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Roma Series Book #2
Wasp's Nest
A new case from her old employer.
A contract on her head.
A scientific breakthrough that could save countless lives... If she can save the genius first.
The last thing that former Rendition analyst Alabaster Black, now Bianca Nerini, wanted to do was to leave Italy, and return to the U.S. to investigate a case, but she couldn’t turn down the request for assistance from her online contact – code name: Loki – who already helped her so much. She returns to the U.S. to investigate Cyril Sargent and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. However, when she realizes the implications of wasp genetics as a far superior cancer treatment, she knows she must help Sargent and protect his research from falling into the wrong hands.
Even a brilliant analyst like Bianca can’t accomplish everything on her own, though. Her friends from Roma Underground soon join her in Boston to try and stop an assassin, a cold-blooded murderer who will stop at nothing to fulfill the contract on her head...An assassin who has already caused heartbreak and grief in the past to her friends in Rome.
Fast-paced and filled with intrigue, treason, loyalty, and good Italian food, the exciting sequel to Roma, Underground will leave you breathless with anticipation and eager for the next book in the Roma Series…For nothing is certain once you enter the wasp’s nest.
A contract on her head.
A scientific breakthrough that could save countless lives... If she can save the genius first.
The last thing that former Rendition analyst Alabaster Black, now Bianca Nerini, wanted to do was to leave Italy, and return to the U.S. to investigate a case, but she couldn’t turn down the request for assistance from her online contact – code name: Loki – who already helped her so much. She returns to the U.S. to investigate Cyril Sargent and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. However, when she realizes the implications of wasp genetics as a far superior cancer treatment, she knows she must help Sargent and protect his research from falling into the wrong hands.
Even a brilliant analyst like Bianca can’t accomplish everything on her own, though. Her friends from Roma Underground soon join her in Boston to try and stop an assassin, a cold-blooded murderer who will stop at nothing to fulfill the contract on her head...An assassin who has already caused heartbreak and grief in the past to her friends in Rome.
Fast-paced and filled with intrigue, treason, loyalty, and good Italian food, the exciting sequel to Roma, Underground will leave you breathless with anticipation and eager for the next book in the Roma Series…For nothing is certain once you enter the wasp’s nest.
276 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2012
1 person is currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel Valjan
37 books271 followersGabriel Valjan is the author of The Company Files, and the Shane Cleary Mysteries with Level Best Books. He has been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion awards. He received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story and the 2024 Shamus Award forBest Private Investigator. Gabriel is a member of the Historical Novel Society, ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. He lives in Boston and answers to a tuxedo cat named Munchkin.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 1, 2016
Bianca is back in the Wasp’s Nest by Gabriel Valjan, the second book in the Roma Series. She has returned to the States and is working for Rendition…again. I wonder if she may regret it. She is a loner and distrustful. She walked away from love, but she cannot forget him. Will he come back into her life?
A scientific element arises when Bianca investigates Nason Pharmaceutical and wasp DNA. Will it be used for a cure or a weapon? In this twisted world, who can say.
As the story grows and develops into more than one mystery to be solved, I wonder how safe any of the characters are. An assassin, corruption and greed…can anyone be trusted?
It is difficult for me to understand some of the scientific and technological references, but I do understand conspiracy, greed, betrayal and murder. The heavier reading sometimes seems like a school lesson, but I do want to know and understand, so my pace is slower than usual.
In Wasp’s Nest we are becoming more serious, more involved in the mysteries and there is less eating and traveling and more investigating. Italians do have a passion for food and their needs are a celebration of taste so I think it is a valuable component to the story. The suspense has ramped up, with danger around every corner. I was worried Bianca’s band of merry men may pay a fatal price. I have become very fond of her gang, each with their own personalities, desires and motives.
If I gave half stars, I would give Wasp’s Nest 3 1/2. The story is much better, with more action, for an action junkie like me. There will be more in this five book series and I look forward to following the gang to the very end.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Wasp’s Nest from the Gabriel Valjan.
To see more visit fundinmental
A scientific element arises when Bianca investigates Nason Pharmaceutical and wasp DNA. Will it be used for a cure or a weapon? In this twisted world, who can say.
As the story grows and develops into more than one mystery to be solved, I wonder how safe any of the characters are. An assassin, corruption and greed…can anyone be trusted?
It is difficult for me to understand some of the scientific and technological references, but I do understand conspiracy, greed, betrayal and murder. The heavier reading sometimes seems like a school lesson, but I do want to know and understand, so my pace is slower than usual.
In Wasp’s Nest we are becoming more serious, more involved in the mysteries and there is less eating and traveling and more investigating. Italians do have a passion for food and their needs are a celebration of taste so I think it is a valuable component to the story. The suspense has ramped up, with danger around every corner. I was worried Bianca’s band of merry men may pay a fatal price. I have become very fond of her gang, each with their own personalities, desires and motives.
If I gave half stars, I would give Wasp’s Nest 3 1/2. The story is much better, with more action, for an action junkie like me. There will be more in this five book series and I look forward to following the gang to the very end.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Wasp’s Nest from the Gabriel Valjan.
To see more visit fundinmental
November 4, 2016
Roma Series This is the second book in the Roma Series. Bianca is back, this time in Boston, to investigate Cyril Sargent and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. She will be researching wasp's and what the company is doing with them. The research is for cancer research which is great, but of course the big pharmaceuticals don't want cancer to be cured because it would mean a huge loss in revenue. Bianca's friends Farrugia and Gennaro are also back to let Bianca know that there is an assassin gunning for her. She is also working with her secretive online friend, Loki, who she still does not know the identity of, just online. To return to Boston meant leaving her lover, Dante in Rome. Returning to Rendition, a secretive agency, meant sacrifices for her but this was what she loved to do, bring individuals to justice. We meet new characters, police detectives and owners of restaurants, and a former lover of Bianca's also turns up, the reader also gets to learn more of italian cuisine, my favorite part. There is a lot of scientific and technical material to wade through but this is important to the story. Lots of twists and turns that make a great thriller, keeps the reader guessing until the end. There is a lot to like in Mr.Valjan's writings and I look forward to the next books in the series.This review is written voluntarily.
June 26, 2015
As I think about Wasp's Nest I only have time to give a list of the things I loved before I run out of the door. It had an excellent mystery. Some of my favorite scenes were those in the restaurant in Boston. Most of the book did not contain all of our friends from Rome so I missed them but, it makes sense that the nature of this story would not include them all in the investigation. I have to admit that some of the science speak was a bit over my head and I'm not quite sure if it is all fictional, made up by the author, or there is some real science here. If it is real, then it sounds promising. Notwithstanding that I can't wait for the next book that takes us back to Italy, where I hope to retire one day when I am retirement age, oh heck, even before that.
October 9, 2015
After reading Roma Underground, I couldn't wait to read the sequel Wasp's Nest. I was not disappointed. If Valjan was brilliant in the first book, he was even more so in this one. The plot is suspenseful and once again makes the reader question government conspiracies, secret organizations and police protocol.
Alabaster Black a.k.a. Bianca Nerini (by the way, her Italian name is a play on words of her English name) decides to leave Rome to go back to Boston. This was a painful decision because in so doing she also left Dante, the man she was in love with. But the call to take on another case by Rendition, the covert organization she was running from was too tempting for her analytical mind as she needed to prove to herself she did not inadvertently cause the death of Robert Strand through the work she did for them.
This time she is investigating Nasonia Pharmaceutical whose research on wasp genetics could lead to cancer eradication at the source. There is a lot of technical and scientific description in this novel and although I didn't always understand it, it just made me realize how brilliant Valjan is to come up with such complex and intelligent subjects and plots.
As is his trademark, Valjan's description of things, places, people and situations are vivid. This time the setting is Boston and the author's knowledge of the city's history, its culture, and its citizens is evident. However, his love for everything Italian comes through clearly in this novel too because it is infused with Italy's dishes, culture, expressions, the Mafia and the Italian characters Gennaro and Farrugia from the first book. Oh, how I love this duo!
Once again, the narrative has humorous moments, especially when the friends get together. I fell in love with the cast of characters even more. They are so real that I feel like they actually exist. Strand who was introduced in the first book is back in this one, but he was portrayed differently this time and I had to adjust my view of him. "Loki" who is Alabaster's mysterious computer contact is even more of a mystery. The ending was very satisfying to me, bringing it all together, and I simply had to start reading the third book, which starts with a bang.
This is such a good series! Well-written novels that keep the readers on their toes and challenge their minds all while being wholly entertaining. I highly recommend you read the first book Roma, Underground where it all starts because many references are made to it in the series. If you love the Italian culture, well-developed characters and intelligent and suspenseful stories, then this is the series for you.
Note: There is some profanity, mainly f-words, religious profanity and some crude language. There is some violence, but nothing graphic.
Alabaster Black a.k.a. Bianca Nerini (by the way, her Italian name is a play on words of her English name) decides to leave Rome to go back to Boston. This was a painful decision because in so doing she also left Dante, the man she was in love with. But the call to take on another case by Rendition, the covert organization she was running from was too tempting for her analytical mind as she needed to prove to herself she did not inadvertently cause the death of Robert Strand through the work she did for them.
This time she is investigating Nasonia Pharmaceutical whose research on wasp genetics could lead to cancer eradication at the source. There is a lot of technical and scientific description in this novel and although I didn't always understand it, it just made me realize how brilliant Valjan is to come up with such complex and intelligent subjects and plots.
As is his trademark, Valjan's description of things, places, people and situations are vivid. This time the setting is Boston and the author's knowledge of the city's history, its culture, and its citizens is evident. However, his love for everything Italian comes through clearly in this novel too because it is infused with Italy's dishes, culture, expressions, the Mafia and the Italian characters Gennaro and Farrugia from the first book. Oh, how I love this duo!
Once again, the narrative has humorous moments, especially when the friends get together. I fell in love with the cast of characters even more. They are so real that I feel like they actually exist. Strand who was introduced in the first book is back in this one, but he was portrayed differently this time and I had to adjust my view of him. "Loki" who is Alabaster's mysterious computer contact is even more of a mystery. The ending was very satisfying to me, bringing it all together, and I simply had to start reading the third book, which starts with a bang.
This is such a good series! Well-written novels that keep the readers on their toes and challenge their minds all while being wholly entertaining. I highly recommend you read the first book Roma, Underground where it all starts because many references are made to it in the series. If you love the Italian culture, well-developed characters and intelligent and suspenseful stories, then this is the series for you.
Note: There is some profanity, mainly f-words, religious profanity and some crude language. There is some violence, but nothing graphic.
September 25, 2015
Gabriel Valjan in his new book, “Wasp’s Nest” Book Two in the Roma Series published by Winter Goose Publishing gives us another adventure with Alabaster Black.
From the back cover: In the highly anticipated sequel to Roma, Underground, Bianca returns to the U.S. for her former employer, the covert organization Rendition, to investigate Cyril Sargent and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. Although ambivalent about the assignment and uneasy about her online “friend,” Loki, she is enticed into researching what Sargent is doing with insect genetics that might upset the world of cancer research and treatment. Old friends Farrugia and Gennaro uncover a twisted conspiracy from their past and join Bianca in Boston where they will experience conflicted loyalties, question allies, and confront uncertain enemies, as they’re drawn into the wasp’s nest.
