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The Child Riddler
Despite the angry scars she carries from her childhood training, Zoe Lorel has reached a good place in her life. She has her dream job as an elite operative in an international spy agency and she's found her one true love. Her world is mostly perfect-until she is sent to abduct a nine-year-old girl.
The girl is the only one who knows the riddle that holds the code to unleash the most lethal weapon on earth-the first ever "invisibility" nanoweapon, a cloaking spider bot. But Zoe's agency isn't the only one after the child. And when enemies reveal the invisibility weapon's existence to underground arms dealers, every government and terrorist organization in the world want to find that little girl.
Zoe races to save not only the child she has grown to care about, but also herself. The agency prescribed pills-the ones that transform her into the icy killer she must become to survive-are beginning to threaten her engagement to the one person who brings her happiness. Can she protect the young girl and still protect the one thing she cares more about than anything else?
The girl is the only one who knows the riddle that holds the code to unleash the most lethal weapon on earth-the first ever "invisibility" nanoweapon, a cloaking spider bot. But Zoe's agency isn't the only one after the child. And when enemies reveal the invisibility weapon's existence to underground arms dealers, every government and terrorist organization in the world want to find that little girl.
Zoe races to save not only the child she has grown to care about, but also herself. The agency prescribed pills-the ones that transform her into the icy killer she must become to survive-are beginning to threaten her engagement to the one person who brings her happiness. Can she protect the young girl and still protect the one thing she cares more about than anything else?
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2022
8 people are currently reading
2081 people want to read
About the author
Angela Greenman
1 book17 followersAngela Greenman is an internationally recognized communications professional. Her career has spanned the spectrum from community relations in Chicago to US and world governments’ public communications on nuclear power. She has worked in sixteen countries including Brazil, China, France, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa.
Her debut techno-thriller, The Child Riddler, has received 15 award recognitions, including a 2025 NYC Big Book Award, a 2023 Gold Medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, a 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, and a 2023 American Fiction Award.
The first fifty pages of the unpublished manuscript of her second book, The Invisible Predator, won a Claymore Award for 1st Runner Up Best Manuscript and Best Action Adventure at the 2025 International Killer Nashville Writers' Conference.
Her debut techno-thriller, The Child Riddler, has received 15 award recognitions, including a 2025 NYC Big Book Award, a 2023 Gold Medal from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, a 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, and a 2023 American Fiction Award.
The first fifty pages of the unpublished manuscript of her second book, The Invisible Predator, won a Claymore Award for 1st Runner Up Best Manuscript and Best Action Adventure at the 2025 International Killer Nashville Writers' Conference.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 3, 2022
Zoe was trained to be an assassin from a very tender age. Now, as an adult, she is considered the best at her trade. Zoe works for her uncle‘s spy agency to eradicate terrorists and make the world a safer place. All is going well for Zoe until she is tasked to kidnap the nine year old daughter of the terrorist she just killed.
The Child Riddler is a debut novel with some of the hitches and hiccups expected from a novice writer. The story is wonderfully spy-ish with amazing nanotechnology, intriguing gadgets, evil killing concoctions and pure adrenaline rush escapades. Zoe is supposed to have our compassion due to her backstory but unfortunately Greenman doesn’t expose the reader to a fully three dimensional character. Zoe comes across as rigid, cold, aloof and all about her work. This is demonstrated every time Zoe thinks of her fiancé as her Lady which feels cold and lacking in affection.
There are also a few scenarios which lacked credibility and felt rushed to move the story forward including the bonding between Zoe and the nine year old.
As a debut novel, The Child Riddler is full of spy themed action. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel but felt bereaved of human and emotional contact.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Child Riddler is a debut novel with some of the hitches and hiccups expected from a novice writer. The story is wonderfully spy-ish with amazing nanotechnology, intriguing gadgets, evil killing concoctions and pure adrenaline rush escapades. Zoe is supposed to have our compassion due to her backstory but unfortunately Greenman doesn’t expose the reader to a fully three dimensional character. Zoe comes across as rigid, cold, aloof and all about her work. This is demonstrated every time Zoe thinks of her fiancé as her Lady which feels cold and lacking in affection.
There are also a few scenarios which lacked credibility and felt rushed to move the story forward including the bonding between Zoe and the nine year old.
As a debut novel, The Child Riddler is full of spy themed action. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel but felt bereaved of human and emotional contact.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 10, 2022
The child riddler, for me, was very difficult to get into. It does have action, but I felt things didn't add up right. Leaving questions behind that I didn't get answers for. The relationship seemed odd too.
This book just wasn't for me.
