Butler hits the ground running with her thriller debut, an electrifying near-future series-starter that pits intelligence operative Juliet Arroway, her Saudi princess partner in espionage, and a Syndicate of intelligence agencies against the terrorists of a post-oil world. In Juliet’s case, the latest threat in the ongoing energy war has a personal edge: her father, a Syndicate agent, was a casualty of the war against al-Alfatih, a terrorist organization targeting alternative energy sites. A wave of attacks bring fresh tragedy to Juliet—and cast suspicion on her trusted partner, Mariam, the daughter of the king of Saudi Arabia, whose family might be involved in al-Alfatih despite the Kingdom’s recent investment in renewable energies. In Juliet, Butler has crafted a compelling, independent-minded protagonist who’s adept at tradecraft and ready for bold action, as the genre demands, but also possessed of unusual depth. She agonizes over having to keep her job and the danger she faces from the man she loves, and she’s quick to push back against the nasty xenophobia of seasoned intelligence salts, asking one, after dressing him down for his anti-Muslim invective, “Why is it that women are ball-busters and men are just doing their jobs?” Mariam, too, is a standout creation, a woman eager to see “an end to the cycle of death” but whose loyalties get questioned.
The richness that Butler brings to character also distinguishes The Syndicate Spy’s portrayal of a new global order—and the new threats that come with it. The geopolitics are convincingly complex, with antagonists who feel refreshingly human, but Butler still conjures a grabber of a thriller plot centered on a formula for “synthetic oil” that many interested parties will kill for. Pulsing throughout is the persistent question of who Juliet can trust. Action is exciting and never punishing, though occasionally wordy; the dash of romance feels natural, a welcome respite from the tension. Readers who favor smart, twisty spy thrillers with a sense of hope and humanity will love this.
Takeaway: This smart near-future espionage thriller introduces a heroine readers will love.
Great for fans of: Rosalie Knecht, Dana Haynes.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
"A fascinating tale of two female spies and their harrowing journey to accomplish a seemingly impossible mission. Filled with great attention to detail and captivating characters, Brittany Butler has crafted a brilliant homage to the courage and bravery of women in the proverbial 'man's world.’" --―Holli Fawcett Clayton, author of Somewhere Above It Al
“Realistic details, based on the author’s own experiences as a spy, propel this powerful story of Juliet’s quest to find and neutralize the terrorist responsible for her father’s death and too many others. Memorable characters, twists and turns, and international settings keep you racing to the shocking conclusion. It’s a gripping story with an empowering message. Juliet is a bad ass!” --―Kaira Rouda, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author
"The Syndicate Spy is the female-forward spy thriller that we’ve been waiting for! With exciting new storylines and protagonists updated to fit modern political challenges and dilemmas, Brittany Butler takes us on an adventure. Butler is a new author who is uniquely qualified to spin a gripping plot about spies, targeting, and secret operations. The Syndicate Spy will grip and fascinate you!" --―Michele Rigby Assad, former CIA operative and author of Breaking Cover
