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Finnsbury #2
Swordfish
Cassandra 'Cassie' Finsbury has spent almost twenty-five years running for her life, hiding from everyone who knew her, and hoping it was enough to keep her daughter safe. When she learns that she no longer has to run, she is determined to find Daniela again and hires private investigator Bailey Davenport, a retired FBI agent, who is more than up to the task. Bailey finds nothing more irresistible than a mystery and a challenge, and in Cassie, she finds both.
Can Bailey find the key to unlock more than just Cassie's secrets?
Finn and Oz are pulled into the world of extremists and must keep their wits about them to survive a deadly game of cat and mouse whilst Finn's growing need to find the mother she believed dead takes her on a roller-coaster journey.
Can Bailey find the key to unlock more than just Cassie's secrets?
Finn and Oz are pulled into the world of extremists and must keep their wits about them to survive a deadly game of cat and mouse whilst Finn's growing need to find the mother she believed dead takes her on a roller-coaster journey.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2015
9 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Bramhall
28 books297 followersAndrea Bramhall wrote her first novel at the age of six and three-quarters. It was seven pages long and held together with a pink ribbon. Her Gran still has it in the attic. Since then she has progressed a little bit and now has a number of published works held together with glue, not ribbons, an Alice B. Lavender certificate, and a Lambda Literary award cluttering up her book shelves.
She studied music and all things arty at Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating in 2002 with a BA in contemporary arts. She is certain it will prove useful someday… maybe.
When she isn’t busy running a campsite and hostel on the North Norfolk Coast, Bramhall can be found hunched over her laptop scribbling down the stories that won’t let her sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs up mountains while taking a few thousand photos, scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos, swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
She studied music and all things arty at Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating in 2002 with a BA in contemporary arts. She is certain it will prove useful someday… maybe.
When she isn’t busy running a campsite and hostel on the North Norfolk Coast, Bramhall can be found hunched over her laptop scribbling down the stories that won’t let her sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs up mountains while taking a few thousand photos, scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos, swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 14, 2015
Hmmm, I have liked all of Andrea Bramhall's books to date, but found myself struggling with this book.
The Bailey and Cassie storyline was great and I found myself wishing for more about them and less about biological weapons.
My bullshit meter started when everyone in Oz extended family became super soldiers and spies. Damn, the connections that family has they should pay off the rest of the military and just leave it to them.
Then there is the whole biological weapons plot. If the weapon is capable of killing everyone on the planet, why don't they have more resources, people, priority and hell everything else. Oz and Finn are making decisions about the future of the world. You would have thought that the decisions and authority would be placed slightly higher than a couple of field agents they were working with. As you may have guessed this plot line completely didn't work for me and just made me annoyed until we could get back to Bailey and Cassie.
This author's writing is great, but the plot was too far fetched to enable me to enjoy it more. Willing suspension of disbelief can only get you so far.
The Bailey and Cassie storyline was great and I found myself wishing for more about them and less about biological weapons.
My bullshit meter started when everyone in Oz extended family became super soldiers and spies. Damn, the connections that family has they should pay off the rest of the military and just leave it to them.
Then there is the whole biological weapons plot. If the weapon is capable of killing everyone on the planet, why don't they have more resources, people, priority and hell everything else. Oz and Finn are making decisions about the future of the world. You would have thought that the decisions and authority would be placed slightly higher than a couple of field agents they were working with. As you may have guessed this plot line completely didn't work for me and just made me annoyed until we could get back to Bailey and Cassie.
This author's writing is great, but the plot was too far fetched to enable me to enjoy it more. Willing suspension of disbelief can only get you so far.
January 4, 2015
Clearly the work of an experienced novelist, Swordfish is a complex interweaving of characters and plot in a journey of romance and action.
Cassie has been in hiding for 25 years, but knows it is time to reveal her true identity, and find her long lost daughter. The P.I. she hires to find her daughter is Bailey Davenport, who loves a challenge. These two characters provide the early thrills and the romance for the story, and Bramhall works these parts of the story well.