1/5
This book just wasn't for me.
1/5
August 4, 2022
This spy thriller has its ups and downs. Not so much a romance but a action packed thriller. Zoe Lorel, elite operative/assassin, working for an international spy agency with a wonderful girlfriend whom she hopes will soon be her wife, Isabel. There is a 9 year old child, Leah at the center of the read. There is much pain to go around which has quite a bit to do with Zoe's Uncle Easton. He makes me think of the quote, "power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely". On the other hand, when you think of the agency Easton runs, it does provide protection which unfortunately is desperately needed. The read seems to set-up a follow-up book.
ARC provided by Bella Books, via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bella Books, via NetGalley
September 16, 2022
This was such an action-packed thriller and the plot was incredible! My first from this author, but definitely not my last!
July 17, 2022
A slick spy thriller that balances a futuristic counter-terrorism mission with the battle for its heroine’s soul.
Zoe Lorel is an elite operative in an international spy agency called Global Threat Assessment (GTA). The GTA faces an increasingly sprawling network of malevolent organizations that includes ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, the Real IRA, the KKK and others. Zoe’s boss and uncle, Easton Hughes, calls the collective evil a “worldwide extremist infection.” Easton believes the top threat to civilization’s survival is a powerful cloaking technology. Unfortunately, the world’s first “invisibility weapon” has fallen into Iranian hands.
To get the code needed to control the technology, Easton orders Zoe to abduct Leah, the nine-year-old daughter of the Greek billionaire who sold it to Iran. Zoe is no stranger to violence, having killed the girls’ father. But the idea of kidnapping and interrogating the girl crosses an ethical line – even if Zoe doesn’t seem to quite know where that line is. But Zoe also knows that kidnapping the girl may be the only way to keep her safe from others vying for the cloaking technology.
While author Angela Greenman has created a high-concept plot that would be entertaining enough on its own terms, The Child Riddler soars when it’s grappling with the question of self-determination. Like Seth Lockhead’s Hanna and Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Zoe was not necessarily destined to become a fearsome killer. She was instead trained and manipulated from a young age to become the GTA’s top operative. But author Angela Greenman has created a truly mesmerizing character in Zoe, who, unlike Hanna and Bourne, seems to be largely aware of who and what she is.
In the early going, Zoe recalls painful memories at Woodbury Boarding School, where she endured significant physical abuse en route to becoming fluent in six languages. And all with the approval of creepy Uncle Easton, who affectionately calls her “Wildcat” (also her GTA code name) even as he prescribes drugs that give her “an infusion of ruthlessness” prior to an operation. All the while, she clearly adores and admires Uncle Easton, even while his oft-repeated phrase – that’s my girl – seems to make her increasingly queasy.
The book’s conscience is Zoe’s fiance, Isabel, whose pleas for Zoe to get therapy inject romantic and professional tension into the story. At times, Isabel is clearly in a battle for the life she and Zoe want together. At others, she’s in a battle for nothing less than Zoe’s soul. Zoe’s decision to transfer to GTA’s Albuquerque office adds additional suspense, a decision that threatens to drive a wedge in the family business. All the while, Greenman ensures that the relationships and actions between Zoe, Isabel, Easton and Leah are anything but predictable. The Child Riddler keeps readers gripped and guessing until the very end.
Zoe Lorel is an elite operative in an international spy agency called Global Threat Assessment (GTA). The GTA faces an increasingly sprawling network of malevolent organizations that includes ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, the Real IRA, the KKK and others. Zoe’s boss and uncle, Easton Hughes, calls the collective evil a “worldwide extremist infection.” Easton believes the top threat to civilization’s survival is a powerful cloaking technology. Unfortunately, the world’s first “invisibility weapon” has fallen into Iranian hands.
To get the code needed to control the technology, Easton orders Zoe to abduct Leah, the nine-year-old daughter of the Greek billionaire who sold it to Iran. Zoe is no stranger to violence, having killed the girls’ father. But the idea of kidnapping and interrogating the girl crosses an ethical line – even if Zoe doesn’t seem to quite know where that line is. But Zoe also knows that kidnapping the girl may be the only way to keep her safe from others vying for the cloaking technology.
While author Angela Greenman has created a high-concept plot that would be entertaining enough on its own terms, The Child Riddler soars when it’s grappling with the question of self-determination. Like Seth Lockhead’s Hanna and Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Zoe was not necessarily destined to become a fearsome killer. She was instead trained and manipulated from a young age to become the GTA’s top operative. But author Angela Greenman has created a truly mesmerizing character in Zoe, who, unlike Hanna and Bourne, seems to be largely aware of who and what she is.
