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A Secret Worth Killing For
Somebody knows where the bodies are buried…
Newly-appointed Minister of State Anne-Marie Gallagher appears to have an unblemished record. Only she knows the truth. In the early 1990s, she was embroiled in the IRA’s violent past, and integral to a mission which went disastrously wrong.
So far, skeletons have remained in their closets. But, unknown to Anne-Marie, DCI Jon Carne has just received an anonymous tip-off. The co-ordinates lead Carne to a body – badly decomposed after twenty-five years underground.
When news of the discovery reaches Westminster, Anne-Marie knows that she is at risk of being exposed. And with Carne closing in, there’s not much time for the new minister to decide how far she’ll go to keep her past where it belongs…
Newly-appointed Minister of State Anne-Marie Gallagher appears to have an unblemished record. Only she knows the truth. In the early 1990s, she was embroiled in the IRA’s violent past, and integral to a mission which went disastrously wrong.
So far, skeletons have remained in their closets. But, unknown to Anne-Marie, DCI Jon Carne has just received an anonymous tip-off. The co-ordinates lead Carne to a body – badly decomposed after twenty-five years underground.
When news of the discovery reaches Westminster, Anne-Marie knows that she is at risk of being exposed. And with Carne closing in, there’s not much time for the new minister to decide how far she’ll go to keep her past where it belongs…
- GenresFiction
432 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 16, 2017
Maire Anne McCartney is a naïve, eighteen years old in 1991. She has a bright future ahead, with the chance of University and the desire to pursue her love of law. However, she also lives in Northern Ireland and has a firebrand brother, Martin, who is an IRA commander; while her first love, Joseph, is also Martin’s friend and committed to the cause. Maire has always shied away from paying more than lip service to their beliefs, but she is then asked to help them with a mission. Despite her concerns, she is convinced, against her better judgement, to become involved and, when, what she is promised will not involve more than token violence, ends in death, she is sent away to study in Dublin.
We meet the now re-named Anne Marie Gallagher, twenty six years later, when she is elected as an MP and becomes Home Office Minister of State for Security and Immigration. Anne Marie is successful, driven and has built a wall of isolation around herself. However, going into politics has brought her into the public eye and rattled skeletons in long buried cupboards…. A body is found in a field after an anonymous tip off and Detective Chief Inspector Jon Carne is determined to discover who the long buried bones belong to.
This book veers between past and present, as we gradually learn what happened to Maire as a young woman and her present political career, which is threatening to unravel fast. This novel brings the Troubles to life, as despite being told to lie low in Dublin, Maire falls for a British post-grad student and then gradually wonders whether he is all he seems. For she grew up in a time of deception, lies and violence and her past is now coming back to haunt her.
I found this a very interesting idea for a novel. However, I was not really invested in the growing relationship between Anne Marie and Jon Carne and it was too simplistic to simply believe that so many men would fall so easily for our heroine – as they seem to do throughout the book. That said, it was an enjoyable read and the author held the plot strands together well. I would certainly read more by this author and I was intrigued by the setting and storyline.
We meet the now re-named Anne Marie Gallagher, twenty six years later, when she is elected as an MP and becomes Home Office Minister of State for Security and Immigration. Anne Marie is successful, driven and has built a wall of isolation around herself. However, going into politics has brought her into the public eye and rattled skeletons in long buried cupboards…. A body is found in a field after an anonymous tip off and Detective Chief Inspector Jon Carne is determined to discover who the long buried bones belong to.
This book veers between past and present, as we gradually learn what happened to Maire as a young woman and her present political career, which is threatening to unravel fast. This novel brings the Troubles to life, as despite being told to lie low in Dublin, Maire falls for a British post-grad student and then gradually wonders whether he is all he seems. For she grew up in a time of deception, lies and violence and her past is now coming back to haunt her.
I found this a very interesting idea for a novel. However, I was not really invested in the growing relationship between Anne Marie and Jon Carne and it was too simplistic to simply believe that so many men would fall so easily for our heroine – as they seem to do throughout the book. That said, it was an enjoyable read and the author held the plot strands together well. I would certainly read more by this author and I was intrigued by the setting and storyline.
July 24, 2017
I received a copy of Woman of State from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Woman of State begins with eighteen year old Maire Anne McCartney agreeing to participate in an IRA mission in Belfast. She only agrees to act as the honey trap in this scheme because her boyfriend, Joseph, assures her there will be no violence. The reader, of course, knows he is lying. The mission ends in cold-blooded murder and with Maire being hauled in for questioning while the other participants have scattered. Eventually, Maire is released and almost immediately packed up by her family and sent to Dublin to start a new life. There Maire Anne McCartney becomes Anne-Marie Gallagher and she begins studying law and will eventually become a human rights lawyer in London. In the present story, twenty-six years later, she has just become the Minister of State for Security and Immigration. Also in the present, the police in Belfast have just received an anonymous tip that leads them to a set of human remains in a field. The investigation is led by DCI Jon Carne. At the same time, Anne-Marie has received a message from a ghost from her past that threatens to destroy the new life and the great success she has found.
I liked the premise of Woman of State but I felt the execution could have been better. The story alternates between the past and present. I found it a bit odd that Maire’s tale from the past is told in present tense while Anne-Marie and Carne’s present day perspectives are in past tense. I know the objective is to set the two timelines apart but I feel like the tenses should have been reversed. I did not warm up to the characters especially Anne-Marie/Maire, either. I felt throughout her past chapters, she seemed a bit immature. In her present chapters, she was cold and not real likeable. Carne is fairly average. There are some supporting characters who are more interesting, Carne’s veteran colleague, Detective Sergeant Poots, for one.
I found there to be a lot of telling not showing near the end of Woman of State. So much of the resolution is related by a handful of characters telling us everything. It made it a pretty anticlimactic way to explain who did what and why. I also felt it strange that there didn't seem to be any background check into Anne-Marie as she assumed her new position. A background check presumably would have stopped her advance in its tracks. Overall, I never fully engaged with Woman of State. I think someone who likes political thrillers (something I’m a moderate fan of usually) will appreciate this one more than I did.
Woman of State begins with eighteen year old Maire Anne McCartney agreeing to participate in an IRA mission in Belfast. She only agrees to act as the honey trap in this scheme because her boyfriend, Joseph, assures her there will be no violence. The reader, of course, knows he is lying. The mission ends in cold-blooded murder and with Maire being hauled in for questioning while the other participants have scattered. Eventually, Maire is released and almost immediately packed up by her family and sent to Dublin to start a new life. There Maire Anne McCartney becomes Anne-Marie Gallagher and she begins studying law and will eventually become a human rights lawyer in London. In the present story, twenty-six years later, she has just become the Minister of State for Security and Immigration. Also in the present, the police in Belfast have just received an anonymous tip that leads them to a set of human remains in a field. The investigation is led by DCI Jon Carne. At the same time, Anne-Marie has received a message from a ghost from her past that threatens to destroy the new life and the great success she has found.
I liked the premise of Woman of State but I felt the execution could have been better. The story alternates between the past and present. I found it a bit odd that Maire’s tale from the past is told in present tense while Anne-Marie and Carne’s present day perspectives are in past tense. I know the objective is to set the two timelines apart but I feel like the tenses should have been reversed. I did not warm up to the characters especially Anne-Marie/Maire, either. I felt throughout her past chapters, she seemed a bit immature. In her present chapters, she was cold and not real likeable. Carne is fairly average. There are some supporting characters who are more interesting, Carne’s veteran colleague, Detective Sergeant Poots, for one.
I found there to be a lot of telling not showing near the end of Woman of State. So much of the resolution is related by a handful of characters telling us everything. It made it a pretty anticlimactic way to explain who did what and why. I also felt it strange that there didn't seem to be any background check into Anne-Marie as she assumed her new position. A background check presumably would have stopped her advance in its tracks. Overall, I never fully engaged with Woman of State. I think someone who likes political thrillers (something I’m a moderate fan of usually) will appreciate this one more than I did.
October 30, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
1991 Dublin, eighteen-year-old Maire Anne McCartney is persuaded by her boyfriend Joseph Kennedy who is involved with the IRA, to help snare a British Special Branch employee taking him from a bar and to a flat. Joseph tells her that they just want to interrogate him and run him out of Ireland. However, when the man turns up dead, Maire’s DNA is found at the scene and she is hauled into the police station for questioning.
No charges were ever brought against her, in fact, the whole case is dropped and her file wiped completely clean, though her brother Martin, an IRA commander, tells her she must leave the family home and stay with another family whilst she gets her degree. He warns her ‘no friends, socialising, nor boyfriends for the three years, then to get off the island’.
1993, Maire is still at university and meets David Vallely, another student. The two hit it off and she can no longer adhere to her brother’s warnings. Not long into the relationship David goes missing. At the same time so do the top four IRA commanders, including her brother.
26 years later and Maire is now Anne-Maire Gallagher newly elected as an MP. Not long into her new role as Minister for State Security and Immigration an unwelcome face makes a re-appearance. Joseph has returned and he wants to talk, there has also been a body discovered after a tip-off.
A Secret Worth Killing For is a book that hooked me right from the beginning. I’m not normally one for books moving back and forth in time, but this one was done so flawlessly that it didn’t interfere with the flow of the plot, and was actually needed to make the story plausible.
The book is set in Ireland and the troubles between the IRA and the British Forces. There are lots of twists and turns which straighten out as the book progresses and you start to understand what went on in those troubled times, especially between 1991 and 1994.
The whole concept is interesting and believable, just like the characters. This is a political thriller worth investing in.
1991 Dublin, eighteen-year-old Maire Anne McCartney is persuaded by her boyfriend Joseph Kennedy who is involved with the IRA, to help snare a British Special Branch employee taking him from a bar and to a flat. Joseph tells her that they just want to interrogate him and run him out of Ireland. However, when the man turns up dead, Maire’s DNA is found at the scene and she is hauled into the police station for questioning.
No charges were ever brought against her, in fact, the whole case is dropped and her file wiped completely clean, though her brother Martin, an IRA commander, tells her she must leave the family home and stay with another family whilst she gets her degree. He warns her ‘no friends, socialising, nor boyfriends for the three years, then to get off the island’.
1993, Maire is still at university and meets David Vallely, another student. The two hit it off and she can no longer adhere to her brother’s warnings. Not long into the relationship David goes missing. At the same time so do the top four IRA commanders, including her brother.
