A Quiet Life, by Natasha Walter

The mid twentieth century Soviet spy ring gets another workout, from a slightly different angle, in this quiet thriller. Naïve American Laura sails to Britain in 1939 to visit family, meeting onboard a dynamic young activist who influences her political views and becomes a friend. An outsider in every way, Laura keeps the different parts of her life separate from the start. Her family knows nothing of the communist meetings and rallies and her acquaintances know little of the decadent social set she is drawn into by her ambitious cousins. Her worlds are brought together when she meets and marries Edward Last, who turns out to also have a foot in both camps. Laura’s story is based on that of a real-life spy couple and it’s a fascinating examination of the dilemma of a loyal wife, under enormous pressure from all quarters when her husband disappears. In the time spent waiting for resolution after Edward has gone, Laura discovers that she hardly knew him at all and her divided life looks set to continue indefinitely, albeit in a different setting.