In the early going, Zoe recalls painful memories at Woodbury Boarding School, where she endured significant physical abuse en route to becoming fluent in six languages. And all with the approval of creepy Uncle Easton, who affectionately calls her “Wildcat” (also her GTA code name) even as he prescribes drugs that give her “an infusion of ruthlessness” prior to an operation. All the while, she clearly adores and admires Uncle Easton, even while his oft-repeated phrase – that’s my girl – seems to make her increasingly queasy.
The book’s conscience is Zoe’s fiance, Isabel, whose pleas for Zoe to get therapy inject romantic and professional tension into the story. At times, Isabel is clearly in a battle for the life she and Zoe want together. At others, she’s in a battle for nothing less than Zoe’s soul. Zoe’s decision to transfer to GTA’s Albuquerque office adds additional suspense, a decision that threatens to drive a wedge in the family business. All the while, Greenman ensures that the relationships and actions between Zoe, Isabel, Easton and Leah are anything but predictable. The Child Riddler keeps readers gripped and guessing until the very end.
May 11, 2023
This story has a fast-paced and intriguing plot line of espionage and counter-espionage, where the writer focuses on strong female characters that are engaging and inclusive, yet also have human flaws.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 19, 2022
The plot was great but for whatever reason I didn't quite enjoy the story as I thought I would. Regardless I recommend, 3 stars.
Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
July 4, 2022
Zoe Lorel is Wildcat, a highly trained spy/assassin. She is based out of the US but works for an international spy agency. Zoe’s latest mission is getting the code for a new nanoweapon. A child is believed to have the code sequence which she learned from her father who taught her riddles (hence the name of the book). Other government agencies are after the child as well making for some exciting moments. Zoe has to stretch herself to bond and create trust with the child. Some of the story is spent on setting up Zoe’s background (a horrific training school), and her agency which is run by her uncle. Zoe also has a fiancé/love interest who works for the same agency.
I didn’t really enjoy the story. I love spy stories when I’m rooting for the good guys as they work against enemies. But this is all morally questionable as the agency you’re suppose to cheer for is corrupt. And Zoe is skilled but she’s been drugged and manipulated her whole life. I didn't buy into her love relationship either as they didn’t seem to be in agreement as to what their futures will look like. I think I would read another in the series to see where it is going but it isn’t a book I’d strongly recommend.
I didn’t really enjoy the story. I love spy stories when I’m rooting for the good guys as they work against enemies. But this is all morally questionable as the agency you’re suppose to cheer for is corrupt. And Zoe is skilled but she’s been drugged and manipulated her whole life. I didn't buy into her love relationship either as they didn’t seem to be in agreement as to what their futures will look like. I think I would read another in the series to see where it is going but it isn’t a book I’d strongly recommend.
February 21, 2023
The Child Riddler by Angela Greenman introduces Zoe Lorel, an operative for a secret, shadowy government intelligence agency that primarily assassinates the country’s enemies. Greenman offers some very flawed and not very likeable characters in this spy thriller, but none more flawed than the protagonist, Zoe Lorel. Authors imbue characters with flaws to make them feel more realistic, since actual people are far from perfect. A perfect character would seem both unbelievable, and boring. Yet here, Greenman has given the protagonist so many flaws that I found her hard to relate to and the flaws somewhat distracting.
The book opens with a bang with a powerful, action-packed scene that matches up well with some of the best spy thrillers I’ve read previously. While I don’t review them here much since they aren’t the focus of this review site, I’ve enjoyed reading many spy thrillers since discovering Tom Clancy many years ago. I’m a big fan of Robert Ludlum’s original Jason Bourne series books and the Matt Damon movies based on them. You could say Zoe Lorel is a female archetype of Bourne since she is also an elite assassin working for a secret government intelligence agency. The character also shares a similarity with the Jeremy Renner character in The Bourne Legacy film. Like Aaron Cross in the film, Zoe Lorel has a dependency on addictive drugs that give her peak performance and effectiveness as an assassin. And side effects of these drugs eventually cause her some serious problems.
When we first meet Zoe, she is in the middle of a mission to assassinate a target to keep a sophisticated, high-tech new weapon from falling into the wrong hands. During the mission, Zoe encounters a young girl by happenstance who plays a key role later in the story. After the promising start, the pace falls off dramatically as Greenman introduces us to the main side story of the novel, Zoe’s romantic relationship with her girlfriend, Isabel, who works in a support role for the same government agency.
The side story mostly failed to hold my interest because, after the opening scenes, I was expecting a spy thriller, not a romance. Except it helped disclose flaws about Zoe that for me made her such an unsympathetic character. As an example, Isabel wants Zoe to leave the front lines so they can marry, live together, and raise a family. Zoe seems to feel a strong sexual attraction to the curvy Isabel, but shows little concern about the things Isabel wants or finds important. And despite the relationship, Zoe takes full advantage of the “open” relationship agreement with Isabel to indulge her hedonistic appetites, such as a sexual liaison with a professional BDSM mistress. These characteristics make Zoe a character hard to like because she seems such a selfish, self-absorbed person who is primarily concerned with satisfying her own needs and desires.
There is another slow-paced sequence of scenes where Zoe and Isabel attend an important agency meeting. While there, the head of the agency (incidentally her uncle), gives Zoe a new assignment to abduct the young girl she encountered at the beginning of the book long enough to extract a critical code needed to make a captured high-tech weapon fully operational.
Greenman is a capable writer and many of the action-packed scenes a reader expects from a spy thriller are well done and highly entertaining. But the side story and Zoe’s mostly ambivalent attitude toward a functional relationship and raising a family make the pacing feel uneven. In fairness, Zoe makes a transformative character arc journey over the course of the story and comes out a somewhat better person on the other side. But I can’t say I every truly liked the character.
I enjoyed the dramatic spy action sequences in the book very much, but found the romantic side story a distraction. Still, fans of spy thrillers who enjoy a thriller infused with a healthy dose of romance should enjoy this well-written book, though it probably skews more to fans of the LGBTQ+ literature niche, the audience the author and publisher clearly aimed for.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review purposes.
The book opens with a bang with a powerful, action-packed scene that matches up well with some of the best spy thrillers I’ve read previously. While I don’t review them here much since they aren’t the focus of this review site, I’ve enjoyed reading many spy thrillers since discovering Tom Clancy many years ago. I’m a big fan of Robert Ludlum’s original Jason Bourne series books and the Matt Damon movies based on them. You could say Zoe Lorel is a female archetype of Bourne since she is also an elite assassin working for a secret government intelligence agency. The character also shares a similarity with the Jeremy Renner character in The Bourne Legacy film. Like Aaron Cross in the film, Zoe Lorel has a dependency on addictive drugs that give her peak performance and effectiveness as an assassin. And side effects of these drugs eventually cause her some serious problems.
When we first meet Zoe, she is in the middle of a mission to assassinate a target to keep a sophisticated, high-tech new weapon from falling into the wrong hands. During the mission, Zoe encounters a young girl by happenstance who plays a key role later in the story. After the promising start, the pace falls off dramatically as Greenman introduces us to the main side story of the novel, Zoe’s romantic relationship with her girlfriend, Isabel, who works in a support role for the same government agency.
The side story mostly failed to hold my interest because, after the opening scenes, I was expecting a spy thriller, not a romance. Except it helped disclose flaws about Zoe that for me made her such an unsympathetic character. As an example, Isabel wants Zoe to leave the front lines so they can marry, live together, and raise a family. Zoe seems to feel a strong sexual attraction to the curvy Isabel, but shows little concern about the things Isabel wants or finds important. And despite the relationship, Zoe takes full advantage of the “open” relationship agreement with Isabel to indulge her hedonistic appetites, such as a sexual liaison with a professional BDSM mistress. These characteristics make Zoe a character hard to like because she seems such a selfish, self-absorbed person who is primarily concerned with satisfying her own needs and desires.
There is another slow-paced sequence of scenes where Zoe and Isabel attend an important agency meeting. While there, the head of the agency (incidentally her uncle), gives Zoe a new assignment to abduct the young girl she encountered at the beginning of the book long enough to extract a critical code needed to make a captured high-tech weapon fully operational.
Greenman is a capable writer and many of the action-packed scenes a reader expects from a spy thriller are well done and highly entertaining. But the side story and Zoe’s mostly ambivalent attitude toward a functional relationship and raising a family make the pacing feel uneven. In fairness, Zoe makes a transformative character arc journey over the course of the story and comes out a somewhat better person on the other side. But I can’t say I every truly liked the character.
I enjoyed the dramatic spy action sequences in the book very much, but found the romantic side story a distraction. Still, fans of spy thrillers who enjoy a thriller infused with a healthy dose of romance should enjoy this well-written book, though it probably skews more to fans of the LGBTQ+ literature niche, the audience the author and publisher clearly aimed for.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review purposes.
August 12, 2023
The Child Riddler is a fascinating, fast paced novel in the thriller genre with a side of woman loving woman romance. The author chases her queries through Europe while touching home base in the American Southwest. The Child Riddler has plenty of imagination and complexity as well as a well developed plot and characters.
