Audiobook Review: I, Spy by L. M. Kemp
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Being a parent changes everything—from your sleep patterns to your social life to your life choices. And in the audio edition of I, Spy by author L. M. Kemp, a former spy finds that the job isn’t the same when she has a child to care for.
The story finds former spy Kendal Carter returning to London after five years out of the country. When her daughter, Rosie, was born, Kendal decided to walk away from the dangers of her career. But when her home comes under attack, she’s forced to call in her old contacts for help. Her former handler, Rico, offers her a luxurious safe house if she’ll come back for a simple job: training a new operative while investigating one of the dads from Rosie’s school. And Kendal soon finds herself buried in both her job and her mom life.
The life of a spy is anything but stable—which is why Kendal decided to walk away to protect her child. But no matter how much she wanted to give Rosie a normal, safe childhood—unlike the one she had—she starts to wonder if that was ever even possible. And she finds herself gradually slipping back into her old life. She reconnects with old contacts and works with her trainee and downstairs neighbor, Joel, to track down information—and she even uses motherhood as a cover to help her get closer to valuable sources.
Kendal’s mix of motherhood and spy work definitely offers a new twist on the same old spy novel, blending in light action and intrigue with an extra dose of heart—and the added tension and drama that comes with being a parent (especially one of school age). This isn’t an ultra-serious spy thriller—because whenever there’s a four-year-old involved, there will always be at least some silliness, a few craft projects, and a child’s out-of-control birthday party. Instead of high-energy action and adventure, this is more of a cozy spy thriller: light and entertaining, with likable characters and a story that will hold readers’ attention without demanding too much.
If you enjoy a read with a little bit of suspense and plenty of heart, I, Spy mixes the joy and drama of motherhood with the intrigue of a spy novel to make it something that you can listen to on your daily walk for an easy-going diversion. And when you finish, you’ll look forward to seeing where Kendal’s next adventure takes her.
Pros:
– Light and undemanding story
– Parenting twist gives it more heart and humor
Cons:
– Not as action-packed as the typical spy thriller
You can find the audio edition of I, Spy on Amazon. And for more book reviews, be sure to check out my weekly radio show, Shelf Discovery.
