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Wayward #1
The Wayward Spy
The terrorist threat has changed. The consequences haven’t.
When her fiancé, a CIA operative accused of treason, is killed overseas, intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins smells cover-up and sets out to clear his name. Maggie disobeys direct orders and travels to Tbilisi, Georgia, to follow a trail littered with secrets and lies, corruption and deceit, risking her own life to expose the terrorist threat at the intersection where the Russian Mafia, Chechen rebels, Al Qaeda and … US government officials meet.
From the halls of power in Washington, D.C. to the political chaos of the former Soviet Union, Maggie must confront players from the intelligence, political, and criminal worlds who will do anything to stop her. How far will Maggie go to uncover the truth?
When her fiancé, a CIA operative accused of treason, is killed overseas, intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins smells cover-up and sets out to clear his name. Maggie disobeys direct orders and travels to Tbilisi, Georgia, to follow a trail littered with secrets and lies, corruption and deceit, risking her own life to expose the terrorist threat at the intersection where the Russian Mafia, Chechen rebels, Al Qaeda and … US government officials meet.
From the halls of power in Washington, D.C. to the political chaos of the former Soviet Union, Maggie must confront players from the intelligence, political, and criminal worlds who will do anything to stop her. How far will Maggie go to uncover the truth?
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2021
24 people are currently reading
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March 23, 2021No rating. Got to page 100 and am throwing in the towel. Just not for me. Not the writing pace and not the storyline. Somehow I also don't connect because that particular era feel is off. And I also find the characters just cardboard uninteresting. Despite all the grief descriptions.
Make believe that refused to let me embed as anything close to reality. Glad others have better imaginations.
Make believe that refused to let me embed as anything close to reality. Glad others have better imaginations.
April 11, 2021
“The Wayward Spy” immediately draws readers into a complicated plot filled with peril and nagging questions, but the motive is simple and uncomplicated; Maggie wants an answer. This is her personal journey from the start.
Maggie Jenkins is a normal person with regular problems. She has to jump out of the way of taxies; she breaks nails, and she wonders why files at work are not better organized. People seem to think won’t be able to handle things, but she is a survivor. She would be a horrible witness or spy, and yet here she is, working in DC where everyone is a spy for one side or the other, trying to find out why her fiancé, Steve Ryder, was killed in a terrorist bombing overseas while meeting an “asset.” The “spy establishment” concludes “wrong place, wrong time” but this was Steve who died, her Steve. She cannot just move on without a real answer.
“The Wayward Spy” unfolds with secret agent, counter terrorist threats, and espionage of all sorts. It is conversation driven so readers get glimpses of how the players present information and how they interact with others. Rumors abound hinting that someone is selling US secrets, even hinting that the culprit was Steve himself. Tangible clues appear only to vanish later. Friends become enemies, and enemies hide in plain sight, and people on every side lie. Maggie started down this path, so there is no turning back
“The Wayward Spy” has a strong sense of place from DC with its monitoring and secret alarms to Tbilisi where Maggie puts her hand on the cold stained concrete where the unthinkable happened. The pace is deliberate, organized, and purposeful. The intensity increases, and events come to an unexpected end. I received a review copy of “The Wayward Spy” from Susan Ouellette and CamCat Publishing. It is powerful, and focused. The questions have answers that none of the players anticipated.
Maggie Jenkins is a normal person with regular problems. She has to jump out of the way of taxies; she breaks nails, and she wonders why files at work are not better organized. People seem to think won’t be able to handle things, but she is a survivor. She would be a horrible witness or spy, and yet here she is, working in DC where everyone is a spy for one side or the other, trying to find out why her fiancé, Steve Ryder, was killed in a terrorist bombing overseas while meeting an “asset.” The “spy establishment” concludes “wrong place, wrong time” but this was Steve who died, her Steve. She cannot just move on without a real answer.
“The Wayward Spy” unfolds with secret agent, counter terrorist threats, and espionage of all sorts. It is conversation driven so readers get glimpses of how the players present information and how they interact with others. Rumors abound hinting that someone is selling US secrets, even hinting that the culprit was Steve himself. Tangible clues appear only to vanish later. Friends become enemies, and enemies hide in plain sight, and people on every side lie. Maggie started down this path, so there is no turning back
“The Wayward Spy” has a strong sense of place from DC with its monitoring and secret alarms to Tbilisi where Maggie puts her hand on the cold stained concrete where the unthinkable happened. The pace is deliberate, organized, and purposeful. The intensity increases, and events come to an unexpected end. I received a review copy of “The Wayward Spy” from Susan Ouellette and CamCat Publishing. It is powerful, and focused. The questions have answers that none of the players anticipated.
