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DoubleHelix: Book One in The Helix Project :
In the shadows of power, survival is never guaranteed.
Washington, D.C., 1996. - Mike Green built a career writing about dead girls, but nothing could have prepared him for finding a redacted intelligence file surrounding the death of Delilah Grennan, a murdered Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as a quest for his next story spirals into obsession, until her voice bleeds into his and paranoia pushes him deeper into the shadows of a global conspiracy.
Can Mike unravel the truth before he becomes the next target in this chambered bullet aimed at the heart of power?
DOUBLEHELIX delivers the grit of classic noir crime fiction while thrusting readers into a post-Cold War spy thriller. Perfect for those craving action-packed crime suspense with layers of dark psychological suspense.
A must-read mystery thriller novel blending psychological suspense with political thriller fiction.For fans of spy thrillers, espionage novels, and detective mysteries with twists.Explore themes of loyalty, identity, and the ultimate cost of power
Washington, D.C., 1996. - Mike Green built a career writing about dead girls, but nothing could have prepared him for finding a redacted intelligence file surrounding the death of Delilah Grennan, a murdered Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as a quest for his next story spirals into obsession, until her voice bleeds into his and paranoia pushes him deeper into the shadows of a global conspiracy.
Can Mike unravel the truth before he becomes the next target in this chambered bullet aimed at the heart of power?
DOUBLEHELIX delivers the grit of classic noir crime fiction while thrusting readers into a post-Cold War spy thriller. Perfect for those craving action-packed crime suspense with layers of dark psychological suspense.
A must-read mystery thriller novel blending psychological suspense with political thriller fiction.For fans of spy thrillers, espionage novels, and detective mysteries with twists.Explore themes of loyalty, identity, and the ultimate cost of power
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
About the author
J.L. Calder
9 books5 followersDownload a Free Book Here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/39edn3v5kt
I can remember picking up a pen for the first time as the Berlin Wall fell, aware then that the event would define a generation. Raw, human and layered with mysterious intrigue - that's where I wanted to play.
A degree in English Literature from UCLA followed, with a concentration in military and espionage fiction shaped by the tendency to pick electives featuring guest professors like David Mamet, and a graduation thesis titled "James Bond's role in shaping the Lexicon of Espionage".
With three decades in film production as a "day job" I take a cinematic eye to the page — along with a healthy disregard for taking creative notes.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 8, 2025
4.5⭐️
DoubleHelix is an atmospheric espionage thriller with an intricate mystery and political noir. There’s also a compelling story-within-a-story set against a backdrop of the Soviet Cold War era and puzzling archives that make the book an addictive read that gets more intricate with every chapter!
The story follows mystery author Mike Green in Washington, D.C., 1996, who, while doing research for his novel, stumbles upon a file at the National Archives: the case of Delilah Grennan, a murdered Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as curiosity spirals into an obsession, and soon Mike finds himself entangled in a dangerous war between crime syndicates, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that sees him as family!
The story is mostly told from Mike’s POV but also switches to Delilah (when Mike’s reading her book) and other complex/morally grey characters that will keep readers constantly engaged! Delilah’s chapters are in a past timeline, detailing her complicated family/romantic life, all of which is at risk from Russian espionage—and it’s a detailed recount leading all the way up to her death. Meanwhile, Mike’s POV is the heart of the story—he’s highly intelligent, flawed, and compelling, and also haunted by a mysterious past. As the story unfolds, Mike shifts from the curious writer to a man consumed by guilt, paranoia, and a need for truth. His communication with Delilah, even though she’s deceased, is a fascinating and engrossing part of the story—is he hallucinating, speaking with her ghost, or being sent messages from beyond?? Every interaction between them gives more clues about her mysterious death and the impending danger to Mike!
Mike’s other close relationships in the story are all well developed and layered—from his politically opposite girlfriend to his drug-addict best friend, who’s the son of his surrogate political dynasty family, there are intricacies, suspicious motives, and red flags everywhere that will keep readers guessing!
