Good afternoon, friends! I hope you’re doing ok and are staying safe wherever you are.
Today, I have spoiler-free book reviews of a few thrillers I’ve read recently.
The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger
After Annabel Werner’s husband, a banker for an offshore bank, boards a private plan to Geneva that disappears, he is presumed dead, and Annabel begins searching for answers. She comes to the conclusion that his death wasn’t an accident and that she may be in danger, too. At the same time, society journalist Marina Tourneau has finally made her dream come true now that she’s engaged to Grant Ellis, the son of a powerful billionaire. After the sudden death of her mentor, Marina decides to do one more story, and she uncovers information that points to some of the most powerful men in the world of finance.
Holy crap! I devoured this book. Talk about a page-turner. Intrigue and plot twists abound, and the momentum never lets up.
The subject matter was very timely. It involved events I can believe are happening right now in the world, unfortunately.
I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.
Alger definitely knows how to write a stylish thriller. I look forward to reading her other books.
Need to Know by Karen Cleveland
I ended up starting this book late the other night after flying through The Banker’s Wife. I wanted another fast-paced read, and this shaped up to be very tense and a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
Vivian Miller is a CIA analyst in counterintelligence trying to discover the identities of leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the U.S. Whilst accessing the computer of a probable Russian agent, she stumbles upon a secret that changes everything for her.
It was a fun, quick read. Not really what I expected, but I don’t read a lot of spy thrillers. (Perhaps it’s time to change that.) I figured out most of the major twists, not an uncommon occurrence for me.
I have mixed feelings (read: frustration) about the main character’s actions and behavior. But I don’t go into a thriller expecting great characterization.
I appreciated that one of the book’s themes is the problematic idea of the question “Can women have it all?”
I gave the book 3 stars on Goodreads.
TW for manipulation/gas lighting.
Have you read these books? What did you think?
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