Alabaster has returned to Boston and is back in the good graces of Rendition. Now she is using her forensic accountant skills to investigate Nasonia Pharmaceutical. I do not usually say that a book is chilling but let me say that this one certainly is. The stories you hear about what these Pharmaceutical companies do is enough to give you nightmares. What Nasonia does will creep you out forever. That is how good a writer Mr. Valjan is. She is really up against it in this book as there is an assassin after her. Twists and turns, surprising secrets and insect-based genetics used to develop a new cancer-cure are just some of what Alabaster has to deal with. This is a thriller mystery that will keep you flipping pages as fast as you can read to keep up with what is going on. I was guessing until the very end. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Italy Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: In the highly anticipated sequel to Roma, Underground, Bianca returns to the U.S. for her former employer, the covert organization Rendition, to investigate Cyril Sargent and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. Although ambivalent about the assignment and uneasy about her online “friend,” Loki, she is enticed into researching what Sargent is doing with insect genetics that might upset the world of cancer research and treatment. Old friends Farrugia and Gennaro uncover a twisted conspiracy from their past and join Bianca in Boston where they will experience conflicted loyalties, question allies, and confront uncertain enemies, as they’re drawn into the wasp’s nest.
Alabaster has returned to Boston and is back in the good graces of Rendition. Now she is using her forensic accountant skills to investigate Nasonia Pharmaceutical. I do not usually say that a book is chilling but let me say that this one certainly is. The stories you hear about what these Pharmaceutical companies do is enough to give you nightmares. What Nasonia does will creep you out forever. That is how good a writer Mr. Valjan is. She is really up against it in this book as there is an assassin after her. Twists and turns, surprising secrets and insect-based genetics used to develop a new cancer-cure are just some of what Alabaster has to deal with. This is a thriller mystery that will keep you flipping pages as fast as you can read to keep up with what is going on. I was guessing until the very end. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Italy Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 9, 2012
In this the second installment of his Roma series, author Gabriel Valjan takes secret government analyst Alabaster Black from Rome to Boston to investigate Nasonia Pharmaceutical and its CEO, Cyril Sargent for Rendition, the covert government agency she works for.
Nasonia uses advanced molecular biology and genetic sequencing technology to target human diseases. Sargent, who's demonstrated lack of transparency in his dealings and unorthodox strategies in the past and who's named his new controversial venture after a group of wasps, claims that his company is in no way perverting the natural order of things or doing anything unethical. He also claims that his research with wasps might lead to developing a methyl toolkit to use against cancer.
Thus, it is up to Alabaster to figure out what's really going on and, because of her unnatural pattern recognition ability, she she soon gets hired by Sargent.
While this is going on, Alabaster is still being haunted by her last adventure in Rome in the form of a Bulgarian hit man set on killing her after a price has been put on her head. Old friends and a love interest from book I join in, adding further tension to the story as they uncover a twisted conspiracy.
I really enjoyed reading Wasp's Nest. In fact, I liked this book better than the first one. Somehow, I was able to feel closer to Alabaster: she's smart, bold and fearless yet has a soft side that is at times humorous. But mainly, I think it was the whole idea about DNA and wasps that did it for me. The information was fascinating. As Valjan did with Rome in his first book, Boston is fleshed out in vivid detail in this one, to the point where the setting becomes almost like a character. Also, as in the first book, the author goes into detail bringing Italian food to life--to the point where the reader has no other option but to love it. In short, an interesting, entertaining read. Recommended.
Nasonia uses advanced molecular biology and genetic sequencing technology to target human diseases. Sargent, who's demonstrated lack of transparency in his dealings and unorthodox strategies in the past and who's named his new controversial venture after a group of wasps, claims that his company is in no way perverting the natural order of things or doing anything unethical. He also claims that his research with wasps might lead to developing a methyl toolkit to use against cancer.
Thus, it is up to Alabaster to figure out what's really going on and, because of her unnatural pattern recognition ability, she she soon gets hired by Sargent.
While this is going on, Alabaster is still being haunted by her last adventure in Rome in the form of a Bulgarian hit man set on killing her after a price has been put on her head. Old friends and a love interest from book I join in, adding further tension to the story as they uncover a twisted conspiracy.