26 years later and Maire is now Anne-Maire Gallagher newly elected as an MP. Not long into her new role as Minister for State Security and Immigration an unwelcome face makes a re-appearance. Joseph has returned and he wants to talk, there has also been a body discovered after a tip-off.
A Secret Worth Killing For is a book that hooked me right from the beginning. I’m not normally one for books moving back and forth in time, but this one was done so flawlessly that it didn’t interfere with the flow of the plot, and was actually needed to make the story plausible.
The book is set in Ireland and the troubles between the IRA and the British Forces. There are lots of twists and turns which straighten out as the book progresses and you start to understand what went on in those troubled times, especially between 1991 and 1994.
The whole concept is interesting and believable, just like the characters. This is a political thriller worth investing in.
December 15, 2017
This review was originally posted on Between My LinesWhen Woman of State by Simon Berthon popped into my mailbox, I was excited about the Belfast/Dublin/London settings. But I knew this book would be an experiment for me as I don't normally read political thrillers.
First Line of Woman of State by Simon Berthon
My Thoughts on Woman of State by Simon Berthon:
Let's just make one thing clear first, I'm not hugely in to politics. I read for escapism, and while I love a good thriller, when you add politics to the mix, I'm a bit meh. So I'm not really the target audience for this book. But the blurb sounded interesting, and the setting sold it to me as one I wanted to try.
I found it a good read, but didn't blow me away or convert me over to the political thriller genre.
Which sounds like I'm damning this book with faint praise, but I honestly did enjoy it. It was told in 2 timelines; 20 years ago in Dublin/Belfast and current day in Westminster. I preferred the past time line as I connected a lot more with teenage Maire, but I loved seeing how the two timelines connected.
As you might expect, the tense atmosphere and all the deception made this a thought-provoking but speedy read, as I just wanted to race through it. The personal drama hooked me a lot more than the political conspiracies, but that is down to my reading taste. The plot felt like newspaper headlines come to life, and it did hook me in.
The bottom line:
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would!
Who should read Woman of State by Simon Berthon?
If you like Irish settings, Irish politics or political thrillers, then I'd recommend this to you. Fans of authors such as John Le Carre or Tom Clancy might also enjoy.
Thanks to HQ for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
First Line of Woman of State by Simon Berthon
"The movement needs your help."
My Thoughts on Woman of State by Simon Berthon:
Let's just make one thing clear first, I'm not hugely in to politics. I read for escapism, and while I love a good thriller, when you add politics to the mix, I'm a bit meh. So I'm not really the target audience for this book. But the blurb sounded interesting, and the setting sold it to me as one I wanted to try.
I found it a good read, but didn't blow me away or convert me over to the political thriller genre.
Which sounds like I'm damning this book with faint praise, but I honestly did enjoy it. It was told in 2 timelines; 20 years ago in Dublin/Belfast and current day in Westminster. I preferred the past time line as I connected a lot more with teenage Maire, but I loved seeing how the two timelines connected.
As you might expect, the tense atmosphere and all the deception made this a thought-provoking but speedy read, as I just wanted to race through it. The personal drama hooked me a lot more than the political conspiracies, but that is down to my reading taste. The plot felt like newspaper headlines come to life, and it did hook me in.
The bottom line:
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would!
Who should read Woman of State by Simon Berthon?
If you like Irish settings, Irish politics or political thrillers, then I'd recommend this to you. Fans of authors such as John Le Carre or Tom Clancy might also enjoy.
Thanks to HQ for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
February 2, 2018
Gripping political thriller.
Simon Berthon has crafted and intelligent political thriller that kept me interested throughout its 350 pages.
The story veers between dark deeds on the cusp of the IRA ceasefire in the 1990s to the present day where the main character Anne-Marie is about to be a senior minister in a new UK government and struggling with her past.
I found all the characters credible and felt the febrile sectarian atmosphere of Northern Ireland was captured well. All in all a well written book that rocked along at a good pace and created uncertainty as to how it was going to end until it did!
This is the first book I have read by this author, but would certainly look out for other titles.
I was given this book to review by netgalley, but was not obligated to provide a positive review.
Simon Berthon has crafted and intelligent political thriller that kept me interested throughout its 350 pages.
The story veers between dark deeds on the cusp of the IRA ceasefire in the 1990s to the present day where the main character Anne-Marie is about to be a senior minister in a new UK government and struggling with her past.
I found all the characters credible and felt the febrile sectarian atmosphere of Northern Ireland was captured well. All in all a well written book that rocked along at a good pace and created uncertainty as to how it was going to end until it did!
This is the first book I have read by this author, but would certainly look out for other titles.
I was given this book to review by netgalley, but was not obligated to provide a positive review.
September 6, 2017
Woman of State by Simon Berthon
Title: Woman of State
Author: Simon Berthon
Published: July 17
Publishers: HQ
Pages: 384
Price on Amazon: Hardback: £12.08 Kindle: £7.99
ISBN: 9780008214364
One act can change your life forever.
It's 1991 in Belfast, Marie Anne McCartney agrees to do a one of mission or her boyfriend who is a part of the IRA. She's told there will be no violence and she will be okay. She is lied to. In order to survive eighteen-year-old, Marie must flee Belfast and start again.
It's now the present day and Marie is now a human rights lawyer appointed as minister of state for security and immigration. Can she keep hold of her new life or will her old life rear its ugly head?
