Helpful Score: 4
Debut novelist Chris Pavone shows remarkable skill in plotting and in cranking up hardcore suspense in this tight, well-written thriller set in an unremarkable corner of Europe. Kate quits her stressful inside-the-beltway job so that Dexter, her husband, can take an assignment in Luxembourg, one of the worlds money belts where just about everyone is involved, legally or otherwise, in banking and finance. Life is good, if not a tad boring for Kate, who spends her days cooking, housekeeping and caring for her two little boys who quickly make friends with other expat children. Kate and Dexter make new friends, too, and become especially chummy with fellow Americans Bill and Julia. Julia is a decorator (or so she says) and Bill claims to be in finance. Something about their behavior makes Kates antennae go up, and, due to boredom, curiosity, and a background that makes her well-equipped to do so, she looks more closely at her new friends and her new life. I know its a cliché to say that a story is such a good read that its hard to put a book down. Ok, Im guilty of that cliché here. This is the kind of story that gets turned into a hit movie, so read and enjoy it now. 4 stars.
Helpful Score: 3
Just an okay book. I made myself finish it because I wanted to see how it ended. I found the main character annoying, whiny and hypocritical when dealing with her husband. She didn't seem at all qualified for the job she held. I didnt find the book was able to hold my attention until the last 50-75 pages. Not liking the main character or narrator makes for a long read.
Great story of a mother, a wife an ex CIA agent who is trying to learn to live as an expat housewife, while also looking constantly over her sholder because of her past life. Strange things are happening and new friends don't seem like ordinary friends and now her husband is also acting stangely.
This book keeps you guessing right up to the end and never disappoints!!
This book keeps you guessing right up to the end and never disappoints!!
I liked how the story moved quickly and kept me guessing, but I found that I wasn't rooting for the main character as much as I felt I should be. Her actions weren't always the morally "right" thing to do.
Kate is a CIA agent keeping her job a secret from her husband and friends. When her husband comes home from work one day and announces they need to move to Luxembourg for his work. Kate immediately agrees, quits her job at the CIA and begins her life as an expat mom. But, things aren't what they seem. Kate still has huge secrets and now maybe so does her husband, and what about their new friends? A decent spy thriller. Not enough twists for me to really love it. I did enjoy the glimpse into a marriage built on anything but trust, just love.
new author, look for sequels