The story’s pacing is one of the novel’s strongest suits. The early chapters immediately draw readers in with Mike’s compelling backstory, his archival research, and his complex relationships. As Mike’s curiosity about Delilah’s story becomes an all-consuming obsession, the story picks up pace and becomes so much more intricate. If listening on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower pace to avoid missing any key clues or details, especially in Delilah’s past timeline chapters! By the midpoint readers will be hooked and emotionally invested in Mike’s outcome, as dangerous secrets and conspiracies unravel, and the tension builds to an almost unbearable level! The climax includes a high-stakes confrontation, and the fallout has so much to offer—betrayals, consequences, and reveals—that will have readers’ heads spinning! The epilogue is short and open-ended but also hints at future dangers—and perfectly sets up for a compelling sequel that readers will be eager for!
Overall, DoubleHelix is a complex, addictive thriller that’s perfect for readers who love spy thrillers with morally ambiguous characters, political conspiracies, and stories with lots of psychological suspense! It’s also a very strong start to a series—there’s not much to find fault with here, and, most importantly, the protagonist is memorable and someone who readers will want to continue reading about! Anyone looking for an intricate, multi-POV thriller that will get their inner detective wheels turning and that lingers after the final page should add this one to their immediate reading list!
DoubleHelix is an atmospheric espionage thriller with an intricate mystery and political noir. There’s also a compelling story-within-a-story set against a backdrop of the Soviet Cold War era and puzzling archives that make the book an addictive read that gets more intricate with every chapter!
The story follows mystery author Mike Green in Washington, D.C., 1996, who, while doing research for his novel, stumbles upon a file at the National Archives: the case of Delilah Grennan, a murdered Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as curiosity spirals into an obsession, and soon Mike finds himself entangled in a dangerous war between crime syndicates, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that sees him as family!
The story is mostly told from Mike’s POV but also switches to Delilah (when Mike’s reading her book) and other complex/morally grey characters that will keep readers constantly engaged! Delilah’s chapters are in a past timeline, detailing her complicated family/romantic life, all of which is at risk from Russian espionage—and it’s a detailed recount leading all the way up to her death. Meanwhile, Mike’s POV is the heart of the story—he’s highly intelligent, flawed, and compelling, and also haunted by a mysterious past. As the story unfolds, Mike shifts from the curious writer to a man consumed by guilt, paranoia, and a need for truth. His communication with Delilah, even though she’s deceased, is a fascinating and engrossing part of the story—is he hallucinating, speaking with her ghost, or being sent messages from beyond?? Every interaction between them gives more clues about her mysterious death and the impending danger to Mike!
Mike’s other close relationships in the story are all well developed and layered—from his politically opposite girlfriend to his drug-addict best friend, who’s the son of his surrogate political dynasty family, there are intricacies, suspicious motives, and red flags everywhere that will keep readers guessing!
The story’s pacing is one of the novel’s strongest suits. The early chapters immediately draw readers in with Mike’s compelling backstory, his archival research, and his complex relationships. As Mike’s curiosity about Delilah’s story becomes an all-consuming obsession, the story picks up pace and becomes so much more intricate. If listening on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower pace to avoid missing any key clues or details, especially in Delilah’s past timeline chapters! By the midpoint readers will be hooked and emotionally invested in Mike’s outcome, as dangerous secrets and conspiracies unravel, and the tension builds to an almost unbearable level! The climax includes a high-stakes confrontation, and the fallout has so much to offer—betrayals, consequences, and reveals—that will have readers’ heads spinning! The epilogue is short and open-ended but also hints at future dangers—and perfectly sets up for a compelling sequel that readers will be eager for!
Overall, DoubleHelix is a complex, addictive thriller that’s perfect for readers who love spy thrillers with morally ambiguous characters, political conspiracies, and stories with lots of psychological suspense! It’s also a very strong start to a series—there’s not much to find fault with here, and, most importantly, the protagonist is memorable and someone who readers will want to continue reading about! Anyone looking for an intricate, multi-POV thriller that will get their inner detective wheels turning and that lingers after the final page should add this one to their immediate reading list!
May 12, 2026
DoubleHelix is an atmospheric political thriller with strong noir influences, morally grey characters, and a constant sense that everyone is working toward their own hidden agenda. That was probably my favorite part of the novel. There are no heroes, which gives the story a layered and unpredictable quality that fits the genre well.
