Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

When Emma Makepeace (not her real name) is interviewed for a job with the British secret service during her time serving in the army, she assumes she will be hired. But it is not until some time after she is discharged that she gets a mysterious message to appear at a mysterious location for a mysterious reason. She is accepted and is given rigorous training as to how to do undercover work, but now she is posing as the girlfriend of a wannabe revolutionary and thinks her talents are being totally wasted.

That soon changes when she is once again summoned and given an assignment to persuade a physician to enter the witness protection program with his parents. He has refused previous contacts, and Emma has no more luck, until she saves him from a kidnapping. But when she checks in with her Agency, there is no support available and she must get the two of them across London on her own!!

What follows is quite an adventurous, maybe harrowing, night.

First, let me say that spy thrillers are not my usual go-to genre, but I was attracted to this one by the thought that a female spy is the main character. Emma Makepeace works for the secretive Vernon Institute, an agency that gives her clandestine assignments. The new task she has is to find and secure Michael Primalov, a Russian expatriate whose mother is seriously in danger from Russian assassins. Michael thus becomes a high level target and Emma’s job is to get him safely to MI6. Of course, the assignment sounds easy but it proves to be extremely difficult as her resources are cut off, she has to hide from assassins who seem to know her every move with Michael, and she does not feel quite up to the task without support. The setting makes the story as Emma travels around London, hiding and creeping about looking for a safe place to stash Michael while also trying to contact her bosses who have gone silent. This was like a female James Bond thriller, with a young woman who showed determination, tenacity and ingenuity in her quest to defeat the Russians and safeguard her client. I enjoyed the fast pace and the short chapters that seemed to make the action flow quickly and seamlessly from one scene to another, all of them capturing the breathless need for Emma to succeed. The characters were as well developed as possible considering that the entire novel was built on secrets that could not be revealed until the story progressed. I was somewhat dumbfounded at the high level assignment given to Emma who seemed more of a novice than a seasoned spy, but she rose to the task and did not disappoint me with her devotion to fulfilling the requirement, by any means necessary. This was an entertaining read, although not totally riveting. I very much enjoyed the British feel to the novel as well as the action that careened like a runaway train to a brilliant conclusion. Although all is not as it seems in the novel, the twists made it more likely to keep me reading and wanting more of Emma’s story.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Ava Glass has nailed it with this debut novel in which she introduces Emma Makepeace, a newly-graduated intelligence agent in the MI6. She is thrown head-first into her first big assignment and essentially left to her own resources. Her task is to bring Michael, a pediatric ongologist and son of Russian spies to safety on the other side of London. Her first problem is that Michael doesn’t believe he is in danger and doesn’t want to be saved. Once she convinces him they are off and running on a night that just won’t quit. I could hardly put this book down. When I did, I felt guilty for leaving them hanging. There simply must be more Emma books, as I hardly wait for her next assignment.

Wow what a book. This book was packed with a ton of action, and a lot of back and forth between Emma and her past, how she became this spy, and her assignment now, and how everything turned upside down. Emma is such a strong character, and the way she handled everything that came her way, especially when it came to handling her new assignment, I am telling you, I couldn’t put this book down!!!!!! Major page turner, she’s literally the female James Bond, she was so bad ass. Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Happy PUB day Ava Glass.

What a fun ride! Fast paced and action packed, this book could easily transition to an action movie. Well worth the time for a fun and exciting read.

This is a wonderful spy novel. It is page turning and suspense filled. Emma Makepeace works as a spy for the British government. She is on her first big assignment to bring in Michael Pimalov. It is twenty four hours of dodging the enemy as they try to reach safe harbor. It is often nail biting and intense. The characters are magnificent and the plot unfolds beautifully.

Never underestimate a smiling woman....

I loved that Alias Emma was focused on a female spy, so many women are readers of contemporary thrillers and action books and reading about a female action lead was refreshing and welcome. I appreciate the review ebook on NetGalley from Ballantime, a Random House Imprint.

I appreciate the fast paced action movie vibe Ava Glass generated in her debut, this was a perfect rainy day read and sucked me right in. Like an action movie or book there is a lot of energy and at times moments that might not really happen but I don't mind that at all in a fun, engaging, and effective read, especially a debut that sets up a character for more adventures and action. I was all in for this but appreciated the development of the backstory for Emma, I like books that can blend character development with a fast paced plot. I also felt that the backstory blended with the spy story was setting up the stage for a series, huzzah! Bring on the female action leads, especially those written by women.

Perfect for fans of action thrillers (Bourne) or who like a savvy female lead. I am again thankful for the review copy and will be waiting for the next Ava Glass book.

A propulsive plot. Lean, mean writing. A great lead character. Attention to detail and the taking of opportunities for pointed social commentary that never gets in the way of this rocket ship. What's not to like? This is a great first entry of what will hopefully be a long, successful series.

Not being a total sucker for spy novels, it all lives and dies with me on the quality of the writing, and author Glass delivers the goods.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. It is written by a talented and gifted author who has woven a story that is difficult to put down. At times, the story moves slowly but it picks up…the characters are intriguing, and I wondered often what they would do next. Enjoy this story…the characters seem like real people living their lives…what will happen next?..

4.5 stars rounded up!

Move over James Bond, there’s a new spy in town!

All Emma Makepeace has to do is get her charge—one Michael Primalov, the son of former spies—safely across town to headquarters. Her first real assignment doesn’t sound too difficult, but Emma has some serious obstacles in her way. There’s a group of Russian assassins out to get Michael, Emma has to avoid all the CCTV cameras across London that the Russians have hacked, she’s discovered she doesn’t have any back-up, and most importantly, Michael refuses to be protected. Non-stop action with most of the story happening over a twenty-four hour period, I had so much fun with Alias Emma, a debut spy thriller by Ava Glass.

The novel breaks up the action by filling the reader in on Emma’s past. We learn about her childhood, how and why she became a spy, and the months leading up to this action-packed day. I appreciated that the chapters were succinct with no unnecessary information, allowing the reader to quickly return back to the action.

“If this was the end, it was a hell of a way to go.”

I love Emma. She’s smart, imperfect, capable, brave, and very likable. I couldn’t help rooting for her. She’s ready to do whatever it takes to complete her mission, determined to protect Michael at any cost. And she does it all without carrying a gun! Kudos to the author for making that aspect work so well.

Getting to travel across London with Emma was an exhilarating ride! The reader gets to see a different side of the city. From the well-known locations to the secret, hidden spots. From the land to the water.

Nearly perfect, I didn’t want to set Alias Emma down, racing to the end. I’m so happy this is only the first in a new series. It looks like it’s also being adapted, which is great news, as well. I can’t wait to see what Emma does next!

4.5 breakneck speed foot chase

Who would have thought that a foot chase could be so compelling? We encounter Emma Makepeace as she is fresh on a new case. She’s new to the job too at The Agency. Tasked with bringing in a reluctant asset, Emma must use all her skills to keep Michael and herself safe.

The Russians REALLY want to grab Michael to have leverage against his mother. Picture a team of assassins chasing these two throughout London on one long night. The odds are truly against them as somehow the Russians control the CCTV cameras that are all around London, they can’t just use transport, or they will be found immediately. They take to the London streets, using tunnels and dark alleys to evade the Russians and get to MI6 headquarters.

I could picture this one as a movie and the pace was tense! In fact, I was so invested in this one that I read it in one day. I wasn’t sure if the pair would make it to MI6 as the Russians seemed to have every tool at their disposal.

I am excited to discover this author and I’m hoping that there will be future books featuring Emma. Grab this one for a great British spy summer read!