I really enjoyed reading Wasp's Nest. In fact, I liked this book better than the first one. Somehow, I was able to feel closer to Alabaster: she's smart, bold and fearless yet has a soft side that is at times humorous. But mainly, I think it was the whole idea about DNA and wasps that did it for me. The information was fascinating. As Valjan did with Rome in his first book, Boston is fleshed out in vivid detail in this one, to the point where the setting becomes almost like a character. Also, as in the first book, the author goes into detail bringing Italian food to life--to the point where the reader has no other option but to love it. In short, an interesting, entertaining read. Recommended.
October 2, 2015
*contains spoilers for the first book*
In the first sequel to Roma, Underground Bianca is back in America under her former employer, the secret organization Rendition, in want of investigating a pharmaceutical company. Playing part in the novel is research into insect genetics that might have an effect on cancer treatment, and Bianca’s friends Farrugia and Gennaro join her as well in the initial setting of Boston. The author dedicates the first successor to Ellen Marqusee, Daniel Ruan, and Keith Saxon, at the end acknowledging Winter Goose publishers Jordan Adams and James Logan, not to mention fellow writers at the publisher and a newspaper editor who helped with advertising.
The story opens with Bianca / Alabaster Black in Boston amidst cold weather, in the city to investigate a pharmaceutical company while working for Rendition, with lawyers building a case against the company. Upholding the narrative’s moniker, wasps somewhat play a role, with occasional factoids on genetics such as wasps and ants sharing egg gender characteristics, whereas those unfertilized become males and those fertilized become females. Returning characters to the sequel include Isidore Farrugia, who takes a plane to Boston, alongside occasional discussion on religion, with some characters such as Clemente formerly Catholic.
There are occasional historical notes as well relating, for instance, to the history of slavery in the Roman Empire, whereas most servants consisted of captured soldiers from enemy militaries, with convict slaves being the primary recipient of brands. Conspiracy and deaths abound in the book’s latter portion, accounting for an engaging narrative, although there are occasional confusing portions with relation, for instance, to the author using pronouns near the beginning of certain chapters without having first referenced those to whom he refers. Even so, those that enjoyed its predecessor will most likely enjoy the first sequel.
In the first sequel to Roma, Underground Bianca is back in America under her former employer, the secret organization Rendition, in want of investigating a pharmaceutical company. Playing part in the novel is research into insect genetics that might have an effect on cancer treatment, and Bianca’s friends Farrugia and Gennaro join her as well in the initial setting of Boston. The author dedicates the first successor to Ellen Marqusee, Daniel Ruan, and Keith Saxon, at the end acknowledging Winter Goose publishers Jordan Adams and James Logan, not to mention fellow writers at the publisher and a newspaper editor who helped with advertising.
The story opens with Bianca / Alabaster Black in Boston amidst cold weather, in the city to investigate a pharmaceutical company while working for Rendition, with lawyers building a case against the company. Upholding the narrative’s moniker, wasps somewhat play a role, with occasional factoids on genetics such as wasps and ants sharing egg gender characteristics, whereas those unfertilized become males and those fertilized become females. Returning characters to the sequel include Isidore Farrugia, who takes a plane to Boston, alongside occasional discussion on religion, with some characters such as Clemente formerly Catholic.
There are occasional historical notes as well relating, for instance, to the history of slavery in the Roman Empire, whereas most servants consisted of captured soldiers from enemy militaries, with convict slaves being the primary recipient of brands. Conspiracy and deaths abound in the book’s latter portion, accounting for an engaging narrative, although there are occasional confusing portions with relation, for instance, to the author using pronouns near the beginning of certain chapters without having first referenced those to whom he refers. Even so, those that enjoyed its predecessor will most likely enjoy the first sequel.
October 9, 2015
I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.
Wasp's Nest is the second book in the Roma Series. In the first book, Roma, Underground, Alabaster Black, aka Bianca Nerini, was in Rome, hiding from her former employer, Rendition. In Wasp's Nest, she is in Boston and working for Rendition once again.
