Reader’s Choice: American Spy
July 28, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Reader’s Choice: Andrew Stoessel
American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson
MILS catalog record
“It’s 1986, the heart of the Cold War, and Marie Mitchell is an intelligence officer with the FBI. She’s brilliant, but she’s also a young black woman working in an old boys’ club. Her career has stalled out, she’s overlooked for every high-profile squad, and her days are filled with monotonous paperwork. So when she’s given the opportunity to join a shadowy task force aimed at undermining Thomas Sankara, the charismatic revolutionary president of Burkina Faso whose communist ideology has made him a target for American intervention, she says yes.” – From cover jacket
About Andrew
Hometown, current residence, and connection to the island: My wife, Sue, and I moved to Stonington in June of 2022. We are permanent, year-round residents here. Prior to our move we lived in Marblehead, Massachusetts. I have been coming to Little Deer Isle and Deer Isle since the 1970’s when our family rented a house on Little Deer Isle. I have returned nearly every year since then. Sue fell in love with the area when she first came in the 1990’s. We decided to move here when we retired from our respective jobs, doing both in 2022!
Why do you read? I read for all the reasons Chris Ross suggests [in original question to readers: information, escape, relaxation and commitment to a specific topic]. For relaxation, escape and insight, I lean towards fiction and poetry: novels (a favorite genre for escape are mystery, detective, and spy novels), poetry (solace and inspiration). I take on the occasional non-fiction as well (history, biographies, current issues).
What genre do you hate to read? And last book you LOVED: I enjoyed reading the SPL October selection, The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. Horror and science fiction are not my favorite genres, but I did enjoy this book!
Currently reading: I am currently reading Keys to Bonhoeffer’s Haus: Exploring the World and Wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Laura M. Fabrycky as part of another book group.
Why did you choose American Spy? I first read, or rather listened to, American Spy while driving to Stonington from Massachusetts in 2019. The book was highlighted in a NY Times review, and I also heard an interview on NPR with the author, Lauren Wilkinson. This coincided with some work I was doing around anti-racism awareness. In 2022 SPL was featuring books by people of color. Chris asked for suggestions toward the end of the series, and I suggested American Spy. There were other notable books that were chosen, but I am glad to revisit and re-read American Spy this year.