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn't it very far in this book I must admit only about ten chapters. I found it didn't grab me and entice me to read more and I just wasn't enjoying it. So, unfortunately, I am unable to give a full review on this book. I shall be giving this book a single star as I won't be reading it again and won't be recommending it. I found it very slow and rather boring.
Reviews for this book can be found on:
Amazon under Lu's Reviews
Goodreads,
Net Galley,
My Blogs at www.lu-ellensreadingandreviewingblog....
www.lusreviewsblog.wordpress.com
Links to this review can be found on:
Twitter: @lusreviews
Facebook: @lusreviews
Instagram: lusreviews
Tumblr: lusreviewsblog
Flikr: Lu's Reviews
Title: Woman of State
Author: Simon Berthon
Published: July 17
Publishers: HQ
Pages: 384
Price on Amazon: Hardback: £12.08 Kindle: £7.99
ISBN: 9780008214364
One act can change your life forever.
It's 1991 in Belfast, Marie Anne McCartney agrees to do a one of mission or her boyfriend who is a part of the IRA. She's told there will be no violence and she will be okay. She is lied to. In order to survive eighteen-year-old, Marie must flee Belfast and start again.
It's now the present day and Marie is now a human rights lawyer appointed as minister of state for security and immigration. Can she keep hold of her new life or will her old life rear its ugly head?
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn't it very far in this book I must admit only about ten chapters. I found it didn't grab me and entice me to read more and I just wasn't enjoying it. So, unfortunately, I am unable to give a full review on this book. I shall be giving this book a single star as I won't be reading it again and won't be recommending it. I found it very slow and rather boring.
Reviews for this book can be found on:
Amazon under Lu's Reviews
Goodreads,
Net Galley,
My Blogs at www.lu-ellensreadingandreviewingblog....
www.lusreviewsblog.wordpress.com
Links to this review can be found on:
Twitter: @lusreviews
Facebook: @lusreviews
Instagram: lusreviews
Tumblr: lusreviewsblog
Flikr: Lu's Reviews
February 8, 2020
Difficult to follow with the number of twists happening every few pages! I wanted to get to the end to see how the story resolved but I’m not even sure I know...! It’s well written in terms of style, but the story jumps about too much for my liking.
April 6, 2018
Maire Anne McCartney is a teenage in Belfast in the early 1990’s. The Troubles are still very much a fact of life, though there are whispers of peace talks in the air. Her brother Martin is a firebrand IRA commander, her boyfriend Joseph his right-hand man. They are both very much in the hardline, anti-peace talks camp. Maire on the other hand is intelligent with the chance of university. She can escape this life if she can just keep her nose out of trouble. When Joseph asks her to help out on a job she’s reluctant, but he’s persistent. Needless to say things don’t go according to plan.
Fast forward twenty-six years and Maire is now Anne-Marie Gallagher, a human rights lawyer in London and prospective Parliamentary candidate. She wins election and is offered a junior ministerial post. A bright future beckons as she’s tipped for greater things. But a body has just been unearthed in an unmarked grave in Ulster while someone from her past makes contact.
The novel proceeds from here in alternating chapters, some in the past some in the present. The chapters in the past are to me the stronger. We follow Maire in Dublin where she’s now studying; she meets a young man, a fellow student and falls in love. But is he all he claims to be? And what of her brother and Joseph who might well be watching over her? In the present, Anne-Marie is almost an entirely different person: glamorous, sophisticated and supremely confidant, yet always afraid her past might catch up with her.
In many ways this is a great book, Maire, the younger version of the book’s protagonist is an extremely convincing character; Anne-Marie is less likeable, but then that might well have been the intention, for she has honed her armour. It keeps the reader guessing pretty much to the end: is Maire/Anne-Marie an innocent victim or was she more involved in the dark events of her past than she lets on? Is she an agent of the IRA, a Trojan horse penetrating the establishment? Was she, wittingly or otherwise, an agent of the British state, used to destroy the anti-agreement faction of the IRA.
That said, the plot is not a little unrealistic. I can’t really say how without divulging spoilers but while I enjoyed this novel immensely, I did feel that the expense and effort the author portrayed UK intelligence agencies going to protect their assets, even years after they had outgrown their use, did not ring true. Numerous former IRA men have complained in recent years that the British state, rather than providing for them, had abandoned them to their fate (Raymond Gilmour, Martin McGartland, to name just two). Obviously, we only have their word for this and as self-confessed former terrorists some might treat their comments with a pinch of salt. But in this novel the author portrays the state as going to extravagant efforts that just stretched credulity.
Having made this critique however, I must say I read this novel in a matter of days, I really did enjoy it that much. The author is a skilled writer, so much so that even the aforementioned incredulity didn’t really spoil it for me.
Fast forward twenty-six years and Maire is now Anne-Marie Gallagher, a human rights lawyer in London and prospective Parliamentary candidate. She wins election and is offered a junior ministerial post. A bright future beckons as she’s tipped for greater things. But a body has just been unearthed in an unmarked grave in Ulster while someone from her past makes contact.
The novel proceeds from here in alternating chapters, some in the past some in the present. The chapters in the past are to me the stronger. We follow Maire in Dublin where she’s now studying; she meets a young man, a fellow student and falls in love. But is he all he claims to be? And what of her brother and Joseph who might well be watching over her? In the present, Anne-Marie is almost an entirely different person: glamorous, sophisticated and supremely confidant, yet always afraid her past might catch up with her.
In many ways this is a great book, Maire, the younger version of the book’s protagonist is an extremely convincing character; Anne-Marie is less likeable, but then that might well have been the intention, for she has honed her armour. It keeps the reader guessing pretty much to the end: is Maire/Anne-Marie an innocent victim or was she more involved in the dark events of her past than she lets on? Is she an agent of the IRA, a Trojan horse penetrating the establishment? Was she, wittingly or otherwise, an agent of the British state, used to destroy the anti-agreement faction of the IRA.
That said, the plot is not a little unrealistic. I can’t really say how without divulging spoilers but while I enjoyed this novel immensely, I did feel that the expense and effort the author portrayed UK intelligence agencies going to protect their assets, even years after they had outgrown their use, did not ring true. Numerous former IRA men have complained in recent years that the British state, rather than providing for them, had abandoned them to their fate (Raymond Gilmour, Martin McGartland, to name just two). Obviously, we only have their word for this and as self-confessed former terrorists some might treat their comments with a pinch of salt. But in this novel the author portrays the state as going to extravagant efforts that just stretched credulity.
Having made this critique however, I must say I read this novel in a matter of days, I really did enjoy it that much. The author is a skilled writer, so much so that even the aforementioned incredulity didn’t really spoil it for me.
July 16, 2017
I've not really read a political thriller before and while I did enjoy Woman of State overall, I must say that it did take me quite a while to engage with. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it felt a little bit slow moving for me at first.
However, once I did start to become more involved in the story, I found that the plot was brilliantly clever and full of secrets and betrayal. The characters were well-developed and most of their dialogue felt realistic. Anne-Marie goes from being a naïve young girl, to an MP who will go to any lengths to keep her secrets hidden. The changes she has gone through are slowly divulged as the book flicks between past and present, revealing details about Anne-Marie and the events that led up to where she is today. Although intrigue was maintained as things were gradually revealed, I did feel like it was dragged out a little bit.
The ending was good and I liked that there was still some uncertainty about what Anne-Marie was going to do next and what would become of her and Carne.
Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 out of 5. It was a clever political thriller with a good plot and cast of characters. It took me a little longer that I would've liked to get immersed in, but it was still an enjoyable read and I'd definitely consider reading more by Simon Berthon.
However, once I did start to become more involved in the story, I found that the plot was brilliantly clever and full of secrets and betrayal. The characters were well-developed and most of their dialogue felt realistic. Anne-Marie goes from being a naïve young girl, to an MP who will go to any lengths to keep her secrets hidden. The changes she has gone through are slowly divulged as the book flicks between past and present, revealing details about Anne-Marie and the events that led up to where she is today. Although intrigue was maintained as things were gradually revealed, I did feel like it was dragged out a little bit.
The ending was good and I liked that there was still some uncertainty about what Anne-Marie was going to do next and what would become of her and Carne.
Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 out of 5. It was a clever political thriller with a good plot and cast of characters. It took me a little longer that I would've liked to get immersed in, but it was still an enjoyable read and I'd definitely consider reading more by Simon Berthon.
June 6, 2017
18-year old Maire Anne McCartney lives in Belfast during the last days of The Troubles. Her brother is a key player in a splinter IRA group called the 'Gang of Four' alongside her boyfriend Joseph. When Joseph asks her to lure an undercover British agent to a flat she naively goes along with it but the agent is killed and Maire is in trouble. Spirited away to Dublin in disgrace to study law and keep her head down Maire instead forms a relationship with a British post-grad but when he disappears Maire decides to reinvent herself. Fast forward twenty years and Anne-Marie Gallagher, a prominent human rights lawyer is elected to Parliament and then seconded to a ministry. However Maire and Anne-Marie are the same person and secrets from the past are about to resurface.
As a bit of escapist thriller fiction, this book works extremely well. The narrative is pacy and flits between events in the 1990s and the present day. The plot is a little convoluted and there are gaping holes in places which are annoying but do not detract from the enjoyment of the reader. This is not a piece of literary genius but it is great fun and unusual in that it has a female lead character. Whilst comparisons with Le Carre may be a little excessive Berthon does show potential as a writer of fiction.
As a bit of escapist thriller fiction, this book works extremely well. The narrative is pacy and flits between events in the 1990s and the present day. The plot is a little convoluted and there are gaping holes in places which are annoying but do not detract from the enjoyment of the reader. This is not a piece of literary genius but it is great fun and unusual in that it has a female lead character. Whilst comparisons with Le Carre may be a little excessive Berthon does show potential as a writer of fiction.
July 21, 2017
A fascinating story for those of us who grew up during the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Many of the situations described, I know, did actually happen- Simon Berthon’s research is very thorough, as you would expect from someone with his experience.
The story is a fast paced thriller, but also tackles many other themes, not just love and loyalty but political ideals, betrayal, how well do you know somebody and who can you trust.
Not surprisingly with a pedigree like Simon Berthon’s , a highly acclaimed investigative film-maker, it is an intelligent, well written and balanced novel. He does not enforce his opinions nor is he judgemental, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions, about the rights and wrongs of the conflict., from all sides, as it moves backwards and forwards in time and location.