The title itself is especially clever and evocative, hinting at the intertwined conspiracies, identities, and literally DNA, at the center of the story. Calder clearly understands how to build intrigue and much of the political atmosphere felt believable and immersive. The writing has a cinematic quality at times, particularly in scenes involving political maneuvering and personal unraveling.
For the most part, the world felt grounded and close enough to reality to fully work as a political thriller. However, there were a few details surrounding the military characters and structure that stretched plausibility enough to briefly pull me out of the story. Now, I am no naval history nerd, but the biggest example was AJ McCollister being portrayed as a Naval Commander at roughly twenty-five years old during the relatively peaceful 1990s. Even accounting for exceptional circumstances or family influence, that timeline simply does not align with modern military reality. I understand his role as both a high-ranking naval officer and his moonlighting for a political fixer was imperative to the plot. Yet it also felt somewhat mismatched. Especially when federal personnel of the secret service, FBI, CIA, etc. would have definitely had more availability to moonlight for a fixer. That said, I understand there are more books coming out that may shed more light on AJ's character and background. I look forward to potentially learning why AJ is portrayed as over a decade more advanced than a typical naval military career.
However, those issues did not ruin the experience for me. Overall, I still found DoubleHelix to be an enjoyable and engaging read with strong atmosphere (the BEST D.C. feelings!), compellingly flawed characters, and enough suspense to keep me invested throughout. Fans of conspiracy-heavy political thrillers where the reader is definitely pulled into the fever-dream of paranoia will likely find a lot to appreciate here. I look forward to picking up the next one.
Thanks to Booktrovert and Dwyer Street Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The title itself is especially clever and evocative, hinting at the intertwined conspiracies, identities, and literally DNA, at the center of the story. Calder clearly understands how to build intrigue and much of the political atmosphere felt believable and immersive. The writing has a cinematic quality at times, particularly in scenes involving political maneuvering and personal unraveling.
For the most part, the world felt grounded and close enough to reality to fully work as a political thriller. However, there were a few details surrounding the military characters and structure that stretched plausibility enough to briefly pull me out of the story. Now, I am no naval history nerd, but the biggest example was AJ McCollister being portrayed as a Naval Commander at roughly twenty-five years old during the relatively peaceful 1990s. Even accounting for exceptional circumstances or family influence, that timeline simply does not align with modern military reality. I understand his role as both a high-ranking naval officer and his moonlighting for a political fixer was imperative to the plot. Yet it also felt somewhat mismatched. Especially when federal personnel of the secret service, FBI, CIA, etc. would have definitely had more availability to moonlight for a fixer. That said, I understand there are more books coming out that may shed more light on AJ's character and background. I look forward to potentially learning why AJ is portrayed as over a decade more advanced than a typical naval military career.
However, those issues did not ruin the experience for me. Overall, I still found DoubleHelix to be an enjoyable and engaging read with strong atmosphere (the BEST D.C. feelings!), compellingly flawed characters, and enough suspense to keep me invested throughout. Fans of conspiracy-heavy political thrillers where the reader is definitely pulled into the fever-dream of paranoia will likely find a lot to appreciate here. I look forward to picking up the next one.
Thanks to Booktrovert and Dwyer Street Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
April 5, 2026
DOUBLE HELIX' Book one in the Helix project by J.L. Calder is a mind-blowing political thriller mystery. The twists , suspense, secrets , action packed scenes will keep you at edge and will rewire your brain completely.
The Central character of this thriller is 'Mike Green' and the whole plot revolves around his chaotic life. His character was divided into three roles which were Mike as a writer, then as a reader and finally how he was a person himself. This amazing thriller felt like reading three stories wrapped in one plot.
The best part of this book was seeing Mike as a reader. Those parts of the book were emotional with so much mystery, suspense and heartbreaking moments. The story of Delilah was gripping and how Mike perceived it were well depicted.The pace of Delilah's story was really intriguing and her character was one of the best.
The fun part of this thriller was seeing Mike as a writer, those parts brought relief and I did enjoy reading his cheesy detective novels.
Mike as a person was messy, chaotic and was connected to influential political background.The political elements play an important role in this story and how certain global events can affect a person's life is shown. There are different timelines which made this mystery more interesting. There is murder, consumption of drugs, action packed scenes, political rivalry and don't expect any morals here because politics and moral never go hand in hand. The writing style was sarcastic at times.
