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Operation Bluebird
"I'm not an addict," he scowled, still running his hands over the floor. "I can stop any time I want; I just don't want to yet."
Carrie Hart became Cara Parry for three reasons: to prove herself as an undercover detective; to bring justice to the people who killed Lucy Flynn; and to trial a life of letting go, with no consequence for her real self.
But under the intoxicating lights of Paradise Casino, lines are blurred and letting go becomes a question she had never thought to ask:
Who is the real Carrie Hart, and where do her loyalties truly lie?
***** ~ 5 stars ~ "an enthralling crime drama...with rich, well-developed characters, crisp dialogue, and an intricate plot... I would highly recommend Operation Bluebird to readers who love crime-related stories with romantic undertones" ~ Readers' Favorite
"an emotional crime thriller not to be missed" ~ Reader's Digest
"a gritty romantic thriller that will keep readers turning the pages until the shocking climax... a thrilling read packed with something for everyone: glamour, violence, romance, friendship, self discovery, and tragedy" ~ Female First
"attention grabbing crime drama with twists, temptation, addiction and a forbidden romance. Crafted with interesting and well created characters" ~ LoveReading
Carrie Hart became Cara Parry for three reasons: to prove herself as an undercover detective; to bring justice to the people who killed Lucy Flynn; and to trial a life of letting go, with no consequence for her real self.
But under the intoxicating lights of Paradise Casino, lines are blurred and letting go becomes a question she had never thought to ask:
Who is the real Carrie Hart, and where do her loyalties truly lie?
***** ~ 5 stars ~ "an enthralling crime drama...with rich, well-developed characters, crisp dialogue, and an intricate plot... I would highly recommend Operation Bluebird to readers who love crime-related stories with romantic undertones" ~ Readers' Favorite
"an emotional crime thriller not to be missed" ~ Reader's Digest
"a gritty romantic thriller that will keep readers turning the pages until the shocking climax... a thrilling read packed with something for everyone: glamour, violence, romance, friendship, self discovery, and tragedy" ~ Female First
"attention grabbing crime drama with twists, temptation, addiction and a forbidden romance. Crafted with interesting and well created characters" ~ LoveReading
332 pages, Paperback
Published January 30, 2021
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2021
This book combines thriller and romance to great effect and if you like either of those genres, you may like this.
It’s the story of Carrie Hart, a British police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a prominent London-based Korean crime family. For Carrie it’s a grudge match; they murdered a young girl she’d been trying to rescue from them. For her bosses, it’s a way to get someone on the inside of a ruthless criminal outfit they’ve been after for years. The family HQ is a high-end casino. So Carrie becomes Cara – and gets herself taken on as a pole dancer, gyrating for the punters and high rollers and working her way into a position of trust. It’s all going great… And then she gets emotionally involved. No spoilers, but what happens next really holds your attention to the end. It’s an end that makes perfect sense even though you didn’t see it coming – a trick that marks the best thrillers and crime reads.
I’m not sure what makes this book work so well. It’s well-written and well-paced, but I think it’s the characters; they’re pretty real and you do get drawn into their stories, Carrie especially but also the Korean brothers and the people around them. It also helps that while there’s some violence – quite shocking in one place – it’s only there when it’s needed; the author doesn’t wallow in it.
Overall, a great read.
It’s the story of Carrie Hart, a British police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a prominent London-based Korean crime family. For Carrie it’s a grudge match; they murdered a young girl she’d been trying to rescue from them. For her bosses, it’s a way to get someone on the inside of a ruthless criminal outfit they’ve been after for years. The family HQ is a high-end casino. So Carrie becomes Cara – and gets herself taken on as a pole dancer, gyrating for the punters and high rollers and working her way into a position of trust. It’s all going great… And then she gets emotionally involved. No spoilers, but what happens next really holds your attention to the end. It’s an end that makes perfect sense even though you didn’t see it coming – a trick that marks the best thrillers and crime reads.
I’m not sure what makes this book work so well. It’s well-written and well-paced, but I think it’s the characters; they’re pretty real and you do get drawn into their stories, Carrie especially but also the Korean brothers and the people around them. It also helps that while there’s some violence – quite shocking in one place – it’s only there when it’s needed; the author doesn’t wallow in it.
Overall, a great read.
April 29, 2021
Right from the beginning, we are given a secret, a deception, possibly a betrayal. “It isn’t true,” she says, leaving us with questions – what isn’t true? Carrie is in the hospital while her family rushes to her. What happened? Why?
The story is one of addiction and the accompanying delusions. The temptation, the trial, the enjoyment, the complete surrender, and finally the denial, because to admit would be to go mad. Carrie goes undercover as Cara to infiltrate the world of a Korean crime lord/casino owner and his sons. She is eager to prove herself and to seek revenge for a woman thought to have been murdered by them. But as time goes on, she begins to lose herself in the glamor, even falling in love with the degenerate son ridiculed by everyone. It’s the classic attraction to the “bad boy,” the need to change them, and in the process perhaps validate oneself. A part of her might even identify with this man and his desperate need for approval.
I was engrossed from beginning to end. The author skillfully builds up the tension between what is real and what is not, the struggle between Carrie and Cara, leaving the reader wondering if she will ever come out of it. All the while we are immersed in detailed, almost poetic descriptions “a Dorian Gray of a building that hid its twisted heart behind a glamorous façade” (LOVE IT!) that spark the imagination. Every character is well-developed with distinct, multi-layered personalities. Sometimes you hate them and sometimes you feel for them. The plot is full of surprises and twists that make us question whether Carrie/Cara is doing the right thing or not, culminating in the tragic ending which brings us back to the beginning.
Great read. Highly recommended.
The story is one of addiction and the accompanying delusions. The temptation, the trial, the enjoyment, the complete surrender, and finally the denial, because to admit would be to go mad. Carrie goes undercover as Cara to infiltrate the world of a Korean crime lord/casino owner and his sons. She is eager to prove herself and to seek revenge for a woman thought to have been murdered by them. But as time goes on, she begins to lose herself in the glamor, even falling in love with the degenerate son ridiculed by everyone. It’s the classic attraction to the “bad boy,” the need to change them, and in the process perhaps validate oneself. A part of her might even identify with this man and his desperate need for approval.
I was engrossed from beginning to end. The author skillfully builds up the tension between what is real and what is not, the struggle between Carrie and Cara, leaving the reader wondering if she will ever come out of it. All the while we are immersed in detailed, almost poetic descriptions “a Dorian Gray of a building that hid its twisted heart behind a glamorous façade” (LOVE IT!) that spark the imagination. Every character is well-developed with distinct, multi-layered personalities. Sometimes you hate them and sometimes you feel for them. The plot is full of surprises and twists that make us question whether Carrie/Cara is doing the right thing or not, culminating in the tragic ending which brings us back to the beginning.
Great read. Highly recommended.
March 8, 2021
Characters
Carrie/Cara is every person who has ever been over their head but not really understanding how far and drowning. She is such a fascinating character that you find yourself liking her despite some of the choices she made—her flaws make her so REAL. At some point all the characters feel as though they lived. The author focused on actions and names to define characters, limiting the detail on physical traits. Thankfully the characters were so wonderfully drawn that it is easy to keep track.
Plot
This is about a new cop going uncover in London and get lost in it all. Maybe lost isn’t the right word, instead ensnared might be better. It is not something I would normally pick up but I am so glad I got a chance to read this. You get a snapshot in the beginning and then the story backtracks to the start of it all. You get to see Cara make choices that lead her towards it, and man you are going to be surprised. I love when I am one chapter away before I put it together!
Overall
This book blew me away. It was one of those books that just takes hold and doesn’t let go! Ignore the somewhat poorly put together cover, because what is inside is dynamite! The writing starts off feeling like a hard broiled Noir. It doesn’t stay that way as Carrie starts her undercover work. Once it’s focus shifts it is very captivating watching as characters start making decisions that eventually snowball. I almost didn’t like the ending but that last chapter brought a sense of conclusion to the tale that is needed. I only have on minor critique—sometimes the writing and the era don’t match and some of the technology I’d expect to see used in 2012-2016 just isn’t or very minimal. Very easy to overlook and just enjoy this suspenseful tale!
Rating
5 Stars
Banking on forbidden love and the thrill/suspense of the story, once this novel takes hold, you are in for a ride!
Where did I get a copy?
Kindle Unlimited
Carrie/Cara is every person who has ever been over their head but not really understanding how far and drowning. She is such a fascinating character that you find yourself liking her despite some of the choices she made—her flaws make her so REAL. At some point all the characters feel as though they lived. The author focused on actions and names to define characters, limiting the detail on physical traits. Thankfully the characters were so wonderfully drawn that it is easy to keep track.
Plot
This is about a new cop going uncover in London and get lost in it all. Maybe lost isn’t the right word, instead ensnared might be better. It is not something I would normally pick up but I am so glad I got a chance to read this. You get a snapshot in the beginning and then the story backtracks to the start of it all. You get to see Cara make choices that lead her towards it, and man you are going to be surprised. I love when I am one chapter away before I put it together!
Overall
This book blew me away. It was one of those books that just takes hold and doesn’t let go! Ignore the somewhat poorly put together cover, because what is inside is dynamite! The writing starts off feeling like a hard broiled Noir. It doesn’t stay that way as Carrie starts her undercover work. Once it’s focus shifts it is very captivating watching as characters start making decisions that eventually snowball. I almost didn’t like the ending but that last chapter brought a sense of conclusion to the tale that is needed. I only have on minor critique—sometimes the writing and the era don’t match and some of the technology I’d expect to see used in 2012-2016 just isn’t or very minimal. Very easy to overlook and just enjoy this suspenseful tale!
Rating
5 Stars
Banking on forbidden love and the thrill/suspense of the story, once this novel takes hold, you are in for a ride!
Where did I get a copy?
Kindle Unlimited
December 21, 2021
The truest sign of an amazing story is one that will stay with you long after you finish reading, and that couldn’t be more true of Operation Bluebird. Just like Cara, I found myself in over my head, getting attached to characters that shouldn’t have been in any way sympathetic.
The book begins almost at the end of the story with undercover cop Carrie waking up in the hospital. Something terrible has happened, so terrible that she doesn’t want to think about it anymore. The story moves quickly through a different spots in time before settling into the main action of the plot, and that’s when it really started to suck me in.
Carrie/Cara’s descent into the dangerous and enticing underworld of Paradise Casino starts slowly and innocently enough, but as things pick up pace, events begin to spin out of control and the reader is right there with her through every bad decision or misjudged action. She’s not perfect – she makes mistakes and she’s selfish at times, but it made her completely relatable. Everyone has done things they wish they could take back later, though hopefully not to the extent that Carrie eventually gets driven to.
Tension builds so slowly and skillfully that, again just like Cara, you don’t realize how completely engrossed you are until it’s too late to get out. I was unable to put it down until I got to the devastating end, and even then, as I said off the top, there’s a part of me that will never leave the Paradise Casino.
Very highly recommended.
The book begins almost at the end of the story with undercover cop Carrie waking up in the hospital. Something terrible has happened, so terrible that she doesn’t want to think about it anymore. The story moves quickly through a different spots in time before settling into the main action of the plot, and that’s when it really started to suck me in.
Carrie/Cara’s descent into the dangerous and enticing underworld of Paradise Casino starts slowly and innocently enough, but as things pick up pace, events begin to spin out of control and the reader is right there with her through every bad decision or misjudged action. She’s not perfect – she makes mistakes and she’s selfish at times, but it made her completely relatable. Everyone has done things they wish they could take back later, though hopefully not to the extent that Carrie eventually gets driven to.
Tension builds so slowly and skillfully that, again just like Cara, you don’t realize how completely engrossed you are until it’s too late to get out. I was unable to put it down until I got to the devastating end, and even then, as I said off the top, there’s a part of me that will never leave the Paradise Casino.
Very highly recommended.
July 8, 2021
This is a great crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with looming threats always close at hand, deception, determination, addiction, forbidden love. It is definitely a page-turner. 4.5 stars, the only reason why it's not a solid five is I felt that the forbidden love wasn't fully fleshed out, which is a bit of a challenge because their relationship and its elements are part of the gutwrenching choices Cara/Carrie makes for love, but for some reason, it didn't completely draw me in. That being said, this is a unique crime drama/love story that was entertaining and exciting. I always felt as if something horrible was about to happen and it kept me gripped. This story is also good at giving a first-hand account of mental unwellness, addiction, and the circumstances that drive a person to both. I would definitely recommend Operation Bluebird.
The story is also very well written and the dialogue is crisp and very believable.
The story is also very well written and the dialogue is crisp and very believable.
March 24, 2021
Undercover cop thriller
The central theme of this story is how a young policewoman goes undercover within an Asian organised crime gang and quickly gets in over her head. Her alter ego, Cara, begins to take over and she enjoys the freedom it gives her. She falls in love with one of the brothers who run the organisation and gradually comes to question where her real loyalties lie.
The start of the book provides a really good hook which encourages the reader to find out what has happened and how the lead character has got to where she has.
There are many very good set pieces scenes and certainly enough action and drama to drive the story forward.
My only two criticisms, accepting there is always an acceptable level of artistic licence, are:
- that the casino where most of the story is set is more like Las Vegas in the Fifties than a present day casino in London (they would lose their licence in a flash for even one of the incidents described!) and
- the police procedural side would have benefitted from more basic research regarding the rules for undercover police officers and details like references to SWAT teams (it is just not a phrase that officers in the Met would ever use)
And one final thought: the book cover could usefully be improved because it does not do justice to the book’s contents.
The central theme of this story is how a young policewoman goes undercover within an Asian organised crime gang and quickly gets in over her head. Her alter ego, Cara, begins to take over and she enjoys the freedom it gives her. She falls in love with one of the brothers who run the organisation and gradually comes to question where her real loyalties lie.
The start of the book provides a really good hook which encourages the reader to find out what has happened and how the lead character has got to where she has.
There are many very good set pieces scenes and certainly enough action and drama to drive the story forward.
My only two criticisms, accepting there is always an acceptable level of artistic licence, are:
- that the casino where most of the story is set is more like Las Vegas in the Fifties than a present day casino in London (they would lose their licence in a flash for even one of the incidents described!) and
- the police procedural side would have benefitted from more basic research regarding the rules for undercover police officers and details like references to SWAT teams (it is just not a phrase that officers in the Met would ever use)
And one final thought: the book cover could usefully be improved because it does not do justice to the book’s contents.
June 15, 2021
A young police officer goes undercover to investigate and convict a crime family operating in London. Our heroine, Carrie becomes Cara as she gets intertwined with the mysterious crime family and discovers secrets. And while doing her job, falls for one of the Members of the Park family.
This book was simply a joy to read. The suspense, the plot twists, the characters, all kept me hooked till the very end.
It is a crime thriller but it is also a forbidden love story and that’s why I enjoyed it so much.
Highly recommended!!!
This book was simply a joy to read. The suspense, the plot twists, the characters, all kept me hooked till the very end.
It is a crime thriller but it is also a forbidden love story and that’s why I enjoyed it so much.
Highly recommended!!!
February 28, 2021
Carrie Hart, Carrie Hart, Carrie Hart! What a great crime story! Five out of five stars. Grab a quiet corner, a bag of snacks, and crack this book open. From the first page to the twisted last, you’ll fall for this protagonist! I highly recommend Operation Bluebird!
March 1, 2021
Review originally written for Reedsy and can be found here: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/ope...
It's been over twelve hours since I finished this book, and part of my heart and brain are still living at the Paradise Casino with the Park family. Harry Old does a wonderful job of describing the glitzy lifestyle of a mafia family, while making you feel like you are actually living the high life with them while reading.
This book is a fast paced crime thriller, with feels of James Bond and The Great Gatsby sprinkled throughout the pages. Set in London, the reader gets pulled in to the dilemmas and conflicts with our main protagonist, Carrie. It is easy to get lost in the push and pulls that Carrie feels as she loses herself in her job.
Operation Bluebird checks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to a crime thriller novel: lust, love, conflict, criminals, and suspense. I loved how Harry Old creates a timeline with each chapter, sometimes jumping back and forth but never in a way that creates confusion. This set up created tension and questions for the reader that was wrapped up nicely at the end. I never once knew or predicted what was to come next -- this book is by no means predictable and I never once found myself getting bored or struggling to keep reading.
It takes a lot for me to have visible reactions to books, but this one I audibly gasped towards the end. The pacing of this book is quick, but it speeds up right at the end and it is absolutely a page turner.
My only wish is that Harry Old had given us a little more description of our main character; I was never quite sure what she looked like. But, I think that also gave me the opportunity to slip in to her character as myself while reading, which was also just a totally fun experience. Pick up Operation Bluebird if you are looking for a crime novel that will help you escape, you enjoy lusty romance scenes, and are a fan of the glitz and glam associated with Jay Gatsby. This book would be a great one to pick up and enjoy with a glass of red wine while unwinding at night.
It's been over twelve hours since I finished this book, and part of my heart and brain are still living at the Paradise Casino with the Park family. Harry Old does a wonderful job of describing the glitzy lifestyle of a mafia family, while making you feel like you are actually living the high life with them while reading.
This book is a fast paced crime thriller, with feels of James Bond and The Great Gatsby sprinkled throughout the pages. Set in London, the reader gets pulled in to the dilemmas and conflicts with our main protagonist, Carrie. It is easy to get lost in the push and pulls that Carrie feels as she loses herself in her job.
Operation Bluebird checks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to a crime thriller novel: lust, love, conflict, criminals, and suspense. I loved how Harry Old creates a timeline with each chapter, sometimes jumping back and forth but never in a way that creates confusion. This set up created tension and questions for the reader that was wrapped up nicely at the end. I never once knew or predicted what was to come next -- this book is by no means predictable and I never once found myself getting bored or struggling to keep reading.
It takes a lot for me to have visible reactions to books, but this one I audibly gasped towards the end. The pacing of this book is quick, but it speeds up right at the end and it is absolutely a page turner.
My only wish is that Harry Old had given us a little more description of our main character; I was never quite sure what she looked like. But, I think that also gave me the opportunity to slip in to her character as myself while reading, which was also just a totally fun experience. Pick up Operation Bluebird if you are looking for a crime novel that will help you escape, you enjoy lusty romance scenes, and are a fan of the glitz and glam associated with Jay Gatsby. This book would be a great one to pick up and enjoy with a glass of red wine while unwinding at night.
March 1, 2021
Not a formulaic crime novel as you travel a journey with the prime character. The conventional jeopardy of whether the criminals will be brought to justice before the undercover operatives are compromised, is further extended by whether the prime characters handling of the enticements that go with living outside the law will unravel first. This element is handled in an interesting and original angle, which gives this novel its unique selling point.
March 19, 2021
The central theme of this story involves a young policewoman who goes undercover in an Asian organised crime gang in London. Her alter ego, Cara, is many of the things she wants to be in her real life and that bravery and recklessness drags her into deeper waters where she struggles to be sure where her true loyalties lie. In the course of this she falls in love with a member of the Korean family that the gang is based around which, in turn, causes friction with his brothers as they struggle to hold on to the criminal empire that their father has built.
The book has a really good hook at the beginning which will draw readers in and want to see what happens to Cara/Carrie. There are lots of good set piece scenes and enough action and drama to pull you through to the end.
The only things that jarred a bit, and accepting there is always a degree of acceptable artistic licence, were:
- the casino where much of the story takes place is more reminiscent of Las Vegas in the Fifties than the smaller, heavily regulated and policed London casinos of the present day; and
- the police procedural side of things could have benefited from a bit more research into the guidance for undercover police officers and the terminology used within the Met Police (ie none of them would refer to SWAT teams), but I accept that is being very picky and for most would not detract in any way from the story itself.
One final thought: the book cover is indistinct and could usefully be improved in order to do justice to the contents.
The book has a really good hook at the beginning which will draw readers in and want to see what happens to Cara/Carrie. There are lots of good set piece scenes and enough action and drama to pull you through to the end.
The only things that jarred a bit, and accepting there is always a degree of acceptable artistic licence, were:
- the casino where much of the story takes place is more reminiscent of Las Vegas in the Fifties than the smaller, heavily regulated and policed London casinos of the present day; and
- the police procedural side of things could have benefited from a bit more research into the guidance for undercover police officers and the terminology used within the Met Police (ie none of them would refer to SWAT teams), but I accept that is being very picky and for most would not detract in any way from the story itself.
One final thought: the book cover is indistinct and could usefully be improved in order to do justice to the contents.
May 29, 2021
A suspenseful tale full of twist and deep emotions
What happens when a young police officer goes undercover to investigate a notorious and rather hard to pin down crime family and gets emotionally involved?
The opening chapters shows our heroine Carrie Hart found in a rather distressed condition and utterly confused. It draws you in right from the start with its delicious suspense and curiosity keeps you turning the pages. It also shows a rather important fact about humans- no one is purely bad, there are aways shades of grey within all of us. It is a twisted tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal and overall an amazing thriller. The book kinda reminded me of Homeland, so if you are fan of intrigue, detective work and overall a beautifully written emotional journey of a pure soul who wants to do right by everyone but fails (or does she?), Operation Bluebird is a must read for you.
Having said that, I do wish a little more attention was paid to the formatting of the book.
What happens when a young police officer goes undercover to investigate a notorious and rather hard to pin down crime family and gets emotionally involved?
The opening chapters shows our heroine Carrie Hart found in a rather distressed condition and utterly confused. It draws you in right from the start with its delicious suspense and curiosity keeps you turning the pages. It also shows a rather important fact about humans- no one is purely bad, there are aways shades of grey within all of us. It is a twisted tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal and overall an amazing thriller. The book kinda reminded me of Homeland, so if you are fan of intrigue, detective work and overall a beautifully written emotional journey of a pure soul who wants to do right by everyone but fails (or does she?), Operation Bluebird is a must read for you.
Having said that, I do wish a little more attention was paid to the formatting of the book.
May 29, 2021
What happens when a young police officer goes undercover to investigate a notorious and rather hard to pin down crime family and gets emotionally involved?
The opening chapters shows our heroine Carrie Hart found in a rather distressed condition and utterly confused. It draws you in right from the start with its delicious suspense and curiosity keeps you turning the pages. It also shows a rather important fact about humans- no one is purely bad, there are aways shades of grey within all of us. It is a twisted tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal and overall an amazing thriller. The book kinda reminded me of Homeland, so if you are fan of intrigue, detective work and overall a beautifully written emotional journey of a pure soul who wants to do right by everyone but fails (or does she?), Operation Bluebird is a must read for you.
Having said that, I do wish a little more attention was paid to the formatting of the book.
The opening chapters shows our heroine Carrie Hart found in a rather distressed condition and utterly confused. It draws you in right from the start with its delicious suspense and curiosity keeps you turning the pages. It also shows a rather important fact about humans- no one is purely bad, there are aways shades of grey within all of us. It is a twisted tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal and overall an amazing thriller. The book kinda reminded me of Homeland, so if you are fan of intrigue, detective work and overall a beautifully written emotional journey of a pure soul who wants to do right by everyone but fails (or does she?), Operation Bluebird is a must read for you.
Having said that, I do wish a little more attention was paid to the formatting of the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews