Ilium by Lea Carpenter

Such an intriguing take on espionage, Ilium looks through a different lens into the world of spies as a young woman becomes entangled in international intrigue. Ilium is quiet, and content with being so. It's fast-paced and at times intense, but this not a thriller. Instead, it delves deep into characters and themes, delivering a noir-like confessional, reminiscent of a memoir.

Set largely against a backdrop of Cap Ferret, a headland in Gironde, France, the story follows the unnamed narrator's journey from an unhappy existence to a seemingly idyllic marriage with a mysterious older man named Marcus. Following their wedding and honeymoon, she becomes the perfect asset for a covert operation's long-overdue finale.

As the narrator infiltrates the target's house under the guise of an art advisor, tensions simmer both inside and outside the heavily guarded compound. While the operation's aim remains unclear, Carpenter explores the themes of espionage's human cost, peeling back layers to reveal the human complexities beneath the surface.

Bearing another name for the famous city of Troy, Ilium explores the themes that draw parallels to the name's origin. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, she discovers that her new role comes with unforeseen risks and consequences. As the stakes rise, she grapples with the true cost of her involvement, offering a poignant exploration of loyalty, identity, and people's hidden depths and bigger stories.