The Woman Who Knew Too Much: A Nora Baron Thriller by Tom Savage

I almost didn't read this one.  Spies are not my favorite thing but this author writes an excellent tale.  He draws you in, spoon feeds you hints, and makes you worry about the characters.  Everyone is in danger.  You don't play around with Russia...

Alibi and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can grab a copy now.

Nora is asked to do a special job by her husband's employer.  He knows she has acting skills so he sends her to meet a Russian actress who is trying to defect.  She and her team, no actual agents, will pretend to be a TV show who wants to feature this new play and artist.

The first thing you learn is that everybody is a spy or part of the underground.  They're in Venice and even the boatman is on the plan. As they play their parts, they find out things that make the defecting woman's story look false.  She lies to them to start with.  Then they find out she has stolen money.  She's not what she seems.

Nora plays along, learns what she can, and then asks to see if her suspicions are confirmed.  They are.  When her husband gets stabbed, she understands just how dangerous the Russians are.

The ending is very ironic and very fitting.  The users get used and good wins over evil.  Also, Nora's husband survives.  All is well in Nora's world.