Northern spy, Flynn Berry, author; Katharine Lee McEwan, narrator
The novel is about two sisters. One, Marian, becomes a terrorist, unbeknownst to her family. For years she has led a double life. She is a terrorist with the Irish Republican Army, (the IRA). The Irish rebels
do not want to be a colony of Great Britain, but rather they want freedom to become a socialist republic. Marian is not only a terrorist with the IRA, but secretly, she is also an informer for the British. She is hoping to help bring about a cease fire and an end to the years of constant fear and violence. Her sister, Tessa, has recently been divorced. Her husband was disloyal and had an affair with another woman. She has an infant, Finn, 3 months old to whom she is totally devoted. The family is Catholic. They were caught completely unawares when Marian was identified as a terrorist.
Tessa works for the British Broadcasting Company, (the BBC). Marion is a paramedic. Their mom does domestic work. When Marion’s secret life becomes public, Tessa and her mom’s life is thrown into upheaval. Marian begs Tessa to help her inform since Marian is no longer able to safely contact her handler. No one will suspect Tessa if Marian gives her messages to take to him. The British have promised to extract her sister if there is the slightest danger. Supposedly, she has a tracking device in a filling in her tooth which she can use to signal them if she is in danger. To save/help Marian, Tessa begins informing the British. It isn’t as simple as it seems, though. Soon, the IRA also solicits her help, help she cannot refuse to give without putting Marian in danger, once again. Because the sisters are so close, suspicions will rise if she hesitates. She is expected to support Marian and the IRA. Now she is also a terrorist.
Their lives are getting more and more compromised and complicated. What will happen if neither side continues to trust them or if law enforcement begins to suspect their secret double lives? Tessa’s position is untenable. She cannot back out of either situation without arousing suspicion. She fears for her son, as well. Tessa is now also hoping that a cease fire happens quickly so that she can be free of the secretive and dangerous life she is now leading.
The IRA is very powerful and everyone is afraid of them. You cannot cross them without being severely punished, beaten or murdered. They seem to have spies everywhere. The novel is about the desire for freedom and independence, about secrets and deception, about betrayal, but also loyalty. However, to whom does one owe loyalty, family, the terrorists, the British, or simply oneself? Do any means justify the ends? Innocents are often caught up in the morass.
Although there are moments when credibility is doubtful regarding the outcome of certain events, the novel is mostly well written and seemed historically accurate regarding the Irish fight for independence, the formidable power of the IRA, the Catholic/Protestant conflict, and the desire for independence and religious freedom regardless of the brutal consequences. Both the Irish and the British used coercion, betrayal and reprisals to maintain their influence and power during the conflict.
I found it difficult to determine the exact timeline since the only measure was the progression of Tessa’s child, Finn, as he grew older and more independent, but the terrorism described actually did take took place and there was an eventual cease fire. The religious struggle and the struggle against colonialism coupled with the portrayal of the Northern Ireland Catholics vs. Ireland’s Protestant population feels authentic. The narrator does an admirable job reading the novel with the right amount of emotion and accent depending on the situation. The narrator creates an atmosphere of the times with all the stress and unrest that is palpable.

Other reviews will tell you that NORTHERN SPY is about two sisters in Ireland who become involved with the IRA. While that is true, this book centers even more on one of those sisters, Tessa, and her baby, Finn; their relationship is emphasized. It is through Tessa's eyes that the reader sees the stress of life in Northern Ireland and her resulting concern for Finn's future.

As a producer for the BBC, Tessa one day sees security footage of an IRA robbery. Her sister Marian is one of the robbers. Tessa goes from disbelief to anger to becoming involved herself, although reluctantly. She never approves of the IRA's tactics; they frighten her. But she does what she does for eventual peace.

NORTHERN SPY is my first Flynn Berry book. Now I'm eager to read her previous two books.