Katherine Reay to Promote New Novel in Spartanburg

The book was inspired by Reay’s research into Cold War spies, particularly Ursula Kuczynski Beurton, a Soviet spy living in the UK.

Set in the winter of 1950, the story follows Gemma Brown, who moves to the village of Great Rollright in the English Cotswolds, hoping to create a life reminiscent of her favorite mystery novels. However, Gemma struggles to fit in, finding herself more skilled at solving mysteries and opening the village's first bookstore than at social gatherings or baking.

As the narrative unfolds, Gemma befriends Peggy, a fellow newcomer, and becomes intrigued by Ursula Beurton, the village's best baker, whose presence stirs local gossip. The deeper Gemma delves into her friendship with Ursula, the more she starts to suspect the baker might be a spy.

Reay noted, "Ursula came onto my radar during the research for those books. I knew about her, but I didn’t know she had a story until all of the other bits came into play.” She researched meticulously, reading works like Ben Macintyre’s "Agent Sonya: The Spy Next Door" and classic British spy novels published before 1949, along with visiting locations that inspired her setting.

Reay mentioned ongoing debates among UK scholars regarding Ursula’s departure from England on February 27, 1950, and speculation that she may have been a double agent for MI6, though definitive evidence is still unavailable due to closed files at MI6.

Reay will participate in a "Coffee with Author" event at Hub City Books on October 7 at the Masonic Temple, located at 186 W. Main St. in Spartanburg, starting at 10 a.m. For further details, visit hubcity.org.