I want to appreciate certain side characters like Tom, AJ, Kristen, Josephine, Rick Stockton , every character brought more depth to this story and made it more interesting.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys political thrillers, lots of twists, suspense, secrets and just want to read some mind-blowing writing!!
Thank you for the book!!
The Central character of this thriller is 'Mike Green' and the whole plot revolves around his chaotic life. His character was divided into three roles which were Mike as a writer, then as a reader and finally how he was a person himself. This amazing thriller felt like reading three stories wrapped in one plot.
The best part of this book was seeing Mike as a reader. Those parts of the book were emotional with so much mystery, suspense and heartbreaking moments. The story of Delilah was gripping and how Mike perceived it were well depicted.The pace of Delilah's story was really intriguing and her character was one of the best.
The fun part of this thriller was seeing Mike as a writer, those parts brought relief and I did enjoy reading his cheesy detective novels.
Mike as a person was messy, chaotic and was connected to influential political background.The political elements play an important role in this story and how certain global events can affect a person's life is shown. There are different timelines which made this mystery more interesting. There is murder, consumption of drugs, action packed scenes, political rivalry and don't expect any morals here because politics and moral never go hand in hand. The writing style was sarcastic at times.
I want to appreciate certain side characters like Tom, AJ, Kristen, Josephine, Rick Stockton , every character brought more depth to this story and made it more interesting.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys political thrillers, lots of twists, suspense, secrets and just want to read some mind-blowing writing!!
Thank you for the book!!
April 14, 2026
Mike Green is a crime noir author who draws inspiration for his novels from real life cases—not that anyone needs to know that. He’s sure to change the details and fudge the facts. So, when in need for some material for his next upcoming novel, he hits the national archives and stumbles across a case that turns his world upside down. Who is Delilah Grennan and why can’t he let the mystery of her murder go? Mike gets tangled up in a web of crime, secrets, justice and mystery. How far is he willing to go to uncover the truth? And what will that truth reveal about himself?
This book was an absolute wild ride. I was confused in all the best ways. At times I had to go back to track who was speaking, what reality we were in, and where in the world our characters were. While that sometimes made things hard to follow, the end result was so great. Each character plays a large role in this book. In novels with a lot of players, it can be easy to have a throw away minor character. But almost every person we meet has a purpose. It was so entertaining seeing everything come together.
The one thing keeping this book from being 5 stars for me was the pacing and the multiple POVs. POV would often change mid paragraph and it wasn’t always clear who was stepping forward and I often found myself confused and going back to try and see what I missed. The book was a little slow and I found some of Delilah or other characters stories to be filler.
I overall really enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. If you’re looking for a mystery, who done it, political crime, thriller book all rolled into one, I highly recommend Double Helix!
This book was an absolute wild ride. I was confused in all the best ways. At times I had to go back to track who was speaking, what reality we were in, and where in the world our characters were. While that sometimes made things hard to follow, the end result was so great. Each character plays a large role in this book. In novels with a lot of players, it can be easy to have a throw away minor character. But almost every person we meet has a purpose. It was so entertaining seeing everything come together.
The one thing keeping this book from being 5 stars for me was the pacing and the multiple POVs. POV would often change mid paragraph and it wasn’t always clear who was stepping forward and I often found myself confused and going back to try and see what I missed. The book was a little slow and I found some of Delilah or other characters stories to be filler.
I overall really enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. If you’re looking for a mystery, who done it, political crime, thriller book all rolled into one, I highly recommend Double Helix!
November 21, 2025
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a story about Mike Green who upon reading a file from the National Archives, initiated a journey that he didn't expect. The file brought his attention to the mention of Sen. Richard Stockton who was the father of his friend Tom. Mike is an author of detective stories and he uses info he finds at the Archives in developing his plots for his stories. In this instance, he begins to look into the background of Delilah Grennan who was the subject of the file. He was able to find two books that she had written and as he got more into it, he eventually was completely wrapped up in it and he eventually wound up going to the orphanage where he was placed after being born. He discovered his birth certificate and then decided to look up and see if his father was still alive. This brought him first to Germany and then finally Ukraine where he met his father. He also made another stop which led him to being abducted.
