In Patricia Lewin’s novel of breathless suspense, a shaken CIA officer returns to the field, drawn not by duties but by the chance to save a man’s life . . . and to meet the father she hasn’t seen in years.
Though Erin Baker has left the CIA, the people who once directed her career tap her to penetrate a medical aid group that may be hiding a sinister purpose. In Cuba, the organization’s head doctor is Emilio Diaz, Erin’s estranged father. Erin has the skills and a perfect cover to penetrate Castro’s shadow world. She also has another reason to take the assignment. An ex-mentor, previously on the case, has vanished somewhere in Cuba.
Full of emotional landmines, this mission comes at a time when Erin’s life is at a crossroads. Alec Donovan, a colleague at the FBI, is pushing for more than friendship, and he wants Erin out of the Agency’s clutches. But Erin is already in–and though wanting to trust her charismatic father, she suspects that a dark plot is unfolding. Not knowing whom to trust or whom to believe, Erin fights her way deeper undercover until she is ultimately forced to make life-and-death decisions that will affect nations around the world.
Out of Time is a highly suspenseful novel with a hint of romance. When Erin is sent under cover to Cuba to track down a missing operative, she goes in the guise of a daughter looking to reconnect with her father whom she has not seen since she was a child. In a country rife with suspicion and paranoia, Erin has to tread carefully, but nevertheless manages to step in a load of trouble without much effort at all. Fortunately her friend from a previous operation, who has more than professional feelings for her, follows up on a hunch to ensure her safely, thus discovering just how much trouble Erin is in. Alec isn't satisfied to leave things as they are, and goes in after Erin and finds his worst fears are justified. This tension inducing novel is underscored with the emotional drama being played out as Erin and her father meet and feelings surface between father and daughter. When Erin is in danger, her father comes to her rescue, arousing emotions in both of them. As the book comes to a climatic ending, one can only feel the horror and sadness experienced by Erin as she realises the kind of man her father is. However, she has a duty to perform and to this end Alec stays right with her, aiding her to the end. This is an emotional read as well as a good suspense, leaving the reader feeling slightly sad and undecided about the outcome and whether justice has been carried out. An excellent book with depth, and beautiful descriptions of Cuba, whilst at the same time carrying one along into the unfolding drama.
I actually preferred Out of Reach to Out Of Time. The writing changed in Out Of Time. I liked in the early days where we had input from Emilio, Alec, Erin etc, but later on in the book we really only heard Erin's perspective. A little of Emilio and Alec, but not as inciteful as earlier on. I would have liked to hear what happens to Jean, why she got to the stage she was at, and why. At least we were in tune with Emilio at the end, when he revealed all to Erin. I really liked how we were able to see more of Erin and her emotions. In the cave where she was dreaming of her mum and she was saying that her father was coming, I really felt emotional. It was probably one of the few times in both books that we really got to see the vulnerable Erin. She doesn't show it much!
There is great suspense and intrigue and plenty of drama written here. A really great group of characters with plenty of twists and turns. Thank you Patricia Lewin for such an imagination! I am really looking forward to the next thriller! Book 3.
Having read the first book in the series, I'd looked forward to reading this one but ended up being underwhelmed and thinking it was just "alright". The plot seemed superficial and contrived, and the purported skills of both Erin and Donovan were barely utilized.
I read the first Erin Baker story and found it interesting. This second book, not so much. I love a good suspenseful book but too much of this book was unbelievable. The ending was terrible and left too many unanswered questions. Maybe the intention was to write another book and it never came to fruition, but if that is the case, the ending on this book should be revised to close out the story and any lingering questions.
I would have liked it to be longer. But then maybe not. It was a fast and easy read that fit into my life without problem. Do not get me wrong. It's not a "short story". Just a smaller book.
In Patricia Lewin's novel of breathless suspense, a shaken CIA officer returns to the field, drawn not by duties but by the chance to save a man's life . . . and to meet the father she hasn't seen in years.
Though Erin Baker has left the CIA, the people who once directed her career tap her to penetrate a medical aid group that may be hiding a sinister purpose. In Cuba, the organization's head doctor is Emilio Diaz, Erin's estranged father. Erin has the skills and a perfect cover to penetrate Castro's shadow world. She also has another reason to take the assignment. An ex-mentor, previously on the case, has vanished somewhere in Cuba.
Full of emotional landmines, this mission comes at a time when Erin's life is at a crossroads. Alec Donovan, a colleague at the FBI, is pushing for more than friendship, and he wants Erin out of the Agency's clutches. But Erin is already in-and though wanting to trust her charismatic father, she suspects that a dark plot is unfolding. Not knowing whom to trust or whom to believe, Erin fights her way deeper undercover until she is ultimately forced to make life-and-death decisions that will affect nations around the world.
Alec helps her and kills her father. Erin and Alec get together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.