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Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Elmore Leonard meets Robert Ludlum in a rollicking comedic thriller set in 1985 from acclaimed author Ace Atkins, in which a suburban teen suspects his mom’s new boyfriend is the ultimate bad guy—a KGB agent.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
It’s 1985, what will soon become known as “The Year of the Spy,” and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced his mom’s new boyfriend is a Russian agent. “Gary” isn’t in the phone book, has an unidentifiable European accent, and keeps a gun in the glove box of his convertible Porsche. Peter thinks Gary only wants to get close to his mom because she works at Scientific Atlanta, a lab with big government contracts. But who is going to believe him? He’s just a kid into BMX and MTV.
But after another woman who works at the lab is killed, Peter recruits an unlikely pair of allies—a has-been pulp writer and muckraker named Dennis Hotchner and his drag performer buddy and heavy, Jackie Demure. Both soon become the target of an unhinged Russian hitman (Is it Gary? Maybe!) with a serious Phil Collins obsession.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Weaver, a young, Black FBI agent, investigates Scientific Atlanta in the wake of the employee’s murder and discovers a nest of Russian spies in the Southern “city too busy to hate.” Little does she know her investigation is being thwarted by a seriously compromised colleague in Washington, D.C., who is in league with a lovesick, hypochondriac KGB defector who is playing both sides of the Cold War to his benefit.
As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published December 2, 2025
202 people are currently reading
11503 people want to read
About the author
Ace Atkins
71 books1,569 followersAce Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
October 31, 2025
My first but certainly will not be my last by this creative author who's written a quirky, fun and funny '80s spy story. Will keep you highly amused and glued to the page!
December 25, 2025
Apparently Russian spies use the phrase "F**k your Mother" quite a bit or they do in this story at least. It was fun being taken back to the 80's with references to popular music and the very beginnings of some of the modern technology that we enjoy today. A seemingly washed up author of detective stories and his best friend, ex-football player turned drag queen Jackie Demure are a great duo as this story's main characters. Some of the humor in this adventure is a bit crude, but it had me laughing quite a bit. If you enjoy nostalgic detective stories you might enjoy this book.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 11, 2026
Hard-boiled fiction.
Great dialogue.
Interesting story.
Timeframe 80s … Spies & music.
WARNING: Many expletives.
Great dialogue.
Interesting story.
Timeframe 80s … Spies & music.
WARNING: Many expletives.
January 2, 2026
Oh, this was a fun one, y’all!!
It’s 1985 and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced that his mother’s new boyfriend is a KGB spy. He’s on a mission to prove it, and on the way enlists the help of one of his favorite authors, a washed up, martini-swigging, portly man named Hotch and Hotch’s bestie, Jackie Demure, who is an ex-defensive lineman for the Falcons and also a drag queen. In addition to this cast of characters, we also get the POV of Sylvia - a fledgling FBI agent, Dan - a seasoned FBI agent who is in trouble big, and two Russian agents.
The plot is culturally rich; you feel like you’re right back in the 1980’s. The characters are well fleshed-out and developed, they’re messy and nuanced. It’s also funny as hell, Jackie is truly the star of the show when it comes to the humor component. Reader beware, there is a lot of profanity which is right up my alley, but I understand others don’t feel the same.
The ending was twisty and surprising, I loved it! This is my first Ace Atkins and won’t be my last!
It’s 1985 and fourteen-year-old Peter Bennett is convinced that his mother’s new boyfriend is a KGB spy. He’s on a mission to prove it, and on the way enlists the help of one of his favorite authors, a washed up, martini-swigging, portly man named Hotch and Hotch’s bestie, Jackie Demure, who is an ex-defensive lineman for the Falcons and also a drag queen. In addition to this cast of characters, we also get the POV of Sylvia - a fledgling FBI agent, Dan - a seasoned FBI agent who is in trouble big, and two Russian agents.
The plot is culturally rich; you feel like you’re right back in the 1980’s. The characters are well fleshed-out and developed, they’re messy and nuanced. It’s also funny as hell, Jackie is truly the star of the show when it comes to the humor component. Reader beware, there is a lot of profanity which is right up my alley, but I understand others don’t feel the same.