Read along with Mike as he learns the story of Delilah and how he was convinced that he needed to get a better understanding of this person. Find who he went to Germany with as well as Ukraine and what event he was involved in. The ending is one that you would expect.
This story will definitely keep your interest, get the book now, you won't be disappointed!
This is a story about Mike Green who upon reading a file from the National Archives, initiated a journey that he didn't expect. The file brought his attention to the mention of Sen. Richard Stockton who was the father of his friend Tom. Mike is an author of detective stories and he uses info he finds at the Archives in developing his plots for his stories. In this instance, he begins to look into the background of Delilah Grennan who was the subject of the file. He was able to find two books that she had written and as he got more into it, he eventually was completely wrapped up in it and he eventually wound up going to the orphanage where he was placed after being born. He discovered his birth certificate and then decided to look up and see if his father was still alive. This brought him first to Germany and then finally Ukraine where he met his father. He also made another stop which led him to being abducted.
Read along with Mike as he learns the story of Delilah and how he was convinced that he needed to get a better understanding of this person. Find who he went to Germany with as well as Ukraine and what event he was involved in. The ending is one that you would expect.
This story will definitely keep your interest, get the book now, you won't be disappointed!
December 31, 2025
"DoubleHelix" introduces us to Mike Green, a hard-boiled detective writer navigating the complexities of his personal and professional life. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal demons, the narrative intertwines crime, identity, and the search for truth.
Mike is a relatable protagonist, grappling with addiction and the weight of his past. His internal struggles add layers to the story. The unfolding mystery surrounding Delilah Grennan's murder keeps readers hooked. The blend of real-world political elements with fiction creates a compelling narrative. Calder's descriptive style vividly brings D.C. to life, enhancing the feel of the story. At times, the narrative can feel a bit slow, especially during introspective moments. A tighter focus on the plot could enhance the overall tension. While Mike's character is well-developed, some secondary characters could use more depth to enrich the story further. "DoubleHelix" is a gripping read for fans of detective fiction and political thrillers. With a strong protagonist and an intriguing plot, it sets the stage for an exciting series. If you enjoy stories that blend personal struggle with suspense, this book is definitely worth picking up! I would absolutely recommend this book!
Mike is a relatable protagonist, grappling with addiction and the weight of his past. His internal struggles add layers to the story. The unfolding mystery surrounding Delilah Grennan's murder keeps readers hooked. The blend of real-world political elements with fiction creates a compelling narrative. Calder's descriptive style vividly brings D.C. to life, enhancing the feel of the story. At times, the narrative can feel a bit slow, especially during introspective moments. A tighter focus on the plot could enhance the overall tension. While Mike's character is well-developed, some secondary characters could use more depth to enrich the story further. "DoubleHelix" is a gripping read for fans of detective fiction and political thrillers. With a strong protagonist and an intriguing plot, it sets the stage for an exciting series. If you enjoy stories that blend personal struggle with suspense, this book is definitely worth picking up! I would absolutely recommend this book!
April 29, 2026
4.25⭐️
Spies, drugs, politics, life, death, and self discovery!
Double Helix is a realistic geopolitical thriller mixed with Noir elements. The MMC is a writer of Noir dective thrillers and has close ties to a major political family. When he becomes obsessed with his newest book research he finds himself in real danger. Double Helix is aptly named for the twists and unexpected connections as past and present unravel.
I found the book both well written and quite believable. Calder takes the reader on a high-stakes ride from behind the scenes modern-day political posturing all the way back through the Cold War era, the Russian Mob, and espionage through agencies like MI6 and the KGB.
For Audiobook Readers: Nicholas Kennedy does a pretty decent job at narrating. He speaks with a quick cadence that I personally prefer over slower narrators. His female voices and accents are decent. Sometimes the accents come across as stereotypical or over done, but I feel that is an intentional choice due to the Noir elements of the story. Overall, he is a narrator I wouldn't mind listening to again.
Content Warnings: death, murder, drugs, alcohol, adult language, violence, kidnapping, stalking, forced isolation
Spies, drugs, politics, life, death, and self discovery!