Our lead character Zoe, is first tasked with assassinating a man who possesses a much sought after cloaking spider bot. Her uncle who heads a UN agency charged with eliminating world terrorist organizations provides Zoe with the drugs she needs to be the cold killer she must be to take on her assignments. Securing the spider bot was not enough when it is learned that only the 9 year old niece of the man who possessed the spider bot knows the combination to access its full potential. Zoe is sent to kidnap the girl and get her to reveal the riddle to access the bot. This takes us on a tour of European locations with vivid descriptions that can only have been written by one who knows them intimately.
Zoe in particular is a well developed character and her morally compromised uncle is equally well drawn. Assassin Zoe had the right amount of toughness and determination balanced by personal angst about her domestic life.
While plot and character development are critical, a novel needs imagination to really capture me, and The Child Riddler provides lots of imagination. Giving one of the bad guys Alzheimer’s was brilliant and the use of riddles was perfect. I also loved all the descriptions of the European cities, I felt like I was there. If I have to offer a criticism it would be the basis for the elimination of one character who had the hots for Zoe was a bit thin and not in keeping with the depth of the rest of the novel. Given the state of our politics, The Child Riddler ends as cautionary tale about the dangers of absolute power.
While I don’t usually read a lot of thrillers, I’m definite looking forward to a sequel to The Child Riddler. The author left herself wide open for a sequel which can explore the dangers of absolute power.
Our lead character Zoe, is first tasked with assassinating a man who possesses a much sought after cloaking spider bot. Her uncle who heads a UN agency charged with eliminating world terrorist organizations provides Zoe with the drugs she needs to be the cold killer she must be to take on her assignments. Securing the spider bot was not enough when it is learned that only the 9 year old niece of the man who possessed the spider bot knows the combination to access its full potential. Zoe is sent to kidnap the girl and get her to reveal the riddle to access the bot. This takes us on a tour of European locations with vivid descriptions that can only have been written by one who knows them intimately.
Zoe in particular is a well developed character and her morally compromised uncle is equally well drawn. Assassin Zoe had the right amount of toughness and determination balanced by personal angst about her domestic life.
While plot and character development are critical, a novel needs imagination to really capture me, and The Child Riddler provides lots of imagination. Giving one of the bad guys Alzheimer’s was brilliant and the use of riddles was perfect. I also loved all the descriptions of the European cities, I felt like I was there. If I have to offer a criticism it would be the basis for the elimination of one character who had the hots for Zoe was a bit thin and not in keeping with the depth of the rest of the novel. Given the state of our politics, The Child Riddler ends as cautionary tale about the dangers of absolute power.
While I don’t usually read a lot of thrillers, I’m definite looking forward to a sequel to The Child Riddler. The author left herself wide open for a sequel which can explore the dangers of absolute power.
October 27, 2022
The Child Riddler is an extremely entertaining techno-thriller expertly written by internationally recognized communications professional and newly minted author, Angela Greenman.
Ms. Greenman has painstakingly plotted and beautifully delivered to her readers and listeners an against the clock roller coaster of a globetrotting adventure, filled with memorable characters, scary scenarios, fast action, special operators, secret missions, espionage, romance, chases, gun fights, exhilarating close quarter combat, exotic locations, plus some beautiful descriptions of cities and architecture.
The story follows Zoe, a badass female operative working for a private agency, handling sensitive assignments and operations. Although for Zoe the mission comes always first, she also tries to balance her work & life with the need to have an actual family. But when she is sent to kidnap a young girl, her life is turned upside down and with the world’s security at stake, Zoe is forced to get her priorities straight.
The audiobook version of The Child Riddler is beautifully brought to life by talented voiceover artist and award-winning narrator Xe Sands. Delivering a natural, engaging and entertaining performance, Xe Sands manages to delight the listener tremendously by creating a complete level of immersion with this audio production. She reads, she acts, she gets emotional when needed or ice cold when the situation demands it, she switches voices and accents seamlessly and she entertains always!
If you like high octane thrillers, driven by a captivating story, tridimensional characters, well written action scenes, and are a fan of authors like Gayle Lynds, D.V. Berkom or Taylor Stevens, then I highly recommend that you check out The Child Riddler by Angela Greenman. I really enjoyed this adventure starring Zoe, the Wild Cat of covert operations, and I hope more of them will be coming our way in the future!
Ms. Greenman has painstakingly plotted and beautifully delivered to her readers and listeners an against the clock roller coaster of a globetrotting adventure, filled with memorable characters, scary scenarios, fast action, special operators, secret missions, espionage, romance, chases, gun fights, exhilarating close quarter combat, exotic locations, plus some beautiful descriptions of cities and architecture.
The story follows Zoe, a badass female operative working for a private agency, handling sensitive assignments and operations. Although for Zoe the mission comes always first, she also tries to balance her work & life with the need to have an actual family. But when she is sent to kidnap a young girl, her life is turned upside down and with the world’s security at stake, Zoe is forced to get her priorities straight.
The audiobook version of The Child Riddler is beautifully brought to life by talented voiceover artist and award-winning narrator Xe Sands. Delivering a natural, engaging and entertaining performance, Xe Sands manages to delight the listener tremendously by creating a complete level of immersion with this audio production. She reads, she acts, she gets emotional when needed or ice cold when the situation demands it, she switches voices and accents seamlessly and she entertains always!
If you like high octane thrillers, driven by a captivating story, tridimensional characters, well written action scenes, and are a fan of authors like Gayle Lynds, D.V. Berkom or Taylor Stevens, then I highly recommend that you check out The Child Riddler by Angela Greenman. I really enjoyed this adventure starring Zoe, the Wild Cat of covert operations, and I hope more of them will be coming our way in the future!
December 26, 2023
Sex. Drugs. Rockin’ death. Zoe Lorel’s uncle trained her from childhood to become an assassin. His brutal training and abuse were aimed at removing the qualities that made her human, preparing her to work at an international spy agency. Employing techno-gadgets worthy of Mission Impossible, Zoe engages in missions to eradicate terrorists threatening civilization. The trouble is, she is so psychologically scarred that she must take her agency-prescribed drugs to amp her up to kill.
Confused and struggling to figure out a guiding compass, Zoe’s inner conflict presents in masochistic, dangerous sexual practices. While she has been trained to be amoral and unquestionably obedient to authority, she draws the line at children. When she uncovers a plot to use a child as a vessel of destruction, she breaks all rules to save her.
Zoe’s actions put her in the crosshairs of enemies and supposed friends. When she learns that those she’s trusted are using her to achieve world dominion, she employs her skills to fight “the good guys.”
There is a secondary plotline in Zoe’s relationship with the woman she wants to marry. Her lover wants to have a child, but Zoe’s trauma is too great for her to risk opening her heart to this degree.
As I read the book, I came to appreciate the damaged parts of Zoe’s character: her tough-as-nails persona hides a vulnerable core. Her psychological flaws, remembered pain, and inner conflict make her a real person.
THE CHILD RIDDLER is a thrilling action story replete with complex, multi-dimensional characters. I loved the author’s description of places, especially the Czech Republic—I could tell she has been there. When the book ended, I was still intrigued as to what would happen next. I hope Ms. Greenman writes the sequel.
Confused and struggling to figure out a guiding compass, Zoe’s inner conflict presents in masochistic, dangerous sexual practices. While she has been trained to be amoral and unquestionably obedient to authority, she draws the line at children. When she uncovers a plot to use a child as a vessel of destruction, she breaks all rules to save her.
Zoe’s actions put her in the crosshairs of enemies and supposed friends. When she learns that those she’s trusted are using her to achieve world dominion, she employs her skills to fight “the good guys.”
There is a secondary plotline in Zoe’s relationship with the woman she wants to marry. Her lover wants to have a child, but Zoe’s trauma is too great for her to risk opening her heart to this degree.
As I read the book, I came to appreciate the damaged parts of Zoe’s character: her tough-as-nails persona hides a vulnerable core. Her psychological flaws, remembered pain, and inner conflict make her a real person.
THE CHILD RIDDLER is a thrilling action story replete with complex, multi-dimensional characters. I loved the author’s description of places, especially the Czech Republic—I could tell she has been there. When the book ended, I was still intrigued as to what would happen next. I hope Ms. Greenman writes the sequel.
October 6, 2022
The premise was very promising and I was so happy when I was given an audiobook version to review. I'm sure you've read the book description, so I won't bother to say it again.
The book cover could be better but, it's not bad. The audiobook narration was very well made in my opinion. The story is very interesting and I also like the characters.
It is fast-paced but it was just too fast. I always feel like, there should be more to the story or more descriptive. It seemed like everything was being rushed. It wasn't as suspenseful or thrilling as I thought it would be from the action scenes that you would expect from a spy novel. The author has created an amazing set of characters but it would've been nice if there was more to know about them or to them. There are same-sex relationships, family issues, drug addiction and a lot more very interesting topics that add to the depth of the story but it was a bit lacking. I feel like I was just given little bits of everything and it's disappointing because I truly am invested in the story. This is coming from someone who hates it when authors put a lot of unnecessary stories or characters that don't add value to the book.