The combination of thriller and romance works surprisingly well, as this is very difficult to accomplish. My main problem was the interaction between characters in the side plots, which was not always believable. This was also the case with the science, which again pulled me out of the story with frustration with the collapsed timeline. While such urgency works for the narrative requirements of storytelling, it was so ridiculous in a scientific sense that it pulled me from the story back into reality. Other than these two points, I genuinely enjoyed the ride created by Bramhall.
Cassie has been in hiding for 25 years, but knows it is time to reveal her true identity, and find her long lost daughter. The P.I. she hires to find her daughter is Bailey Davenport, who loves a challenge. These two characters provide the early thrills and the romance for the story, and Bramhall works these parts of the story well.
The combination of thriller and romance works surprisingly well, as this is very difficult to accomplish. My main problem was the interaction between characters in the side plots, which was not always believable. This was also the case with the science, which again pulled me out of the story with frustration with the collapsed timeline. While such urgency works for the narrative requirements of storytelling, it was so ridiculous in a scientific sense that it pulled me from the story back into reality. Other than these two points, I genuinely enjoyed the ride created by Bramhall.
January 14, 2015
In “Swordfish” Andrea Bramhall returns to the rambunctious action adventures of Finn and Oz who we met in her first novel “Ladyfish”. Here Finn has to save the world from the evil terrorist – ably abetted by a rather large contingent of Viking-like US Sailors and Marines in the guise of Oz’s family.
Finn is the genius scientist whose breakthrough in cancer treatment has been turned into lethal biochemical weapon by her father’s evil lackeys. Even though the twisted monster who is trying to get hold of this weapon has yet to find a scientist willing to make the formula, Finn et al know it is only a question of time. So Finn, Oz and the family decide to co-operate with the CIA and Interpol, make the bug, and a vaccine, in order to catch the terrorist.
What ensues is a mad romp full of twists and turns, high tension deadlines, scientific breakthroughs and shoot ‘em up confrontations with the bad guys. It is fast paced when the story is hot, but manages to combine gentler, slower moments of intimacy and tenderness.
As a secondary plot Finn’s long lost mother appears, searching for her daughter and herself. Finding both via an ex FBI/Cop and a cute lost pooch, Mum Cassie has a central part to play as the drama unfolds.
The characters are great - amusing, well rounded and enjoyable. Oz’s wonderful family grows exponentially as required by the plot – each time we need more action hero’s another one appears. Finn and Oz continue to delight, and the development of Cassie and Bailey give the author a perfect vehicle for a new romance.
Despite the mapcap action, plot twists and turns, unexpected crises and hair-brained schemes, Andrea Bramhall has managed to slip in a factual setting for the terror plot, and gives a fair and honest background to the history of the war between Israel and Palestine. Even when stepping away from her more serious writing she maintains her integrity and gives a balanced view.
A great fun read, fast and furious – you will definitely need to suspend your disbelief for this one – but it is worth it for the ride. A most enjoyable and amusing sequel. This one definitely goes on my re-read pile for when I need entertaining.
Finn is the genius scientist whose breakthrough in cancer treatment has been turned into lethal biochemical weapon by her father’s evil lackeys. Even though the twisted monster who is trying to get hold of this weapon has yet to find a scientist willing to make the formula, Finn et al know it is only a question of time. So Finn, Oz and the family decide to co-operate with the CIA and Interpol, make the bug, and a vaccine, in order to catch the terrorist.
What ensues is a mad romp full of twists and turns, high tension deadlines, scientific breakthroughs and shoot ‘em up confrontations with the bad guys. It is fast paced when the story is hot, but manages to combine gentler, slower moments of intimacy and tenderness.
As a secondary plot Finn’s long lost mother appears, searching for her daughter and herself. Finding both via an ex FBI/Cop and a cute lost pooch, Mum Cassie has a central part to play as the drama unfolds.
The characters are great - amusing, well rounded and enjoyable. Oz’s wonderful family grows exponentially as required by the plot – each time we need more action hero’s another one appears. Finn and Oz continue to delight, and the development of Cassie and Bailey give the author a perfect vehicle for a new romance.
Despite the mapcap action, plot twists and turns, unexpected crises and hair-brained schemes, Andrea Bramhall has managed to slip in a factual setting for the terror plot, and gives a fair and honest background to the history of the war between Israel and Palestine. Even when stepping away from her more serious writing she maintains her integrity and gives a balanced view.