Double Helix is a realistic geopolitical thriller mixed with Noir elements. The MMC is a writer of Noir dective thrillers and has close ties to a major political family. When he becomes obsessed with his newest book research he finds himself in real danger. Double Helix is aptly named for the twists and unexpected connections as past and present unravel.
I found the book both well written and quite believable. Calder takes the reader on a high-stakes ride from behind the scenes modern-day political posturing all the way back through the Cold War era, the Russian Mob, and espionage through agencies like MI6 and the KGB.
For Audiobook Readers: Nicholas Kennedy does a pretty decent job at narrating. He speaks with a quick cadence that I personally prefer over slower narrators. His female voices and accents are decent. Sometimes the accents come across as stereotypical or over done, but I feel that is an intentional choice due to the Noir elements of the story. Overall, he is a narrator I wouldn't mind listening to again.
Content Warnings: death, murder, drugs, alcohol, adult language, violence, kidnapping, stalking, forced isolation
April 6, 2026
This was an interesting and heavy read you could say, while a bit difficult to follow in some parts for people who like to read their novels slowly might not be a good recommendation but for those of you who love to devour novels in a single sitting it was amazing!
“He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a brother—let alone lose one.“
Mike and Tom’s relationship is definitely intriguing. While you could call it toxic or brotherly it is exciting reading more about it and seeing the positive and negative impact it has on both of them.
“Do you ever compromise your voice to protect your safety?”
Delilah’s character and her story was the best, having to go through all of that yet and still keep hoping and dreaming of a better future and working towards it is inspiring.
The messy politics, rich people getting away with stuff and the hidden secrets all make this novel an amazing read!
“He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a brother—let alone lose one.“
Mike and Tom’s relationship is definitely intriguing. While you could call it toxic or brotherly it is exciting reading more about it and seeing the positive and negative impact it has on both of them.
“Do you ever compromise your voice to protect your safety?”
Delilah’s character and her story was the best, having to go through all of that yet and still keep hoping and dreaming of a better future and working towards it is inspiring.
The messy politics, rich people getting away with stuff and the hidden secrets all make this novel an amazing read!
December 11, 2025
Double Helix is J.L. Calder's first instalment in the Helix Project. A slow burn, the pace was just too agonizing, and the plot scraped by slowly, seldom picking up pace. Unlike typical thrillers, the chapter endings were dull.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. While I feel there is a lot of room for improvement, I really liked the plot surrounding the death of Delilah Grennan, and I only wish that there was a little more focus on that political angle than the lavish attention showered on Senator Richard Stockton and his family/cronies.
I also found glaring typos, which I am reporting to the publisher, in what is probably my only and best possible & earnest effort to help contribute to the book's success. I also wish I did not have to endure the 89 instances of the F-word and other colorful expletives throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. While I feel there is a lot of room for improvement, I really liked the plot surrounding the death of Delilah Grennan, and I only wish that there was a little more focus on that political angle than the lavish attention showered on Senator Richard Stockton and his family/cronies.
I also found glaring typos, which I am reporting to the publisher, in what is probably my only and best possible & earnest effort to help contribute to the book's success. I also wish I did not have to endure the 89 instances of the F-word and other colorful expletives throughout the book.
March 30, 2026
I expected a political thriller with a scientific angle because of the title Double Helix, but it turned out to be more focused on politics and investigation.
The story follows Mike, a writer who uses real-life cases, and a murder case leads him into a web of hidden connections and twists. The investigation and suspense kept me engaged.
The highlight for me was Delilah’s story. Her life, love, and struggles added an emotional depth that I didn’t expect, and I was more invested in her part of the story.
Some political sections felt less engaging for me and slightly affected my connection with the story.
Overall, an interesting mix of thriller and emotion. I would definitely read a full love story based on Delilah’s character.
The story follows Mike, a writer who uses real-life cases, and a murder case leads him into a web of hidden connections and twists. The investigation and suspense kept me engaged.
The highlight for me was Delilah’s story. Her life, love, and struggles added an emotional depth that I didn’t expect, and I was more invested in her part of the story.
Some political sections felt less engaging for me and slightly affected my connection with the story.
Overall, an interesting mix of thriller and emotion. I would definitely read a full love story based on Delilah’s character.
September 3, 2026
This is a political thriller that also has some mystery elements. It follows Mike Green, who in 1996, in Washington, DC, becomes obsessed with a murdered girl. He has spent years giving voices to the voiceless, those who have been victimized by a frequently callous, uncaring world. This victim speaks to him in a more personal way, though, and before long, advocacy becomes obsession.
Green is a fascinating protagonist, a man who can’t help but point out the obvious problems in the way that society works, even when doing so is detrimental to him. His is a voice screaming for justice in the wilderness, and it’s hard not to feel his anguish, frustration, and eventually, rage. This book plumbs the darkness of humanity and is a standout in the thriller genre.
Green is a fascinating protagonist, a man who can’t help but point out the obvious problems in the way that society works, even when doing so is detrimental to him. His is a voice screaming for justice in the wilderness, and it’s hard not to feel his anguish, frustration, and eventually, rage. This book plumbs the darkness of humanity and is a standout in the thriller genre.
September 14, 2026
The 1990s espionage setting gave me a reason to pay attention from the beginning. Russia was still trying to find its place after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and that period of history has always interested me. Reading this brought back memories of school, especially going to history class after lunch and wanting to know more about the Soviets, the Cold War, and what happened after the Soviet Union disappeared. That was probably the main reason I enjoyed the political side of the story so much. I already had a connection with that period, so following an espionage story set during those years brought back the same curiosity I had in class. It reminded me of how much I used to enjoy learning about that part of history.
April 4, 2026
⭐️ARC Review 3.5⭐️
This one had me guessing the storyline quite a bit. I didn’t really know where it was going , and I love having that feeling when reading. The dual storylines intertwined together so well, and I enjoyed the way everything came full circle!
Delilah’s story was wild, which made Michael’s journey also wild. The twists were quite unpredictable and absorbing - there was definitely some slow build of tension.
BUT,I need to talk about Peter because I have so many questions and so few answers.
Kristin & Josephine, I got the vibe they could never be fully trusted and my gut was right!
This one had me guessing the storyline quite a bit. I didn’t really know where it was going , and I love having that feeling when reading. The dual storylines intertwined together so well, and I enjoyed the way everything came full circle!
Delilah’s story was wild, which made Michael’s journey also wild. The twists were quite unpredictable and absorbing - there was definitely some slow build of tension.
BUT,I need to talk about Peter because I have so many questions and so few answers.
Kristin & Josephine, I got the vibe they could never be fully trusted and my gut was right!
May 18, 2026
I'm still mind blown. Part of it because trying to keep up with who is playing who and who belongs to who, etc etc, and the other from how good this was. I will be diving into the next one very quickly. I'm so torn on how to feel about everyone too. I didn't like Kris from the start, so that was no loss for me, but Josie....With knowing everything now with Mike, it's a lot. And so much is realistic. I absolutely loved it. I'm trying not to spoil anything so I best just say this. Definitely pick it up. It's so worth it. Full of non stop everything that leaves you guessing and thrilled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
August 31, 2026
An Interesting and Exciting Read
This is an interesting story. It was hard to follow the thinking of the main character, not knowing if his thoughts were because of drugs, his mental state, or his paranoia. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put down because I wanted to find out what was next. Towards the end, I had to put aside other tasks so I could find out what was happening to him. Calder has done a great job with suspense. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to keep all the characters clear in his head as he wrote this story. Thanks for doing a great job.
This is an interesting story. It was hard to follow the thinking of the main character, not knowing if his thoughts were because of drugs, his mental state, or his paranoia. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put down because I wanted to find out what was next. Towards the end, I had to put aside other tasks so I could find out what was happening to him. Calder has done a great job with suspense. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to keep all the characters clear in his head as he wrote this story. Thanks for doing a great job.
September 11, 2026
I liked it
From the very beginning, I found this story to be quite intense. I liked that feeling of not really knowing who to trust and seeing how a seemingly ordinary investigation ends up leading the protagonist into a world far more dangerous than he expected.
What I enjoyed most was the mix of espionage, political conspiracies, and crime, because it creates a lot of tension and keeps you curious to find out what happens next. I also found it interesting how Mike gets more and more involved and how it all starts to affect his way of thinking.