The ending was twisty and surprising, I loved it! This is my first Ace Atkins and won’t be my last!
January 3, 2026
Ahhh, kind of what I expected. Pretty meh.
December 1, 2025
EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD by Ace Atkins
Publication: 2025 by William Morrow Books/ Harper Collins
Page Count: 356
Graded: 5 of 5 Stars
Ace Atkins masterfully pens another historical crime thriller laced with possible geopolitical implications. The atmospheric setting is 1985 Atlanta. The city is swarming with spies and the Russian “illegals” program is in full swing. They’re living next door to you. President Reagan, the year before, announced his initiation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) in an attempt to make nuclear weapons obsolete. He envisioned a spaced based net using lasers and satellites to blanket the United States, making it impermeable to intercontinental ballistic missiles from our potential adversaries like Russia. Reagan theorized that this would end the pact of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). The press debunked this program and nicknamed it “Reagan’s Star Wars” program. But, how did Russia envision this potential resistance to their threat. Atkins theorizes its potential implications. The story is set into motion with the defection of Vitaly Yurchenko of the KGB First Directive. This love sick traitor is milked by the C.I.A. for all possible relevant data, relating to Russian spying and their reaction to SDI. Vitaly as expected is playing both sides of the fence in this Cold War dance.
Does he really want to hook up with an old flame or is there something more sinister and treacherous in his plans. The story is told in multiple view points by a cast of wacky colorful , and yet believable characters… many bigger than life.
Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old, a typical teen with bedroom walls covered with concert and movie posters. He is obsessed with the notion that his mother, Connie, is dating a Russian spy, Gary Powers. Peter has been told that his father died in the Vietnam War. His mother has had a seemingly endless stream of boyfriends, but he finds the latest extremely odious. The police have no patience for his prattle and he is forced to enlist the aid of the hack pulp writer, Dennis X Hotchner. Peter has enjoyed Hotch’s string of pulpy “Bud Everett” crime thrillers, starring Bud and his side-kick Brutus, and is aware of his working at a local bookstore. Hotch has also recently written a magazine article referring to the presence of Russian’s living amongst us. Hotch becomes reluctantly interested in helping Peter. Amusingly Hotch has a close friend and comrade. Jackie Johnson. An ex-Atlanta Falcons tight end, who presently works frequently as a drag queen performer, named Jackie Demure. This certainly mirrors the crime solving duo in his hackneyed pulp novels. Hotch and Jackie become deeply embroiled in the twisted layered plot as they launch their investigation. They trip over threads of circumstances that link Peter’s mom, Connie to the murder of a secretary, Jenny Buckner, a secretary and friend who also works at Scientific Atlanta. Jenny is known to have had top level security clearance in this company that has multiple far reaching government contracts. A critical CD stuffed with information is missing.
Also involved in this densely layered plot are the viewpoints of Sylvia Weaver, a no nonsense FBI intelligence officer and Daniel Rafferty, FBI agent with previous connections to Vitally , and who is leading another “Walter Mitty-like” life with exotic pole dancer, “Miss Trinity Velvet.” Not to be forgotten is the Russian assassin, Lisica, aka “The White Fox”, who lives hidden in the US as part of the Russian “illegals” program.
Multi-award winning novelist Ace Atkins utilizes his past experience as a crime reporter to provide a twisted and complex narrative that has “ripped from the headlines” appeal. His dialogue illustrates his skillful knowledge of language as he weaves these multiple colorful characters together in an amusing symphony of corruption, loyalty, and exploration o fthe dark side of human behavior. Atkins latest will certainly add a cadre of avid followers to his ever expanding oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Publication: 2025 by William Morrow Books/ Harper Collins
Page Count: 356
Graded: 5 of 5 Stars
Ace Atkins masterfully pens another historical crime thriller laced with possible geopolitical implications. The atmospheric setting is 1985 Atlanta. The city is swarming with spies and the Russian “illegals” program is in full swing. They’re living next door to you. President Reagan, the year before, announced his initiation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) in an attempt to make nuclear weapons obsolete. He envisioned a spaced based net using lasers and satellites to blanket the United States, making it impermeable to intercontinental ballistic missiles from our potential adversaries like Russia. Reagan theorized that this would end the pact of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). The press debunked this program and nicknamed it “Reagan’s Star Wars” program. But, how did Russia envision this potential resistance to their threat. Atkins theorizes its potential implications. The story is set into motion with the defection of Vitaly Yurchenko of the KGB First Directive. This love sick traitor is milked by the C.I.A. for all possible relevant data, relating to Russian spying and their reaction to SDI. Vitaly as expected is playing both sides of the fence in this Cold War dance.
Does he really want to hook up with an old flame or is there something more sinister and treacherous in his plans. The story is told in multiple view points by a cast of wacky colorful , and yet believable characters… many bigger than life.
Peter Bennett, a fourteen-year-old, a typical teen with bedroom walls covered with concert and movie posters. He is obsessed with the notion that his mother, Connie, is dating a Russian spy, Gary Powers. Peter has been told that his father died in the Vietnam War. His mother has had a seemingly endless stream of boyfriends, but he finds the latest extremely odious. The police have no patience for his prattle and he is forced to enlist the aid of the hack pulp writer, Dennis X Hotchner. Peter has enjoyed Hotch’s string of pulpy “Bud Everett” crime thrillers, starring Bud and his side-kick Brutus, and is aware of his working at a local bookstore. Hotch has also recently written a magazine article referring to the presence of Russian’s living amongst us. Hotch becomes reluctantly interested in helping Peter. Amusingly Hotch has a close friend and comrade. Jackie Johnson. An ex-Atlanta Falcons tight end, who presently works frequently as a drag queen performer, named Jackie Demure. This certainly mirrors the crime solving duo in his hackneyed pulp novels. Hotch and Jackie become deeply embroiled in the twisted layered plot as they launch their investigation. They trip over threads of circumstances that link Peter’s mom, Connie to the murder of a secretary, Jenny Buckner, a secretary and friend who also works at Scientific Atlanta. Jenny is known to have had top level security clearance in this company that has multiple far reaching government contracts. A critical CD stuffed with information is missing.
Also involved in this densely layered plot are the viewpoints of Sylvia Weaver, a no nonsense FBI intelligence officer and Daniel Rafferty, FBI agent with previous connections to Vitally , and who is leading another “Walter Mitty-like” life with exotic pole dancer, “Miss Trinity Velvet.” Not to be forgotten is the Russian assassin, Lisica, aka “The White Fox”, who lives hidden in the US as part of the Russian “illegals” program.
Multi-award winning novelist Ace Atkins utilizes his past experience as a crime reporter to provide a twisted and complex narrative that has “ripped from the headlines” appeal. His dialogue illustrates his skillful knowledge of language as he weaves these multiple colorful characters together in an amusing symphony of corruption, loyalty, and exploration o fthe dark side of human behavior. Atkins latest will certainly add a cadre of avid followers to his ever expanding oeuvre. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2026
(3.75 stars)
Thank you to William Morrow and their Epic Tastemakers program for the gifted hardcover of Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Ace Atkins.
***
If you enjoy lots of pop culture references to the 1980s, this is your book! Mostly set in Atlanta in 1985, Everybody Wants is a mystery/thriller with a lot of humor.
There are quite a few threads and characters to keep track of, but they all come together in the end. Peter Bennett is 14 and not at all fond of his mother’s current boyfriend. He even thinks he may be a Russian spy! (He has reasons.) A high-level KGB agent is seen in the act of defecting to the US. A washed-up author of pulp detective novels is working at a used book store and drinking a lot. His best friend is a former pro football player (injury) who now makes a living as a drag performer. A young Black female FBI agent and her Jewish partner round out the main characters. (Did I miss someone important? Not sure.) Reagan and Gorbachev will be meeting in the coming days and this seems to propel the action forward. If you remember back then, Reagan was touting his “Star Wars” program.