A great fun read, fast and furious – you will definitely need to suspend your disbelief for this one – but it is worth it for the ride. A most enjoyable and amusing sequel. This one definitely goes on my re-read pile for when I need entertaining.
July 31, 2017
I really love this book. I very much like the writing style of the author and how she combined the story and characters from the first book (Ladyfish, also 4,5stars) with the second one.
So that means, first you have to read Ladyfish, which was also a very exciting read with great characters.
In the second book, the story of Finn and Oz continue and the new characters, Bailey and Cassie, will be introduced. The scenery switches between the two storylines, which in the end will morph to one.
It’s exciting, how Andrea describes the people in her stories, with all the small things which defines a person and make them loveable.
The thriller element is comprehensibly and could be a real threat in our world, where too often power, hate and money leads the way. The story holds you on your tiptoes and I couldn’t put the book down.
I rate this book with 4,5 stars and I’m looking forward to more of Andreas writing.
So that means, first you have to read Ladyfish, which was also a very exciting read with great characters.
In the second book, the story of Finn and Oz continue and the new characters, Bailey and Cassie, will be introduced. The scenery switches between the two storylines, which in the end will morph to one.
It’s exciting, how Andrea describes the people in her stories, with all the small things which defines a person and make them loveable.
The thriller element is comprehensibly and could be a real threat in our world, where too often power, hate and money leads the way. The story holds you on your tiptoes and I couldn’t put the book down.
I rate this book with 4,5 stars and I’m looking forward to more of Andreas writing.
January 5, 2025
It quickly became apparent that this was a sequel and I was missing a lot of context lol.
The only part of this I really liked was Bailey and Cassie’s storyline, although I wish the author would have skipped the on-page rape that happens to Cassie.
I also really didn’t care for any of the other character storylines and kinda struggled to finish this.
The only part of this I really liked was Bailey and Cassie’s storyline, although I wish the author would have skipped the on-page rape that happens to Cassie.
I also really didn’t care for any of the other character storylines and kinda struggled to finish this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
This is the second book after Ladyfish as the first book. This book is outstanding. Emotions ran the a gamut of happy, scared, sad, over the top angry, Edge of your seat listening to the point that I had to stop and recover a bit before I continued.
February 8, 2022
Up until the final few chapters I would've given this book 3 stars as is an easy read but the ending is ridiculous! How does exacerbating an unstable political region SAVE lives?! (More explanation will give major spoilers, sorry.) The rest of the book is not only predictable but so similar to the first book, "Ladyfish" it is almost a carbon copy, some new characters but same story for them as the existing couple from the first book. Shame, really as the author has a good, readable writing style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
Almost as good as the first one, maybe even more had it not been for the ending... Not that is was not a happy ending, pun Intended ;-). Its just that I still felt like more was needed for them all to have a better ending. Regardless, I like it and it was a nice surprise to have some across these books.
May 20, 2019
Good follow up to the first book. The wishy washy budding romance between Cass and detective was a little madding at times and had me yelling at my phone a few times. It production was good but I rather liked the reader of the first story better. This will be in my re-read pile for sure.
February 17, 2018
Great book
I really loved the combination of military, science and romance in this novel. I thought it was really well done and highly recommend it.
I really loved the combination of military, science and romance in this novel. I thought it was really well done and highly recommend it.
November 18, 2020
Worst sequel ever!
This is the worst sequel I have ever wasted my time on. I loved Lady Fish! The story line and the narration were 100%. Swordfish was 100% crap
This is the worst sequel I have ever wasted my time on. I loved Lady Fish! The story line and the narration were 100%. Swordfish was 100% crap
March 12, 2021
OMG! The suspense! The romance!
March 11, 2017
Liked it.
Mild complaint: It says NO WHERE on the book that it's a sequel. Which can be really annoying if you just picked this one up alone.
It's BASICALLY understandable as a stand alone book, but confusing at times.
Mild complaint: It says NO WHERE on the book that it's a sequel. Which can be really annoying if you just picked this one up alone.
