A Nasty Business

A realistic novel of female spies and coming of age in the Cold War era of British Intelligence.

A Nicollette Beverley Spy Novel

It’s 1976 and on the prompting of her coach and former teacher, Nicolette, a star field hockey defensive back with a typical factory job in rural England, applies for a governmental job. What she doesn’t realize is that the man in the well cut suit at the back of the spectators at her matches, in consultation with her application, is evaluating her, and not just for her prowess on the field, but for her attention to detail, her conduct at school, and her academic record.

When an invitation for a 4 week training at a nearby Royal Air Force Base arrives, Nicolette must decide whether she wants to continue her safe village life or whether to pursue a shadowy world of espionage and secrets in a first for the British government - an all female unit of code breakers and communication specialists.

Nicollette’s journey will change her and her new compatriots as they enter a male dominated world of Cold War deception, sexism, and danger. They will be tested to the limits of their resources as they are given directives leading them into difficult moral choices. Some of them will not not make it through training and those who do will face the constant pressure of secrecy and bodily harm while constantly pushing against glass ceilings.

A.R Goldsmith is a native Washingtonian, growing up in Montgomery County, Md. and graduating from the University of Maryland. He lives in Ellicott City, Md with his wife, Pauline, of 40 years. He has 2 children and 5 grandchildren.