Thistles

by Kate McNeil

"The last thing you'd expect to see on a resume is ex-CIA Officer, Sometime Killer.  But I'm not allowed to put that on my resume, so..." Unceremoniously dragged back to U.S. soil, disgraced spy Vivian Carmichael was forced to leave it all behind...a bulletproof cover, a promising career, and a man she loved enough to protect no matter the cost.   The only family she's ever known is waiting to put her back together again, but will anything ever be enough to keep someone with such a unique skillset satisfied for long?  It's a waiting game until the day that first opportunity finds her, with the second not far behind...  This introductory novella to the Pistils series will leave you wondering: what's next for an ex-spy who didn't retire voluntarily?  Is it truly what it appears to be on the surface...and how long will it really last? For the reader: please note that Thistles is an introductory novella to the series, not a full-length novel.  The novella is just over 60% of the book itself, and as a bonus, the first four chapters of the next novel, Pistils, make up the remainder.

143 pages, ebook

Published June 22, 2018

About the author

I'm an author, photographer and blogger, I'm married to a wonderful chef, and I LOVE TO READ! Come over and say hi on Instagram @twintypebooks, and leave a comment mentioning if you found me via Goodreads!

I don't bite, so please feel free to add me as a friend! I also love book recommendations (I'm always reading SOMETHING), so let me know if there's anything that you think I should check out! I am a stalker of NetGalley as well, and am always happy to check out (and review) new authors' work!

My favorite genres are Women's Fiction, Adult Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mysteries, Espionage, and Thrillers.

Books I have zero interest in are bodice-rippers, done-to-death tropes, and writing filled with errors (I will DNF and post a review saying so).

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Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/28/2019)! 🎁

[Kate]

Thistles is available FREE across all the major e-book publishing platforms!

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is a little bit of a let down after Sub Rosa. It’s missing all of the excitement and character. I’ve picked up the next book in the series and hope that there is a return to the more engaging storyline- away from the dreary cheating husband tale.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was horribly disappointed by this novella that plays out as the sequel to Sub Rosa, I’m sorry to say. The writing is still well worthy of praise, McNeil knows how to parse a tale, but I kept coming down to the same deflated rejection of the premise: the vibrant, supposedly super endowed brain of a female CIA agent somehow brought down to the level of helping rich women trap their philandering husbands. This is what passes for the brilliant future of feminine agency? Nancy Drew of the Lovelorn? From Eastern European human trafficking to shooting video of Mr. Wrong getting his make menopause manacled? Sigh. If this is the understory that the rest of the series is tied to, then I am not sure what to say. Given that the style is still crisp and fast paced, still engaging and possibly hampered by the need to lead into the protagonist’s new life, I am going to give another one of the series a read. But aside from the segue that this novella provides, it unfortunately lies in banal comparison to Sub Rosa.

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept waiting for the Kick**s female ex-CIA operative to come alive. Instead, it remained boring to the end, which isn't really an ending either. I found the character development lacking. There is something there, but not enough to really get a handle on any of them, except maybe Grans. And I know the MC is ex-CIA, but that doesn't mean the details of her life have to be kept from the reading audience. What strings did her friend Charles pull to smooth her PI license request through? And before we know it, she's been working with her friend for 6 months without dropping a single clue to the reader. Boring and unfulfilling is the only way to describe this story. I am left with zero interest to read anymore in the series. I used to think cozy mysteries were boring, but this takes the cake. I'm giving it three stars because I like McNeil's writing style and the clean editing job.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is *always* free on Kindle for any e-readers who want to give it a shot! A very short novella that sets up a larger series about two friends who work as PIs from inside a flower shop. The characters established here were authentic, I believed they were friends and I was rooting for them. There's a lot of intriguing backstory and I'm excited to see how it unfolds in the longer series. It definitely feels like the typical cozy mystery framework but I think even in that familiar lane, Kate excels at standing out with her original take on genre.

[Vusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline could have been more riveting and the description of the main characters more precise like body height, hair colour, physical built and some basic mannerism when anxious or happy. Perhaps two or more cases solved and the reaction of the perps or victims in more graphic terms after the busts would have made more fun reading. In the main it was a good read. Perspective book two will be amazing.

When is book two coming? I think it is going to fly off the shelves very fast! I am waiting.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my cousin is the author, I try to read her books in a neutral manner. I loved this story! This novella is the third installment of the Pistils series. A quick, easy read. It fills in the blanks that readers might be asking about between the books Pistils & Sub Rosa. I thoroughly enjoyed learning what had happened and the what and whys of some of the things that the other 2 books didn’t cover. Can’t wait to read more by Kate McNeil!

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivian's life at the CIA is over, so she heads back home to Parker and her grandmother. Parker has just kicked her boyfriend to the curb, Vivian is now unemployed and Gran is facing forced retirement.

This novella focuses on the three women making big changes, and starting a new business (or two) together. This was a fun read, and I recommend reading Pistils to see how their new lives continue to evolve.

[Pat Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

I enjoyed this nouvella and look forward to the next book. A CIA female agent was dismissed (unfairly) with strict instructions not to reveal anything about the 9-year career she had just lost. Starting out from scratch, with her friend and her friend's grandma, to open a florist in a new town, she soon was bored driving the florist's van. Her skills led her to a new career. Nice story which moved.

[Laurie Holbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ex-CIA Novella

It took a bit to get into the story of Vivian, who left the CIA and moved in with her best friend. Through a turn of events they both end up working as private investigators. Midway through, the story gets exciting and leaves you wanting more. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, Pistils.

[David Pospisil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun prequel with a couple of young women opening a private investigator business.
Working out of their grandmother's flower shop, named Pistils, they are busy investigating some of the highest social circles in Savannah.
I personally love Savannah and enjoyed the location descriptions.
Great characters that I am looking forward to following in other books in the series.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this blew me away! The characters are real vivid and believable. If you enjoy novels with string female leads fighting for justice this series is for you! (No spoilers.) Viv goes home to stay with her friend after complications with her job, and discovers her life holds a path even with her sorted past.

[Jennifer Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and witty. But what a tease! Just as I was really getting into the story I'm left with a cliff hanger! Can't wait to read the next book Pistils! A great spy novel with a strong independent woman twist!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after I read Pistils and this one really needs to be read first to know the background of Vivian and Parker! The Author uses language especially to show the reader the inner workings of their relationship and that of them to Gran as well....I would recommend reading it for sure!

[Moira Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series!

I really like this author! It’s a fresh voice and a smart, engaging story. I was wishing it was LONGER, but I guess there are more books coming and I can hardly wait!

[RK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novella that fleshed out things in "Pistils" and "Sub Rosa." It was an excellent sequel and prequel wrapped up into one!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This is about how two friends and one grandmother came to get her after we h had things change in there lives.

[Cesar Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention geabber

CIA, down fallen, pick up the pieces woman. Starting and finishing the book in one sitting was easy. It kept me wondering how it would end.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this novella! Can’t wait to read more.

[Ellene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each character is interesting and def a series that will suck you in. Definitely a great escape from reality! Love, LOVE it!

[Diana Duell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the preview to book two, Pistils. I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.

[Stephanie Duerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine just shorter than I thought