It's BASICALLY understandable as a stand alone book, but confusing at times.
October 11, 2017
Why did I read it til the end ? I really don't get myself sometimes.
December 15, 2014
This is an advance copy I got from Netgalley for an honest review.
I had no idea that this book was a sequel until I started reading references to things that happened. Even knowing that I found it easy to read and I wasn’t lost. This is a story unto itself and though there are some parts where you're like, huh wonder what happened there, you're not left in the dark and completely lost. The author did a very good job taking me on an adventure that I won’t forget. I was drawn in and couldn't stop until the last page.
Cassie is such a strong woman and I applaud her for the things she did to keep Fin safe and alive. Her hunger to see her daughter again after she found out the man she married was in jail was heartbreaking. I was rooting for her and wishing that she got a chance to at least set eyes on her baby again. Bailey is awesome and her training in Jazz was cute. Who ever heard of a dog who kicked up a fuss if you didn’t buckle them in, when they got in the car? That was so funny and strange.
Finn and Oz are interesting characters too with very cool names. Oz’s family background kicked ass and I’m glad that Finn had their support and became part of their family. This is a book I highly recommend for those who want adventure, saving the world, family reunions and heartfelt passion.
I had no idea that this book was a sequel until I started reading references to things that happened. Even knowing that I found it easy to read and I wasn’t lost. This is a story unto itself and though there are some parts where you're like, huh wonder what happened there, you're not left in the dark and completely lost. The author did a very good job taking me on an adventure that I won’t forget. I was drawn in and couldn't stop until the last page.
Cassie is such a strong woman and I applaud her for the things she did to keep Fin safe and alive. Her hunger to see her daughter again after she found out the man she married was in jail was heartbreaking. I was rooting for her and wishing that she got a chance to at least set eyes on her baby again. Bailey is awesome and her training in Jazz was cute. Who ever heard of a dog who kicked up a fuss if you didn’t buckle them in, when they got in the car? That was so funny and strange.
Finn and Oz are interesting characters too with very cool names. Oz’s family background kicked ass and I’m glad that Finn had their support and became part of their family. This is a book I highly recommend for those who want adventure, saving the world, family reunions and heartfelt passion.
May 18, 2015
Oh, what a read! Swordfish contained everything I love in a book. I slowed down my reading and let myself relish every part of it. Assuming you have read the description of the book already I will skip that part. It must be said that Swordfish's description is a minuscule of what the book is about. I will give away a little bit for you to chew on. Will Finn find a cure for Balor before it eliminates mankind. Does Cassie find what she needs to heal? Can a hardened P.I. find love? If nothing else you have to read Swordfish to find out who all the Zuckermans are. What I will tell you is that you will go through so many emotions. You will feel terror, be on the edge of your seat in suspense, producing high heart rates from high grade action, you will shed tears, and be filled with happiness. The book's prose is immaculate. Not a flaw that I could find. This is one impeccable book.
Swordfish is listed in lesbian genre. It should not be limited to that. Anyone who loves thrillers and action packed novels will love this book. Do not let the word lesbian get in your way of an absolutely amazing novel. Yes, there is a minor part containing same sex love making. It is a beautiful part of the book.
"Thank you NetGalley For letting me give an honest review"
Swordfish is listed in lesbian genre. It should not be limited to that. Anyone who loves thrillers and action packed novels will love this book. Do not let the word lesbian get in your way of an absolutely amazing novel. Yes, there is a minor part containing same sex love making. It is a beautiful part of the book.
"Thank you NetGalley For letting me give an honest review"
January 4, 2015
Awesome book. Great sequel to Ladyfish.
February 4, 2015
A decent sequel with more action and new characters.
November 21, 2015
The fast solution of the biological problems needed a lot suspension of believe, but otherwise the story was enjoyable.
April 29, 2017
The audio actress Dara Rosenberg sometimes felt a bit flat. But my biggest problem with the audio portion was that for heavens sake, in it's context, it's Em-Eye-Six. Not Em-Sixteen. Someone somewhere should have caught this. Anyway. Andrea Bramhall's core content was of course outstanding. I just really wish they'd have kept Ladyfish's Heather Wilds on. She was on point.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews