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False Idols #1.1
Operation Cairo
High society. Higher stakes.
This is the 1st episode in the first season of False Idols , an 11-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Lisa Klink.
At an elegant soiree organized for her benefit—so she can meet the players in Cairo’s expensive art scene, who figure prominently in her FBI investigation—Layla feels a little out of place. She’s undercover, and convincing these people that she’s one of them is her hardest assignment yet. They’re a mystery to rich, entitled, well-connected…and some of them are probably working with terrorists.
Layla el-Deeb left Egypt for good eleven years ago, after a childhood spent in Cairo’s slums. Now she’s a language expert for the FBI…and she’s right back where she started, in Cairo, investigating a terrorist organization that’s funding its activities through fraudulent art sales. But this isn’t the Cairo she knew. She’s landed right in the middle of the city’s glittering elite, whose dealings in the art world may be the key to infiltrating the terrorist network. Undercover in the place she was born, trying to fit in with the city’s high rollers, Layla is a stranger in every way—even to herself.
This is the 1st episode in the first season of False Idols , an 11-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Lisa Klink.
At an elegant soiree organized for her benefit—so she can meet the players in Cairo’s expensive art scene, who figure prominently in her FBI investigation—Layla feels a little out of place. She’s undercover, and convincing these people that she’s one of them is her hardest assignment yet. They’re a mystery to rich, entitled, well-connected…and some of them are probably working with terrorists.
Layla el-Deeb left Egypt for good eleven years ago, after a childhood spent in Cairo’s slums. Now she’s a language expert for the FBI…and she’s right back where she started, in Cairo, investigating a terrorist organization that’s funding its activities through fraudulent art sales. But this isn’t the Cairo she knew. She’s landed right in the middle of the city’s glittering elite, whose dealings in the art world may be the key to infiltrating the terrorist network. Undercover in the place she was born, trying to fit in with the city’s high rollers, Layla is a stranger in every way—even to herself.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2018
27 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 3, 2018
I'm really loving this serial novel so far. It's full of insight into the antique dealers world, background on Cairo, and the lead, Layla, is a deep well we're yet privy to. The characters are colorful yet everyone remains suspicious to me. It seems I'm rooting for everyone yet not sure who is the enemy quite yet. Great imagery and I am looking forward to more.
This is a serial novel series and reads like episodes of a TV which I really enjoy. I highly suggest reading it this way but the whole season is also complete so binge reading can be done as well. I bought the whole season on Serial Box to read.
This is a serial novel series and reads like episodes of a TV which I really enjoy. I highly suggest reading it this way but the whole season is also complete so binge reading can be done as well. I bought the whole season on Serial Box to read.
February 19, 2018
Review: FALSE IDOLS OPERATION CAIRO (1.1)
In serial format (shades of Charles Dickens), OPERATION CAIRO leaps head-first into the very high-ticket black market of artifact smuggling. From the lowly locals paid a pittance to dig for artifacts in the desert (in this case, in Egypt) through the "fences," on to smugglers who ship concealed artifacts within legal cargo, eventually to high-end art galleries whose clientele collectors are greedy to increase their collection, and careless as to provenance, cost, or legality.
Language expert, FBI Intelligence Division Agent, Georgetown-educated Cairo native Layla al-Deeb synchronistically becomes a part of a new sting to break this black market scheme, which has been twisted to fund terrorists. The downtrodden child of the most disrespected area of Cairo now is undercover infiltrating the very top society echelons in her native metropolis, among greedy, uncaring, fabulously wealthy strangers. Layla is a stranger in her own land, becoming a stranger to herself. A rapid-paced read, OPERATION CAIRO sets its protagonists as a pigeon among cats, and her high intellect and gift for languages must translate into a chameleonic ability to pass as a scion of High Society.
In serial format (shades of Charles Dickens), OPERATION CAIRO leaps head-first into the very high-ticket black market of artifact smuggling. From the lowly locals paid a pittance to dig for artifacts in the desert (in this case, in Egypt) through the "fences," on to smugglers who ship concealed artifacts within legal cargo, eventually to high-end art galleries whose clientele collectors are greedy to increase their collection, and careless as to provenance, cost, or legality.
Language expert, FBI Intelligence Division Agent, Georgetown-educated Cairo native Layla al-Deeb synchronistically becomes a part of a new sting to break this black market scheme, which has been twisted to fund terrorists. The downtrodden child of the most disrespected area of Cairo now is undercover infiltrating the very top society echelons in her native metropolis, among greedy, uncaring, fabulously wealthy strangers. Layla is a stranger in her own land, becoming a stranger to herself. A rapid-paced read, OPERATION CAIRO sets its protagonists as a pigeon among cats, and her high intellect and gift for languages must translate into a chameleonic ability to pass as a scion of High Society.
July 28, 2020
Thanks to net galley.com, author Lisa Klink and Serial Box, for the advance copy for my honest review.
Operation Cairo, is the first installment of a series that, will total 11 episodes, that make up False Idol, Season 1 and the author varies with each episode.