June 21, 2024
Not sure if there's a separate genre for "female spy story," but seems like there should be, as this falls neatly into the same category as Karen Cleveland's Need to Know and Chris Pavone's The Expats. Unfortunately, I didn't really like either of those stories for the same reason I DNF (quit at page 175) this one - I actually enjoy female protagonists, but all three of these books feature so-called intelligence professionals who are just so DUMB...why can't a female spy be as professional or even minimally capable as her male counterparts? All three leads here are supposedly career spooks (okay, two are analysts rather than case officers, but Pavone's lonely and insecure housewife was supposedly a super-spy former assassin), and yet they are consistently flustered, ditzy, and prone to just HORRIBLE decisions... not to mention lacking in the most rudimentary tradecraft - I'm pretty sure I could be a better spy than any of them, just from having watched a few Jason Bourne movies.
More than likely this is just me; there are more romantic flashbacks here than I normally like, so the intended audience for this one might just be fine with these heroines' bumbling incompetence, (MINOR SPOILER: at one point, Oullette's clutzy "Maggie" manages to escape from a group of terrorists, only to immediately trip over a tree root and knock herself out on a rock - doh!).
Anyway - by no means a bad book, and certainly better than the other two duds mentioned...but just a matter of "TMB/TLT" triage.
(Too many books; too little time)
More than likely this is just me; there are more romantic flashbacks here than I normally like, so the intended audience for this one might just be fine with these heroines' bumbling incompetence, (MINOR SPOILER: at one point, Oullette's clutzy "Maggie" manages to escape from a group of terrorists, only to immediately trip over a tree root and knock herself out on a rock - doh!).
Anyway - by no means a bad book, and certainly better than the other two duds mentioned...but just a matter of "TMB/TLT" triage.
(Too many books; too little time)
January 27, 2021
The Wayward Spy – Susan Ouellette
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to provide a review.
The author, Susan Oullette, is an American author who use to work as an analyst for the CIA and then ended up working at Capitol Hill for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Now Susan Oullette has written her first spy/thriller novel.
Maggie Jenkins is a simple woman, a former CIA analyst now working on Capital Hill, engaged to an American spy. Life was good and simple, that is until her fiancé is murdered by Chechen terrorists, killed in a bombing while meeting an asset. Now her whole life has been turned upside down, her fiancé is dead, never to return and to make really top it off – he is being framed for selling US intelligence to the Russian Mafia and allowing them to sell nuclear weapons to the Chechens who are planning an attack on US soil.
Determined to uncover the truth and prove that her fiancé would never betray the country he loved so much – she flies to Georgia to discover who killed her fiancé and how the real traitor is.
In a race to uncover the truth before more lives are put at stack Maggie is faced with many dangers and betrayal from those, she would not have thought possible. But what is the truth and what is simply misinformation designed to throw her off the path of truth?
“The Wayward Spy” is a stimulating spy thriller novel, like the Bourne novels, yet focus on a feminine hero who find she true strength and accomplishes what others think is beyond her. Maggie is a quiet person and when she receives the news of her fiancé’s murder, rather than let it break her, she uses her pain to give her strength to do what no one else was willing to do.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to provide a review.
The author, Susan Oullette, is an American author who use to work as an analyst for the CIA and then ended up working at Capitol Hill for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Now Susan Oullette has written her first spy/thriller novel.
Maggie Jenkins is a simple woman, a former CIA analyst now working on Capital Hill, engaged to an American spy. Life was good and simple, that is until her fiancé is murdered by Chechen terrorists, killed in a bombing while meeting an asset. Now her whole life has been turned upside down, her fiancé is dead, never to return and to make really top it off – he is being framed for selling US intelligence to the Russian Mafia and allowing them to sell nuclear weapons to the Chechens who are planning an attack on US soil.
Determined to uncover the truth and prove that her fiancé would never betray the country he loved so much – she flies to Georgia to discover who killed her fiancé and how the real traitor is.
In a race to uncover the truth before more lives are put at stack Maggie is faced with many dangers and betrayal from those, she would not have thought possible. But what is the truth and what is simply misinformation designed to throw her off the path of truth?
“The Wayward Spy” is a stimulating spy thriller novel, like the Bourne novels, yet focus on a feminine hero who find she true strength and accomplishes what others think is beyond her. Maggie is a quiet person and when she receives the news of her fiancé’s murder, rather than let it break her, she uses her pain to give her strength to do what no one else was willing to do.
August 6, 2021
Maggie Jenkins works as an analyst for the House Intelligence Committee. She looks forward to her upcoming wedding to Steve, a CIA operative. Then Steve is killed in an apparent assassination or terror attack in a cafe in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.
Almost immediately, Maggie learns that someone in Georgia has been passing information to the Russians, and rumors circulate that it might have been Steve. Maggie also receives a note from one of Steve's associates: "They're not telling you everything." And she receives a mysterious phone call from someone with a Russian accent, which cuts off before the caller can share his information.
When a friend in the CIA shares with Maggie a secret cable indicating that Steve may have been on to a major arms-smuggling operation, Maggie turns to Steve's boss at the CIA for help. She finds less help from Warner than she expected. Warner has problems of his own, and Maggie realizes that she no longer knows who she can trust.
Maggie flies to Georgia, resolved to clear Steve's name and find out for herself how he died. Risking her life, she confronts Chechen terrorists, the Russian mafia and an old CIA friend who may or may not be a renegade. But that's nothing compared to what awaits her upon her return to good old Washington DC.
This novel is very tightly written. Within the first couple of chapters, Steve is dead and we know what Maggie's mission will be. Within the first 50 pages, we are allowed into the relationship between Steve and Maggie and feel invested in her grief and her determination. And the story's unputdownable action all takes place within the scope of a couple of weeks. I don't usually read political thrillers, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to the sequel.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
Author of The Saints Mistress https://camcatbooks.com/Books/T/The-S...
Almost immediately, Maggie learns that someone in Georgia has been passing information to the Russians, and rumors circulate that it might have been Steve. Maggie also receives a note from one of Steve's associates: "They're not telling you everything." And she receives a mysterious phone call from someone with a Russian accent, which cuts off before the caller can share his information.
When a friend in the CIA shares with Maggie a secret cable indicating that Steve may have been on to a major arms-smuggling operation, Maggie turns to Steve's boss at the CIA for help. She finds less help from Warner than she expected. Warner has problems of his own, and Maggie realizes that she no longer knows who she can trust.
Maggie flies to Georgia, resolved to clear Steve's name and find out for herself how he died. Risking her life, she confronts Chechen terrorists, the Russian mafia and an old CIA friend who may or may not be a renegade. But that's nothing compared to what awaits her upon her return to good old Washington DC.
This novel is very tightly written. Within the first couple of chapters, Steve is dead and we know what Maggie's mission will be. Within the first 50 pages, we are allowed into the relationship between Steve and Maggie and feel invested in her grief and her determination. And the story's unputdownable action all takes place within the scope of a couple of weeks. I don't usually read political thrillers, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to the sequel.
Like my reviews? Check out my blog at http://www.kathrynbashaar.com/blog/
Author of The Saints Mistress https://camcatbooks.com/Books/T/The-S...
May 14, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. If you’re in the mood for a spy story involving Russians and Chechens, set in the early 2000s, this book will fit the bill. If you are also looking for a female main character, then look no farther. Maggie’s fiancé, a CIA operative, dies in what looks like a terrorist bombing in Tbilisi, Georgia, and the rumor starts that an American was/is selling secrets to the Russians (or the Georgians? or the Chechens?). Maggie is an intelligence analyst and wants to clear her fiancé's name. The rest of the book follows her efforts. Unfortunately, I never really got pulled in to the story. Also I figured out who the bad guy was long before Maggie did. And the ending was quite sudden.
Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2021
This is a great read--very brisk, engages you from the start. You identify with Maggie, who has lost her spy fiance in a terrorist bombing and won't put up with the notion that he was guilty of selling secrets to the Russians. In a few chapters, she's off herself to Georgia to find out the truth and clear her fiance's name. Every chapter is tightly and crisply written, leaving you with a reason to move on immediately to the next one. As someone familiar with the surroundings the author writes about, I can affirm that she knows about the espionage business and Washington. If you're looking for a spy thriller that has a female protagonist and deals with currently relevant issues, this should rank high on your list.
July 12, 2022
This was definitely a different read for me. I was on my toes from the beginning, as the author had stated that while this is a work of fiction, she had the book examined. She didn't want to give any secrets away. I saw CIA and secrets, and Russia. The first memorable scene reminded of MI-5, A television series. I won't spoil. However, it is necessary to note there is a death and the character of this person is questioned.
Most of the characters work in one form or another in government. Which in turn means they have titles that on audio can't be skipped. At one point, midway, I was a little put out by all the secrecy and I won't tell if you don't tell. We are talking National Security. Real life aside, the story is good. I think in extreme circumstances we will all twist a confidence. Once I accepted the shady sides, I enjoyed the story. I do think it ran a little long.
Erin Bennett did a nice job as the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Camcat Books for accepting my request to read and review The Wayward Spy. I am looking forward to exploring more of Susan Ouellette's work.
Most of the characters work in one form or another in government. Which in turn means they have titles that on audio can't be skipped. At one point, midway, I was a little put out by all the secrecy and I won't tell if you don't tell. We are talking National Security. Real life aside, the story is good. I think in extreme circumstances we will all twist a confidence. Once I accepted the shady sides, I enjoyed the story. I do think it ran a little long.
Erin Bennett did a nice job as the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Camcat Books for accepting my request to read and review The Wayward Spy. I am looking forward to exploring more of Susan Ouellette's work.
January 11, 2021
As if treason, a terrorist bombing, the Russian mafia, al Qaeda, and Chechen Rebels weren’t enough to ensure a gripping and thoroughly entertaining novel, Ouellette manages to ratchet up the suspense by involving her main character, Maggie, in an inconceivable and frightening scenario. When Maggie’s fiancée—a CIA operative— is murdered and criminalized by the very organization to which he pledged undying loyalty, she sets aside her devastating grief, determined to seek not only justice but also a means to exonerate him.
Arriving in Tbilisi, Georgia—more specifically, the site upon which her fiancée took his last breath—Maggie encounters danger, lies, and betrayal at every terrifying turn. Fast-paced and brimming with action, mystery lovers will find reading this thriller time well spent.
Arriving in Tbilisi, Georgia—more specifically, the site upon which her fiancée took his last breath—Maggie encounters danger, lies, and betrayal at every terrifying turn. Fast-paced and brimming with action, mystery lovers will find reading this thriller time well spent.
January 3, 2022
This is not my normal genre but the description caught my attention. My husband had a top secret job in the Army so and I really have no idea what he did so this sounded exciting. It did not disappoint, a intriguing spy thriller that had me flipping the pages so fast. Maggie is a bad ass feminine hero who does whatever she needs to in order to accomplish her mission. I’m hoping there is a sequel!
January 19, 2022
A spy novel with a female taking the lead. Maggie Jenkins is an Intelligence Analyst. When her fiance Steve, a CIA operative is killed overseas Maggie doesn't except the answers given. Maggie investigates to find out what really happened. If you like spy novels with the Russian Mafia, Al Qaeda and the United States Government I think you will enjoy this. Not very many spy novels with a female lead. I enjoyed it.
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
June 17, 2021
Maggie Jenkins a regular woman a heroine a widower a cia analyst .The story drew me right in there’s intrigue mystery and a page turning story,A new author who I will be following-
June 18, 2021
I was immediately pulled into this story. I could not put it down. The characters and the plot line are amazing, and I truly hope we get another book to see where the story goes!
April 30, 2023
This was a fun female-led CIA spy book with a complicated premise! There are several questions keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. It's a quick pace, and the characters are well-flushed out.
I didn't love the main character and wish that Maggie had been a bit smarter and could take care of herself. Also, most of the answers were given through the characters just being told information rather than them putting clever work into finding the answers. There were also some moments that didn't make a ton of sense.
But Ouellette's knowledge from working with the CIA and Congress really shown through and it was cool getting a peak into the possibilities of political dealings and dangers.
I didn't love the main character and wish that Maggie had been a bit smarter and could take care of herself. Also, most of the answers were given through the characters just being told information rather than them putting clever work into finding the answers. There were also some moments that didn't make a ton of sense.
But Ouellette's knowledge from working with the CIA and Congress really shown through and it was cool getting a peak into the possibilities of political dealings and dangers.
February 10, 2021
The Wayward Spy starts out with a bang and never stops, so many twists and turns at every corner and an ending that was superb , one I never saw coming.
It is the Cold War and Maggie is on a mission to find out how her fiance who is CIA died in a bombing in Georgia.
Your heart breaks for Maggie and at the same time you are cheering her on and yelling at her to look out.
Who can Maggie trust? I was not sure.
I don't want to give anything away but I will say the action was non stop, the pages turned quickly and the ending was fantastic.
I have to believe that Susan Ouellette will write a sequel and I will be first in line.
An amazing debut book, don't miss it. It's that good !
Thanks to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing, CamCat books for the privilege to read and review The Wayward Spy.
It is the Cold War and Maggie is on a mission to find out how her fiance who is CIA died in a bombing in Georgia.
Your heart breaks for Maggie and at the same time you are cheering her on and yelling at her to look out.
Who can Maggie trust? I was not sure.
I don't want to give anything away but I will say the action was non stop, the pages turned quickly and the ending was fantastic.
I have to believe that Susan Ouellette will write a sequel and I will be first in line.
An amazing debut book, don't miss it. It's that good !
Thanks to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing, CamCat books for the privilege to read and review The Wayward Spy.
March 2, 2021
The terrorist threat has changed. The consequences haven’t.
When her fiancé, a CIA operative accused of treason, is killed overseas, intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins smells cover-up and sets out to clear his name. Maggie disobeys direct orders and travels to Tbilisi, Georgia, to follow a trail littered with secrets and lies, corruption and deceit, risking her own life to expose the terrorist threat at the intersection where the Russian Mafia, Chechen rebels, Al Qaeda and … US government officials meet.
From the halls of power in Washington, D.C. to the political chaos of the former Soviet Union, Maggie must confront players from the intelligence, political, and criminal worlds who will do anything to stop her. How far will Maggie go to uncover the truth?
Normally political thrillers aren't my thing, but something about the synopsis caught my eye and I really enjoyed the ride. In fact, I have been thinking about what the next chapter in Maggie's life could hold and I really hope that Ouellette writes a sequel!
When her fiancé, a CIA operative accused of treason, is killed overseas, intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins smells cover-up and sets out to clear his name. Maggie disobeys direct orders and travels to Tbilisi, Georgia, to follow a trail littered with secrets and lies, corruption and deceit, risking her own life to expose the terrorist threat at the intersection where the Russian Mafia, Chechen rebels, Al Qaeda and … US government officials meet.
From the halls of power in Washington, D.C. to the political chaos of the former Soviet Union, Maggie must confront players from the intelligence, political, and criminal worlds who will do anything to stop her. How far will Maggie go to uncover the truth?
Normally political thrillers aren't my thing, but something about the synopsis caught my eye and I really enjoyed the ride. In fact, I have been thinking about what the next chapter in Maggie's life could hold and I really hope that Ouellette writes a sequel!
February 13, 2022
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“The Wayward Spy” is a gripping thriller that I could not put down once I started reading.
Firstly, I enjoyed how the author portrayed Maggie. Initially, Maggie comes across as an average person living her life. However, as the story progresses, you see how strong and resilient she is until she finds answers and will not stop at anything to learn about her Steve. I liked how the author wrote her character and included moments of the past where you also see how strong her love is for Steve. Maggie goes through a lot, and I found myself rooting for her throughout.
Secondly, I loved how the author progressed the tale. The author fills the story with thrills and chills as you start your theories about what happened to Steve. Notable moments that stood out for me were when Maggie gets a letter from Peter and finds out they aren’t telling the whole story, or Warner warns her about classified information. Speaking of whom, even Warner was captivating, as you didn’t know about his true intentions, and appeared as a question mark. I thought he brought a good element of mystery into the tale. Moreover, some scenes also shocked me, like when Maggie gets captured, you wonder what will happen to her.
Thirdly, the plot itself is stylish and complex. The story contains Russian assassins, Chechen terrorists, including selling intelligence. The timeline also takes place during the George Bush era with Putin, and I enjoyed how the author included the political elements into the storylines.
Overall, “The Wayward Spy” is a gripping political, suspense, mystery thriller with many twists and turns. If you are a fan of the genre, you will love reading this!
June 26, 2022
Name of Book: The Wayward Spy
Author: Susan Ouelette
Series: Wayward
Audiobook narrator: Erin Bennett
Publisher: Cam Cat Books
Genre: Espionage, Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
My Rating: 3+
Maggie Jenkins works as an analyst for the House Intelligence Committee. She and Steve, a CIA operative are planning their upcoming.
However, Steve is killed on a mission in the Soviet Republic of Georgia.
It is rumored that he was passing confidential classified information to the Russians.
Maggie is grieving from his death but she has to know the truth.
This story kept me interested but I am disappointed with the cliffhanger ending!
Now I have to read The Wayward Assassin which is Book #2 in this series.
When is particular interesting about this story ~ Susan Ouellette is a former intelligence analyst for the CIA. She majored in of international relations and Russian language and culture as an ungraduated as well as graduate at both Harvard University and Boston University.
I am an audiobook fan but I also am particular about the narrator.
Erin Bennett is one of my favorites!!! 💘
Want to thank NetGalley and Can Cat Books for this Audio eGalley!
This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form. Publishing Release Date was March 2, 2021
Author: Susan Ouelette
Series: Wayward
Audiobook narrator: Erin Bennett
Publisher: Cam Cat Books
Genre: Espionage, Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
My Rating: 3+
Maggie Jenkins works as an analyst for the House Intelligence Committee. She and Steve, a CIA operative are planning their upcoming.
However, Steve is killed on a mission in the Soviet Republic of Georgia.
It is rumored that he was passing confidential classified information to the Russians.
Maggie is grieving from his death but she has to know the truth.
This story kept me interested but I am disappointed with the cliffhanger ending!
Now I have to read The Wayward Assassin which is Book #2 in this series.
When is particular interesting about this story ~ Susan Ouellette is a former intelligence analyst for the CIA. She majored in of international relations and Russian language and culture as an ungraduated as well as graduate at both Harvard University and Boston University.
I am an audiobook fan but I also am particular about the narrator.
Erin Bennett is one of my favorites!!! 💘
Want to thank NetGalley and Can Cat Books for this Audio eGalley!
This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form. Publishing Release Date was March 2, 2021
January 19, 2022
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a political or spy thriller and this one did not disappoint. It had just enough action that kept me turning pages into the early morning while at the same time explained in terms even I could figure out what the bad guys were doing.
I liked the timeframe of being in 2003 while tensions were still high from 9/11. I also appreciated the map at the beginning of the book of Georgia (the country not the state) and it’s surrounding neighbors to use as a reference point.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot and give anything away but when a book starts with a female assassin bombing a cafe it caught my attention quickly! I will also tell you the ending left me wanting another book featuring the main character, Intelligent Committee analyst, Maggie Jenkins.
If you like international political intrigue, dirty officials, and a woman bent on finding out the truth about her dead fiancé, then put your helmet on and don’t miss this wild ride. (One of my favorite parts of the book is when Maggie drives a motorcycle to outrun some bad guys!)
About the Book
(I’m only giving you the briefest overview in order to not spoil any part of this read.)
Maggie Jenkins gets word that her fiancée CIA operative, Steve Ryder, is killed in Georgia. After that devastating blow, Steve is also accused of being a traitor.
Maggie knows that Steve would never betray his country and she will do whatever it takes to clear his name and find the truth.
I liked the timeframe of being in 2003 while tensions were still high from 9/11. I also appreciated the map at the beginning of the book of Georgia (the country not the state) and it’s surrounding neighbors to use as a reference point.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot and give anything away but when a book starts with a female assassin bombing a cafe it caught my attention quickly! I will also tell you the ending left me wanting another book featuring the main character, Intelligent Committee analyst, Maggie Jenkins.
If you like international political intrigue, dirty officials, and a woman bent on finding out the truth about her dead fiancé, then put your helmet on and don’t miss this wild ride. (One of my favorite parts of the book is when Maggie drives a motorcycle to outrun some bad guys!)
About the Book
(I’m only giving you the briefest overview in order to not spoil any part of this read.)
Maggie Jenkins gets word that her fiancée CIA operative, Steve Ryder, is killed in Georgia. After that devastating blow, Steve is also accused of being a traitor.
Maggie knows that Steve would never betray his country and she will do whatever it takes to clear his name and find the truth.
February 9, 2022
A spy who's not a spy determined to find the truth.
Intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins is living for the day her fiance returns from his mission in Tbilisi, Georgia. Disaster strikes and he comes home in a box. To make matters worse, he's accused of treason but that's not the man Maggie knows. Not getting the answers she needs to move on, Maggie sets out to find the truth and clear his name.
This is a first rate spy thriller that captivated me from start to finish. Who doesn't love a strong, determined female protagonist? I found this one to be well crafted with the suspense building to a thrilling climax and cliff hanging ending. Maggie is a compelling character you can't help rooting for. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and questioning the supporting cast. The fact that the author was a CIA analyst herself adds to the credibility and details only an insider would know.
I highly recommend this one to fans of the genre as well as anyone who enjoys strong female characters leading the way. And there's a sequel coming that I for one can't wait for!
.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
Intelligence analyst Maggie Jenkins is living for the day her fiance returns from his mission in Tbilisi, Georgia. Disaster strikes and he comes home in a box. To make matters worse, he's accused of treason but that's not the man Maggie knows. Not getting the answers she needs to move on, Maggie sets out to find the truth and clear his name.
This is a first rate spy thriller that captivated me from start to finish. Who doesn't love a strong, determined female protagonist? I found this one to be well crafted with the suspense building to a thrilling climax and cliff hanging ending. Maggie is a compelling character you can't help rooting for. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and questioning the supporting cast. The fact that the author was a CIA analyst herself adds to the credibility and details only an insider would know.
I highly recommend this one to fans of the genre as well as anyone who enjoys strong female characters leading the way. And there's a sequel coming that I for one can't wait for!
.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
February 27, 2021
Nicely done book by a new author.
Maggie Jenkns’, CIA Analyst, fiancee was stationed in Tbilisi Georgia, south of Russia and North of Turkey. He had died in the explosion in the restaurant that morning and now he was being accused of selling national secrets. Maggie made it her task to prove them wrong, whoever “them” was.
On a journey that will take the reader from the top of the US Capitol’s dome to the countryside of Tbilisi Georgia and back, Maggie is one step ahead of the CIA agents charged with discovering the truth behind Steve’s death.
The plot is well written and attention holding. And the conclusion leaves room for more story - as we the readers know the true story, but the protagonists are being charged with murder and espionage. And a major terrorist is still on the loose.
As this reviewer said earlier, “Nicely done book by a new author.” This reader will be looking for more to come.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.
Maggie Jenkns’, CIA Analyst, fiancee was stationed in Tbilisi Georgia, south of Russia and North of Turkey. He had died in the explosion in the restaurant that morning and now he was being accused of selling national secrets. Maggie made it her task to prove them wrong, whoever “them” was.
On a journey that will take the reader from the top of the US Capitol’s dome to the countryside of Tbilisi Georgia and back, Maggie is one step ahead of the CIA agents charged with discovering the truth behind Steve’s death.
The plot is well written and attention holding. And the conclusion leaves room for more story - as we the readers know the true story, but the protagonists are being charged with murder and espionage. And a major terrorist is still on the loose.
As this reviewer said earlier, “Nicely done book by a new author.” This reader will be looking for more to come.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.
November 26, 2020
Loved this book! From the opening paragraph to the very last sentence, Ms. Ouellette kept me on the edge of my seat. This is a well thought out, believable spy-thriller that could be lifted from the headlines.
The heroine is Maggie, an intel analyst whose fiancé, a CIA operative, is killed in a bombing in Tbilisi, Georgia. She is told that it may not have been a matter of wrong place/wrong time, so she starts to do what analysts do and the story just gets better from there.
Trust me. If you like espionage and thrillers, pick up this book! Ms. Ouellette knows what she is writing about and the characters are well developed and believable. Maggie is a strong female character and I hope to see her in more books. I can see this story on the big screen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. Ouellette for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The heroine is Maggie, an intel analyst whose fiancé, a CIA operative, is killed in a bombing in Tbilisi, Georgia. She is told that it may not have been a matter of wrong place/wrong time, so she starts to do what analysts do and the story just gets better from there.
Trust me. If you like espionage and thrillers, pick up this book! Ms. Ouellette knows what she is writing about and the characters are well developed and believable. Maggie is a strong female character and I hope to see her in more books. I can see this story on the big screen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. Ouellette for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 19, 2020
Wow !
While this is not my usual genre, I am so glad I opened the first page.
From page one I was a Maggie fan, Maggie and her fiancé are both CIA agents. Her fiancé is killed while on a mission. And if that wasn’t enough someone is trying you say he was a spy and tarnish his reputation. Maggie decides to do anything to clear his name
Secrets, lies, trust or don’t trust!
Thank you to Netgalley and Susan Ouellette for an advanced reading copy
While this is not my usual genre, I am so glad I opened the first page.
From page one I was a Maggie fan, Maggie and her fiancé are both CIA agents. Her fiancé is killed while on a mission. And if that wasn’t enough someone is trying you say he was a spy and tarnish his reputation. Maggie decides to do anything to clear his name
Secrets, lies, trust or don’t trust!
Thank you to Netgalley and Susan Ouellette for an advanced reading copy
December 6, 2020
An excellent espionage novel showing the the current Cold War, with the stakes as high as ever. The protagonist’s quest for justice set in the murky waters of international intrigue will delight all espionage genre lovers.
March 29, 2021
Great first book by the author
February 27, 2021
An intense spy thriller that has you guessing throughout who is good and who is bad. I really enjoyed reading how this story unfolded and the ending was crazy! This was reminiscent of a good Homeland season. I thought the writing was really good too as it didn't get too bogged down with government talk but still included a lot to make the story feel really authentic. Definitely check this book out if you are looking for a good spy thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchanged for my review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchanged for my review.
January 11, 2022
I think this is the first time I've read a spy thriller with a female as the main character! One of the reasons I always have trouble getting into the whole spy thing is that it always seems like they are unrealistic. So the fact that Maggie is an everyday person dealing with everyday problems made this a really easy read for me! There were so many times I thought that I figured out what was going on and then something would happen and it would have me wondering all over again! It didn't take me long to finish. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next! Really good read!
January 6, 2022
Maggie Jenkins is an intelligence analyst; her fiancé was a CIA operative who was accused of treason and killed overseas Now she is doing whatever it takes to find out what happened and clear Steve’s name. for that she travels to Tbilisi, Georgia to uncover secrets.
This was a tightly written story, and Maggie’s character was very easy to connect with. Learning about their close relationship before Steve was killed, I could feel Maggie’s pain and grief.
I liked that our protagonist was a determined female character. Political thrillers are not really what I read; however, I found this book engaging.
I have to say the first half of the story is a bit slow, but the story takes off halfway through the book and turns into a page-turner.
This was a tightly written story, and Maggie’s character was very easy to connect with. Learning about their close relationship before Steve was killed, I could feel Maggie’s pain and grief.
I liked that our protagonist was a determined female character. Political thrillers are not really what I read; however, I found this book engaging.
I have to say the first half of the story is a bit slow, but the story takes off halfway through the book and turns into a page-turner.
November 5, 2020
Modern Day Thriller
A Thriller of a book, especially since it could actually happen in real life. It kept me in suspense the whole time, I couldn't read fast enough. It has a bit of everything, danger, intrigue, murder, shoot outs, Russians, Chechen's, mobsters and corrupt government agents.
Maggie and her fiancée Steven are both government agents. Maggie works for the CIA. Stephen is murdered in a bombing in the country of Georgia just across the border from Russia. When he is accused of selling secrets to the Russians Maggie knows she has to find out what happened and clear his name.
She travels to Georgia and finds danger and a dangerous plot to harm America. She finds out she cannot trust those she thought were friends and is not even sure she can trust her own boss.
This book plays out in spell binding terror as she fights for her life and the truth. The saddest part is after finding her way back to America she finds she is in even more danger than before.
You won't want to miss a moment of this intriguing spy story. Pick up a copy and read it, I recommend it.
Thanks to Susan Ouelette, Camcat Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
A Thriller of a book, especially since it could actually happen in real life. It kept me in suspense the whole time, I couldn't read fast enough. It has a bit of everything, danger, intrigue, murder, shoot outs, Russians, Chechen's, mobsters and corrupt government agents.
Maggie and her fiancée Steven are both government agents. Maggie works for the CIA. Stephen is murdered in a bombing in the country of Georgia just across the border from Russia. When he is accused of selling secrets to the Russians Maggie knows she has to find out what happened and clear his name.
She travels to Georgia and finds danger and a dangerous plot to harm America. She finds out she cannot trust those she thought were friends and is not even sure she can trust her own boss.
This book plays out in spell binding terror as she fights for her life and the truth. The saddest part is after finding her way back to America she finds she is in even more danger than before.
You won't want to miss a moment of this intriguing spy story. Pick up a copy and read it, I recommend it.
Thanks to Susan Ouelette, Camcat Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.
September 10, 2021
The true winner is this novel is the main character, Maggie. In a world where authors are constantly overcompensating for years of “weak women” in cinema and media altogether—I’m talking about the constantly kidnapped Daphnes and comic-book “girlfriend tropes”—it’s refreshing to find a heroine who is so realistic. Maggie is not a trained spy, she does not have super powers, and she makes a series of poor choices that are completely realistic given her astounding situation. This characterization, in my opinion, grounds the entire story and kept me reading (switching between the text and the powerfully narrated audiobook at break-neck speed), if only to see whether this ordinary woman could put it all together in the end.
Although a I didn’t connect as deeply with Maggie’s CIA associate Warner (it’s not his fault I was too captivated by Maggie), I thought he was a well-written, well-developed character. His stakes in the story were every bit as sweat-inducing, and readers will have no trouble relating to the CIA man with a shed full of secrets.
Oh, and the book’s ending was well worth the journey!
Overall, this award-winning debuted novel has well-earned its prestige, and I personally think more people should pick it up. Give this one a read or a listen, and join me in eagerly awaiting the sequel, WAYWARD ASSASSIN.
Although a I didn’t connect as deeply with Maggie’s CIA associate Warner (it’s not his fault I was too captivated by Maggie), I thought he was a well-written, well-developed character. His stakes in the story were every bit as sweat-inducing, and readers will have no trouble relating to the CIA man with a shed full of secrets.
Oh, and the book’s ending was well worth the journey!
Overall, this award-winning debuted novel has well-earned its prestige, and I personally think more people should pick it up. Give this one a read or a listen, and join me in eagerly awaiting the sequel, WAYWARD ASSASSIN.
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