In addition to the 1980s nostalgia, there’s a lot of humor sprinkled throughout and the characters had interesting, quirky personalities. Example: Sylvia, the FBI agent is fond of Linda Ronstadt’s music and her partner loves to torture her while they carpool with his favorite easy listening radio station. Jackie, the former football player, portrays Tina Turner and Diana Ross in his performances, while “Hotch” (the former writer) drowns his sorrows in gin martinis.
A very enjoyable romp, this was my first book by Ace Atkins.
Thank you to William Morrow and their Epic Tastemakers program for the gifted hardcover of Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Ace Atkins.
***
If you enjoy lots of pop culture references to the 1980s, this is your book! Mostly set in Atlanta in 1985, Everybody Wants is a mystery/thriller with a lot of humor.
There are quite a few threads and characters to keep track of, but they all come together in the end. Peter Bennett is 14 and not at all fond of his mother’s current boyfriend. He even thinks he may be a Russian spy! (He has reasons.) A high-level KGB agent is seen in the act of defecting to the US. A washed-up author of pulp detective novels is working at a used book store and drinking a lot. His best friend is a former pro football player (injury) who now makes a living as a drag performer. A young Black female FBI agent and her Jewish partner round out the main characters. (Did I miss someone important? Not sure.) Reagan and Gorbachev will be meeting in the coming days and this seems to propel the action forward. If you remember back then, Reagan was touting his “Star Wars” program.
In addition to the 1980s nostalgia, there’s a lot of humor sprinkled throughout and the characters had interesting, quirky personalities. Example: Sylvia, the FBI agent is fond of Linda Ronstadt’s music and her partner loves to torture her while they carpool with his favorite easy listening radio station. Jackie, the former football player, portrays Tina Turner and Diana Ross in his performances, while “Hotch” (the former writer) drowns his sorrows in gin martinis.
A very enjoyable romp, this was my first book by Ace Atkins.
December 8, 2025
I didn't read the blurb to this one, but do like the author, so I went into it cold. I knew it wasn't in his normal "series", but I was still a bit thrown. It's set in the 1980's, so as a Gen X'er, I loved that part! It felt like old home week so many of the references.
It did start out slow for me, I was a bit confused with the Russian spy stuff, then the kid, the old man author, the drag star, so many "odd" things that didn't feel like they connected. But once you saw the lines, everything clicked into place and you had a good old fashion thriller of who was the bad guy.
You have to give it to Peter, he knew something was going on, sought out people that could help him and ended up in the middle of a cluster fuck of an epic proportions! And while he was right on somethings, he was so far off base on others. I kinda hated how things were left with him, so much disillusionment for him, you kinda wished he was still in the dark. I only hope the rest of his life is more open and honest for him.
Dennis and Jackie were another pair that I felt bad for, they got sucked into things too and really tried hard to do the right thing and while they did, things didn't end the best there either.
I don't know that I trust the one spy that started things off, don't know that he isn't still playing some sort of game. I'm glad that the American was caught and dealt with and hate that one more spy got away. I really want that person caught, they caused so much chaos. I guess the only good thing now is that they are known and if caught there will be consequences.
It did start out slow for me, I was a bit confused with the Russian spy stuff, then the kid, the old man author, the drag star, so many "odd" things that didn't feel like they connected. But once you saw the lines, everything clicked into place and you had a good old fashion thriller of who was the bad guy.
You have to give it to Peter, he knew something was going on, sought out people that could help him and ended up in the middle of a cluster fuck of an epic proportions! And while he was right on somethings, he was so far off base on others. I kinda hated how things were left with him, so much disillusionment for him, you kinda wished he was still in the dark. I only hope the rest of his life is more open and honest for him.
Dennis and Jackie were another pair that I felt bad for, they got sucked into things too and really tried hard to do the right thing and while they did, things didn't end the best there either.
I don't know that I trust the one spy that started things off, don't know that he isn't still playing some sort of game. I'm glad that the American was caught and dealt with and hate that one more spy got away. I really want that person caught, they caused so much chaos. I guess the only good thing now is that they are known and if caught there will be consequences.
January 13, 2026
3.75 stars
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
November 25, 2025
A very humorous thriller either Russian spies, drag queens and a 14 year old boy trying to save his mother with the help of a washed up writer - fast paced - loved it
December 29, 2025
I wanted to DNF this almost the entire time I was reading it, but the audiobook is narrated by McLeod Andrews doing a gorgeous Russian accent so obviously l listened to the whole thing.
One of the main characters is a drag queen, there's a ton of profanity, ton of innuendo and crude humor; and none of that added to the plot--a very uninteresting plot, at that.
5 stars for MacLeod, 0 for the book itself.
#gifted NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult + William Morrow
One of the main characters is a drag queen, there's a ton of profanity, ton of innuendo and crude humor; and none of that added to the plot--a very uninteresting plot, at that.
5 stars for MacLeod, 0 for the book itself.
#gifted NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult + William Morrow
January 3, 2026
I decided to buy my first Ace Atkins novel lured by the promise of a 1980s setting and blurbs hailing him as the “poet laureate of Southern hustlers.” His prolific backlist suggested a certain mastery, and I was hoping for a strong protagonist in 14-year-old Peter, whose conviction that his mother is dating a KGB agent drives the plot.
But the book departs from the character-driven work Atkins is known for, veering into a Carl Hiaasen-style caper with a sprawling cast, though without Hiaasen's signature comedic punch. I soon found myself lost in a dense tangle of spy plots, and my interest waned during the subplots involving a washed-up novelist and his best friend, a Black former football player turned drag performer. While a clear homage to the genre’s burned-out detectives, the characters lean too heavily into familiar molds, and for me, their dynamic felt one-note.
Still, Atkins is a master of plot. The final twist delivers a rollicking, high-energy conclusion that, despite the narrative meandering, lands with a satisfyingly fun, 1980s-era bang. It’s a ride worth taking, and one I’d gladly watch on the big screen.
But the book departs from the character-driven work Atkins is known for, veering into a Carl Hiaasen-style caper with a sprawling cast, though without Hiaasen's signature comedic punch. I soon found myself lost in a dense tangle of spy plots, and my interest waned during the subplots involving a washed-up novelist and his best friend, a Black former football player turned drag performer. While a clear homage to the genre’s burned-out detectives, the characters lean too heavily into familiar molds, and for me, their dynamic felt one-note.
Still, Atkins is a master of plot. The final twist delivers a rollicking, high-energy conclusion that, despite the narrative meandering, lands with a satisfyingly fun, 1980s-era bang. It’s a ride worth taking, and one I’d gladly watch on the big screen.
December 29, 2025
Ok honestly, I wasn’t sure a Cold War thriller would be for me, but the hype drew me in and I’m very glad! The characters are hysterical. The 80s references are fabulous and so numerous I felt like I was there, back in the diners of my youth. And the undercover KGB spy plot was actually quite entertaining.
I consumed this one as an immersion read plus a bit of audio alone. The narration was lively and fit the story well.
Thank you to Harper Audio / William Morrow for the copies to review.
I consumed this one as an immersion read plus a bit of audio alone. The narration was lively and fit the story well.
Thank you to Harper Audio / William Morrow for the copies to review.
January 8, 2026
My first book of the year, and it’s going to be a tough one to beat. I absolutely loved this standalone novel from Ace Atkins. If the idea of an often-humorous 1980s Russian spy mystery novel set in Atlanta with references to then-popular music, movies, and television…and featuring a washed up pulp noir author, a teenager, and an ex-Atlanta Falcon turned drag queen has your attention, then you will love it, too. The book is set in 1985, and our protagonist is 14 years old. I was 10 years old in 1985 and obsessed with the idea of a Russian invasion. I watched movies like CLOAK AND DAGGER, RED DAWN, and WAR GAMES a million times when I wasn’t riding my BMX all over our Air Force Base neighborhood. This book was definitely in my wheelhouse.
December 4, 2025
Synopsis: 1985 - a teenager in the suburbs is convinced his mother’s boyfriend is a KGB agent and seeks the help of a pulp fiction author and his drag queen best friend.
