📖 Book Review ~ The Girl Knows Nothing by K T Cavan

 

Asp Indie Books
June 2021

My thanks to Vine House Distribution for my copy of this book

Clemency flies to Argentina to help handsome and ruthless secret agent Hal Linklater track down three fugitive Nazis. But as their quest takes them from the tango bars of Buenos Aires to the wind-swept plains of Patagonia, Hal keeps Clemency in ignorance of the real reason why these three men matter so much. He says the less she knows, the safer she is. But as the hunters become the hunted, would knowing the truth help save her life? Or plunge her into greater danger?

Sequel to ‘What About the Girl?’ which introduced Clemency White, a cypher clerk in the Foreign Office who ends up as one of MI6’s top agents. With 60s glamour, exotic locations, plenty of action and a strong female lead, they mix the excitement of the Connery Bond era with a feminine sensibility. The series is on-topic for 2021, with the same 1960s settings and themes of women’s place in society as The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and The Queen’s Gambit. 

The third title, Come Spy with Me, will be published later in the summer of 2021.

📖 My thoughts..

My introduction to Clemency White came in the first book in the series when she is working as an innocent cypher clerk in the foreign office who, inadvertently, gets drawn into an espionage ring which is operating out of London. Realising her worth as someone who can easily merge into the background, Clemency is a valuable asset and in this second book in the series, she is sent out to Argentina to help Hal Linklater, one of the top British agents, who has been charged with the task of tracking down three fugitive Nazis who have, so far, escaped justice in the aftermath of the Second World War. 

The Girl Knows Nothing pretty much starts where the second book finished with Clemency not really having much of a chance to draw breath before she is whisked away, once more, into a dangerous world of murky politics and clandestine operations. Clemency is very much the odd one out in this male dominated world and is so easily dismissed as a mere female  but, of course, that is where her absolute strength lies. The author brings this vividly to life as she describes Clemency's tenacious personality and her ability to outwit the men as they play their own very dangerous games. 

The Argentinian world of secrets, and lies, adds an interesting dimension to the story, making the place, very much an integral part of this complicated plot. The story races along and Clemency White, once again, proves just what an asset she is to the world of espionage, she's quick, clever and her ability to keep one step ahead of the game is just what is needed to succeed.

The Girl Knows Nothing is an exciting continuation of this series which brings to life the dangerous world of espionage and the deadly secrets of international politics.

About the Author

There’s something of a mystery to the author whose own work in intelligence and security means they have to remain in the shadows of a pseudonym.

Twitter #KTCavan

@vinehousedist