The Very Secret Agent

"The Very Secret Agent" by Mari Wolf is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around extraterrestrial beings trying to infiltrate Earth and discover vital information about a new weapon being developed. Through telepathic contact with an Earth woman, the alien Riuku experiences the complexities of human emotions and relationships while grappling with the mission at hand. The narrative follows Riuku, an alien tasked with gathering intelligence on humans, specifically focusing on their latest weapon development. He makes contact with Alice Hendricks, a factory worker, hoping to read her thoughts and uncover the closely-guarded secrets of the Earthmen. However, as Riuku integrates deeper into Alice's mind, he becomes entangled in her personal life, emotions, and romantic dilemmas, particularly concerning her boyfriend, Pete Ganley, and his complicated relationship with another woman, Susan. This internal conflict distracts Riuku from his primary mission, leading to frustrating results. Ultimately, his inability to separate himself from Alice's emotional turmoil jeopardizes his mission and his return to his home planet, highlighting the challenges of understanding human nature and the consequences of unforeseen attachment.