Following on from Secret Service this novel sees Kate Henderson offered a very high level Russian defector who has, he claims, evidence that the UK prime minister is in the pay of the Russians. Kate's husband was revealed as a Russian asset and defected but Kate believes that there is still a traitor in the department, who can protect the PM. Kate travels to Russia against orders in order to see an old flame who may be able to confirm the validity of the proposed Russian defection. The action is fast and furious but throughout the book there is the constant feeling of who's the traitor? - it really reminded me strongly of John le Carre's Smiley novels. The conclusion sets things up for a further episode or two before the traitor is identified - if ever.

I decided to read the first novel in this series, called Secret Service, before I read this follow up title. I am so glad that I did, as I think Double Agent would have been an impenetrable read if I had not. Secret Service is an excellent book, worth a solid 4/5 star rating. Double Agent which I have just finished, I can only rate as 3 star.
Following the protagonist Kate, still working in the Secret Service, this story picks up where the last one leaves off. But then it moves very slowly, and gets very hung up on Kate’s state of mind, her sessions with her psychiatrist, her problems with insomnia, and eventually her inability to function without double doses of sleeping pills, washed down with copious amounts of alcohol, and her seeking out every opportunity to slip out for a nicotine fix. I find it hard to believe that someone operating at this level in the Secret Service could function in any meaningful way with this lifestyle.
Her home life beggars belief, as she leaves her already-traumatised teenage children to be cared for by her aunt, despite their devastation at being abandoned by their father, who had been exiled to Russia as a traitor. She jets off to Eastern Europe at a moment’s notice, leaving these troubled youngsters to the care of her aunt, and seems not to care that she is putting her own life in mortal danger. What kind of mother would do that?
I’m sorry to say that this is just all too implausible. I found Kate’s attitude to people close to her who died, completely bizarre. She seemed to be totally unaffected by violent death.
The ending was very unsatisfactory. It left so many loose ends, perhaps to lead into another book? In my opinion the author should have stopped writing about this particular character after the first book. It is very well written, and reasonably plotted, but it’s just too slow, with too much padding. The geographic descriptions are excellent though.
This sequel is not in the same class as the first book, I’m sorry to say.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copyof this title.

A secret-service thriller that will appeal to many who want the technical combined with the personal and emotional element.
This has plenty happening and also includes the odd surprising moment that helps to maintain a level of credibility. However, it kept niggling me that the main character didn’t consistently make really vital mistakes or could even function at all if she was as deprived of sleep as the reader is continually informed.
Generally though a thriller worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Henderson is still reeling six months after the death of her number 2 and the revelation that her husband was a Russian spy. She is struggling to sleep and her children are suffering too. Taking them to Venice to meet their exiled father she is asked to provide asylum for a Russian intelligence officer and his family in return for proof that the Prime Minister is compromised. Not knowing who to trust and struggling with guilt, Kate is pushed to the edge.
Bradby knows how to write an entertaining novel, here the action skips from London to Venice to Russia and the plot is suitably messy. I loved the section in Georgia as I travelled there last year and took the same road trip! As far as intelligent but succinct novels go, it's pretty good

Tom Bradby in dependable form. I had lost my reading Mojo during lockdown and this was an easy read to bring it back.

Another brilliant read by Tom Bradby!

Its the type of book that is full of action and it takes you on a breathtaking ride from England to Venice and Russia.
Kate Henderson is back and she has to deal with a possible defection of a prominent Russian and his family. In exchange, they will give evidence to MI6 that the new prime minister is a Russian spy......or is he? Who can she trust? Is the evidence real or fake?

This book follows directly on to Secret Service and I would recommend you read them in order. If you don't it will be difficult to follow the storyline as it unfolds.
It is very well written and you can see the author is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Before I go any further I have to admit to being a massive fan of Tom Bradby’s writing with “Shadow Dancer” being one of my favourite books of all time.

“Double Agent” is the 2nd book since his return to writing after a number of years as Political Editor at ITN followed by being, and continuing to be, the main anchor of ITV’s “News at 10.” Being the follow-on from the previously excellent “Secret Service”, I would say it may well be advisable perhaps to read the first in the series (“Secret Service”), if only to get a grip on the characters and the previous storyline, but not absolutely essential.

Kate Henderson is a senior MI6 officer, estranged from her husband who had been previously outed as a Russian spy. Whilst on a family holiday in Venice, giving Kate’s children the opportunity to spend some time with their traitor father, she is abducted by a Russian defector who claims to have evidence that the British Prime Minister is working undercover for Moscow. In exchange for this evidence he is demanding UK residency and freedom of movement for both himself and his father.

With the MI6 hierarchy sceptical of the evidence being offered, Kate embarks on a treacherous mission across Eastern Europe to meet up with a contact which she hopes will help her to find the truth.

Bradby is an amazingly talented novelist and is possibly the No.1 espionage thriller writer working today. However, as much as I enjoyed reading the novel, it did seem to take its time to get going, but once it did, it flew along at a terrific pace. The conclusion to the story is well worth the wait and the twist at the end will leave you reeling.

A good follow-up though maybe not quite up to its predecessor.

Like it’s a predecessor, there are two ways to review Tom Bradby’s follow-up to “Secret Agent”. You can methodically and forensically dissect the outrageous plot and the characters deposited directly from central casting, or you can simply let it all wash over you and sit back and enjoy the whole ridiculous set-up. Somewhat guiltily, I chose the latter ( I put it all down to 12 weeks in lockdown).

To summarise, our feisty heroine, Kate Henderson, a deputy head of MI6 and apparently in line for the top job, is once again following up on information which may suggest that the British PM (a sort of horrible combination of Boris and Trump), may in fact be a Russian agent. You might expect that someone in such a senior role as Kate, might spend most of her time in meetings of COBRA or with senior ministers. However, that’s obviously not enough for Kate and for most of the novel, she is once again gallivanting around various picturesque European capitals and getting involved in death, mayhem and even a little bit of rumpy-pumpy (the lengths to which MI6 officers will go to protect us really is very heart-warming)

Meanwhile back home, Kate if having to deal with the aftermath of the defection of her husband to Russia following her discovery that he was a Russian agent. The minor problem that her husband was a traitor doesn’t appear to have had any adverse impact on Kate’s rise up the ranks. However, it has served to make her teenage children even more irritating and Kate has subsequently started hitting the wine bottle and the sleeping tablets.

However, all of this nonsense is forgivable because unlike several of his journalist comrades, Mr Bradby can actually write, making most of the novel fun to read in these difficult times. If I could, I would give it 3.5 stars because I don’t think it’s quite up to the standard of the first outing and I’m not sure that having introduced difficult subjects such as mental health and teenage anorexia, they were dealt with appropriately, but I’ll still be in the queue for next one in the series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A modern rival to George Smiley and his struggles with Karla.
But while John le Carré's had his readers’ equally confused with double agents, Tom Bradby offers us a mole in MI6 but also the possibility the PM is a Russian agent too.
If Spy Thrillers have to be dark mazes of corruption and confusion then Tom Bradby has delivered a classic.
The second in this series, that brings the same characters as book 1, Secret Service and the same unanswered dilemmas for MI6. We follow Kate Henderson again, a wonderful character, her kids call ‘James Bond’ but she is a true agent as unassuming as a Smiley as she balances family life, looking after her ‘difficult’ mother and coming to terms with her husband’s treachery. Stuart was unveiled in the first book as an adulterer with her best friend but more embarrassing to a secret service high flyer also a Russian Spy.
Double Agent is all that the first novel but more intense. More locations, more jeopardy, more locations, more suspicion, making for a more intensive read. Kate is also breaking down; not coping, unable to sleep. Filled with anxiety and stress. She needs to rest and recharge but work comes first, especially at a time of national emergency and the biggest spy exposé since “Kim” Philby.
The book works as it is character based and thrill driven. Demands teamwork, but opens a woman’s heart trying to wear so many hats. Kate is a terrific protagonist and her personal journey is as revealing and worth sharing as the action adventure the overall plot and story brings.
This should encourage readers to return to earlier Bradby novels as he has delivered an incredible thriller where politics and duplicity are at odds with truth and justice. He muddies the waters and honestly matters are no clearer at the end of it all. Such is the world of secret operations within a political regime while a totalitarian state will always have an advantage.
The author may have insights but not to bring clarity just enjoyments - if he had the truth an unknown hand would have to silence him, then who’d read the News.

I have not read the first book in this series but it did not matter. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it was a good and interesting plot and quite straightforward. Too many spy books are complex and have many twists and turns that serve only to distract and frequently make the story totally improbable. The characters are interesting and what makes it a good book for me, is that I care what happens to the main character. I enjoyed the way the personal life of Kate was so much a part of the story. A very good read.

