felt the pacing was a little slow. It didn’t really pick up until those final few chapters where everything came crashing down.

I have read a few Cold War novels, and this one is the best of that bunch, in my opinion. You can tell the amount of research the author put into this novel, but at times I had a hard time following as there was a lot of dialogue but not a lot of explanations.

🚨SPOILER ALERT COMING🚨:


I was disappointed to discover that these two women were not real people. The author does mention that they’re based on a collection of several individuals. The history is in the political climate of the country and events that took place, but not in the lives of the main characters.

This is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time. Ingrid and Anya live in different decades, but their lives are intertwined in this historical fiction novel. It's got all the biggies — FBI, CIA, double agents. This is one read you won't be able to put down until the very end. Highly recommended.

Katherine Reay has done it again. This is a well-researched and well-written story that takes us into the cold war, from the beginnings and into the heart of it.

Ingrid is from Austria, her papers say she is Russian. She witnesses much regarding her parents and the Nazis during WWII. She ends up becoming a spy as she does not have many options and eventually marries a Russian man. What she doesn't tell anyone in her new homeland; her mother was British. Her husband grows through the ranks and the more this happens, the less she feels his love.

The other timeline is Anya. Anya is given an opportunity to study in the United States. This is an honor and she is meant to return to her homeland. She falls in love, but duty brings her back to the Soviet Union. Before she returns, she is recruited by the CIA.

These two women both have much to lose, but find themselves fighting a war that no one can see. They use the tools they have to work for a better world.

The story is well written from these two perspectives creating a story of espionage and intrigue that kept me turning pages to figure out what would happen next, Their very lives were on the line. As it builds, there are things the reader learns that makes the story all the more intriguing and ultimately satisfying. I could not put this one down. This is a spy novel of the best sort.

The character growth is beautifully written and the reveals are timed perfectly. I highly recommend this book full of suspense and humanity.

I received an early copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show about a spy?

A Shadow in Moscow is an intriguing and unique cold war historical fiction novel. It is a dual story told in both the 1940s/50s and 1980s. In Vienna, Ingrid loses her family and everything she loves during WWII. After the war, she marries a Soviet Embassy worker and follows him to Moscow. She finds herself reaching out to her mother’s home country of England with information about the communist regime.

Anya is a young Russian girl going to college in 1980. She grows to respect the United States as she finishes her degree at Georgetown and also finds that she has fallen in love with an American, Scott. She has to return to the USSR for her safety and her family’s safety. After the KGB murders a good friend, Anya becomes a spy sending top secret information from a military research center to the CIA in hopes of ending the arms race. Will either Ingrid or Anya be caught?

I have not read too many historical fiction novels set during the cold war and I really enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed both stories equally, which is important in a dual narrative novel. Both Ingrid and Anya are strong female leads with intriguing back stories. I have enjoyed Katherine Reay’s novels in the past and this one did not disappoint with great characters and an riveting plot. The plot and romance were both slow burn as the novel set up the story, but I was intrigued and couldn’t stop reading once the story got revved up. I love a good spy story with all of the feels!

This novel has a great author’s note and discussion questions at the end. I feel like I learned a lot about the Cold War in this novel.

Book Source: Review Copy from HarperMuse. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

** “Another (thing I want) was that I wanted to do everything I could to make the world a better place, one that honored the dignity of humans and allowed each and every person to thrive.” **

Katherine Reay delivers an incredible historical fiction novel with “A Shadow in Moscow,” a story of hope and freedom that follows two women living during the Cold War era.

Ingrid Bauer finds herself searching for a way to make humanity better post-World War II. After marrying a man she suspects is a KGB officer, she finds a way to further the cause of freedom using her special position in life.

Anya Kadinova takes part in Russia’s 1980s Foreign Studies Initiative at America’s Georgetown University. Upon graduation, she is placed in an elite engineering position — a job that will allow her to decide which side of history she want to be on.

Throughout their lives, both women have deeply loved and lost — putting them on a journey to seek truth and justice. Will they successfully find the hope and freedom they are searching for? And will their paths cross?

Reay does an incredible job of diving into the Cold War era with a deeply researched story that offers both historical facts and fictionalized tellings filled with emotion and inspiration. She creates incredibly strong characters.

She also fills “A Shadow in Moscow” with several great themes, like “meaning conveys when words cannot”; the power of freedom and choices; and we can do more than endure. A huge theme is hope — overcoming hopelessness (“We chase it away at night, but it catches us every morning. Desperation. Hopelessness”) and the fact that we have to carry, act on and take risks to grow hope; as well as shadows — becoming a shadow when one needs to, hiding in the shadows, and taking advantage of the shadows.

Fans of historical fiction and stories with strong women characters will love “A Shadow in Moscow,” as well as fans of authors like Kate Quinn, Rachel McMillan and Kristy Cambron.