Overall, it’s a dark and entertaining thriller—the kind that gradually draws you into a story full of secrets and dangers.
From the very beginning, I found this story to be quite intense. I liked that feeling of not really knowing who to trust and seeing how a seemingly ordinary investigation ends up leading the protagonist into a world far more dangerous than he expected.
What I enjoyed most was the mix of espionage, political conspiracies, and crime, because it creates a lot of tension and keeps you curious to find out what happens next. I also found it interesting how Mike gets more and more involved and how it all starts to affect his way of thinking.
Overall, it’s a dark and entertaining thriller—the kind that gradually draws you into a story full of secrets and dangers.
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December 16, 2025The synopsis I saw on Booktrovert via NetGalley intrigued me. I'm glad that I claimed and read this book.
Mike Green is best friends with the son of a US Senator running for the position of US President. Mike is an author who is behind schedule for the next book in an ongoing series. He has a bout of writer's block and his remedy for this produces unforeseen circumstances.
I love all the wonderful twists and turns the book takes the reader on. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Mike Green is best friends with the son of a US Senator running for the position of US President. Mike is an author who is behind schedule for the next book in an ongoing series. He has a bout of writer's block and his remedy for this produces unforeseen circumstances.
I love all the wonderful twists and turns the book takes the reader on. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 25, 2025
I received a copy of this book through Booktrovert. I received no compensation for this review.
The description of this book is ambitious: noir crime fiction, spy thriller, action-packed and dark psychological suspense. Turns out, it's too ambitious for one volume. Sadly, this feels like a hash as it veers quite suddenly from almost-parody noir to a buddy drama with a pair of young men both traumatized by their respective origin stories to a somewhat incomprehensible spy chase through Ukraine. Pick one, and do it well; don't throw them all in the blender.
The description of this book is ambitious: noir crime fiction, spy thriller, action-packed and dark psychological suspense. Turns out, it's too ambitious for one volume. Sadly, this feels like a hash as it veers quite suddenly from almost-parody noir to a buddy drama with a pair of young men both traumatized by their respective origin stories to a somewhat incomprehensible spy chase through Ukraine. Pick one, and do it well; don't throw them all in the blender.
January 30, 2026
I think I'm going to have to quit this one. I REALLY didn't care for it. The glacial pace, the boring characters and plot, the poor writing... this just isn't the book for me! I feel bad for quitting, but this is just really not good! All the drugs and drinking got to me, too. I don't think characters have to be likable in order for me to like a book, but I have to feel SOMETHING. These ones were so boring.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
February 20, 2026
(2 1/2). This is an interesting little book. A nice intersection of -what the hell is going on and boy, this is big fun. Mike Green is a train wreck of a fun protagonist. I cannot even begin to list all his good and bad qualities, but I sure did like him. As I said, this story is all over the place but it mostly hangs together. Either way, it certainly was an easy read and I may even seek out the second in the series. Pretty good stuff.
December 8, 2025
Fascinating premise that twins can affect one another even when one is deceased! A fast read, and lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend.
December 16, 2025
Extremely action packed mystery. So much going on at times I got quite confused.
June 30, 2026
This book was entertaining, and creatively used hallucinations as a plot device. Also the author somehow makes you feel bad for a well to do junkie in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2026
3-1/2 stars. Complicated political story. The usual power hungry politician and all that usually involves. International aspects. Spies.
March 19, 2026
wow
This political thriller was amazing. I had no idea what was going to happen every time I turned the page. The plot was so unique and intriguing. I loved every bit of it.
This political thriller was amazing. I had no idea what was going to happen every time I turned the page. The plot was so unique and intriguing. I loved every bit of it.
January 13, 2026
Burned out drug addicted writer Mike Green stumbles on a story about Soviet dissident Delilah Grennan. Mix in his best friends Tom Stockton son of the President and this becomes a well thought out thriller mixed with global crime and political scams!
Thank you NetGalley and Douglas Street Press for the ARC! My unbiased opinion is to highly recommend this book!
#thrillerbooks #NetGalley #doublehelix
Thank you NetGalley and Douglas Street Press for the ARC! My unbiased opinion is to highly recommend this book!
#thrillerbooks #NetGalley #doublehelix
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