I really liked Lisa Klink writing, she lays a solid foundation for the rest of the serial and like how she brings the characters to life.
You basically have illegal artifacts seized by the FBI, due to the Homeland Security Act that was coming into New York, then going to a consignor that had a gallery in Egypt and the funds going to fund a terrorist organization.
They cut a deal with Gallery Owner Farwadi, that has FBI Language Specialist Layla el-Deeb teamed up with FBI Art Crime agent Ellen Pierce teamed up, then go undercover, trying to apprehend the embezzlers and stem the flow of money.
Operation Cairo's a great start to this serial series, with each one giving you more of the story, really like it and will continue to the series.
Operation Cairo, is the first installment of a series that, will total 11 episodes, that make up False Idol, Season 1 and the author varies with each episode.
I really liked Lisa Klink writing, she lays a solid foundation for the rest of the serial and like how she brings the characters to life.
You basically have illegal artifacts seized by the FBI, due to the Homeland Security Act that was coming into New York, then going to a consignor that had a gallery in Egypt and the funds going to fund a terrorist organization.
They cut a deal with Gallery Owner Farwadi, that has FBI Language Specialist Layla el-Deeb teamed up with FBI Art Crime agent Ellen Pierce teamed up, then go undercover, trying to apprehend the embezzlers and stem the flow of money.
Operation Cairo's a great start to this serial series, with each one giving you more of the story, really like it and will continue to the series.
January 20, 2018
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From Serialbox I'm currently reading the second season of Remade, and False Idols was newly introduced, promising art theft, which sounded quite nice. So I decided to give it a try. While this first episode didn't blow me away, it is too short for me really to know whether I will like it, so I think I will give the next couple of episodes a try and see.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
From Serialbox I'm currently reading the second season of Remade, and False Idols was newly introduced, promising art theft, which sounded quite nice. So I decided to give it a try. While this first episode didn't blow me away, it is too short for me really to know whether I will like it, so I think I will give the next couple of episodes a try and see.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 29, 2018
3.5 stars
The first in an eleven installment serial, the story starts out with Layla el-Deeb going undercover at a big party in Cairo as the niece of a local art curator. Her background and the reason why she is going undercover becomes clear with flashbacks to 4 months prior when, during a raid in NYC on a cargo ship, cheap artifacts are found disguising real stolen artifacts that will be sold to fund terrorism.
This first installment, I thought, did a good job at setting up the background for Layla. No huge surprises, but I like where this story could head. Ancient artifacts, exotic locations, and a spy thriller - I am certainly interested to continue to read the next several installments.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Serial Box, for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The first in an eleven installment serial, the story starts out with Layla el-Deeb going undercover at a big party in Cairo as the niece of a local art curator. Her background and the reason why she is going undercover becomes clear with flashbacks to 4 months prior when, during a raid in NYC on a cargo ship, cheap artifacts are found disguising real stolen artifacts that will be sold to fund terrorism.
This first installment, I thought, did a good job at setting up the background for Layla. No huge surprises, but I like where this story could head. Ancient artifacts, exotic locations, and a spy thriller - I am certainly interested to continue to read the next several installments.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Serial Box, for the opportunity to read this ARC.
July 11, 2018
This isn't a book. I am so glad it was free. This is a rough draft of a poorly constructed first chapter. The heroine some how escaped the Cairo slums to get a language degree from Georgetown and now works for the FBI as a translator. Then she meets the agent in charge of the Art Fraud division and suddenly is going undercover in the Cairo antiquities business looking for terrorists. It took me less than 20min to read this and I am certainly not going to look for the rest of the book. Just another gimmick.
February 13, 2018
I listened to the audio version of this and it was absolutely riveting! International intrigue, a strong, kick-ass under cover FBI agent, and the opulent, deadly world of stolen relics - I can't wait to read (or listen to) more!
August 5, 2018
Like reading a TV script.
Well. Calling this an episode is certainly succinct. I truly felt like I was reading the script from some crime drama. Good character introduction and I think I'll look for the next one.
Well. Calling this an episode is certainly succinct. I truly felt like I was reading the script from some crime drama. Good character introduction and I think I'll look for the next one.
August 4, 2018
This wa a really fun introduction to an 11-part episodic serial by 3 separate authors. This "Episode 1" was written by Lisa Klink with authority, tautness, and intrigue. A terrific teaser to a series I need to keep reading.
February 7, 2019
Operation Cairo (False Idols Season 1, Episode 1) by Lisa Klink is a great start to what could be a fun, creative serial story of intrigue, an under cover agent, and art collectors. We follow Layla, she works for the FBI in the intelligence division as a linguist. This first 'episode' sets up the major characters, the basic setup for the undercover operation, and sets up the tone, style and intrigue leaving you looking forward to the next episode.
I can't wait to read what happens next.
Thanks to netgalley for an ARC copy
I can't wait to read what happens next.
Thanks to netgalley for an ARC copy
January 20, 2018
This was okay, but didn't intrigue me to want to read more of the story. Might be good for people who like spy stuff, ancient relics, and Egypt.
*I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews