Description
Restless by William Boyd is a fiction spy thriller that follows Sally Gilmartin, a seemingly ordinary English widow, whose daughter Ruth discovers that her mother’s life was built on deception. In 1976, Sally reveals her true identity as Eva Delectorskaya, a highly trained World War II spy who operated under fake identities, used secret safe houses, and navigated a world of lies and espionage. Decades later, Eva’s past continues to threaten her life, compelling her to confide in Ruth while seeking the man who recruited her for the secret service. The narrative moves between 1970s England and key historical locations, exploring espionage operations in New York and Europe during the war. Themes of trust, loyalty, family bonds, and the moral ambiguities of intelligence work are interwoven with Ruth’s personal struggles, creating a layered story that examines how past secrets shape present lives.
Intended for adult readers who appreciate character-driven spy fiction, the novel combines historical detail, emotional complexity, and suspenseful plotting, offering a vivid portrait of a female spy and the human cost of a life devoted to covert operations.