In "Alias Emma," by Ava Glass, Emma Makepeace is a hotshot intelligence officer in MI6. She is also the protégé of Charles Ripley, an old hand who instructs her in the finer points of espionage. Makepeace has become adept at lock-picking, spotting and evading surveillance, and hand-to-hand combat. Her mission is to convince Dr. Michael Primalov that he and his parents, Dmitri and Elena, are in imminent danger. Dmitri and Elena were once nuclear physicists in Russian's weapons program. They handed over valuable information to the British government and hurriedly defected to England when the Russian authorities got wind of their betrayal. Russian agents are currently in London to abduct Michael, a pediatric oncologist, and use him as a bargaining chip to get at his mother and father.

In this paint-by-numbers thriller, Emma convinces Michael to accompany her, and they exhaust themselves trying to evade their pursuers. Makepeace knows that there are closed-circuit cameras all over London and that the Russians have hacked into this system. At a critical juncture, she calls her superiors to request emergency assistance, and is shocked when the person who answers the phone is not Ripley, but someone named Ed Masterson, who coldly informs her that she is on her own.

For the most part, the author prioritizes action over character development. Emma and Michael are shot at; chased on foot, by car, and by boat; and are forced to go underground (literally). In addition, there is an underdeveloped subplot about a possible traitor in the British Secret Service. As for Emma, she is something of a female James Bond—minus the formal clothing, sangfroid, and amazing gadgetry. This occasionally diverting but formulaic novel pits a determined young woman against the might of murderous Russian operatives.

The novel is an incredible adventure thrill journey. Quite frantic and enjoyable to read. Alias Emma is an easy read that you will never want to end.. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for this copy.

In this novel a young undercover agent by the name Emma Makepeace is given the task of bringing in a young doctor who is the son of a Russian dissident living in the United Kingdom. The task seems easy enough, but soon turns into a deadly race for their lives.

Someone has been murdering Russian dissidents in the UK. Emma’s boss thinks that there is a pattern and the murderers are searching for one important scientist who had fled Russia years ago. The real danger is to the son of the scientist. Raised in Britain, he is now a medical doctor and has a very British disbelief that spies are running around London murdering and kidnapping. When Emma initially confronts him, he dismisses her and refuses to go into hiding. This leaves Emma no choice other than to follow him. That evening, outside his home, two Russian agents try to abduct him. Emma surprises them and is able to render one unconscious, but once the element of surprise is lost, the other Russian nearly kills her. The doctor knocks him out from behind and they take off.


Emma calls in for backup and for a pickup, but the Agency is unable to come to her help. Moreover, her mentor has gone AWOL. So Emma is on her own. She tries to lose the Russians, but they keep finding them. She realizes that the Russians have taken control of the CCTV system that covers the city of London. Now she has to figure out how to travel a few miles across a city covered in cameras that are all using facial recognition to locate them. Who can Emma trust? Has her own Agency been compromised? Will they make it, or will the relentless enemy track them to ground.

Alias Emma is an enjoyable novel with a thrilling pace. Once it gets started the action does not let up. You will find it hard to break away. This is the first novel by Ava Glass. Glass is a pseudonym for Young Adult author Christi Daugherty. The writing is superb. The characters are enjoyable. I look forward to more Emma Makepeace novels. The books hit the stores August 2. If you love great action, spy thrillers that keep you going then pre-order, or head out to your favorite local bookstore and pick up Alias Emma!

This nonstop action thriller has young British spy Emma Makepeace charged with safely transporting an initially reluctant doctor across London to sister agency MI6, where he will be safe from the Russian assassins trying to kill him. Oh—and she has to do this with only her skills and her wits, without any help from her own agency, while London’s citywide surveillance network of CCTV cameras is under enemy control. The premise provides a simple setup for what is essentially a fun, book-length chase scene all over (and under) London. In the interest of enjoying the novel, you can’t think too hard about how likely any of this is, or whether there was really no better way to achieve the necessary goal (presumably a little CCTV hacking wouldn’t have helped the bad guys against a convoy of armored vehicles from MI6, other than letting them futilely watch the good guys cross London safely). It’s a fast-paced, gripping story that reads like the screenplay for a summer action movie. (I kept hoping the doctor would incidentally save some lives, Fugitive style, when the desperate escape took the protagonists through a hospital.).

