We all love a good spy book, but how do authors’ portrayals of spies stack up against reality?

  1. As a spy, you are forbidden from telling anyone you are a spy.

This idea is perpetuated in many spy novels and movies or even TV shows for that matter. Get a few episodes into Alias, one of my favorite spy series still today, and you’ll see how dangerous it is to reveal yourself as a spy. Or what about the countless characters in books, like Mark Greany’s Grey Man or Christy in The Watched Series? The secret is paramount and changes their lives forever. But, is this reality?

Not necessarily. Most spies are allowed to tell people…however, most spies think long and hard before telling anyone. There is real danger in the truth of it. Many tell their spouse

shh! it's a secret

s or partners or even close family members, but in the knowing comes inherent risks. No one wants to put their loved ones in danger. The other side of the coin is choosing not to tell anyone and feeling like you are living a lie in your “real” life. This can add even more stress on the spy when their stress is already way high. However, one thing is true: they do adopt a false name not only to use on ops but that they use as their own in daily life.

  1. As a spy you get all kinds of cool gadgets

We all love Q in the Bond movies because Q comes up with the ultimate spy gadgets. We love to see spies with cool gadgets because they get them out of tough spots or close calls.  Good spy novels like the AlexRider series by Anthony Horowitz have gadgets galore. The Watched series is no different.

Christy even had a sticky suit that kept her stuck to the outside of a building. Yes, gadgets are cool, but do spies have all the latest and greatest in technology? Do spy agencies have Q’s that are constantly creating and innovating?

That’s a big yes. The heads of research and the technologists that work under them are real and unbelievably brilliant. Truth be told, most of the time, what we see in books and movies is far behind the technology that is actually available to spies today. Only sometimes does a clever idea in a movie or book spur the technology team to create a clever device or something even better than what was suggested. So, there’s no need to suspend disbelief when watching a spy movie or reading a spy novel when it comes to super gadgets.

3. You have to be good-looking and as skilled as a ninja to be a spy

Bourne (Bourne series), Gabriel Alon (Gabriel Alon series), Jeremy (The Watched series), 007 (Bond movies) — all protagonists of their sagas — are all as gorgeous as they come. Heart-throbbing spies weave their way into our hearts and desires, but the truth of the matter is: looks do not play a part in recruitment.

In fact, it’s almost better if you’re a “nobody” and can blend in and not stand out. The best spies are non-descript. A spy’s life is mostly about staying hidden. Sure, there are ops where one might need to stand out, but a key characteristic for a spy is how able they are to blend in with the people involved in the op, whether a drug dealer, a corporate executive, a junkie, a scientist, a student or even a mother. They need to be the ultimate actors and actresses. Spies come from all walks of life: tall, short, thin, fat, muscular, weak, funny, serious, studious, and playful. You name the characteristic, and you’ll find a spy who fits it. Are you interested in becoming a spy? Think you’re too ordinary? Give it a shot. You may be surprised. Secret services love diversity.

  1. A spy’s life is full of action and excitement every minute.

Sometimes when I read a spy novel, I think about how awesome it would be to be a part of the op — to join in with the action and excitement written on the page. One thrilling event follows the next.

Unfortunately, reading memoirs and interviews of real spies tells a different story. While there can be thrilling, death-defying moments in a typical day for a spy, most of the time is spent waiting or simply playing a part. Their handlers are the ones who have the most stressful jobs. They are the ones that decide the details of the op, the what, where, how, and when. So, I guess if you want to have that constant pressure and engagement, you should become a handler.

While books and movies may not portray the life of a spy perfectly, they often get pretty close. Cop shows… that’s another story, just ask my husband. Most spies love their job and love being called a spy. After all, they are spies for a good purpose: to keep a country safe and prosperous. Dealing with secrets is just a bonus.

What else would you like to learn about spies? Tell me in the comments and I’ll see what I can find out.