Thoughts: This is a wild and fun ride through 1980s nostalgia. The eighties vibes are spot on, and you’ll feel transported back a few decades. The author really captured the Cold War paranoia and hysteria. The plot is fast-paced and action packed, transitioning between multiple viewpoints that will come together in surprising ways. There is plenty of campy humor, and the characters are quirky and entertaining. I think this is a book I would prefer on audio, as MacLeod Andrew’s performance was so great! He brought a different voice and energy to each character and made me feel like I was watching this as a movie. While not my typical genre, I ended up really enjoying this one!
Read this if you like:
🚀 1980s
🚀 espionage
🚀 Cold War
🚀 multi pov
🚀 pop culture
December 10, 2025
A fun comedic thriller set mostly in 1985 Atlanta, about shenanigans with Russian spies in the lead up to the big meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev. There’s a Russian KGB agent defecting to the US to see a lost love, a teenage boy who thinks his mom’s new boyfriend is actually a Russian spy, an author of spy thrillers who starts helping the teenager with his investigations, a former NFL player turned drag queen, FBI agents, and more.
This was just a lot of fun to read - a good spy story about Russian agents in America (both undercover and not), and the sometimes bumbling attempts to track them down, solve murders, and figure out what’s going on with a company that clearly is making more than just cable boxes. Even though there is a dead body or two, it’s never scary but has a fun snd satirical tone throughout - plus terrific 80s references that really bring you back. Not my usual genre, but maybe it should be because I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
This was just a lot of fun to read - a good spy story about Russian agents in America (both undercover and not), and the sometimes bumbling attempts to track them down, solve murders, and figure out what’s going on with a company that clearly is making more than just cable boxes. Even though there is a dead body or two, it’s never scary but has a fun snd satirical tone throughout - plus terrific 80s references that really bring you back. Not my usual genre, but maybe it should be because I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy; all opinions are my own.
December 15, 2025
Teenager Peter Bennett is so distraught that his irresponsible single mother is infatuated with an obvious KGB spy that he enlists the aid of his favorite has-been pulp writer and a drag queen to set things straight. With a premise like this, you are ensured an offbeat ride that may start off a bit slowly, but builds to a page-turning suspense thriller that manages to weave all the wonderfully wacky characters together.
Set on the eve of the Reagan- Gorbachov Star War Summit, Ace Atkins does a great job of recalling the 80s with tons of nostalgic touches that blend seamlessly with this fun and exciting read. This is a great choice for a year end selection when something less stressful is desired.
Set on the eve of the Reagan- Gorbachov Star War Summit, Ace Atkins does a great job of recalling the 80s with tons of nostalgic touches that blend seamlessly with this fun and exciting read. This is a great choice for a year end selection when something less stressful is desired.
January 19, 2026
At the beginning of this story there were so many different viewpoints it was hard to believe that they would all come together somehow but, ultimately, they did! Much of this book is fun and interesting, but the ending fell flat for me. It left me feeling unsatisfied after rooting for a few of the characters throughout their adventures
There is a lot of swearing in this book, so be mindful of that if it’s something you don’t like. (Did not bother me)
There is a lot of swearing in this book, so be mindful of that if it’s something you don’t like. (Did not bother me)
December 2, 2025
Everybody Wants to Rule the World (audio) 3.5⭐️
Russian spies. 80’s nostalgia. FBI. CIA. Drag queens. Oh my! Peter is just a regular kid when his world starts to crumble as his suspicions about his mom’s new boyfriend rise. He takes matters into his own hands and reaches out to a has-been author for some unique detective help.
With multiple POVs, this is an action packed story that will have you puzzling out how everything intertwines.
My favorite characters were Peter, Hotchner, and Jackie. They all pulled at my heart strings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Dec 02 2025
Russian spies. 80’s nostalgia. FBI. CIA. Drag queens. Oh my! Peter is just a regular kid when his world starts to crumble as his suspicions about his mom’s new boyfriend rise. He takes matters into his own hands and reaches out to a has-been author for some unique detective help.
With multiple POVs, this is an action packed story that will have you puzzling out how everything intertwines.
