Helpful Score: 1
Are there really Russians masquerading as Americans living among us? Rumors have existed since WW II and yet never really been proven false. Vivian Miller, an analyst on the fast track at the CIA, has become skilled at determining who might actually be a Russian Sleeper agent. Her world is turned upside down, however, when she is perusing the computer of a possible spy and finds pictures of the members of a sleeper cell. One in particular hits close to home, for it is someone she knows intimately. She took an oath to defend her country but now she must decide if her family ties are more important.
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland is the debut novel by this former CIA analyst. All in all, this is a well-written novel which demonstrates the potential for Cleveland to be a successful author. This novel is particularly timely, considering the tensions that have developed between Russia and the United States in recent years. Although not as hard-core a novel as those of Clancy or Follet, I believe that Cleveland can develop her own niche in the spy thriller genre. I would recommend this novel to all readers and give it 3/5 stars.
*A copy of this book is the only consideration given in return for this review.*
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland is the debut novel by this former CIA analyst. All in all, this is a well-written novel which demonstrates the potential for Cleveland to be a successful author. This novel is particularly timely, considering the tensions that have developed between Russia and the United States in recent years. Although not as hard-core a novel as those of Clancy or Follet, I believe that Cleveland can develop her own niche in the spy thriller genre. I would recommend this novel to all readers and give it 3/5 stars.
*A copy of this book is the only consideration given in return for this review.*
Helpful Score: 1
I don't gravitate to spy novels much. Thrillers and murder mysteries are my preference a lot of the time. I read some of the reviews for this book and it looked interesting to me so I gave it a try figuring I would read a few pages, get bored and pass it on to my neighbor who inhales spy novels. Was I wrong!
The story drew me in almost immediately and it was a real page turner for me. It was a very exciting, engrossing read very much like a domestic thriller since it was about a CIA agent and her young family. I also enjoyed the author's writing style so much that I wishlisted her other books before I was finished reading it.
The story drew me in almost immediately and it was a real page turner for me. It was a very exciting, engrossing read very much like a domestic thriller since it was about a CIA agent and her young family. I also enjoyed the author's writing style so much that I wishlisted her other books before I was finished reading it.
Helpful Score: 1
I can see this has mixed reviews so here's mine--
I think it is very very well written, don't forget this is a BOOK and it's the authors job to write good stories (which some do not do), one reviewer stated the first 'shock' comes early in the book and that is what sets the scene for this storyline
I thought Cleveland did a good job of putting 'thrill' into this story and it had me turning pages fast at some points, even though some thought the events were improbable I thought it made a very good story and it was a quick read as once you start you might not put it down until finished
I think it is very very well written, don't forget this is a BOOK and it's the authors job to write good stories (which some do not do), one reviewer stated the first 'shock' comes early in the book and that is what sets the scene for this storyline
I thought Cleveland did a good job of putting 'thrill' into this story and it had me turning pages fast at some points, even though some thought the events were improbable I thought it made a very good story and it was a quick read as once you start you might not put it down until finished
This was a good quick read that I read in one evening. I don't want to give anything away (though the first big shocker comes early on in the book), but this is a cross between a domestic psychological thriller and a spy thriller. The pace and plotting are superb, though there were some things that left me confused at the end. It is difficult to say to much without spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.
Started out really good and THEN before the half way mark it became unrealistic and bogged down with repetition. The main character became dumber and dumber. The ending should have been exciting or surprising but wasn't. I did finish it but was glad when it was over. Watch "The Americans" instead.
