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Book Review: Shadow Cell: An Insider Account of America's New Spy War by Andrew Bustamante & Jihi Bustamante

October 12, 2025 12:34 PM | Anonymous

Book Review:
 Shadow Cell: An Insider Account of America's New Spy War
by Andrew Bustamante & Jihi Bustamante
September 9, 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Shadow Cell: An Insider Account of America's New Spy War
by Andrew Bustamante & Jihi Bustamante
 
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | A thrilling firsthand account by husband-and-wife CIA operatives who, against all odds, triumphed in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against a mole within the agency—an unprecedented insider account of 21st-century spycraft in the tradition of Argo and Black Ops.
 
Andrew and Jihi Bustamante were a “tandem couple”: married spies who’d dedicated their lives to the CIA. They met as trainees at Langley, and got married while hunting terrorists across the globe. Then, suddenly, they were assigned to a mission so sensitive and explosive that the CIA still has never acknowledged it. The CIA’s source network in a country code-named "Falcon"—one of America’s most formidable rivals—had been compromised by a mole, and the agency needed a new way to collect intelligence there. Young newlyweds, the Bustamantes were considered safe choices for this daunting task precisely because they had no experience in Falcon. They were also loyal, forgettable, and completely disposable—operatives who could help to strengthen the CIA’s position in Falcon while simultaneously serving as bait for the mole.
 
But although their superiors at the CIA didn’t realize it, the Bustamantes also brought another advantage to the table: a granular understanding of how terrorist cells operate, and how the agency could exploit those same tactics to keep America safe. Assembling a rag-tag team of fellow operatives and recruiting new sources from Falcon, the Bustamantes pioneered a new way of spying by building a cell of their own—right at the heart of the CIA.

The propulsive, untold tale of one of history’s greatest intelligence crises and the unlikely band of agents who were sent in to clean up the mess, Shadow Cell allows us to peer behind the curtain to see how today’s spy wars are being fought—and won.

Indigo / Amazon 

Reviews:

"Shadow Cell rips the curtain off the modern spy game with the kind of insider access only two former CIA operatives could provide. It’s a rare glimpse into the shadow war of the 21st century, where loyalty is tested, trust is weaponized, and victory comes at a personal cost."―Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Sky Mourning

“A fast-paced account of an effort to root out a mole and recruit double agents in an unnamed enemy nation...The adventures and misadventures are plentiful here, but of equally great interest to readers are the authors’ lucid explanations of how spycraft proceeds to begin with...A gripping espionage yarn that happily contradicts the authors’ advice for crafting a cover story: ‘Make it boring as hell.’”―Kirkus

“The ‘Shadow Cell’ operation is arguably one of the most esoteric, innovative and successful by CIA to date. It is also proof of how important fresh blood is to any organization. As you will read, the selection of these two young officers was a gamble that not only paid off but also exceeded everyone's expectations. Reads like a novel, educates like a thesis. I truly enjoyed the read and even learned a trick or two."―Ric Prado, New York Times bestselling author of Black Ops, and former Chief of Operations at CIA's Counterterrorism Center

“Nail-biting…An unusual window into the normally closed world of spies’ private lives.…Part autobiography, part true crime—or rather, true espionage—their tale of the hunt for a highly placed mole, which is also partly an exposé of the sometimes-dubious practices of CIA corporate culture, is a page-turning read.”―Telegraph (UK)

“A pacy and fascinating read. I suspect the closest an outsider will get to sitting in on CIA training in agent-running.”―Professor Sir David Omand, former British Security and Intelligence Coordinator

"A tense thriller in which Andrew and Jihi Bustamante are both the hunters and the hunted in a cat-and-mouse game with a dangerous double agent working in the heart of the CIA. Every page is more gripping than the last, propelling the reader to its exciting finale."
 ―Robert Verkaik, author of The Traitor of Colditz and Jihadi John