But, I still think this book is worth checking out. It's a good story to listen to on audiobook. I am a hundred percent sure that the author will have more amazing stories in the future and that it'll keep getting better from here.
Big thanks to @booksforward, #tantormedia # and angelagreenman for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book cover could be better but, it's not bad. The audiobook narration was very well made in my opinion. The story is very interesting and I also like the characters.
It is fast-paced but it was just too fast. I always feel like, there should be more to the story or more descriptive. It seemed like everything was being rushed. It wasn't as suspenseful or thrilling as I thought it would be from the action scenes that you would expect from a spy novel. The author has created an amazing set of characters but it would've been nice if there was more to know about them or to them. There are same-sex relationships, family issues, drug addiction and a lot more very interesting topics that add to the depth of the story but it was a bit lacking. I feel like I was just given little bits of everything and it's disappointing because I truly am invested in the story. This is coming from someone who hates it when authors put a lot of unnecessary stories or characters that don't add value to the book.
But, I still think this book is worth checking out. It's a good story to listen to on audiobook. I am a hundred percent sure that the author will have more amazing stories in the future and that it'll keep getting better from here.
Big thanks to @booksforward, #tantormedia # and angelagreenman for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2022
When I heard that Angela, the world traveler, highly respected expert in nuclear communication, was writing an international spy intrigue, I asked about her lead character. She replied with one word “Badass”. Not what I expected from an intellectual athlete who moves easily in diplomatic circles! But she was right. A heroine with the mental toughness, martial skills, and keen intellect; yet much more. Zoe is a multidimensional character; a complicated love life with her hoped for life long partner; the angst of whether to be a parent, how to balance career and family (when career involves being shot at or blown up), all the while being betrayed by a egotistical traitor from within her own organization. Throw in some cyber terrorism, PSYOPS, invisible bots, and both sides trying to gain control of a young girl who may hold the secret to a weapon the world’s major terrorist organizations are competing to own. It’s up to Zoe, the Wildcat, to recover the code to a terrible weapon and save a young girl from being manipulated by both the good guys and bad guys. A complex heroine for the complexities of a new era; I’m waiting for the next book!
July 20, 2022
The Child Riddler is a good, solid debut by Ms Greenman and I would read the follow up if one appears. The plotting is complex and has an ambiguous morality that I like. It’s hard to tell who are the ‘good guys’ when they use such ‘bad’ practices. The story involves a global espionage agency based in America who have to find an orphaned child who knows a riddle. Her father has built a dangerous weapon which is activated by a code held in the riddle.
Zoe is tasked to find the child and get the code. But Zoe doesn’t much like kids, despite her fiancée being very keen to start a family. There are drugs to make assassins able to kill, fancy gadgets, and people who aren’t sure what side they’re on. There is an exposition of how much power can corrupt and how detached you have to be to send people into the world as killers.
There are a few hiccups but overall this is well written and an enjoyable read. It is different from much available lesfic and for that I applaud the author.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
Zoe is tasked to find the child and get the code. But Zoe doesn’t much like kids, despite her fiancée being very keen to start a family. There are drugs to make assassins able to kill, fancy gadgets, and people who aren’t sure what side they’re on. There is an exposition of how much power can corrupt and how detached you have to be to send people into the world as killers.
There are a few hiccups but overall this is well written and an enjoyable read. It is different from much available lesfic and for that I applaud the author.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
November 24, 2022
The Child Riddler follows Zoe Lorel who is a high-level operative working for an international counterterrorist agency run by her uncle. She has been trained from an early age to be "The Wildcat", to handle sensitive and secret assignments and to kill when required.
She is taking her relationship with her fiancé, Isabel, to the next level and moving in with her. She is suddenly sent on an urgent mission to retrieve a code for an advanced nano weapon from a little girl, Leah, whose father she assassinated as part of an operation. She finds herself growing to care about Leah, as she races against other nations to secure the code from the traumatized child.
This fast-paced story is full of interesting tech, action, exotic locations twists, turns and morally grey scenarios. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep which is rare in espionage thrillers. The narrator Xe Sands creates an immersive experience with her ability to convey tension and emotion. The Child Riddler is set up for a sequel which I'm looking forward to.
She is taking her relationship with her fiancé, Isabel, to the next level and moving in with her. She is suddenly sent on an urgent mission to retrieve a code for an advanced nano weapon from a little girl, Leah, whose father she assassinated as part of an operation. She finds herself growing to care about Leah, as she races against other nations to secure the code from the traumatized child.
