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From the mind behind The Night Agent—the #1 worldwide Netflix hit—comes a new thriller about a young actress who must infiltrate a deadly world of spies to rescue her best friend … before time runs out.
The Method, scheduled for release on January 20, 2026, is the 9th novel from Matthew Quirk, and his most recent since Inside Threat hit bookstores back in 2023. Of course, Quirk—as mentioned above, is best known for The Night Agent, his 2019 breakout hit that was later adapted by Netflix, becoming a massive, global hit and one of the streaming giant’s most-watched series. Filming of the show’s highly anticipated third season is reportedly underway, with a release date rumored to coincide with the publication of The Method.
So, there’s a lot on tap for Quirk, who’s gearing up for a massive 2026, and to help spread the word, the author spoke exclusively to The Real Book Spy about The Method and what his fans can expect when it drops in January.
Read those comments from Quirk, plus everything we know about The Method, including a look at the plot details a official cover art, below.
From the author of The Night Agent—the #1 global Netflix sensation—comes an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a young actress who must go undercover in a deadly world of espionage to save her best friend…and herself.
A silent war.
An unlikely spy.
She’s done playing by their rules.
Actress Anna Vaughn is fearless—on screen, at least. She tends to play doomed brunettes with a badass streak, and has put in countless hours training for parts and learning how to fight, shoot, and drive like a pro.
She likes to believe she is as tough as her characters, but off-camera she leads a far quieter life: trying to keep her acting career alive so she can take care of her younger sister.
When her best friend Natalie, her rock, disappears after a night out with a mysterious new man, the signs point to foul play and a circle of spies operating in Manhattan. Anna must use all the tricks she’s learned for her roles to hunt for her missing friend. She quickly learns the dangers are all too real.
She crosses paths with Kevin Matthews, an FBI agent on the same trail, tracking a string of killings and disappearances and a powerful clique of oligarchs. With Matthews as her handler, she has only days to prepare for the greatest performance of her life—going undercover. She will follow in her friend’s footsteps through the gilded mansions, yachts, and secret clubs of New York to infiltrate the conspiracy and bring Natalie home.
As the killers close in, her only chance for survival is to become as lethal as the characters she once played.
No camera. No script. Just instinct.
From Matthew Quirk
“I tried a fresh direction with The Method,” Quirk told The Real Book Spy, “while keeping all the action, high stakes, and suspense fans expect. I’m so happy with how it turned out. I think it’s my best book since The Night Agent—maybe ever—and I can’t wait to share it with readers.”
Well, that’ll get his fans excited. Having just finished an advance copy (my full review will be coming to TRBS soon), I can confirm that, without question . . .
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