My favorite characters were Peter, Hotchner, and Jackie. They all pulled at my heart strings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/William Morrow for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Dec 02 2025
January 26, 2026
I can’t say I’ve ever read a “comedic thriller” before but I loved this book so maybe I should read more of them? This Cold War tale was hilarious with so many great and memorable characters. The turns of phrase were some of the funniest and slyest I’ve ever heard. Such a fun book though some of the actual story was a little convoluted. Excellent audiobook.
January 24, 2026
I was very unsure about the number of POVs at the beginning, but I got it figured out eventually. Ha.
Loved this listen! Great characters, excellent plot twists, just overall very well written and enjoyable.
Loved this listen! Great characters, excellent plot twists, just overall very well written and enjoyable.
January 16, 2026
Ace used the F*** word about twenty times in the first twenty pages - so I leafed through and saw a bunch more obscenity and quit the book. (I picked it up because he attempted to take Robert B. Parker's place and continue the Spencer books - and I wasn't impressed with that, either.)
January 31, 2026
Entertaining and unique characters paired with great dialogue. Interesting plot overall with lots of twists and turns. Not a life changing book but a fun and quick read.
January 15, 2026
This was a total trainwreck of a book. A diverse mishmash of characters that you wonder how they are all going to come together. They do so in a surprising twist and then all go over the cliff together in a terrible ending.
I vowed never to read another Ace Atkins book after he trashed Robert B. Parker's Spenser series on his way out from writing those but gave him another chance with this one. He did not redeem himself. I am done.
I vowed never to read another Ace Atkins book after he trashed Robert B. Parker's Spenser series on his way out from writing those but gave him another chance with this one. He did not redeem himself. I am done.
December 20, 2025
It’s 1985 and 14 yet-old Peter is convinced his loser of a mother is dating a Russian spy. But who will believe him?
This terrific premise is well-developed into an often funny story with interesting characters. The audiobook narration is very good. About 2/3 or 3/4 of the way in it dragged a little for me, so I’m rounding down from 4.5. It’s still quite entertaining and worthwhile, with an interesting ending.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudioAdult, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld for review purposes. It is now available.
This terrific premise is well-developed into an often funny story with interesting characters. The audiobook narration is very good. About 2/3 or 3/4 of the way in it dragged a little for me, so I’m rounding down from 4.5. It’s still quite entertaining and worthwhile, with an interesting ending.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudioAdult, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #EverybodyWantstoRuletheWorld for review purposes. It is now available.
December 18, 2025
Set in 1985, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD mashes together a suburban kid, a has-been pulp writer, the FBI, and a Russian agent (or three) -- and totally works.
Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the Americans (though note this has less made-for-TV violence). I did experience a bit of a lull in the middle but then bang, could not put this one down until I'd finished it. Whoohoo for a thriller worth my time.
Thank you to William Morrow for a free copy of this book.
Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the Americans (though note this has less made-for-TV violence). I did experience a bit of a lull in the middle but then bang, could not put this one down until I'd finished it. Whoohoo for a thriller worth my time.
Thank you to William Morrow for a free copy of this book.
December 16, 2025
Another in my recent venture into unfamiliar territory. The plot is interesting, and I didn't have any difficulty getting into the story or sticking with it. However, for a spy thriller, there weren't too many thrills. A nice plot twist or two about 3/4 of the way through; I don't know how much I'd have seen coming if this were my usual genre, but I liked the surprises. I'd consider this a good starter spy thriller, though I wish some of the characters were more flushed out.
January 1, 2026
This was a fun read.
December 10, 2025
Enjoyable comic spy caper. Could have done a whole book on the adventures of Hotch and Jackie. The spy stuff was well done, with a good amount of intrigue and double crosses.
October 20, 2025
This is the second Ace Atkins book I've enjoyed reading. The quirky characters are well developed and endearing, the story was full of unexpected twists, and the ending was satisfying. Like his other book, I found the pacing of the story a little lacking in the middle but picked up a lot in the last third of the book. There were so many converging storylines to keep track of that I found myself trying to remember how everyone fit into the story. I think it would have been better with one or two less points of view. Strongly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy.
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