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Lee Carruthers #1
The Spider Catchers
Fresh off the red-eye from Baghdad, CIA analyst Lee Carruthers has to hop an Air France flight to Morocco. Alicia Harmon has disappeared from her office in Fez after reporting that she has found a new line of money going to terrorists. When Lee gets to Fez, she can’t learn what Alicia knows because her files are encrypted, but she soon finds herself the target of attacks and may soon be the next one to disappear. When the Palace takes a hand, she knows it’s big. Her investigation reveals that an important Islamic charity is laundering money for terrorists, and the head of that charity sends her to join Alicia in a terrorist camp in the Algerian desert.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
10 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Marilynn Larew
8 books66 followersMARILYNN LAREW is a historian who has published in such fields as American colonial and architectural history, Vietnamese military history, and terrorism, and has taught courses in each of them in the University of Maryland System.
She has lived in seven states and two foreign countries, so she has always been interested in different cultures and different places. Being the “new kid” in so many places, she has always had to adjust quickly. Reading helped her deal with that, and her library card has often been her best friend.
She has always liked to write, but the idea of writing fiction didn’t occur to her until after she finished her PhD in history. Everybody who goes through that grueling program swears to write a book revealing how awful it is. Marilynn wrote a hard-boiled detective story with a female protagonist. It almost sold, but when it didn’t, she focused on her teaching and research. Perhaps her most interesting scholarly publication is about 300BC Vietnamese military history.
It was only after she retired from teaching that she was able to return to writing fiction. The two volumes in the Lee Carruthers series are the result. Her protagonist is still female, but perhaps she is not so hard-boiled. Lee Carruthers is a CIA analyst who has a conflicted relationship with the
Agency. She is often sent where no analyst goes, and she has the scars to prove it – one from a 9 mm. bullet and three knife cuts. She keeps trying to quit, but the Agency keeps coming back like a song.
There are two more Lee Carruthers thrillers in the pipeline, and she is currently working on a third book in which the protagonist is a medium-boiled female private eye.
She writes thrillers because she likes to read them. She also likes to read Vietnamese and Chinese history and military history of all flavors.
She lives with her husband in a 200-year-old brick farmhouse on the Mason-Dixon Line in southern Pennsylvania. She belongs to the Sisters in Crime, the Guppies, and the Chinese History Military Group.
She has lived in seven states and two foreign countries, so she has always been interested in different cultures and different places. Being the “new kid” in so many places, she has always had to adjust quickly. Reading helped her deal with that, and her library card has often been her best friend.
She has always liked to write, but the idea of writing fiction didn’t occur to her until after she finished her PhD in history. Everybody who goes through that grueling program swears to write a book revealing how awful it is. Marilynn wrote a hard-boiled detective story with a female protagonist. It almost sold, but when it didn’t, she focused on her teaching and research. Perhaps her most interesting scholarly publication is about 300BC Vietnamese military history.
It was only after she retired from teaching that she was able to return to writing fiction. The two volumes in the Lee Carruthers series are the result. Her protagonist is still female, but perhaps she is not so hard-boiled. Lee Carruthers is a CIA analyst who has a conflicted relationship with the
Agency. She is often sent where no analyst goes, and she has the scars to prove it – one from a 9 mm. bullet and three knife cuts. She keeps trying to quit, but the Agency keeps coming back like a song.
There are two more Lee Carruthers thrillers in the pipeline, and she is currently working on a third book in which the protagonist is a medium-boiled female private eye.
She writes thrillers because she likes to read them. She also likes to read Vietnamese and Chinese history and military history of all flavors.
She lives with her husband in a 200-year-old brick farmhouse on the Mason-Dixon Line in southern Pennsylvania. She belongs to the Sisters in Crime, the Guppies, and the Chinese History Military Group.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 7, 2014
Very well done. A fast-paced, well-researched, entertaining read. A nice blend of tradecraft, wit, violence, recovery, humor, and heroism. All with some great environmental detail thrown in. Look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 6, 2014
Great read. Well researched, well paced and well executed. Grabs you, pulls you in and keeps you engaged throughout. A refreshing change from the mass produced, "crash and bang" novels churned out by the hundreds these days. The perfect book to take with you on vacation and sink into. Can't wait for the sequel.