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Having lived through the Cold War, Reay's look into the events and people of this time period brought back so many memories. This was a heartbreaking and riveting look into two eras that brought vast disagreement between two countries political philosophies. Two women from two different eras both linked to Russia see the inequity of the lives of Russians compared to the freedoms of other countries particularly the United States. One becomes a recruit for M16 and goes on to become one of their best Soviet agents, and the younger for the CIA. Neither knows the connection or the work of the other.

Although this moved a bit slow at the beginning the pace continued to excelerate with every page that turned. Reay brought the events to life until I felt like I was standing beside either Anya or Ingrid as they spied their way through life. Their strength, courage, and intelligence shone through each of their lives as they fought for what they believed was right. The Russian leaders names throughout each reminded me of what was happening in my life during their tenure: things such as duck and cover drills in our school classrooms.

Reay couldn't have done a better job of bringing the Cold War period to life, and this book made it to the top of my list of favorite books from Katherine Reay. Don't miss it.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I read very little historical fiction novels, but every time I do, I seem to really enjoy them, and this book was no different! It was a little slow for me around the 25%-50% mark, where I didn't feel like much was happening, and I was unsure where the book was headed. HOWEVER, the entire last half of the book I flew through, as it got super exciting, and had several pretty interesting twists that I didn't fully see coming. This book is told in dual-timelines about two different women, and at the start of the book it is not clear at all how or if there is even a connection between the two. When their stories start to collide, it gets soo good! I don't want to give anything away, because I think going into this book mostly blind as I did, made it all the more entertaining, but I will say this one made me pretty emotional at times, and I've found myself thinking about this book multiple times since I finished reading it. If you love a good historical fiction novel, or are fascinated with spies, the KGB, Russia or Austria, I think you will definitely enjoy this book as much as I did! 

P.S. I've read and LOVED several of Katherine Reay's romance novels over the years, and truly adore her storytelling. As I was reading this book I honestly kept forgetting she was the author, as this one is so different from her others, but it also makes sense why it was so good!

4+ stars

Katherine Reay spins a riveting Cold War-era tale brimming with intrigue, secrets, and spies, all while exploring thoughtful themes of truth, freedom, and the timeless bond of family. Rich historical detail adds the bow on top to this thoroughly masterful story based on real-life stories of spies who risked their lives to bring the Iron Curtain down.

Right from the start, I was hooked. The first chapter was gripping, haunting, and emotional. It raised a hundred questions in my mind about who Anya was and why she wanted to die. What secrets did she hold? Who were the loved ones she held dear? What was her story?

In this dual timeline, Katherine skillfully weaves together the stories of two seemingly unrelated women—one in WWII Vienna, and one in Cold War era Moscow—and in the process, spins a breath-taking tale of family and love and sacrifice that leaves you reeling.

I saw myself in Anya—especially in the way she struggled to readjust to her home in Russia after spending years studying in America. I too know what it’s like to try to fit back into a place that should be your home and yet… isn’t anymore. Of constantly feeling caught between two worlds, of always longing for the place you’re not in at the moment. I appreciated the representation of the unique struggles of being a third culture kid.

I loved watching Anya grow through the years as she learned to balance the tension between safety and risk, of taking a stand in the right way, to fight for truth and freedom in the only way she could. I admired Ingrid even more for her mature strength and fortitude even in the face of deep disappointment and loss and change.

I’ve read very few books on the Cold War era, so I found the setting of this book a refreshing change. Katherine wove an atmosphere of cold suspicion and distrust into her writing, so that you can almost taste the fear and hopelessness and bondage of Soviet Russia. There were moments I was caught off guard by the turn of the plot, which was a pleasant surprise.

The only downside was that the pacing tended to be slow, especially near the beginning, which weighed down the story somewhat and made it difficult to connect all the pieces. But once I got through the first third, I was fully invested and couldn’t put it down.

A Shadow in Moscow will leave you with all the emotions—admiration for the courageous men and women who sacrificed all, sorrow at the losses, and inspired to take your own stand in the fight for truth. This is the kind of story that changes you, makes you wish it were real, and leave you pondering the lessons it teaches long after you put it down.

Katherine Reay had me hooked on her writing since her debut novel of Dear Mr. Knightly, but I think she has really come into her own with London House and this novel, A Shadow in Moscow. This novel weaves together the stories of CIA's newest Moscow recruit during the Cold War with an MI6 spy in Moscow shortly after World War II. I love historical novels that have me researching to see what events are true and which ones were part of the author's imagination. These stories were done so well that the fact and fiction blended seamlessly. I highly recommend this book to anyone would loves historical fiction as well as suspense.

3.5 intriguing stars, rounded up to 4
“At the most basic level, the best stories are love stories. And despite my myriad mistakes, mine has been one too – a love story I only recognize now in its final pages…He knows I am not brave. He also knows everyone breaks and everyone talks.”

The prologue yanks the reader into the story. After the fabulous prologue, the spy thriller is off to a slow start (no James Bond skiing down the hill being shot at). Two women characters are introduced, Ingrid, during WWII and Anya, a Soviet student studying in the US in the 1980s. Ingrid did not realize her parents were spies, working against Hitler. A friend who was working with them advises her, “Pretend it’s a game so the reality of life doesn’t terrify you every moment of every day. Then learn to play and live within that game better than anyone around you.” Of the two characters, I enjoyed Ingrid’s story more; it seemed more plausible and had more forward momentum.

I liked the little ‘spy tips’ the author throws in – coughing (because people avoid sickness), then ducking into a doorway or shop. I also appreciated the description of a Klimt’s The Kiss painting that stops Soviet citizen, Anya. “It is a poignant expression of longing, giving, surrendering, and possessing…a true gift of love…It’s the heartbeat before the kiss. The glorious moment when all dreams can be fulfilled and nothing is out of reach, and when vulnerability and surrender don’t feel treacherous but intoxicating.” Sometimes Reay’s writing is very strong. Anya always loved music. “I truly believe it captures the best essence of a culture. It helps you grasp massive ideas in a compressed time frame. Music seeps into your soul and molds you.”

I liked that Reay delves deeper into the psyche of ‘spyness’ and not just the drops and safe houses and crayon lines. The end dragged a bit after the climax. The epilogue didn’t add to the story.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

1954-1985 Vienna, Moscow and Washington DC

What a journey! Intrigue, history and love are central to this time slip novel.

Ingrid's tale begins in 1954 Vienna as her world falls apart and she chooses which path to take next. Was the path she chose the best one? Perhaps not, but Ingrid made the most of what she had for herself and others.

In 1980, Anya is a Russian student blessed with a study abroad opportunity. She's educated at Georgetown University getting a taste of a different life. Yet it's her home in Moscow that she yearns to return to.

There is a ton of history and culture woven into the pages and the author's note at the end elaborated on that as well as her own motivation in writing this novel.

Spectacular! Many more thoughts are surfacing, but I don't want to include any spoiler comments. If you enjoy historical fiction, add this to your list.

A Shadow in Moscow was a phenomenal Cold War spy book set in Vienna, Moscow and Washington DC in the 1950s and 1980s.

This is dual timeline and dual perspective and honestly I liked both characters a lot. I wouldn't say this is a slow start, because I liked how the book built up the storylines but the action isn't really into the second half.

I loved that this was very much a historical fiction. The author did a lot of research on female spies and the era but the stories of Ingrid and Anya are fictional. I love when you can just immerse yourself in historical fiction without wondering oh how true is this to what really happened during this event.

I listened and the audiobook was fantastic. It's just under 12 hours and I was glad I had a long stretch of driving since I didn't want to stop listening!

A Shadow in Moscow comes out Tuesday - June 13th and I highly recommend if you're looking for a Cold War era spy novel!

✨ Review ✨ A Shadow in Moscow: A Cold War Novel by Katherine Reay; Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Lisa Flanagan

I read this entire book in one sitting! I was so caught up in it that I literally couldn't put it down. I did alternate between the print book and the audio, and both were great ways to experience this book!

The book is a dual timeline/POV book that follows Ingrid Bauer, starting in 1954 Vienna to her life married to a (likely) member of the KGB, and Anya Kadinova in 1980 who returns to Moscow after finishing her degree at Georgetown University as part of the Foreign Studies Initiative.

NOTE: I recommend going into this book without reading the description on the back of the book -- more fun to leave this one mysterious.

Both Ingrid and Anya have a strong commitment to their own personal ethics, and are a delight to follow through their lives. Talking more about what I enjoyed would be spoiler-y I suspect :(

I do wish this had been a bit more directly critical of "The West" rather than pinning it as the ideal; while a critical reader could find criticism of capitalism, the CIA, and other markers of the West, sometimes this felt a little lost under a celebration of the free choice available in the West. I also wish it had dug a little more into Soviet culture and life, though I really appreciated the insight that this book did give me.

Overall, this was an exciting historical fiction that read a bit like a spy thriller. I really enjoyed this one, and appreciated how it placed women in an important role of international diplomacy during the cold war. I wished perhaps for even more commentary on what was based in fact.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction, women's fiction, Cold War spies & international relations
Setting: Washington D.C., Vienna, Moscow - mostly between 1950s through 1980s
Reminds me of: Ruta Sepatys, Kate Quinn
Pub Date: June 13, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ historical fiction set in the East -- reminded me a bit of Ruta Sepatys and Kate Quinn
⭕️ spy thrillers featuring women
⭕️ Cold War intrique
⭕️ love stories across continents

Thanks to Harper Muse, Uplit Reads, and #netgalley for advanced copies of this book!

I really enjoyed this one. It was a tiny bit difficult to follow the stories at first but once I got them figured out I was completely engrossed. I definitely didn’t see it coming how the stories were intertwined and I loved that as well as the ending. This was a very well written book that I highly recommend!