Dear Readers and Friends,
I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my new spy thriller,
The Spy from Beijing
You can order the book now at:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.
(just click on the bookstore; the book isn’t on my website yet)
Hardcover $29.99 – Paperback $18.99 – e-book $7.87
Audiobook – coming in April
ADVANCE PRAISE:
“It doesn’t get better than this. Written by one of America’s few, successful female CIA insiders, The Spy from Beijing is the ultimate combination of excitement, intrigue, love, lies, and all the impossible dilemmas faced by today’s undercover operatives.”
– The Honorable Mary Beth Long, former Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and CIA case officer, current owner of a law firm.
“Based on the world’s obsession with DNA testing, Joan M Kop crafts a thrilling spy tale about China’s attempt to steal Americans’ personal data and combines it with China’s other nefarious spy practices. Kop keeps you on the edge of your seat as she ratchets up the tension and provides several wild twists in this thought-provoking story about what is more important—family or patriotism?”
– Robert Dugoni, author of My Sister’s Grave and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
“Joan M Kop’s debut espionage novel, The Spy from Beijing, is an unconventional and thoroughly engrossing read.”
– James Stejskal, author of Dead Hand, the latest of The Snake Eater Chronicles.
“Nothing exposes the existential threats we face better than a fast-paced plot like the one in The Spy from Beijing, by Joan M. Kop. This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat in every chapter.”
– Pat Nohrden, author of The Crystal Monkey and Min Li’s Perfect Place
“Boasting a twisty tale and a feisty, engaging protagonist, The Spy from Beijing is an entertaining and imaginative novel, full of unusual intrigue and sharp, contemporary relevance.”
– The Book Review Directory – 5-star review
“The Spy from Beijing is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of espionage, intrigue, and moral quandaries, and a must-read for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful tale that explores the blurred lines between loyalty and love.”
– Readers’ Favorite. – 5-star review
“The Spy from Beijing is a riveting read that will appeal to both long-time readers of the spy/thriller genre and newcomers alike. Kop delivers a vibrant narrative that will hold your attention from the beginning and keep it until the final page.”
– Literary Titan – 5-star review
I hope you enjoy reading my book.
The best way you can support me is to write an honest review.
Thank you as always for all your kind notes and messages!
All best,
JOAN M KOP
For those of you who might have an interest, read on for more spy stuff.
The CIA recruited me in the early 70s, shortly after Watergate during the Nixon Administration, when most women were hired as administrative assistants. Back then, the CIA recruited women like me from all 50 states. I worked with a lot of intelligent people and it was a lot of fun. After five years, I resigned when my CIA boss recruited me to work for him at a small company in Emeryville, California (across the bay from San Francisco). Among other things, our company researched and wrote country studies for multinational corporations.
Since then, I have read numerous spy novels/memoirs and have done a ton of research on famous spies, tradecraft, and spy sites. During the pandemic, I read fifteen of Daniel Silva’s spy novels and countless others. I was also a member of the Spybrary Facebook group where I was exposed to famous spy authors such as Ian Fleming, John LeCarre and Len Deighton.
I’ve always been curious. Why in the world would someone betray their own country and spy for another government?
You can now google almost anything. The answer is M.I.C.E. that stands for Money, Ideology, Compromise, and Ego. It’s used in counterintelligence training to identify potential motivations for spying.
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Money: People with access to sensitive information may be tempted to sell secrets for money.
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Ideology: Some spies volunteer to work for an adversary because they share the same beliefs. (Cuba’s spies are often motivated by ideology.)
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Compromise: Spies may be coerced into working for an adversary through blackmail or threats of force. (Russia often uses blackmail.)
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Ego: Spies may be motivated by a desire for recognition or to feel important.
Other factors that may motivate spies include:
RECRUITMENT: Spies are recruited through a process that involves identifying potential targets, assessing their suitability, and making a pitch that appeals to their patriotism, religion or ego. Blackmail is also sometimes used. The process can be lengthy (development of targets takes time; sometimes the target contacts the intelligence service) and can be dangerous or risky.
IDENTIFYING TARGETS: Intelligence services use public information and social media to identify potential targets (For example, the Chinese have offered laptops, women or educational stipends and have also used odd LinkedIn requests to target individuals.) Targets are often people who have access to information or who could be useful in support roles (many are in the aerospace or space industry).
ASSESSMENT: Intelligence services may assess targets’ hobbies, career success, and marital status to find common ground with them.
SCREENING AND EVALUATING: Targets may be required to pass screening, testing, and interviews. They may also need to undergo security and medical evaluations.
USE OF RUSSIAN ILLEGALS OR SLEEPER AGENTS: Russian intelligence services often use illegals—sleeper agents who operate abroad using false identities. They blend in by taking ordinary jobs complete with backstories that allow them to operate undetected. They may use a variety of tactics to recruit spies, including appealing to personal vulnerabilities, exploiting existing grievances, or using blackmail to coerce individuals.
CHINA’S INTELLIGENCE SERVICES: China’s intelligence service (MSS) doesn’t operate like Russia’s FSB or the CIA. Instead, they often use front companies and have spies embedded everywhere—in the music industry, the media, the arts, think tanks, and academia. Over the last 15 years, dozens of Americans, Chinese nationals, and Europeans have been arrested, charged, or convicted of economic or military espionage for China.
Historically, the majority have been ethnic Chinese, including Chinese students who came to the US for college or advanced degrees, got hired at tech companies and then returned to China with stolen trade secrets. More recently, China has targeted American citizens to collect sensitive military, intelligence, or economic information. One such recruitment began with a simple LinkedIn message.
For more information, check out “Espionage Facts” on the website of the International Spy Museum. https://www.spymuseum.org
Until next time…
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