Former CIA Officer Brittany Butler Set To Release Gripping Sophomore Spy Thriller, The Patriot’s Daughter

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Former CIA officer Brittany Butler delivers a pulse-pounding geopolitical thriller in The Patriot’s Daughter, where a haunted agent infiltrates Russian intelligence amid devastating cyberattacks that push America toward civil war.

The Patriot’s Daughter

Brittany Butler, a former CIA targeting officer, is preparing to launch her highly anticipated second novel, The Patriot’s Daughter, this spring. Published in partnership with Crooked Lane Books, the book is scheduled for release on April 21, 2026. Drawing from her real-world experience in intelligence operations, Butler delivers a timely and authentic take on the high-stakes world of espionage.

Brittany Butler

Brittany Butler joined the CIA after graduating from Florida State University with degrees in international affairs and political science. Recruited during her senior year, she underwent the agency’s rigorous clearance process—including polygraph tests, background checks, and psychological evaluations—before beginning her career in 2005. She served in the Directorate of Operations starting in 2006, focusing on counterterrorism. Over nearly a decade, she gained firsthand expertise in recruiting and handling spies, as well as dismantling terrorist networks abroad.

After welcoming her second son in 2014, Butler decided to transition out of the agency. She relocated from Washington, D.C., to the Charleston area in 2020 and now lives by the ocean with her husband, their three sons, and their beloved dog, Gus. Her pivot to writing allows her to channel her insider knowledge into fiction, particularly highlighting the often-underrepresented experiences of women in intelligence.

From The Syndicate Spy to The Patriot’s Daughter

Butler’s debut novel, The Syndicate Spy, explored the challenges female spies face in a male-dominated field, aiming to shift stereotypes often seen in thrillers featuring characters like James Bond or Jason Bourne. She emphasized that women in espionage must work harder to build trust and rapport.

Her sophomore effort, The Patriot’s Daughter, builds on this foundation with a more personal and politically charged narrative. The story centers on Ava Anderson, a brilliant and relentless CIA officer haunted by her mother’s disappearance. Recruited for her skills, Ava is dispatched to infiltrate Russia’s foreign intelligence service (SVR) amid a crisis of Russian cyberattacks that unleash a massive disinformation campaign. The attacks push the United States toward the brink of civil war: state governments defy Washington, militias rise, trust erodes, and chaos spreads as the nation fractures from within.

Ava’s mission turns deeply personal when she targets Konstantine, a charismatic SVR officer whose past mysteriously connects to her own. What she uncovers proves more dangerous and insidious than anticipated. Amid the unraveling country, Ava navigates layers of deception with Ben, a veteran counterintelligence officer who harbors complicated romantic feelings for her. In a realm where trust can be fatal, one wrong alliance could doom everything.

The novel explores profound themes of betrayal, legacy, loyalty, and the moral complexities of espionage, while examining how nations can collapse internally through weaponized information rather than overt invasion.

Blending Authenticity with Timely Relevance

What sets Butler’s work apart is her rare perspective as a former insider. She brings genuine insight to the fiction, illuminating the gray areas of intelligence work and the emotional toll it exacts. The Patriot’s Daughter feels ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, offering a fresh perspective on the international spy genre and appealing to fans of authors like David McCloskey and Alma Katsu.

Sharing Secrets on Social Media

With hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms, Butler demystifies the spy world. She shares candid stories from her CIA days, insights into real espionage challenges, and commentary on current political conflicts and threats like misinformation. Her content provides an honest look at life as a former intelligence officer and the realities behind popular spy tropes.

A Publisher Committed to Quality Thrillers

Crooked Lane Books, founded in 2014, specializes in high-quality crime fiction and thrillers in print and electronic formats. In 2020, it launched Alcove Press for upmarket book club fiction focused on family, friendship, and community. Partnering with this respected imprint underscores the novel’s blend of suspense and deeper human elements.

As The Patriot’s Daughter approaches its release, readers can look forward to a thriller that combines pulse-pounding action with authentic emotional depth, courtesy of an author who has lived the shadows she writes about. Pre-orders are available now, promising a story that not only entertains but also provokes thought about loyalty, truth, and the fragility of democracy in the digital age.

Find more from Brittany Butler now:

Instagram: @brittanybutlerbooks

TikTok: @formerspy1

Apple Book: https://apple.co/4qvNfMJ

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3O3Lkli

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4txfvlc

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4chNfwq