Catching a Russian Spy: Agent Leslie G. Wiser Jr. and the Case of Aldrich Ames by Bryan Denson
Published by Roaring Brook Press on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 1250199174
Pages: 176
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

This is the second in the FBI Files series chronicling some of the agency’s most notorious cases. This book follows the investigation and eventual capture of long-time CIA agent turned Russian spy, Aldrich H. “Rick” Ames. Ames was a high-level CIA agent when he began working for the KGB, and he betrayed the identities of dozens of undercover CIA agents resulting in the death of ten of those agents.

This book was extremely interesting. Denson gives enough detail without overwhelming or getting bogged down in minutiae. This writing is smooth, easy to follow, and flows well. The hardest part of this story is keeping track of all the players. Thankfully, a list of key characters is included at the beginning of the book for quick and easy reference. At the end of the book, there is a timeline of events, a glossary of spy terms, and further reading on the subject. This is a good middle grade nonfiction book recommended for 5th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME