Table of Contents
About The Book
It’s the case of Amanda’s lifetime but solving it will require her to betray another spy—who just so happens to be her father in this “delicious spy novel” (People).
Spying is the family business. Amanda Cole is a brilliant young CIA officer following in the footsteps of her father, who was a spy during the Cold War. It takes grit to succeed in this male-dominated world—but one hot summer day, when a Russian defector walks into her post, Amanda is given the ultimate chance to prove herself.
The defector warns of the imminent assassination of a US senator. Though Amanda takes the warning seriously, her superiors don’t. Twenty-four hours later, the senator is dead. And the assassination is just beginning.
Corporate blackmail, covert manipulation, corrupt oligarchs: the Kremlin has found a dangerous new way to wage war. Teaming up with Kath Frost, a fearless older woman and legendary spy, Amanda races from Rome to London, from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, unraveling the international conspiracy. But as she gets closer to the truth, a central question haunts her: Why was her father’s name written down in the senator’s notes? What does Charlie Cole really know about the Kremlin plot?
The Helsinki Affair is an “propulsive, captivating spy novel,” (Good Morning America)—but this time with a refreshing female-centric twist. Perfect for fans of John le Carré and Daniel Silva, this book introduces Pitoniak as a singular new talent in the world of spy fiction.
Reading Group Guide
by Anna Pitoniak
Discussion Questions
1. Espionage remains a male-dominated world, even in the modern day. What role does gender play in Amanda Cole’s experience as a CIA officer?
2. What did you make of the character Kath Frost? She and Amanda make a compatible team, but they bring different attitudes and experiences to their espionage work. How do you think the partnership will affect the way Amanda approaches her work?
3. The question of Amanda’s father’s involvement in the plot is a central mystery. What were your theories about Charlie Cole’s role in the story? Did you agree with Amanda's choices, regarding how much loyalty to place with her father, and how much to place with her job and country?
4. What do you think The Helsinki Affair says about the relationship between national governments and intelligence agencies? How does the secretive work of the CIA, and other intelligence agencies, affect the events that play out in the public eye?
5. Discuss the moral dilemmas that Amanda faces throughout the novel. Are there moments where she must compromise her principles for the greater good? If so, what did you think of those moments? Have you ever felt that you had to compromise your own principles for the greater good?
6. The Helsinki Affair is described as a female-centric twist on the spy thriller genre. In what ways does the book challenge or subvert traditional spy novel tropes, and what does it add to the genre?
7. Consider the theme of betrayal in the novel. What were the instances of betrayal that struck you the most? Is it possible for the characters to trust one another after a betrayal has occurred? How does trust get reestablished?
8. The book’s title, The Helsinki Affair, might be interpreted as having multiple meanings. What do you think the title referred to?
9. What do you think the future holds for Amanda Cole, after the events of the book’s conclusion? Do you see potential for further adventures?
About The Author
Anna Pitoniak is the author of Our American Friend, Necessary People, and The Futures. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked in book publishing, including as a senior editor at Random House. Anna grew up in Whistler, British Columbia. She graduated from Yale and lives in New York City.
Why We Love It
“I’m a sucker for propulsive spy thrillers, whether they’re books or movies. But so many of them feature almost all-male casts, with any female characters relegated to love interests or sexy distractions. That’s not the case with The Helsinki Affair! The spies at the center of the novel are women—ambitious, complicated, sometimes messy women. Our protagonist is CIA agent Amanda Cole. She’s stubborn and determined and impulsive—all characteristics that make her a good spy, but also a frustrating colleague! Amanda teams up with a legendary spy named Kath who is brash and funny and totally independent. They’re a fierce, often very funny dynamic duo who are impossible not to root for every step of the way in this propulsive, twisty novel.”
—Carina G., Senior Editor, on The Helsinki Affair
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 14, 2023)
- Length: 368 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668014769
Raves and Reviews
One of the Washington Post’s Best Thrillers of 2023
“A propulsive, captivating spy novel. The Helsinki Affair asks what would happen if your greatest adversary in intelligence was… your father.”—Good Morning America
“Fills a gap in spy fiction…. Atmospheric, well-researched and packed with tradecraft, conspiracies, murder and, best of all, two fascinating women—Amanda Cole and Kath Frost—hard-nosed CIA agents who thrive on chaos and who are often smarter than their male counterparts…. Let’s hope they make an appearance in a sequel.”—Washington Post
"[An] ambitious espionage thriller ... [with a] startling finale ... Pitoniak continues to show strong instincts for the art of cloak-and-dagger."—Publishers Weekly
“In this delicious female spy novel, CIA up-and-comer Amanda and her mentor Kath untangle a global conspiracy involving Russian oligarchs and—gulp—Amanda’s own father, an agency lifer himself.”—People Magazine
“Gear up for a brilliantly plotted, complex spy thriller that not only will entertain, but will cause sincere reflection about what it means to be a person of integrity and how we can atone for our mistakes.”—BookReporter
“Count on realistic and compelling storytelling here, with Pitoniak’s own level of craft well-polished.”—New York Journal of Books
“Outstanding…. A smart, well-paced, and refreshingly female-centric thriller.”—Air Mail
“The Helsinki Affair provides a refreshing twist on the traditional Cold War spy thriller with a complex protagonist that pairs well with your favorite John le Carré and Graham Greene novels.” –Foreign Policy
"The Helsinki Affair has everything: high stakes, mortal peril, moral ambiguity, torn allegiances, tradecraft and subterfuge, love and sex and loneliness, and every type of risk. I can't remember the last time I read such an enjoyable spy novel."—CHRIS PAVONE, New York Times bestselling author of The Expats
“If you are one of those people--we are not a few--who think they don't write thrillers like they used to, then The Helsinki Affair is for you. An intricate, vigorously told and splendidly entertaining tale.”—JOHN BANVILLE, author of Snow and Booker-Prize winning author of The Sea
“What makes a great spy novel? A plot that is intricate and clever but also believable and realistic. A story line that doubles back and plunges forward, that twists and turns in ways both alarming and satisfying. Heroes who are bold and cool but imperfect and all-too-human. The Helsinki Affair has it all. Move over Alan Furst and Daniel Silva and say hello to Anna PItoniak.”—EVAN THOMAS, author of Road to Surrender
“Pitoniak artfully deploys all the tricks and tropes of the spy genre, and she creates for Amanda a wonderful ally—a 73-year-old CIA superstar named Kath Frost…. The developing mentorship and friendship between Amanda and Kath as well as the unfolding of the Cole family’s unhappy past give the novel emotional weight and interest that add to its espionage plot. These excellent female spy characters deserve a series.”—Kirkus
“Pitoniak does everything well in this twisty spy thriller that should please the most discriminating connoisseur of the genre.”—Library Journal
“A must-read for fans of spy thrillers. CIA agent Amanda Cole must confront her father's past as she tries to thwart an international conspiracy. Will she be forced to choose between loyalty to her family and her allegiance to her country?”—Country Living
“A noteworthy espionage debut, with engrossing alternating story line.”—East Hampton Star
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