A TIMES BEST PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2023
AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

'A necessary corrective to the sexism and misogyny rife in spy tales ... contains some eye-opening tales of espionage' GUARDIAN

'Gripping' FINANCIAL TIMES

'A thrilling book, as propulsive as classic le Carré' THE TIMES

'As much le Carré as it is Hidden Figures.' AMARYLLIS FOX, author of Life Undercover


The never-before-told story of a small cadre of influential female spies in the precarious early days of the CIA - women who helped create the template for cutting-edge espionage (and blazed new paths for equality in the workplace).

In the wake of World War II, four agents were critical in helping build a new organisation now known as the CIA. Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page, and Elizabeth Sudmeier, called the 'wise gals' by their male colleagues because of their sharp sense of humour and even quicker intelligence, were not the stereotypical femme fatale of spy novels. They were smart, courageous, and groundbreaking agents at the top of their class, instrumental in both developing innovative tools for intelligence gathering - and insisting (in their own unique ways) that they receive the credit and pay their expertise deserved.

Adelaide rose through the ranks, developing new cryptosystems that advanced how spies communicate with each other. Mary worked overseas in Europe and Asia, building partnerships and allegiances that would last decades. Elizabeth would risk her life in the Middle East in order to gain intelligence on deadly Soviet weaponry. Eloise would wield influence on scientific and technical operations worldwide, ultimately exposing global terrorism threats.

Meticulously researched and beautifully told, Holt uses firsthand interviews with past and present officials and declassified government documents to uncover the stories of these four inspirational women. Wise Gals sheds a light on the untold history of the women whose daring foreign intrigues, domestic persistence, and fighting spirit have been and continue to be instrumental to the world's security.

"A necessary corrective to the sexism and misogyny rife in spy tales, Wise Gals also contains some eye-opening tales of espionage from across the world." - Guardian

"A thrilling book, as propulsive as classic le Carré ... Holt has done a wonderful job of splicing declassified state documents with more personal accounts to produce a textured account of life as a female spy in the second half of the 20th century." - The Times

"Rich with detail, this gripping book charts the extraordinary bravery and professional barriers faced by women working in intelligence" - Financial Times

"Americans owe a great deal to Adelaide Hawkins, Mary Hutchison, Eloise Page and Elizabeth Sudmeier, the four 'wise gals' of Holt's title who helped build the World War II-era Office of Strategic Services into the Central Intelligence Agency. What they accomplished, in a full moral accounting, might be up for debate, but in the annals of espionage that is too often focused on men, understanding how these women not only contributed to but also contravened the nascent world order is vital." - Los Angeles Times

"[An] impressive book, covering a lot of ground, including incisive critiques of the missions and focus of the CIA, the change from spying to 'covert operations.' Holt juggles a lot of material and the reader goes back and forth between the different women, tracking their careers during and after WWII in a complicated zigzag. It's a testament to Holt's careful research that the narrative all holds together, made vivid by the many details she uncovered." - New York Journal of Books

"Entertaining ... [A] revealing and vibrant look at the critical contributions women have made to the CIA." - Publishers Weekly

"Holt returns with another intriguing collective history of an overlooked group of women...[Her] dedication to making her five main characters stand out and come fully to life is to be lauded. With a rich, always relevant subject, Holt's latest is a good choice for book groups." - Booklist

"Well-researched profiles in courage ... A vivid group biography of five strong-willed women who held significant positions in the early years of the CIA." - Kirkus Reviews

"Holt vividly chronicles [the Wise Gals'] careers, including multiple incidents from the field. . . Holt also details the work of the Petticoat Panel, a massive effort (involving Sudmeier, Hutchison, Hawkins and Page) to report on and improve the status of women at the agency. At every turn, Holt showcases the women's intelligence, knowledge and grit, while also highlighting the ways they didn't get the recognition they deserved. Insightful and gripping, Wise Gals is a fitting tribute to the brilliant women who shaped the American intelligence landscape." - Shelf Awareness