Spy Thriller / Historical Fiction
Date Published: October 9, 2025
Publisher: Manhattan Book Group
Two spies. Two centuries. One mistake that erases the United States of
America.
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.
About the Author
Gina M. Bennett is a retired senior intelligence professional who served
34 distinguished years at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she built a
legacy as one of the most influential counterterrorism analysts in U.S.
history. She is widely recognized for producing the first official U.S.
government warnings identifying Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda as a serious and
growing threat, years before the attacks of September 11, 2001.
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.
Contact Links
https://linktr.ee/nationalsecuritymom
Purchase Links
Amazon
B&N
M.C.V. EGAN ❧Defining Ways❧ 