Secret Service introduced us to MI6 agent Kate Henderson, and this story takes up not long after Secret Service finishes. With Kate's home life in turmoil, and sleep a commodity that eludes her more and more often. the pressure of her job starts to take its toll. When some Russians offer her evidence that the PM is on the payroll of the GRU in return for defection to Europe, she has to make big decisions and get the support of not only her superiors at the agency, but also the Foreign Secretary. Will her increasing insomnia affect her decision making? This is a real page turner with twists and turns that will keep you guessing right to the end.

I got this book for review by the publisher
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This is the second book in the Kate Henderson series and it was much needed. It picks up about 6 months after the first book where a lot of things stayed unresolved. If you continue reading please note there might be spoilers for the first book. I advice against reading Double Agent as a standalone. This book grabs back to situations from Secret Service that were important for what is happening now and why.
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Though some allegiances have changed Kate, her team and other main players stay mostly the same. There is one new person to replace Rav. She is rather annoying diving in the old case despite being told off all the time. The operation where Kate is supposed to get a high ranking Russian agent, his family and his secrets out of Russia is interesting though again the whole operation is a side story and the emotional turmoil is more important. The author does not shy away from some descriptive scenes.
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In the home situation Kate again makes decisions I do not understand. After what happened in the last book you would have expected her to spend more time with her kids. They are all struggling with loosing Stuart but Kate her priorities are obviously with her work. This is frustrating. As a lot of the loose ends from the first book are being dealt with in this and the same characters are involved it is easier to connect to them now.

This second novel in the Kate Henderson series by Tom Bradby has all the strengths and weaknesses of the first. There is a satisfyingly complex plot, with a variety of characters contributing to the developing story and a steady ratcheting up of pace and tension leading up to an exciting final climax. It certainly helps to read the novels in chronological order as understanding much of ‘Double Agent’ depends on recalling action from ‘Secret Service’. But it shares a mildly irritating sense that the author is unwilling or unable to make it too easy for the reader to fully understand the emerging plot. Nothing wrong with that, you might say, noting that many a famous author has a similar style, but there is an underlying sense that this is not Bradby’s natural style and this jars somewhat for this reader at least. Notwithstanding this modest criticism, this novel held this reader’s interest and demanded a substantial chunk of the narrative be devoured at each sitting. Recommended.

Perfectly readable, following on from The Secret Agent.
I was distracted from the plot by the constant references to Kate and her attempts to deal with her insomnia. There seemed to be a big reliance on sleeping pills and alcohol which I found difficult to equate with a fully functioning agent of the Secret Service.
The internal wrangling of the various departments seemed realistic, but by the end of the novel I didn’t feel w knew very much more than at the start. There is a 3rd novel lurking here.

Betrayal, deceit, political manoeuvring and danger are found in this sequel to Secret Service. Kate suffers from anxiety, but a fast-moving political secret means time off is not an option. Kate's family life is challenging and entangled with the operation with devastating results.

Authentic characters and a fast-paced convoluted plot make this addictive. It's claustrophobic and immersive. Kate is a likeable character flawed but on the side of justice. Her internal battles threaten her professional effectiveness. The team dynamic and interagency interaction is complex and gives the story added depth.

The edge of your seat last few chapters give way to an unexpected ending. Realistic but with many loose ends. You understand Kate's motivation but significant anomalies and questions remain.

I received a copy of this book from Random House UK -Transworld Publishers in return for an honest review.

This book is the follow up to Secret Service. I would recommend reading in order to follow our intricate plot and main characters. MI6 agent Kate is following the clues to prove the Prime Minister is a double agent. Her own life is spiralling out of control. She will eventually have to make the ultimate choice family or her country. This is a fast paced easily read well plotted story that will have you turning in circles to find if we really do have a traitor and will Kate survive the ride.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Not much to add to previous reviews but to agree that the author has come up with a fine sequel to his first thriller 'Secret Service'. It keeps alive the suspense as to who else may be a traitor inside the Service and the introduction of a new assistant to Kate Henderson keeps the reader wondering about her precise place in the greater scheme of things.
Although the ending may indicate there is no scope to continue I think Tom Bradby has the skill to develop this further if he wishes.
A great read. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for offering the book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

My thanks to Random House U.K. - Transworld Publishers for their invitation to receive an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Double Agent’ by Tom Bradby in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second in his spy thriller trilogy featuring MI6 Officer, Kate Henderson. This book follows on from ‘Secret Service’ and while some background is provided, I do feel that it is best to read the books in order to allow both an appreciation of the characters’ development and the events that brought Kate and her team to the current situation.

