This is such a well written book. It’s set in the near future, but the topic of alternative energy is very current to today’s issues. It’s a very tightly woven plot. I thoroughly enjoyed following the clue to what was really happening. Juliet is a very interesting character. For being a spy she has a huge heart. I hope there will be a sequel to this book. voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Energy needs have become a matter of national priority and security for all countries throughout the world. The Snydicate's function is to prevent terriorism attacks and this story focus is on a terrorist group in the Middle East. Said group targets both people involved in developing alternative energy and the energy industry infrastructure itself.

The narrative is on point to current world events; however, the delivery of this storyline was unrealistic and poorly developed. I could not image any terrorist putting up with the main character. She was whinny, argumentative in the middle of a gun fight and just not a professional spy, agent or team leader. She should never have survived the first incident within the palace. There were so many gun fights and combat incidents I got bored. The reveals as the book progressed were predictable and trite. I say, no, just no to this book.

Book Title: The Syndicate Spy
Series: A Juliet Arroway Novel
Author: Brittany Butler
Publisher: Greenleaf Books Group Press
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: March 21, 2023
My Rating: 3.3 Stars!

This debut novel tells the story of Juliet Arroway’s and her friend Mariam, a Saudi princes, both of whom work for the Syndicate, an international spy organization.
Brittany Butler is certainly an interest person. In “About the Author’ she is described ~Brittany Butler is a former CIA targeting officer with first-hand knowledge of the recruitment and hand knowledge of the recruitment and handling of spies and dismantling terrorist networks abroad. She is a staunch advocate for women’s rights in the Middle East and works within her local community to resettle Afghan refugees. The Syndicate Spy is her first novel.
Although spy stories are not my fav genre, I did like Juliet and just may tune into her next adventure.

Want to thank NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 21, 2023

In Brittany Butlers debut novel, The Syndicate Spy, she introduces us to a fierce and determined CIA agent, Juliet Arroway. From the first page I was riveted. Through the words on the page I felt I was seeing everything through Juliets eyes. I felt her pain, love, doubt, and fear as she navigated through every obstacle both personally and professionally. I can't wait to see what Juliet does next!

This is a fast paced, suspenseful read with twists and turns that will keep you frozen to your seat and your eyes glued to the pages until the very last word. Brittany did an incredible job bringing this read to life. I'd recommend this tale to anyone who loves fierce, independent women fighting their way in man's world.

I really wanted to love this book, but had trouble getting engaged in it. Through the book, I learned more about the author and appreciate her service to our country. Thank you for the advance copy which I appreciate.

For one thing, this dystopian time that Brittany Butler has created for The Syndicate Spy is excruciatingly believable, and it frankly freaked me out and set the mood for reading this thriller attention grabber.

The Syndicate is a conglomerate of intelligence agencies, trying to catch this evasive terrorist who came short of risking the lives of his own children in order to get away from Juliet and Mariam, two Syndicate spies. Mariam, a progressive Saudi princess was recruited by Juliet, so their bond is strong, they are tough with sharp instincts that have kept them alive.

With the Earth’s oil depleted, everyone is on a search for an alternative energy source. The Syndicate Spy, Juliet has faced many losses in this war. Meanwhile, as she seeks out revenge, she also has to face the chance that Mariam’s family is somehow involved with the terrorist. With the help of the FBI and ex-syndicate spy, Graham, they embark on deadly missions to uncover the truth.

Juliet and Graham, race in a journey to make public an alternative energy source formula. The idea is that once the formula is free, takes away the power of the terrorist. This way the war would end. In all of this turmoil, Juliet struggles with her feelings. Having built walls to protect her heart. Focused on avenging the loss of her father and fiance. Falling in love with Graham was an unexpected but welcomed surprise.

Will she allow herself to love Graham knowing the dangers they face?
Is Juliet able to get to Mariam?
Can war end?

No spoilers given

This is an interesting story that feels like mad max meets Jack Ryan. An intense thriller that is definitely written from someone with an intelligence background. The author does a great job of writing from an Intel background while still explaining the concepts to people that don't share that background.

Having been glued to the first half of the book, I found myself deeply disillusioned with the path both the story and the writing took. The story on the face of it is both an old classic and something very different, with a story of spying and espionage mixed with the climate crisis and an emerging Middle East. The issue I found was that the story didn’t really work. As it went on, it got more and more implausible. Nothing wrong with fiction being fiction of course, but this went from a story you could imagine happening to the absurd.

Character development was also a big problem. Juliet went from being the brave badass spy to a woman who could barely cope without a man by her side. And several chapters of detailed sex scenes added nothing and was frankly just a bit odd.

The book wasn’t in enjoyable, but was certainly flawed in major ways which stop it from getting anymore than a few starts.

I really enjoyed this spy novel, I loved the use of female spies and they felt like a real spy. The plot was what I was hoping for and I was invested in what was happening. The characters were interesting and I can't wait to read more from Brittany Butler.

“He used to be in the Syndicate,” Juliet continued, trying not to look at him too directly in the eye as he swaggered toward them. “I guess he may have had a source burned at some point”—she continued ina muffled voice—“which might be why he resigned.”