This book was such a pleasant surprise!
Rachel is an Israeli spy who has gone by many last names. She spent most of her career living and spying in an Arab country, using a job as an English teacher as cover. Her retirement was uneventful until her father dies 15 years later. Rachel disappears, taking the Mossad's secrets with her.
Her former handler is asked to assist in bringing her back in. Most of Rachel's story is told from his point of view, as he recounts her career and life to his former mentor in an effort to figure out where she may have gone. This narrative format made the pace slow for the first 40 pages or so, but eventually I came to care about Rachel as her former handler so obviously did. I finished reading this book in one day.
As a spy story, this is not one filled with guns and explosives (though there are some), rather it brings the reader inside the paranoia, boredom, guilt and dedication required to lead a double life in a hostile place. It is additionally complicated for a woman. Give this book a chance if you are looking for something different.
Rachel is an Israeli spy who has gone by many last names. She spent most of her career living and spying in an Arab country, using a job as an English teacher as cover. Her retirement was uneventful until her father dies 15 years later. Rachel disappears, taking the Mossad's secrets with her.
Her former handler is asked to assist in bringing her back in. Most of Rachel's story is told from his point of view, as he recounts her career and life to his former mentor in an effort to figure out where she may have gone. This narrative format made the pace slow for the first 40 pages or so, but eventually I came to care about Rachel as her former handler so obviously did. I finished reading this book in one day.
As a spy story, this is not one filled with guns and explosives (though there are some), rather it brings the reader inside the paranoia, boredom, guilt and dedication required to lead a double life in a hostile place. It is additionally complicated for a woman. Give this book a chance if you are looking for something different.
