Spy Thriller / Historical Fiction
Date Published: October 9, 2025
Publisher: Manhattan Book Group
When Ruth, a modern-day CIA counterintelligence officer, uncovers signs of a mole no one believes exists—a potential fourth Soviet spy left over from the Cold War—her investigation is abruptly derailed by an impossible event. Thrown back through time to the American Revolutionary War, Ruth finds herself face-to-face with Agent 355, the legendary—and still unidentified—female spy of George Washington’s Culper Ring.
Separated by 250 years yet bound by shared instincts, courage, and tradecraft, the two women quickly recognize each other as fellow intelligence officers. Together, they uncover a covert plot that, if left unchecked, will alter the course of history itself—resulting in a chilling alternate reality: the British States of America.
When Ruth returns to the present, the world she knew is gone. The United States no longer exists. Instead, she is working for MI7, piecing together clues that link her failed mole hunt to the catastrophic change she triggered in 1780. To restore history—and democracy—Ruth must find a way to repair the past without destroying the future.
If Two of Them Are Dead reimagines Agent 355 as the founding mother of American intelligence, bringing her out of historical anonymity and into a gripping narrative that celebrates the often-unrecognized role of women in espionage. The novel explores how effective spycraft transcends time—relying on deception close to truth, strategic disinformation, vigilance, and counter-surveillance—while highlighting the unique advantages women have historically brought to intelligence work precisely because they were underestimated.
Blending spy thriller, historical fiction, and science fiction, this novel is both a pulse-pounding adventure and a reflection on the enduring threats to democracy. Ruth’s unresolved mole investigation seamlessly sets the stage for future books in the series—without leaving readers stranded on a cliffhanger.
Perfect for fans of espionage thrillers, time-travel fiction, Revolutionary War history, and readers eager to uncover America’s best-kept secrets as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial.
Jessica added, “Neuroscience has reached an
advanced stage. We are understanding how the original computer really works, all those
electromagnetic waves constantly pinging. It’s exciting. And I think when we put technology and neuroscience together, we
will have a whole new avenue for discovering how to communicate with this computer, control it,
make it learn faster, and even how to reprogram it,” Jessica said. Ruth didn’t follow which computer Jessica was
referring to that could be reprogrammed because of new breakthroughs in neuroscience. She tilted her
head slightly as a quizzical look took over her face. “Original computer? I’m
not tracking. Which one do you mean?” Ruth asked. “The human brain,” Jessica replied.
“I
trust people who are not perfect. Who have flaws. Who don’t get things right,
and who make mistakes in front of me.
They are not afraid to be authentic, which means they have nothing to hide,”
Sarah said.
“It
is one thing I do hope comes from this war for our independence from the
British monarchy. Perhaps then,
daughters will have the same choice of occupation as sons.”
“I suppose that whether you trust me is
entirely up to you. As for whether I believe you to be a rebel or a spy, it would not change my trust in you,” Sarah
answered.
Sarah continued, “And John Adams believes
that the future assembly should be an exact portrait in miniature of the people at large.” “And Ruth,
it must follow that an “exact miniature of the people” would include women since we are at least half of
the people,” she added. “They must know that without a sovereign telling them what to do, men will
need the help of women!” Sarah continued, “Have you ever known a gentleman who could run his own
household, Ruth? They need constant direction and never seem capable of anticipating the future, nor
planning for it.”
Bennett’s analysis and leadership played a critical role in shaping early U.S. counterterrorism strategy and later supported the global manhunt for bin Laden following 9/11. Throughout her career, she was known for intellectual rigor, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to public service.
Her work and expertise have been featured in major documentaries and media outlets, including Netflix, Showtime, HBO, PBS, 60 Minutes, Newsweek, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, as well as leading podcasts such as Intelligence Matters, True Spies, The Burn Bag, Spy Chat, and In the Room.
Drawing on decades of real-world intelligence experience, Bennett now brings her deep understanding of espionage, history, and human sacrifice into fiction—crafting stories that illuminate the often-hidden individuals whose courage helped shape nations. Her writing bridges historical intelligence, national security, and the untold contributions of women whose legacies deserve recognition.
https://linktr.ee/nationalsecuritymom
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