I really like these characters. Alabaster/Bianca is a strong, smart woman who left her new boyfriend, Dante, to come back to the U.S. Since she has always been independent, I thought part of the reason she left Rome was because she was scared, which was later verified. I was disappointed that their relationship had ended because it was just getting started in Roma, Underground! Gennaro and Farrugia also end up in Boston on another matter and Bianca realizes that they are like family to her.
There are some new characters in Wasp's Nest who I enjoyed getting to know, especially the Chef, whose restaurant Bianca found. She fell in love with his cooking and did everything she could to help his little start up Italian restaurant.
Gabriel Valjan has incorporated history and cuisine in Wasp's Nest which, I believe, many readers will enjoy. I'm not one for detailed descriptions, especially of food, but that's a personal preference. There are some twists, a couple of interesting and intertwined mysteries, and a good ending. I'm looking forward to reading Threading the Needle, the next book in the series.
Wasp's Nest is the second book in the Roma Series. In the first book, Roma, Underground, Alabaster Black, aka Bianca Nerini, was in Rome, hiding from her former employer, Rendition. In Wasp's Nest, she is in Boston and working for Rendition once again.
I really like these characters. Alabaster/Bianca is a strong, smart woman who left her new boyfriend, Dante, to come back to the U.S. Since she has always been independent, I thought part of the reason she left Rome was because she was scared, which was later verified. I was disappointed that their relationship had ended because it was just getting started in Roma, Underground! Gennaro and Farrugia also end up in Boston on another matter and Bianca realizes that they are like family to her.
There are some new characters in Wasp's Nest who I enjoyed getting to know, especially the Chef, whose restaurant Bianca found. She fell in love with his cooking and did everything she could to help his little start up Italian restaurant.
Gabriel Valjan has incorporated history and cuisine in Wasp's Nest which, I believe, many readers will enjoy. I'm not one for detailed descriptions, especially of food, but that's a personal preference. There are some twists, a couple of interesting and intertwined mysteries, and a good ending. I'm looking forward to reading Threading the Needle, the next book in the series.
December 27, 2012
Terrific second installment In the Roma series. I love reading series of books because it is great to see characters continue to evolve. Bianca and her friends find themselves in Boston in this book, and we learn a lot more about her as she operates on her home turf of the U.S. As in The first book, "Roma Underground", the city is an important character here. As someone who lives in Boston, I think the author did a great job of capturing the city and the feel - (and especially the trials of public transport - you will see what I mean in chapter 2!) Also, as in the first book, we again get some amazing descriptions of food that will have you salivating. Along with a fascinating and scarily plausible plot involving the Wasp genome and its implications in cancer research, we have an assassin after Bianca, and we get introduced to a new character, the cantankerous cop Clemente, who helps Gennaro with a ghost from his past. I found the story fun, intelligent and compelling - and have recommended it to all my friends who read mystery/suspense novels.
This is a strong second book, and at the end the author includes the first chapter of the next book in the series, "Threading the Needle". It is one of the most riveting and exciting opening chapters I have ever read to a book, and I can't wait till it comes out next year!
This is a strong second book, and at the end the author includes the first chapter of the next book in the series, "Threading the Needle". It is one of the most riveting and exciting opening chapters I have ever read to a book, and I can't wait till it comes out next year!
October 5, 2015
Continuing with the Roma, Underground series by Gabriel Valjan, this second book finds Bianca (Alabaster) back in Boston and working once again with Rendition. This time, her assignment is to investigate Nasonia Pharmaceutical and it’s CEO, Cyril Sargent. who is trying to map out the genome for a species of wasp in order to discover a new form of cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, the case of the stolen antiquities which she had been working on while in Rome, continues with the extradiction of one of the key figures in the crime ring to Boston. Because of the ties to Italy in this specific case, her friends from Rome, Farrugia and Gennaro, come to Boston as well. While in Boston, these two uncover a conspiracy from their past, and one in which they would like to “settle the score” with.
At first, the book started off with lots of scientific talk, which I happened to understand because of my science background, but which I felt was a bit too technical. It made for some dry reading (like reading a textbook) and I found I needed to really push myself to continue. I honestly feel that if I hadn’t been reading this series for Italy Book Tours, I may have put the book aside. But, I’m glad I persevered through these part, because the story got really interesting and I ended up enjoying it immensely!
Meanwhile, the case of the stolen antiquities which she had been working on while in Rome, continues with the extradiction of one of the key figures in the crime ring to Boston. Because of the ties to Italy in this specific case, her friends from Rome, Farrugia and Gennaro, come to Boston as well. While in Boston, these two uncover a conspiracy from their past, and one in which they would like to “settle the score” with.
At first, the book started off with lots of scientific talk, which I happened to understand because of my science background, but which I felt was a bit too technical. It made for some dry reading (like reading a textbook) and I found I needed to really push myself to continue. I honestly feel that if I hadn’t been reading this series for Italy Book Tours, I may have put the book aside. But, I’m glad I persevered through these part, because the story got really interesting and I ended up enjoying it immensely!
October 21, 2013
In this, the second book in the Roma Series, the story opens with Alabaster Black (alias Bianca Nerini) returning from Rome to Boston, Massachusetts, leaving behind her lover, Dante, and friends in Rome, Italy.
Rendition, her employer, a covert U.S. agency, has persuaded her to infiltrate Nasonia Pharmaceuticals, a drug manufacturing company owned by Cyril Sargent. Nasonia, is working on a revolutionary new drug using insect-based genetics to develop a new cancer-cure and Rendition want to know more.
Then, when Farrugia and Gennaro, her friends from the Rome, arrive in Boston for another reason, she discovers that leaving the past behind is not as simple as just getting on a plane; they bring some disturbing news for her, ghosts from the past have resurfaced...
I found Wasp's Nest a compelling reading, action-packed and with intriguing characters. The plot had plenty of twists and turns, some surprising secrets, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the very end.
Gabriel Valjan includes a tantalising glimpse into Book 3 of the Roma Series, Threading the Needle which I had read first, but I realized that the author created each volume independent of each other.
Rendition, her employer, a covert U.S. agency, has persuaded her to infiltrate Nasonia Pharmaceuticals, a drug manufacturing company owned by Cyril Sargent. Nasonia, is working on a revolutionary new drug using insect-based genetics to develop a new cancer-cure and Rendition want to know more.
Then, when Farrugia and Gennaro, her friends from the Rome, arrive in Boston for another reason, she discovers that leaving the past behind is not as simple as just getting on a plane; they bring some disturbing news for her, ghosts from the past have resurfaced...
I found Wasp's Nest a compelling reading, action-packed and with intriguing characters. The plot had plenty of twists and turns, some surprising secrets, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the very end.
Gabriel Valjan includes a tantalising glimpse into Book 3 of the Roma Series, Threading the Needle which I had read first, but I realized that the author created each volume independent of each other.
October 15, 2015
At the end of Roma Underground, Alabaster Black (aka Biana Nerini) is on her laptop and three things happen - she hears from an anonymous computer colleague (10ki - eventually referred to as Loki), she hears from her former employer - Rendition - inviting her back to Boston to work a new investigation, and she receives a cryptic email that suggests someone she thought dead was perhaps still alive. In the end, it all proved to be a siren call she could not refuse.
Back in Boston, Black tries to untangle the web of questions she has about a previous case and begins work on a new one involving a pharmaceutical company and wasps. Again the plot centers about Black - a strong, independent female character - who is assisted by a cast of male characters. Farrugia and Gennaro are drawn from Rome and U.S. Agent McGarrity from the previous book is also there to add his skills. Want to know more? You'll just have to pick up a copy.
Be prepared for lots of plot twists and turns as well as the occasional side trip to enjoy a meal. Food played a prominent part in Roma Underground and that continues in Boston with a new chef. Suspense, a Bulgarian assassin, a trail of clues, great dining and new mysteries - it's all here.
Back in Boston, Black tries to untangle the web of questions she has about a previous case and begins work on a new one involving a pharmaceutical company and wasps. Again the plot centers about Black - a strong, independent female character - who is assisted by a cast of male characters. Farrugia and Gennaro are drawn from Rome and U.S. Agent McGarrity from the previous book is also there to add his skills. Want to know more? You'll just have to pick up a copy.
Be prepared for lots of plot twists and turns as well as the occasional side trip to enjoy a meal. Food played a prominent part in Roma Underground and that continues in Boston with a new chef. Suspense, a Bulgarian assassin, a trail of clues, great dining and new mysteries - it's all here.
September 27, 2016
The Wasp Nest is a complicated scheme for what you learn from this. There is a professional assassin out the kill a few targets. We also meet some new friends along the way. Again who is Loki? What does Rendition want?
We are back in the United States with Bianca. Her friends show up in a few days laters. Things go from okay to creepy. This book really gave me the creeps and still was good. I enjoyed it none the less but think you can not be creepy out by how it goes.
I am still trying to figure out who Loki is and what exactly Rendition wants her to do. She seems to get the help she needs from this computer person who is named Loki. I will tell you there are lots of deaths. I believe we will see more in the coming books for they seem to all running though Roma Underground.
We find out more about Sergeant and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. I do not want to give away much here for it really bring to life and what this book is about. The author did have me confused, but I also enjoy the story along they way. How is Garnero and Farugia past involved in this all of this. We meet a few new characters and find new friends. There seem to be connection and something else also know as corruptions.
We are back in the United States with Bianca. Her friends show up in a few days laters. Things go from okay to creepy. This book really gave me the creeps and still was good. I enjoyed it none the less but think you can not be creepy out by how it goes.
I am still trying to figure out who Loki is and what exactly Rendition wants her to do. She seems to get the help she needs from this computer person who is named Loki. I will tell you there are lots of deaths. I believe we will see more in the coming books for they seem to all running though Roma Underground.
We find out more about Sergeant and Nasonia Pharmaceutical. I do not want to give away much here for it really bring to life and what this book is about. The author did have me confused, but I also enjoy the story along they way. How is Garnero and Farugia past involved in this all of this. We meet a few new characters and find new friends. There seem to be connection and something else also know as corruptions.
October 24, 2016
A fast paced thriller. And I loved the cover! The story is action packed and filled with suspense. Wasp's Nest is book two in the series brings characters from book one back and allows the reader to become involved with the story and the characters.
Book one takes place in Roma. Book two is set in Boston. As in book one the author really includes almost a tour of Boston. Alot of the story is centered around an Italian restaurant in Boston.
Bianca (Alabaster) returns to her former employer Rendition to investigate a Pharmaceutical company that is doing research to develop a treatment for cancer.
I have to admit that I was a little bogged down by this part of the story line. There was a lot of
scientific information especial in the beginning that was relevant to the story but difficult to comprehend and tended to be over my head causing me as a reader to struggle through the story.
The story is filled with twists and turns and will keep the reader on the edge of the seat.
There is some language and violence.
I received a complimentary copy of Wasp's Nest from IRead Tours
Book one takes place in Roma. Book two is set in Boston. As in book one the author really includes almost a tour of Boston. Alot of the story is centered around an Italian restaurant in Boston.
Bianca (Alabaster) returns to her former employer Rendition to investigate a Pharmaceutical company that is doing research to develop a treatment for cancer.
I have to admit that I was a little bogged down by this part of the story line. There was a lot of
scientific information especial in the beginning that was relevant to the story but difficult to comprehend and tended to be over my head causing me as a reader to struggle through the story.
The story is filled with twists and turns and will keep the reader on the edge of the seat.
There is some language and violence.
I received a complimentary copy of Wasp's Nest from IRead Tours
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