Aly Monroe reviews

Washington Shadow

The TLS, Sean O’Brien: ... The Social Concerns of the Thriller .. Read more..

The Telegraph, Jeremy Jehu: ... a Graham Greene anti-hero … the spy who brings the cold in with him .. Read more..

The Times Christmas books: thrillers, Peter Millar: ...Down to earth in the grimy world of spooks and politicians, Washington Shadow by Aly Monroe … is the second in her splendid series. …enlightened and engaging … it ought to be in Gordon Brown’s Christmas stocking. Read more..

Morning Star, Mat Coward: ...Monroe's novels are a very enjoyable, historically educated combination of espionage fiction's traditionally opaque plots with unexpected characters and effervescent dialogue. Read more..

Guardian, John O’Connell : ...Wonderfully atmospheric. …. Excellent.. Read more..

The Literary Review, Jessica Mann:...Cotton … becomes both observer and victim of Britain’s diminishing power and influence ... the atmosphere of the time and place is .. vividly evoked.

The Edinburgh Evening News, Katie Linsel: A sense of perspective comes out of shadows.. Read more

Euro Crime, Norman Price: compelling narrative … evocative period atmosphere … imaginative character portraits … well researched plot … makes you want to keep turning the pages.. Read more

The Maze of Cadiz

The Guardian, Sue Arnold, review of The Maze of Cadiz, Audiobook: What really impressed me was her confident, economical portrayal of character, particularly Cotton’s. It reminded me of Graham Greene - high praise for a first novel. Read more..

Mystery Women, Amanda Brown (September 2009): ...a quietly powerful tale … a good first novel and highly recommended. Read more..

New Books (September 2009): ...The novel is very moving … the plot is intriguing … the reader gains an insight into another world … I enjoyed reading this book.

The Economist, Adam LeBor: ...skilful and evocative ... brilliantly drawn ... a stylish and impressive debut. Read more..

George Haggerty, Orange County Register: ...a gripping thriller ...precision and grace ... rich authenticity. Let's hope Monroe finds an American readership and the book becomes more readily available here soon. Read more..

Financial Times, Natasha Cooper: an impressive novel ..... beautifully written .....vividly rendered.... The next can't come too soon. Read more..

Spectator, Andrew Taylor: Monroe is very good indeed on the Spanish background of the book .... As in all the best espionage stories, the personal and the political are inextricably entangled. Read more..

Telegraph, Jeremy Jehu:...hugely atmospheric .... addictive...Read more..

The Sunday Times, Joan Smith: accomplished debut. Read more..

The Guardian, Matthew Lewin: A remarkable portrait of post civil war Spain and the small expat community there …. clever and fascinating. Read more..

The Times, Marcel Berlins, November 2008: Aly Monroe's The Maze of Cadiz is a splendid debut mystery. Read more..

Eurocrime, Mike Ripley: A wonderfully atmospheric book …. a tale of the more realistic, downbeat trivia of the clandestine life …. very convincingly done.. Read more..

Books Quarterly (Waterstones) Best new debuts:…memorable thriller.

Morning Star, Mat Coward:...much to enjoy in this, the first instalment of a promising new series. Read more..

Mike Ripley, Shots Ezine, November 2008: I also went so far to predict to the judges (in fact to anyone who would listen) that a place on the shortlist for 2009 should be reserved right now for Aly Monroe’s debut novel The Maze of Cadiz. Read more..

Dover Express and Folkestone Herald, Terry Sutton: Monroe writes in an intriguing way. ….she does seduce the reader to keep turning the pages. …. The first in a series of novels following Peter Cotton. Can't wait.

Birmingham Mail, Alf Bennet:…brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the southern Spanish seaport under the boot-heel of the dictatorship …. can't wait for the next.

Nick Hay, Reviewing the Evidence, November 2008: '...extremely well written, involving, clever, emotional and satisfying - a debut novel of the very highest promise'. Read more..

The Mail On Sunday, Simon Shaw: Hugely accomplished debut …Monroe is a natural storyteller … a cracking atmosphere … first-rate characters