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for a digital advance review copy.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for free in return for an honest review.

There are so many great spy thrillers out there… but this isn’t one of them.

Two dimensional characters and a preposterous premise.

If you’re going to base an entire book on the premise of needing to get an asset to safety across London, at least make it somewhat believable.

How about hiding out until MI6 came to you?
How about jacking a car and just driving there?
How are they going to find you and stop you with all the other cars around?
There’s a scene where they run into paramedics with an ambulance- he’s a doctor, show them your id and have them take you to MI6 in the ambulance.

Her boss is a great spy but doesn’t realize his next in command is corrupt, even when he leaves Emma and her asset to die?

I don’t mind suspension of disbelief but this is more like suspension of my brain.

Excellent spy thriller!

Emma works for 'The Agency' and is given an assignment to bring in Michael, the son of a Russian-born British agent, who is being targeted by the Russian government as revenge for parent's crimes.

The only problem is, that Michael doesn't want to come in. He's a well respected doctor in London, who believes that whatever happened to his parents decades before, is old history. He assumes he can't be in danger. Emma has to convince him that he is, and get him across London to the MI6 Headquarters, alive. The Russian government have hacked the London CCTV cameras, and there are Russian agents searching London for Emma and Michael.

Lots of tense situations, thrilling chases, innovative strategies follow in one of the longest nights that Emma has had. On top of that, is MI6 actually prepared for them to arrive?

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Emma was an excellent character and I was rooting for her from the get-go. The novel gripped me from the first few pages and I couldn't put it down. How long do I have to wait for more about Emma?!

3.5 stars for me. Emma Makepeace is a spy in London for the "agency". Her parents were Russian and her father forced her Mom to leave Russia with "Emma" because he was afraid for their lives. He stayed and you were led to believe that he was killed. Emma's first big mission is to save a doctor who's parents are Russian and have been sent into hiding. Michael, the doctor, does not want to go into hiding. He has young cancer patients that he cares about. After Emma convinces him that he should go with her they soon become sought after. They run through the streets of London trying to stay away from a surly threesome and avoid the ciity's CCTV camera's. They run, get beat up, run, change outfits, run, get shot at and run some more. It is a very thrilling read. Michael and Emma are attracted to each other with adds to the excitement. It was a short read but a good one. I feel it was written like a script for a television series which would be awesome to watch.
Thanks to #netgalley, #bantam and @avaglassbooks for an ARC of this thriller.

Alias Emma by Ava Glass is a unique spy thriller with many exciting twists. Emma Makepeace (hence the title) has always wanted to be a spy and follow in her father's footsteps. Her father was a Russian double agent and was killed for providing valuable information to the British. Now in her late twenties Emma is part of a super secret British intelligence group. She is learning the ropes when suddenly she is assigned to protect Michael, a doctor whose life is in imminent danger. The Russian's are after Michael and Emma is charged with bringing him safely across London to M16. However Emma has no backup and she fears that her mission has been compromised. Glass's characters are interesting and her concise writing style lends itself to suspense. Pick up Alias Emma and you will be rewarded with an entertaining novel that's filled with thrilling action.

I love a good spy plot and this is definitely a good one 😍 It reminds me of Blacklist (but less gruesomeness) meets Covert Affairs. I finished it in less than a day because I couldn’t put it down. So happy to see that it is part of a planned series because I cannot wait for Emma’s next adventure. She is a total badass but at the same time humble and introspective and I just love her. I loved this book so much I pre-ordered the physical version! Pub date is tomorrow, 8/2. Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @ballantinecorp for this ARC in exchange for my review!