The Compass Point

by Patty Duffy, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Truth, a gossamer thread sways over the sword of stolen history...

It’s the 1980s, and countries are falling away from the Soviet Union like dominoes. Archie, an orphaned young Israeli man, shows promise under his mentor, a powerhouse international banker from Vienna. Archie’s financial acumen makes him a successful, wealthy consultant and philanthropist known throughout Europe. Yet all the money Archie gives away won’t assuage his guilt for a broken promise. When a beautiful Palestinian lawyer introduces Archie to a rising dissident leader who seeks his help breaking the tentacles of Soviet dogma, will it bring danger to him and those he loves? In a novel that explores belief and spans continents, The Compass Point confronts the deception that divides a volatile world.

Audible Audio

Published September 12, 2025

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the primary setting for Patty Duffy's The Compass Point is 1980's Europe, a forty-year leap into the future could very well seem to explore a modern day "plot" of spreading misinformation and rewarding "loyalty" over competency and talent for political gain! From chapter to chapter, the author has wealthy Archie Hoffman busily determined on using his finances and influence to aid in the fight for freedom and democracy as he moves throughout Europe while also being available for his sister and nephew in New York. It is a novel full of suspense and intrigue, while at the same time, weaving a beautifully crafted love story between Archie and the irresistibly beautiful, equally cause-driven Layla. As he is resolute in using his financial acumen and fortune in the spread of democracy and truth in journalism, his efforts are met by enemies just as focused on maintaining the status quo of corruption and favor meant only for a powerful upper class. Needless to say, it is a perilous journey for both Archie and his loved ones as his adversaries concentrate on his and Layla's annihilation. A fast-moving pace from chapter to chapter, one can never predict what will happen next. Because I most often want to see an enactment of what I have read, a well-drafted screen play as cleverly written as this novel would make a thrilling action-packed movie!

[Nina Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before anything else, allow me to assess the author’s intrinsic knowledge of the political arena which she so skillfully portrays in this book as deep-seated research. Patty Duffy’s passionate engagement with political issues, ideologies, and civic action, is steadfastly propelled by a sincere hope for a better society and an engrained regard for public service.

The international “globetrotting" of the protagonist Archie resonated with me on various levels. It’s as if I had a sympathetic yet quasi-emotional connection with him because I’ve been blessed to have travelled to the many countries and the island of Corsica sumptuously detailed in this novel.

Archie’s story evokes a relatable appeal for lovers of social studies. Duffy’s political fiction encapsulates a profound allure because it transforms abstract theories and historical events, real or imagined, into tangible human experiences.

Through this narrative, readers are offered a complex exploration of political systems, philosophies, and conflicts from a highly personal, empathetic perspective which is difficult if not impossible to furnish in non-fiction.

And for bonus features, rounded characters and realistic dialogue add textual layers to this cleverly designed work.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie is a wealthy financial advisor who becomes a behind-the-scenes defender of democracy and the free press in eastern Europe before, during and after the fall of the Soviet Union. The novel details Archie's efforts to maintain democracy and press freedom, especially in Hungary and the Czech Republic, and to oppose the propaganda and violence of Russian influencers.

It was difficult at times to figure out just what this book was about. Much of the middle of the book told the story of Archie's romantic relationship with Layla, a Palestinian lawyer who is seeking justice for women abused and sexually assaulted in Syria. In the background for much of the book is Archie's sister and her young son, both living in NYC.

While the final chapters pull this all together, what I valued in this book was the dedication to democracy and the rule of law, themes that resonate greatly today. Archie's character is somewhat modeled on George Soros and Layla has a similar feel to Amal Clooney.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Kendra Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! The Compass Point is one of those books that blends history, politics, and personal drama in a way that keeps you flipping pages. I loved following Archie’s journey across countries and decades it’s rich, emotional, and at times heartbreaking.

[Robert Arney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is heavy at times lots of political intrigue, financial maneuvering, and historical conflicts but it’s worth it. If you enjoy novels that challenge you while also telling a deeply human story, this one’s for you.

[Jamie Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patty Duffy weaves a fascinating story that travels from New York to Hungary, Austria, Israel, Corsica, and beyond. It’s ambitious, but the way she grounds it in Archie’s personal struggles makes it feel intimate. His relationship with Logan in the beginning hooked me immediately.

[Pedro Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Compass Point is ambitious in scope, but it never loses sight of its human core. Archie’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and the themes of exile, truth, and resilience are woven seamlessly into the historical backdrop.

[Johnathan Gilreath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a journey through time and place, and what impressed me most was how real the characters felt Archie’s struggles, Rivka’s resilience, and Layla’s complexity all stayed with me long after I finished.

[Moses McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duffy’s The Compass Point is more than a novel it’s a meditation on how individuals are shaped by political upheaval, exile, and memory. Archie’s life becomes a mirror of 20th-century struggles, and that’s what makes this book so powerful.

[Brenda Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

What struck me most was how this story doesn’t shy away from difficult truths: authoritarianism, propaganda, and cultural displacement. Reading it felt like studying history through the eyes of people who actually lived it.

[Judy Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader interested in history, I appreciated the way Duffy illuminated real events protests, corruption, political debates without turning the book into a textbook. Instead, she gave me a deeply personal lens to view them through.

[Olin Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my “political scholar” hat on, and what I found most compelling was how Duffy portrays the fragility of democracy. Archie’s encounters with Vaclav Havel, authoritarian leaders, and corrupt systems felt eerily relevant to our world today.

[William Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel demonstrates how propaganda and misinformation become tools of control, and how fragile truth can be when institutions crumble. These themes aren’t delivered in abstract terms but through Archie’s lived experience, which makes them visceral.

[William Blandford · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the end, I wasn’t just entertained; I was left reflecting on how quickly history can repeat itself if people don’t remain vigilant. This is fiction, yes but it carries the weight of a political warning.

[Kirby Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who studies politics, I found this book to be a fascinating lens on how individuals become unwilling actors in global conflicts. Archie didn’t choose to be at the center of history, but history chose him.

[Kaufman John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patty Duffy has done something extraordinary here: she’s given readers a narrative that is emotionally gripping while also intellectually rigorous. The historical detail is impeccable, but it’s never dry always anchored in human experience.

[Todd Brouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patty Duffy writes with such confidence and detail that I felt transported to every place and time, from New York to Hungary to Israel and beyond.

[Vern Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The settings are beautifully written. I could feel the chill of Austria, the intensity of Corsica, and the unrest in Hungary. Duffy really did her research and it shows in every page.

[Maria Portwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times, the book reads like historical fiction, other times like a thriller, and sometimes like a memoir. That mix might not be for everyone, but I found it refreshing.

[Susan Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ambitious and moving novel. If you enjoy stories that span countries, decades, and big ideas while still feeling grounded in human emotion, The Compass Point is worth picking up.

[Mariana Besaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like novels that combine history, politics, and heart, The Compass Point is one to add to your shelf it’s ambitious, powerful, and unforgettable.

[Mark Cheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

What stood out for me was how the book balances political intrigue with intimate family moments. It’s the rare novel that makes you think hard about history while also tugging at your heart.

[Douglas Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, The Compass Point read like both a historical thriller and a political case study. Archie’s struggles show how private lives and public ideologies are never separate.

[Eduardo Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Duffy ties personal trauma to political choices is remarkable. It reminded me that every policy, every protest, every war leaves its mark on families and individuals.