American Spy (Wilkinson) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
[W]hile embracing ambitions and concerns that don’t always figure highly in the spy genre, [American Spy] is first and foremost a thriller…. Plenty to enjoy on its own terms, then, as a slick, well-observed thriller, but what adds depth are the perspectives offered by the central character…. [C]hallenging boundaries is what brave fiction does, and Wilkinson proves confident enough to carry it off. For a debut novel it’s remarkably assured, earning its genre stripes with panache, and addressing thought-provoking issues along the way.
New York Times Book Review


Lauren Wilkinson’s new novel, American Spy, is extraordinary in a lot of ways—most obviously because it places a female African American intelligence officer… at the center of a Cold War tale of political espionage. But also striking is the novel’s deeper recognition that, to some extent, rudimentary tradecraft is something all of her African American characters have learned as an everyday survival skill…. American Spy is a morally nuanced and atmospheric political thriller.
Washington Post


[Wilkinson's] first novel starts off with a literal bang, and never once lets up. American Spy is a beautifully paced spy thriller as well as a promising debut from a writer who's not content to rely on the settled tropes of any literary genre…. Wilkinson packs a lot of plot into American Spy…. But [she] handles the several threads in the novel deftly, and she has a real gift for pacing…. Above all, it's just so much fun to read ... [American Spy] marks the debut of an immensely talented writer who's refreshingly unafraid to take risks, and has the skills to make those risks pay off.
NPR


(Starred review) [U]nflinching, incendiary debut… a thrilling, razor-sharp examination of race, nationalism, and U.S. foreign policy that is certain to make Wilkinson’s name as one of the most engaging and perceptive young writers working today.
Publishers Weekly


Wilkinson works within the true history of Burkina Faso, blending high-stakes political drama and Marie’s contemplation of the sister she lost and what her own choices will mean for her sons. Appealing in its insightful characterizations, well-plotted action, and rich settings, this should find a large audience.
Booklist


There are many tangled strands to unravel here… [and] Wilkinson… navigates… this tale of divided loyalties with the poise of such classic masters as Eric Ambler and Graham Greene…. Wilkinson’s book is a noteworthy contribution.
Kirkus Reviews