July 17, 2014
Review also on www.jolasbookshelf.wordpress.com
'The Spider Catchers' is a good mystery/thriller novel. I don't usually like stories surrendered by terrorists, but this book was doing a pretty good job at keeping me hooked. The main character, Lee, is a strong badass woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. I'll be looking forward to the sequel!
Thanks to Marilynn Larew for sending me an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
'The Spider Catchers' is a good mystery/thriller novel. I don't usually like stories surrendered by terrorists, but this book was doing a pretty good job at keeping me hooked. The main character, Lee, is a strong badass woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. I'll be looking forward to the sequel!
Thanks to Marilynn Larew for sending me an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2014
This is the first book in an intriguing new mystery suspense series featuring our main character, Lee Caruthers, a CIA analyst who seems to have had more than her share of assignments where she is risking her life. She is growing tired of field work and wants out but clearly that isn't meant to be at the start of this book. Lee is a strong character. She is fiercely independent, loyal to the right people, and hard to crack. She is tough on the outside when she needs to be but also just as vulnerable as an ordinary person on the inside. This was what gave her depth and made her appealing in the story. She still feels pain and compassion, and has nightmares about some of the things she has seen. She cares about the people she knows. She is an analyst who had a certain set of skills that allowed her to be put into dangerous places on dangerous assignments. I liked her a lot.
As the story begins, Lee is assigned to find Alicia Harmon, another agent who seemed to have stumbled onto something big and disappeared. She is sent to Fez, Morocco, which is the main setting of the story. Almost right away, several attempts are made on her life. She uses her contacts to help her find information to put her on Alicia's trail. One of these is Kemal, a pipe bar owner who is more than just a contact. Their relationship is complicated because of... well, a lot of things including geography, religious beliefs, etc. but it was refreshing to see that they truly cared about one another and used each other for comfort when they needed to. Aside from Kemal, there were quite a few minor characters who Lee comes into contact with throughout the story. Since this is the first story in a series, I'm betting some of the informants who had only a small part in this book will be seen again in the future.
There is plenty of action and suspense offered and the reader will be on the edge of their seat more than once. Soon after Lee arrives in Fez, she is consistently pursued and thrown into near death situations. She has blood on her shirt on more than one occasion so there are some violent scenes in the book. The violence is described in just the right amount of detail to make it scarily realistic but not over the top gory. Enough to see the events clearly through Lee's eyes and plenty enough to allow the reader a small sample of the atrocities of terrorism and to empathize with the people who live this reality on a daily basis.
There are a few different groups mentioned to set the story up for the reader including government and terrorist groups as well as others. Keeping them all straight at the beginning of the story might be difficult but once the story really gets moving after the first couple of chapters, they become easier to keep track of. The book becomes hard to put down at this point and I found myself reading well into the night, often biting my fingernails as I waited to see what would happen next. I loved the scenes in the book that reminded me of an old school spy novel or T.V. show, especially the scene where Lee is brought to a dank basement and interrogated, being asked the same question over and over again by three different people. Little bits of humor like this are scattered throughout the story and are even more humorous as we listen to Lee's sarcastic inner thinking as she deals with each each event. Without giving away spoilers, the reader is set up for the plot of the next book at the end of this one. I will certainly be picking it up when it is published to see where Lee ends up next.
As the story begins, Lee is assigned to find Alicia Harmon, another agent who seemed to have stumbled onto something big and disappeared. She is sent to Fez, Morocco, which is the main setting of the story. Almost right away, several attempts are made on her life. She uses her contacts to help her find information to put her on Alicia's trail. One of these is Kemal, a pipe bar owner who is more than just a contact. Their relationship is complicated because of... well, a lot of things including geography, religious beliefs, etc. but it was refreshing to see that they truly cared about one another and used each other for comfort when they needed to. Aside from Kemal, there were quite a few minor characters who Lee comes into contact with throughout the story. Since this is the first story in a series, I'm betting some of the informants who had only a small part in this book will be seen again in the future.
