The Secret Lives of Women Spies

About this book

This is a fascinating collection of short stories about real-life women spies from across the globe. 

Author Charlotte Philby was inspired to explore the world of espionage when she learned that her grandfather, Kim Philby, had been one of the most infamous double agents in history. However, she could find very little information about the role women played in the secret services, so she delved deeper.  

Here, she shares her research about several female figures who put their lives on the line to stand up for their beliefs. 

Readers will learn about British nurse Edith Cavell, who was executed for spying by German soldiers in 1915; Harriet Tubman, an important figure in the American Civil War, who fought to ensure Black enslaved people were freed; and Zandra Flemister, the first African American woman to be hired by the US Secret Service in 1974, who endured sexism and racism while she served her country. 

A brief, biographical introduction to each woman is followed by a fictionalised account of their experiences. A 'tools of her trade' section highlights key skills and technologies used by the spies, and unfamiliar terms are explained in a useful glossary at the end.