I found Anne-Marie/Maire, an interesting character, and her position forces you to ask yourself, what would I do in the same situation? Overall, however, it is police officer Carne that I found much more convincing, although I question whether a relationship between them could develop so rapidly in these circumstances.An enjoyable read, my main complaint being that such a thick book is tricky to read on the tube at rush hour!
Thank you Harper Collins for my ARC
The story is a fast paced thriller, but also tackles many other themes, not just love and loyalty but political ideals, betrayal, how well do you know somebody and who can you trust.
Not surprisingly with a pedigree like Simon Berthon’s , a highly acclaimed investigative film-maker, it is an intelligent, well written and balanced novel. He does not enforce his opinions nor is he judgemental, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions, about the rights and wrongs of the conflict., from all sides, as it moves backwards and forwards in time and location.
I found Anne-Marie/Maire, an interesting character, and her position forces you to ask yourself, what would I do in the same situation? Overall, however, it is police officer Carne that I found much more convincing, although I question whether a relationship between them could develop so rapidly in these circumstances.An enjoyable read, my main complaint being that such a thick book is tricky to read on the tube at rush hour!
Thank you Harper Collins for my ARC
July 31, 2020
3.5
I don’t tend to read historical fiction / historical mystery but I am so glad I picked this book up and gave it a go! The way in which it is written gives so much depth to the story, events, and characters that it amazed me from the first word. I was truly involved in every conspiracy and I found myself unable to put the book down due to me wanting to find out more.
It is no surprise, due to Berthon being a historian, that this book was very historically accurate. What is a surprise, is that it managed to not only do this but weave in an intricate plot to go with it. I really enjoyed the layout of this novel and Berthon managed to reveal certain aspects of the conspiracy at the perfect moment leaving the reader craving more.
However, there was quite a lot going on at once, and due to the various places, people, and aliases, it could be hard to keep up at times. This led to disengagement for me as not only was I confused, it made it so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wished that I could. Overall, I really enjoyed the complexity of this plot and the historical accuracy, it was just difficult to connect with certain characters and could be very confusing.
I don’t tend to read historical fiction / historical mystery but I am so glad I picked this book up and gave it a go! The way in which it is written gives so much depth to the story, events, and characters that it amazed me from the first word. I was truly involved in every conspiracy and I found myself unable to put the book down due to me wanting to find out more.
It is no surprise, due to Berthon being a historian, that this book was very historically accurate. What is a surprise, is that it managed to not only do this but weave in an intricate plot to go with it. I really enjoyed the layout of this novel and Berthon managed to reveal certain aspects of the conspiracy at the perfect moment leaving the reader craving more.
However, there was quite a lot going on at once, and due to the various places, people, and aliases, it could be hard to keep up at times. This led to disengagement for me as not only was I confused, it made it so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wished that I could. Overall, I really enjoyed the complexity of this plot and the historical accuracy, it was just difficult to connect with certain characters and could be very confusing.
July 15, 2017
Not knowing what to expect of this book, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
18-year old Maire is talked into a one-off operation by her boyfriend to be the honey trap for the IRA so they can interrogate an English officer. He promises there will be no violence...
To her horror she realizes she's been a witless pawn and decides to leave for Dublin to study at uni and leave her past behind.
Fast forward to today and Maire has become a successful lawyer and is surprised by a job offer from the British government as a Minister, which she accepts.
Unfortunately, her past rears its head and she is drawn into a deadly game, involving shadowy dealings with dangerous consequences as she fights to get to the truth of her history and the fate of those close to her.
A page turner, this book had me hooked immediately, reading as fast as I could well into the night. Highly recommended!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
18-year old Maire is talked into a one-off operation by her boyfriend to be the honey trap for the IRA so they can interrogate an English officer. He promises there will be no violence...
To her horror she realizes she's been a witless pawn and decides to leave for Dublin to study at uni and leave her past behind.
Fast forward to today and Maire has become a successful lawyer and is surprised by a job offer from the British government as a Minister, which she accepts.
Unfortunately, her past rears its head and she is drawn into a deadly game, involving shadowy dealings with dangerous consequences as she fights to get to the truth of her history and the fate of those close to her.
A page turner, this book had me hooked immediately, reading as fast as I could well into the night. Highly recommended!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
March 22, 2022
Woman of state by Simon Berthon.
SECRETS
1991, Belfast.
Maire Anne McCartney is recruited for a one-off IRA mission as a honey trap. She is told there will be no violence. But she has been lied to.
To save herself, eighteen-year-old Maire must flee across the border alone, and start a
new life.
STATE
Present day, London.
Human rights lawyer Anne-Marie Gallagher is appointed Minister of State for Security and Immigration.
At the same time, the police in Belfast receive an anonymous tip-off. The password is verified from the Troubles – and the co-ordinates lead DCI Jon Carne to a field. And a body.
BETRAYAL
The new Minister receives a message and realises that the new life she has crafted is at risk of being uncovered.
And when Carne’s investigation brings Anne- Marie to his attention, she must decide where her allegiances lie…
A good read. Found it a little slow but readable. 3*.
SECRETS
1991, Belfast.
Maire Anne McCartney is recruited for a one-off IRA mission as a honey trap. She is told there will be no violence. But she has been lied to.
To save herself, eighteen-year-old Maire must flee across the border alone, and start a
new life.
STATE
Present day, London.
Human rights lawyer Anne-Marie Gallagher is appointed Minister of State for Security and Immigration.