This fast-paced story is full of interesting tech, action, exotic locations twists, turns and morally grey scenarios. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep which is rare in espionage thrillers. The narrator Xe Sands creates an immersive experience with her ability to convey tension and emotion. The Child Riddler is set up for a sequel which I'm looking forward to.
August 1, 2022
While not my usual genre of reading (typically, historical fiction and memoir), I stretched myself with this action-packed espionage sci-fi thriller and was not disappointed. The author's knowledge base of international travel, spy agencies, and futuristic nanotechnology had an authoritative feel. The plot line and players, while contemporary and believable to me, contained several unforeseen twists that kept me intrigued. Ms. Greenman's character development of her protagonist, Zoe, and the unfolding of the relationships with both her lover, Isabel, and Leah, the 'child riddler' were filled with emotion and had me rooting for the three of them to become a family in the end. I would enjoy reading a sequel from this author.
July 12, 2025
This is a fast-paced spy story but with some slow bits, and with some added dimensions. Zoe, the main character, is a trained spy and assassin, who works at an agency that her uncle Easton runs that specializes in these things. She’s been molded to be a ruthless killer, but she has other people in her life who love her and thus soften her edges and ruthlessness. That turns out well for a child she takes into her custody. Zoe’s lover also works at the agency, although in a different capacity. Their feelings for each other humanize Zoe. The novel has its ups and downs, and the ending is mixed, but it kept me reading.
December 6, 2023
“An off-book spy agency. A dark, driven, assassin battling her inner demons. Lethal next-generation weaponry falling into the wrong hands. Dangerously charismatic and powerful villains. And toys that would make “Q” from James Bond envious. What’s not to like? There are so many layers to this story, all adding to a sense of foreboding the builds and builds. Everything leads to a heart-stopping confrontation and foreshadows a difficult path to come for Angela Greenman’s slick new protagonist. Can’t wait to see what will happen next!”
September 22, 2022
Such an exciting read, and it was very hard for me to put it down once I got started. If you love spy books, you'll love this one! But there is so much more to it than just that. This book is about soul-searching, coping with your past, doing the right thing, bad-ass women, and even has touches of romance. Loved it!
April 10, 2024
Pretty good story overall.
Not sure how I feel about this one. While it is a good, somewhat twisty tale, there are so many morally ambiguous characters. Lot’s of mostly good guys, and the baddies are BAD. In the end, I liked Zoe & Isabel, but I am worried about Leah. Pretty good story overall.
Not sure how I feel about this one. While it is a good, somewhat twisty tale, there are so many morally ambiguous characters. Lot’s of mostly good guys, and the baddies are BAD. In the end, I liked Zoe & Isabel, but I am worried about Leah. Pretty good story overall.
September 12, 2022
Zoe's world turns upside down when she's given a job by the government to kidnap a child who knows a valuable piece of information. I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook! Zoe is a strong spy set out to resolve her traumatic past and do the right thing.
September 16, 2022
This is an easy to read, hard to put down spy thriller! All about a woman named Zoe attempting to rescue a child from her negative fate, rather than kidnap her as the government instructs Zoe to do. Love this adventurous novel
September 21, 2022
The Child Riddler was an incredible debut novel that hooked me from the very first chapter. I found myself immediately enthralled by Zoe and her moral dilemma and I needed to know more!! She was an incredible female lead. Fans of suspense should definitely check this out!
April 1, 2023
best book I have read in a while!
I can not wait for the next installment! This book really sucked me into the world of the wildcat! I can’t count the amount of times I held my breath.
I can not wait for the next installment! This book really sucked me into the world of the wildcat! I can’t count the amount of times I held my breath.
September 11, 2022
Love this new spy novel! I love a strong woman lead, and Zoe is a determined woman out to overthrow evil, despite her painful past.
September 13, 2022
This espionage sci-fi thriller did not disappoint! I love a novel with a strong woman lead, and Zoe delivered. Loved it!
September 13, 2022
Loved this futuristic audiobook, narrated by Star Trek narrator Xe Sands! Themes of romance, adventure, and mystery. If you love spy-thrillers, this one's for you!
September 18, 2022
Soul-searching thriller that I couldn't put down. I loved Zoe's story and her determination to do the right thing, despite her past. Pick this one up if you have a chance, or listen to the audiobook!
December 3, 2023
Very much on edge of seat waiting for the next happening. I would not be surprised that these are the tactics being currently used in the alphabet departments war games.
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