As I want to tread carefully with respect to spoilers for ‘Secret Service’, I will be vague about the plot for ‘Double Agent’.

While Kate is visiting Venice with her children, she is kidnapped by a senior Russian agent, who wants to defect. In exchange he offers Kate conclusive evidence to prove the identity of a live Russian agent at the very heart of the British Government. Proof of both a sordid sex scandal and a financial paper trail that would be bulletproof evidence.

Yet the motives of the defector are unclear and key people in the British Establishment are refusing to acknowledge the reality that could be revealed by the defector’s evidence and so drag their feet. As the mission continues Kate realises that she can trust no one.

Bradby has again crafted an intelligent, fast paced modern spy thriller. Kate is clearly under a great deal of strain and the office politics in the intelligence service are just mind boggling.

Alongside, the action are more gentle moments such as Kate’s interactions with her kids.

‘Double Agent’ did seem to end quite abruptly and I was very pleased to learn that Bradby is currently working on the third book, ‘Triple Cross’, provisionally due out next year. I can hardly wait!

Highly recommended novel and series.

Kate is an excellent character and Double Agent is a compelling read. From finding it impossible to know who to trust, changing my mind on numerous occasions and finally following Kate's methodology in exposing the truth it was a great read as well as something of a travelogue through some very interesting parts of the world with some great descriptive writing about the surroundings.
I found myself rooting for Kate and her banished husband and for the truth to set him free!

Double Agent by Tom Bradby

Double Agent, the new thriller by well-known ITV news reporter Tom Bradby, follows directly on from Secret Service, which was published last year. Although Double Agent can be read as a stand alone, it does reveal everything that happened in the previous novel and also, I think, its impact would be much greater if you knew what had happened. So please do read Secret Service first. It is excellent. This review assumes you’ve done just that so do please step away if you don’t want to know anything about what has gone on.

Kate Henderson is a senior officer at M16 and the whole agency is in turmoil following recent events. Kate has been personally affected more than most and her home life is now as fragile as her career. She knows that she is barely hanging on. She can only sleep with the help of medication. She’s worried about her children and is grieving the loss of people close to her. Her therapist advises her to have a complete break from work. But she can’t. Nothing that happened before has gone away. It looks as if there may still be a Russian mole in the secret service. The same Russian spies are in touch again and this time they have more evidence to support the outrageous claims that a very senior British politician is a Russian spy. In return, the Russian spies wish to defect to the UK. But is it all true? Kate feels under attack, that she’s being watched, suspected. She has to discover the truth so that she can sleep at night. Her close friends at M16 support her but can they really be trusted? Can anyone be trusted, especially now when nothing feels safe?

Secret Service is such a fantastic thriller and I’m pleased to say that so, too, is Double Agent. It is different, though. This time Kate must deal with the dramatic fallout of previous events on the secret service, the government and on her own life, which has been transformed as a result. The focus is now fully on Kate Henderson, a woman of integrity and feeling, who has reached the end of her tether while still having to go that extra mile to discover a truth that may not be even knowable. She is driven while at the same time she is close to exhaustion. It’s an extremely powerful portrait by Tom Bradby. Kate is a fascinating character, fully three-dimensional, and she is also likeable.

We experience this shifty and shifting state of affairs through Kate’s perspective and that means that the people around her remain shady, untrustworthy and potentially sinister. There is also a new figure for Kate to deal with – Suzy from M15 who has been assigned to Kate as her Deputy but her motives are entirely unknown and Suzy herself is a complete enigma and a woman of many contradictions. That makes her very interesting to read about.

In the midst of this tense tale of spies and murder, there is the human tale of Kate and her family. I don’t want to go into that here because you really do need to know what happened in the first book, but I love the way that this is done, especially the portrayal of Kate’s fragile daughter.

There were a couple of moments in this book that made me shout out with shock. I actually did that. It’s not often a book catches me out. Double Agent does.

If you enjoy spy thrillers half as much as I do then you’ll really like these books and the characters within them. I love the fact that they deal with the old enemy – the Russians. We’re reminded of that Cold War past as Kate travels by train across Russia. I love all that – the atmosphere, the mood, the tension. Double Agent is an excellent spy thriller which complements Secret Service perfectly.

Other review
Secret Service