At the same time, the police in Belfast receive an anonymous tip-off. The password is verified from the Troubles – and the co-ordinates lead DCI Jon Carne to a field. And a body.
BETRAYAL
The new Minister receives a message and realises that the new life she has crafted is at risk of being uncovered.
And when Carne’s investigation brings Anne- Marie to his attention, she must decide where her allegiances lie…
A good read. Found it a little slow but readable. 3*.
July 4, 2021
This book brought back memories of the weeks I spent in Belfast during the Troubles - body search to shop in Woolworths , personal belongings searched in my hotel room while I was having dinner , Sixers taking up the whole road outside primary schools as the children exited for the day to spot weapons being moved by parents etc. The story tells of a teenage Catholic girl in Northern Ireland with IRA sympathies who plays a part in a killing . Subsequently , she becomes a Westminster MP with a ministerial role and a hidden past . A first novel for the author and a pretty good read for anyone interested in real life at that time .
June 6, 2017
Not my usual read, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It helped that I remember the Troubles in Ireland and the peacekeeping negotiations being on the news. Maire's teenage years are influenced by her IRA supporting brother and his friends, until she gets drawn into an incident and misled to believe that no violence will occur. She leaves her home town to make a new life for herself at uni, then a totally fresh start with a new identity in London as a human rights lawyer. Life is good until the past rears its ugly head and corners her, making her face some harsh realities and fresh discoveries. Corruption and deception run through the entire novel, which is cleverly written and does make you wonder just how much of this type of thing actually went on during the 90s.
April 29, 2025
More interesting than I expected after finding this in the clearance section of a bookstore in Oxford. The book starts slow and it took a while for me to get into it, but at about 100 pages in I started to like it. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book I couldn’t put down. There were some scenes I thought could have been written better, and it was hard to delineate some characters from each other, but well done and an exciting read overall. I didn’t really like the end, but I’m not normally one for stories that leave you to contemplate what choices the characters make from there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2017
Simon Berthon's debut political thriller is a sturdy if predictable affair that clunkily weaves the 1990/ IRA ceasefire and eventual Good Friday Agreement together with the machinations of modern politics and surveillance culture but the central character is far too naive to be wholly credible either as a lawyer or a politician and although there's San opening for a sequel, I'm not sure there's enough here for me to read on.
December 25, 2017
Nice to see a tale of counterespionage centred around a woman rather than a man. Got a bit implausible in the end, starting when Anne-Marie Gallagher makes a diligent detective (Carne) fall in love with her & trust her implicitly in about five seconds. However all-in-all a light and mostly compelling read that shows you how power corrupts, deals are brokered & allies are just people who haven’t betrayed you yet.
August 25, 2018
Before undertaking any work which includes reference to the conflict in the North of Ireland it is imperative that sufficient research is carried out to ensure there are no inaccuracies. Sadly the writer failed to so so, and making references to a hunger strike which occurred in 1982 when nine men died (completely inaccurate on both counts) ameliorated any credibility the novel was likely to achieve.
January 13, 2018
A good book, it interested me being from Northern Ireland and the history etc that it portrays is excellent takes me back to being a wee boy.
However I found it obvious what was happening from about half way through the book, however if the author were to write another book on the same subject I would gladly read it
However I found it obvious what was happening from about half way through the book, however if the author were to write another book on the same subject I would gladly read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2022
What a complex book. Full of double crossing and secret agents.
I didn’t think I would enjoy this half as much as I did. The subterfuge is not something I generally enjoy in a book. But this was so well written.
Very intriguing and eye opening about what happened during the troubles and how the peace process may have been established.
I didn’t think I would enjoy this half as much as I did. The subterfuge is not something I generally enjoy in a book. But this was so well written.
Very intriguing and eye opening about what happened during the troubles and how the peace process may have been established.
December 4, 2022
Interesting story but convoluted. Almost so convoluted that it is hard to keep track. I had to switch from an audiobook to a regular book to make sure I could go back and forth to make sure I understand the numerous twists and turns of the story which just keep on coming.
June 8, 2017
Review copy courtesy of www.lovereading.co.uk - my review on that site in due course.
April 24, 2023
Really great debut novel. Clever, interesting history, challenging characters, thought-provoking, and a great read.
April 30, 2025
It was okay, but would have been better if it was 100 pages shorter. Why was it so long? Like it wasn’t necessary 😬😭
August 16, 2017
I enjoyed this book but I didn't really understand the ending. Maybe it's me and I'm just a bit stupid but I think the author is setting it up for book two. I would welcome book two but the ending here definitely felt a bit rushed.
July 22, 2017
A political thriller is not my usual reading material, but thought I'd give it a go and am I glad I did.
The story is fast paced and keeps you absorbed, exposing Anne Marie's life by going between the past/present to reveal the secrets, lies and betrayals.
Thought this book was thoroughly enjoyable with plenty of twists and turns, strong characters and an amazing plot which keeps you gripped and guessing throughout.
Thank you Netgalley, HQ and Simon Berthan for allowing me to read and review this book..
The story is fast paced and keeps you absorbed, exposing Anne Marie's life by going between the past/present to reveal the secrets, lies and betrayals.
Thought this book was thoroughly enjoyable with plenty of twists and turns, strong characters and an amazing plot which keeps you gripped and guessing throughout.
