More Tropes, Please!

Murder, She Writes

Blame it on the horrors of U.S. politics or the icky weather, but I’ve been hungry for my favorite escapist activity more than usual . . .

Reading, of course.

I recently finished The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter and enjoyed every sentence! A number of years ago, I read Carter’s YA spy series, Gallagher Girls. Her new series (I hope) is a adult female and romantic take on the best tropes of the spy genre.

The story starts where an unnamed women wakes up on a snowy street in Paris. A handsome yet grumpy guy is telling her to run because (surprise) many people are trying to kill her. It turns out she has a twin sister who is a wanted spy!

What follows is an adventure with over-the-top escapes, disguises, explosions–oh, and, of course, romance!

Throughout the adventure, the protagonist brings the classic spy tropes to the readers’ attention (there is a reason why she knows these so well). I don’t want to give that away, but the puzzle pieces will all come together.. The book takes on a kind of meta-spy story feel. Humor, hijinks, and, of course, the growing feelings between the protagonist and the hot spy guy lead to satisfying conclusions.

I adore the way Carter manages to play with all the predicable spy tropes by upturning them in clever ways.

I recommend you read this fun book to help you escape from the world right now.

Leave a comment