Spies in Smart Dresses

London Station by David McCloskey published 2026 I read a lot of spy thrillers, but don’t generally blog on them; there are a few Mick Herrons, and a few John le Carres, on the blog – but mostly I read them for fun and then toss aside. And probably couldn’t tell you much about them a week later. This one is an exception for several reasons: it was a good compelling plot, it was unusual, it was funny, and it had an excellent clothes moment. Artemis Procter (who is a continuing character in this author’s books) is in charge of the CIA in London, working out of the US Embassy in the city. She is informed that she has to dress up for formal occasions: she is not a natural for this, and has to have ‘white tie’ explained to her. So – Procter says ‘Is there a supply trunk of sorts? An embassy grab bag stuffed with brooches and Audrey Hepburn gloves and that?’ [Her reference point is Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Bad Girl in a Black Dress] ‘There is not,’ he said. ‘What we have is…