Thank you Netgalley, HQ and Simon Berthan for allowing me to read and review this book..
May 31, 2018
Anne-Marie is an ambitious politician with quite a few skeletons in her closet. Not exactly unusual for a politician. Her secrets are buried all the way back in Ireland in the midst of the Troubles. The story moves from past to the present and back again, as some of those secrets begin to surface and threaten to destroy the new life and identity she has built for herself.
Although Anne-Marie is portrayed as the unsuspecting and innocent victim of political machinations and spy games, I find that perspective hard to swallow. The whole set-up of the honey-trap suggests at the very least a subconscious awareness of what would happen, especially considering her family and their involvement in the IRA.
The most interesting aspect of the story is the question of guilt. Anne-Marie doesn’t seem to feel as if she is complicit in any way. One could argue that her role in the honey-trap, which leads to the death of a man, is what hardens her and makes her less empathetic or does her family loyalty and politics play a bigger role in her life than she lets on?
To me Anne-Marie reads as a woman fully aware of her actions and the consequences of said actions. In a way her ambitions and her almost instinctive play for power after the successful election is indicative of her true nature and personality.
I also think it is a fairly common assumption that women are less likely to be ruthless leaders, killers and in positions of power, when it comes to crime or terrorism. A fatal mistake I might add. There is this stereotypical misconception that we are less likely to be cruel, brutal and able to make life and death decisions.
Regardless of the truth all of the above still applies to the situation, so I suppose in the end it is a question of whether everything is fair game when we are at war. If that is the case then why do we put war criminals on trial? Are some acts of murder deemed not to be a crime, depending on the circumstances, the conflict and the person who committed them? It’s food for thought at the very least.
Berthon makes an interesting political point and one about human rights with this story, regardless of whether it is intentional or not. It also speaks to the nature of politicians, the omnipotence of secret military and police operations, and human nature in general. The author takes a snapshot of the events during that violent period in our history and manages to place the blame where it belongs, which is firmly on both sides.
It’s a gripping venture into the world of politics, political skirmishes, clandestine operations and history. Ultimately it is also one about human nature, conscience and guilt, and betrayal. I think it is fair to say we all have some skeletons in our closet, some of us have just buried them deeper than other people.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher.*
Although Anne-Marie is portrayed as the unsuspecting and innocent victim of political machinations and spy games, I find that perspective hard to swallow. The whole set-up of the honey-trap suggests at the very least a subconscious awareness of what would happen, especially considering her family and their involvement in the IRA.
The most interesting aspect of the story is the question of guilt. Anne-Marie doesn’t seem to feel as if she is complicit in any way. One could argue that her role in the honey-trap, which leads to the death of a man, is what hardens her and makes her less empathetic or does her family loyalty and politics play a bigger role in her life than she lets on?
To me Anne-Marie reads as a woman fully aware of her actions and the consequences of said actions. In a way her ambitions and her almost instinctive play for power after the successful election is indicative of her true nature and personality.
I also think it is a fairly common assumption that women are less likely to be ruthless leaders, killers and in positions of power, when it comes to crime or terrorism. A fatal mistake I might add. There is this stereotypical misconception that we are less likely to be cruel, brutal and able to make life and death decisions.
Regardless of the truth all of the above still applies to the situation, so I suppose in the end it is a question of whether everything is fair game when we are at war. If that is the case then why do we put war criminals on trial? Are some acts of murder deemed not to be a crime, depending on the circumstances, the conflict and the person who committed them? It’s food for thought at the very least.
Berthon makes an interesting political point and one about human rights with this story, regardless of whether it is intentional or not. It also speaks to the nature of politicians, the omnipotence of secret military and police operations, and human nature in general. The author takes a snapshot of the events during that violent period in our history and manages to place the blame where it belongs, which is firmly on both sides.
It’s a gripping venture into the world of politics, political skirmishes, clandestine operations and history. Ultimately it is also one about human nature, conscience and guilt, and betrayal. I think it is fair to say we all have some skeletons in our closet, some of us have just buried them deeper than other people.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher.*
January 24, 2023
Maire Anne McCartney is a teenage in Belfast in the early 1990’s. Her brother Martin is an IRA commander, her boyfriend Joseph his right-hand man. Maire on the other hand is intelligent with the chance of university. She can escape this life if she can just keep her nose out of trouble. When Joseph asks her to help out on a job she’s reluctant, but he’s persistent. Needless to say things don’t go according to plan.
Twenty-six years later Maire has reinvented herself as Anne-Marie Gallagher, a human rights lawyer in London and prospective Parliamentary candidate. She wins the election and a bright future beckons as she’s tipped for greater things, when a body has just been unearthed in an unmarked grave. Suddenly her past is coming back to haunt her.
Ultimately it is also one about human nature, conscience and guilt, and betrayal. I think it is fair to say we all have skeletons in our closet, it is just some have buried them deeper than other people.
Twenty-six years later Maire has reinvented herself as Anne-Marie Gallagher, a human rights lawyer in London and prospective Parliamentary candidate. She wins the election and a bright future beckons as she’s tipped for greater things, when a body has just been unearthed in an unmarked grave. Suddenly her past is coming back to haunt her.
Ultimately it is also one about human nature, conscience and guilt, and betrayal. I think it is fair to say we all have skeletons in our closet, it is just some have buried them deeper than other people.
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