The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy—and the Sister She Betrayed
November 21, 2022
Investigative journalist Popkin’s engrossing debut tells the story of Ana Montes, an intelligence analyst for the U.S. government who, probably before she joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in 1985, was spying for Cuba. In 1998, the efforts of her sister, Lucy, an FBI analyst, to bring down a Cuban spy ring in Miami led to clues about a highly placed U.S. citizen working for Cuba. The FBI and DIA spent more than two years investigating, but came up short due to a lack of cooperation between the agencies. It wasn’t until they finally shared information that they identified the spy as Montes. She was arrested 10 days after 9/11, which explains the lack of headlines her capture received. Montes pleaded guilty to one count of espionage, receiving 25 years in prison. Popkin thoroughly explores her upbringing—an abusive father divorced her mother—but never really explains why she became an ardent supporter of Fidel Castro to the extent that she risked her high-level position at the DIA and ultimately her freedom. This is a must-read for espionage fans. Agent: Matt Latimer, Javelin.
Starred review from June 1, 2023
Renowned as an investigative reporter for multiple news outlets, Popkin narrates his well-researched work about Ana Montes, the woman who spied for Cuba in one of the most damaging espionage cases in U.S. history. Popkin's dogged passion for this topic shows in his performance. He exudes empathy for Montes when describing her abusive father, tenderness when discussing her mother, and tension as the bond breaks between Montes and her sister, an FBI agent. He marvels at how an emotionally detached Montes worked as the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) Cuban analyst, garnering accolades and promotions within the DIA, while also slipping top-secret intelligence to Cuban handlers for nearly 17 years. Though the FBI suspected her of being a spy, Montes left behind no evidence. It was a Cuban immigrant, an analyst for the NSA, that found proof that the mole was Montes. Convicted of espionage, she was sentenced to 25 years at the supermax unit of FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, TX. A smooth production, this audiobook skillfully manages a myriad of direct quotations and maintains an engaging newscaster perspective throughout. VERDICT This deep dive into the case of Ana Montes is meticulously presented and will captivate true-crime lovers.--Stephanie Bange
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