The Secretary is a thrilling examination of the deadly unease in 1958 Moscow during the Cold War, from the rare perspective of a female MI6 operative. Lois Vale is tasked with the deep-cover mission of unearthing a suspected mole lurking in the British embassy, meanwhile taking us on a rollercoaster of high-political stakes, fleeting romances, and near-misses. Lawrenson has crafted a riveting spy thriller which immerses us in Cold War tension whilst diving into the complications faced by women in espionage.
Moscow is brought to life in the novel through breathtaking architectural and social detail. Lawrenson provides vivid descriptions of the towering creations of Stalin, bringing the grey and gloomy atmosphere of Moscow right to our doorstep by giving the reader the resources to imagine the setting in its infamous glory. Additionally, it is a subtle nod to the extent of the control of the Kremlin, which is everywhere you look. The Secretary educates us on how normalised society has become to the restrictive measures of the KGB – a listening device here, an officer following there, and the shared knowledge of what is safe to discuss out in the open. We feel the weight of paranoia and the emotional reality of Moscow, as Lois states, “Moscow extorted a price.”
The book has several themes but can firstly be described as a character analysis of Vale. Lawrenson’s protagonist is an intelligent, working-class woman navigating a male-dominated field. Lois struggles with conflicts of identity, loneliness, and lack of recognition. She must get to grips with living a lie, trusting only herself, and having her wits about her – the cumulative effect of this is Lois questioning who she has become and what around her is real or fake. Like Lois, the reader is constantly left questioning who we can trust and the interior motives behind every minuscule act. Lawrenson treats us to a risky love affair between Lois and German journalist, Johann, but even this simple pleasure produces emotional and professional turmoil in such an unstable environment. Despite this, the undercover officer is a testament to bravery and resilience, as she silently carries out her assignment without credit or a promise of long-term security.
In Moscow, lies and deception aren’t just common, but the currency that keeps everything in motion. Where trust is a luxury no one can afford, Lois is drastically isolated. Gender roles are striking throughout the book, with Lois being a symbol of the unseen and uncelebrated female officer pushing against societal limits. The men in the book hold positions of power and use their masculinity to an advantage, whilst the women have to become more strategic. Lois does not shy away from the slippery path ahead, and her character raises awareness at a time when we are uncovering more about the roles of 20th-century women in espionage. Lois reveals the internal conflict of giving up her career to become a wife, with nothing to represent the legacy of her work. The ephemeral value of her place in the Cold War world once again mirrors real-life issues, as Lawrenson uses the feminist lens to rethink women’s place during these seemingly well-recorded historic periods.
Lawrenson’s style and writing technique generate the perfect page-turning thriller, such as her method of withholding information from the reader, aligning us with Lois’ experience. The technical intricacies used to describe espionage tools and operations, similar to the descriptive richness of architecture, enhance the legitimacy of The Secretary. It is undeniable that the effort Lawrenson spent into researching and understanding the Cold War from all angles has certainly paid off. The narrative voice allows us to connect emotionally with Lois’ experience while fostering an innate respect for the historical realities she navigates.
What stands out about this novel, is its knife-edge storytelling, unique perspective, and rich attention to detail. Intriguing information revealed in the afterword shares that the novel is based heavily on the diaries of Lawrenson’s mother. This provides The Secretary with a new depth, and once again reinforces how there is still much more to be learnt about females in espionage. For lovers of historical fiction, surveillance thrillers, and feminist narratives, this will leave you wanting for more.
Deborah Lawrenson is a journalist and novelist, and the author of The Secretary. Zoe Brunskill is an Editorial Intern at Aspects of History.