There is plenty of action and suspense offered and the reader will be on the edge of their seat more than once. Soon after Lee arrives in Fez, she is consistently pursued and thrown into near death situations. She has blood on her shirt on more than one occasion so there are some violent scenes in the book. The violence is described in just the right amount of detail to make it scarily realistic but not over the top gory. Enough to see the events clearly through Lee's eyes and plenty enough to allow the reader a small sample of the atrocities of terrorism and to empathize with the people who live this reality on a daily basis.
There are a few different groups mentioned to set the story up for the reader including government and terrorist groups as well as others. Keeping them all straight at the beginning of the story might be difficult but once the story really gets moving after the first couple of chapters, they become easier to keep track of. The book becomes hard to put down at this point and I found myself reading well into the night, often biting my fingernails as I waited to see what would happen next. I loved the scenes in the book that reminded me of an old school spy novel or T.V. show, especially the scene where Lee is brought to a dank basement and interrogated, being asked the same question over and over again by three different people. Little bits of humor like this are scattered throughout the story and are even more humorous as we listen to Lee's sarcastic inner thinking as she deals with each each event. Without giving away spoilers, the reader is set up for the plot of the next book at the end of this one. I will certainly be picking it up when it is published to see where Lee ends up next.
January 11, 2014
Marilynn Larew`s novel “Spider Catchers” is a page turning adventure from the first paragraph. The protagonist, Lee Carruthers (a CIA operative) is an interesting, unpredictable, and believable character. Often, female characters playing the role of a “tough guy” are over the top and cliché—not the case in this novel. Larew`s knowledge of her topic, the region, the lingo, and the world of terrorism is quite impressive and reminiscent of Tom Clancy in terms of its realism. Larew takes the reader on a fast paced, gripping ride through the terror networks of Morocco and beyond. Although the story in this book is complete, the ending leaves the reader hanging with a question—a classic and clever hook—leading to an obvious second book, and a possible upcoming series. Lee Carruthers is a strong character—one that readers (I believe) will continue to follow in future novels. I give this book 5 stars because of its originality, its clever plot, and Larew`s ability to write with great clarity and fast paced action in every chapter. This is truly a great book, and Marilynn Larew is a very talented writer.
February 11, 2014
4 STARS
This is a mystery that is gritty dealing with spies, terrorists, sex trade that keeps you guessing about who are the good guys and bad guys.
Lee Carruthers is CIA analyst out of Paris who is sent to Fez to look for another CIA Alicia that has gone missing their for over two weeks. Lee used to be out of Fez so she had lots of contacts still. No one knows exactly what Alicia was doing or when she had disappeared.
Dealing with slavery, terrorists in that area of the world is a lot of violence. Lots of action, drama, blood. Lee gets attacked right away by different people and groups. As she tries to follow Alicia's trail.
I like Lee's character she is tough, does what is necessary and falls apart after the fact. She thinks on her feet.
One thing they sure drink a lot of coffee and tea with everyone all the time. I don't drink either and would not like to drink them especially when in a desert.
The setting goes from Paris, Fez, Morocco and other countries in the area.
I would read Lee Carruthers new adventure Dubai Gold by Marilynn Larew
I was given this ebook for purpose of reviewing it and being part of its blog tour. The opinions are mine.
This is a mystery that is gritty dealing with spies, terrorists, sex trade that keeps you guessing about who are the good guys and bad guys.
Lee Carruthers is CIA analyst out of Paris who is sent to Fez to look for another CIA Alicia that has gone missing their for over two weeks. Lee used to be out of Fez so she had lots of contacts still. No one knows exactly what Alicia was doing or when she had disappeared.
Dealing with slavery, terrorists in that area of the world is a lot of violence. Lots of action, drama, blood. Lee gets attacked right away by different people and groups. As she tries to follow Alicia's trail.
I like Lee's character she is tough, does what is necessary and falls apart after the fact. She thinks on her feet.
One thing they sure drink a lot of coffee and tea with everyone all the time. I don't drink either and would not like to drink them especially when in a desert.