"This is a uniquely compelling spy memoir. Two former CIA field operatives take turns to recount clandestine life in the world’s hot spots. Together they reveal the latest CIA techniques, including building their own look-alike terrorist cell. It is a behind-the-scenes story of a secret war that blends love, mystery and betrayal."―Richard J. Aldrich, author of GCHQ
See also:

Shadow Cell as reviewed by Kirkus Reviews - February 14, 2025
Andrew and Jihi Bustamante speak with Chris Collins of Syndicate X Library about Shadow Cell. September 15, 2025

About the book: 
Shadow Cell: An Insider Account of America's New Spy Warby Andrew Bustamante & Jihi Bustamante
Little, Brown and Company - 261 pages 20.99 (Kindle)
Publication Date: September 9, 2025


About the Author: Andrew Bustamante
 

Andrew Bustamante is a former covert CIA Intelligence Officer and decorated US Air Force combat veteran with deep expertise in espionage, human intelligence, and high-stakes operations. After graduating with honours from the US Air Force Academy, he began his career as an Officer-in-Residence, a leadership role that set the tone for his work in hostile environments and global conflict zones. He later rose to Officer in Charge before joining the CIA, where he led covert missions, built expertise in human behaviour, counterintelligence, and negotiation under pressure.

Following his distinguished government service, Andrew transitioned into corporate consulting, advising Fortune 10 companies and high-performing teams around the world. Today, he is a trusted voice in strategic leadership, decision-making, and influence. Andrew is the cofounder of EverydaySpy, a one-of-a-kind global training platform he built with his wife, Jihi Bustamante. Together, they left the CIA to pursue a new mission: building their family and their company. EverydaySpy teaches spy-inspired tools for business, leadership, and personal growth.

He is the host of the EverydaySpy Podcast, which reached the iTunes Top 100, and has been featured across major platforms including The Diary of a CEO, Lex Fridman Podcast, FOX, ABC, NBC, Forbes, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. He has also co-authored the book Shadow Cell. A regular speaker at corporate events, government forums, and academic institutions, Andrew blends real-world experience with psychological depth and a storyteller’s gift. His keynotes are known for their humour, clarity, and inspiration. He’s a perfect fit for keynote engagements, sales strategy workshops, and leadership development. Hire Andrew Bustamante via the Champions Speakers Agency today.
Biography Credit:  Champions


About the Author: Jihi Bustamante

Jihi Bustamante is a former covert CIA Targeting Officer and Co-Founder of EverydaySpy. Born in Venezuela, Jihi spent her formative years living in Japan and traveling around the world as a dual-documented American and Venezuelan citizen. Her passion for service and gift for foreign language led her to work with war-torn refugees and ultimately brought her to the attention of CIA recruiters. After 7 years of dedicated service to her country, Jihi left CIA in 2014 with her husband, Andrew, to build a young family and new company. A true introvert at heart, Jihi avoids the big screen and bright lights in favor of a cozy home office, family walks on the beach, and running a fully digital company from her laptop and cell phone.
Biography Credit:  Everyday Spy

À propos du livre :
Shadow Cell : un témoignage privilégié sur la nouvelle guerre de l'espionnage américaine
par Andrew Bustamante et Jihi Bustamante
Little, Brown and Company - 261 pages 20,99 $ (Kindle)
Date de publication : 9 septembre 2025

Disclaimer: Articles are chosen for relevance and circulated for information only. Views expressed are those of the respective journalists / authors. Republication does not infer endorsement.
Book Review Editor: Ralph Mahar - Suggestions for Book Reviews will be gratefully received at thepillarsociety.bulletins@gmail.com
Avertissement : Les articles sont choisis pour leur pertinence et sont diffusés à titre d'information seulement. Les opinions exprimées sont celles des journalistes/auteurs respectifs. La republication n'implique pas d'approbation. 
Rédacteur en chef des critiques de livres : Ralph Mahar - Les suggestions de critiques de livres sont les bienvenues à l'adresse suivante : thepillarsociety.bulletins@gmail.com


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