The setting goes from Paris, Fez, Morocco and other countries in the area.
I would read Lee Carruthers new adventure Dubai Gold by Marilynn Larew
I was given this ebook for purpose of reviewing it and being part of its blog tour. The opinions are mine.
February 8, 2014
Definitely not a cozy mystery, Spider Catchers takes the reader to a third world country with different cultural morals. As a woman, working to protect other women from abuse and rape, Lee set up Femme Aid Maroc many years before. At a point in her career when she seriously thinks of leaving the CIA for a normal life, she is sent back to Femme Aid Maroc when the woman who was working there disappears. Alicia had been asking a lot of questions and as Lee tries to find out what happened to her she is not only dealing with potential human trafficking and two women left to die. It looks like money is being invested in terrorist activity by some high level individuals. Marilyn Larew weaves a complex tale, but keeps the pace quick with a strong female protagonist in Lee.
March 20, 2014
By the time I finished Spider Catchers, I was convinced Ms. Larew had to have been in the CIA. The scenario was too real. Not to sound sexist, but this is the type of book usually written by men with a macho hero. Lee Caruthers is a formidable heroine, and Ms. Larew pulls her off with style, wit, and believability. One review compared the book to early Ludlum. I've read all of Ludlum's books the early work, but Spider Catchers was more plausible even though the stakes were high. Looking forward to seeing what trouble Lee gets into in book two. Nice work, Ms. Larew.
February 16, 2014
Protagonist Lee Carruthers is a CIA Analyst with the cynicism of a noir private eye. I found Marilynn Larew's writing style to be engaging and entertaining from start to finish. I would happily read another book by this emerging and talented author.
Glenn Muller
Author of TORQUE (a Chas Fenn thriller)
Glenn Muller
Author of TORQUE (a Chas Fenn thriller)
January 7, 2016
When a CIA agent is dispatched to Morocco to track down a missing worker for an international charity who seems to have been asking the wrong questions of the wrong people, things take a turn for the worse. Suspenseful, fast-moving and readable, this first in a series featuring Lee Carruthers is atmospherically rich and feels very authentic. Fans of spy fiction won’t be disappointed.
May 15, 2020
"The Spider Catchers" is the first in a series of novels featuring Lee Carruthers, a kick-ass CIA agent who knows how to handle herself - and others. She's a character I can admire and be interested in, but, at this stage, not like. The plot is fast-paced and filled with action. The writing is very good. Ms. Larew knows how to make you smirk, gasp, and feel the pain of her characters.
For me, the characters started to be introduced too quickly and I started to get a bit confused, so only 4 stars from me. Plenty of people won't have any problem at all with this, but I like to spend a bit of time getting to know characters before more are brought in... it helps me set them in my mind, and so, follow the story more easily.
It's a darn good story though!
My thanks to the author for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
For me, the characters started to be introduced too quickly and I started to get a bit confused, so only 4 stars from me. Plenty of people won't have any problem at all with this, but I like to spend a bit of time getting to know characters before more are brought in... it helps me set them in my mind, and so, follow the story more easily.
It's a darn good story though!
My thanks to the author for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
January 27, 2018
A Chilling Thriller
A chilling, fast-paced thriller with CIA analyst Lee Carruthers sent to Morocco to find a missing agent. She finds trouble in the form of a new terrorist group supposedly being funded by a clean foundation. And it seems everyone is out to kill her.
A chilling, fast-paced thriller with CIA analyst Lee Carruthers sent to Morocco to find a missing agent. She finds trouble in the form of a new terrorist group supposedly being funded by a clean foundation. And it seems everyone is out to kill her.
Want to read
August 16, 2014Disclaimer:I received this book from Goodreads first reads for free.
I couldn't get into this book I didn't find story interesting and after 82 pages I stopped reading it
I couldn't get into this book I didn't find story interesting and after 82 pages I stopped reading it
July 29, 2014
This is a great book with lots of authentic CIA type stuff in it and suspense as well. Very interesting and likeable heroine. I
August 11, 2016
It was okay.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews