Need to Know discussion

(spoilers obviously)..... Ok so if I'm to understand the Epilogue correctly, then Matt was really Russian after everything that happened? Omar was always working for Russia and the two are aware of each other? So Matt is still deceiving Vivian and they're set up to have something else happen in the future?

I was really giving this book a solid 4 star review until the epilogue. It makes me really hate Matt's character, if he's still going and lying to Vivian and endangering their family

Could someone please provide clarification? I'd really appreciate it!

That's what I got from the ending, too. It feels like a series coming. The story was suspenseful, but I had major problems with Vivian still trusting Matt at all after the big reveal. So her character has become a gullible problem for me. Of course I hate Matt, but I'm not sure I care what happens to Vivian anymore. Bummer.

Susan wrote: "That's what I got from the ending, too. It feels like a series coming. The story was suspenseful, but I had major problems with Vivian still trusting Matt at all after the big reveal. So her charac..."

I suspected Omar from the beginning, but having Peter involved too was a bit much giving the reveal with Omar at the end. Omg now I absolutely hate Matt. I felt for him before the epilogue. I know I personally would never be able to trust someone again (looking back it was obvious he manipulated every aspect of their relationship). If this was going to be a standalone book, it should have ended before the epilogue. Thank you for your clarification! I appreciate it. I was thrown for a loop by the end, that I didn't believe it.

I can't believe she trusts Matt! Come on Vivian!!! He was so shady when he was with Yury and she just fell for his excuses and reasons so quickly. I hope there is a sequel just so we can see him found out. Grrrrr.

I also didn't suspect Peter but did suspect Omar. I didn't really like the Peter element, it didn't feel quite right. Whereas Omar coming up with that 'Come in from the cold' program and then Dmriti disappearing had me suspicious of Omar! I was just glad my instinct wasn't off once I read the epilogue.

I wonder how much pressure was put on the author to add the epilogue and turn this book on its head? I have a writer sister who has told me that if you don't have a three book idea in your head, publishers aren't even interested in your book. So blame the ending on the publishers or editor (?), possibly.

I want to see Vivian vindicated by hoping she does figure out her initial intuition was spot on, and nail her husband!

I was so irritated with Vivian throughout the whole book! Here she is, a CIA analyst, and she doesn't realize her husband is manipulating her at every turn? That's what knocked my rating down to a 3. In the end I decided that Matt was, in fact, the top peg in the hierarchy. That's the only thing that makes sense. We are led to believe that Yury is his handler, but then he shoots Yury. Because pfff....Yury is just a foot soldier, no worries about sacrificing him to the greater cause. Peter sacrifices himself to the cause because after his wife dies he has nothing to live for anyway. And Omar is just following directions from his boss - Matt.

Happily ever after... until that epilogue! I really trusted Omar! And was happy about his new position and the progress they were making! But they really DID catch the 24/25 sleeper agents so I just can't wrap my mind around the purpose of that or continuing to pursue more...

Laurie wrote: "I was so irritated with Vivian throughout the whole book! Here she is, a CIA analyst, and she doesn't realize her husband is manipulating her at every turn? That's what knocked my rating down to a ..." Do you think that Peter knew about Matt? That he was more than what we were lead to believe throughout the book until the epilogue?

I was hoping I didn’t understand the ending. Matt seemed so sincere. I too was frustrated with Viv. She just kept making things worse, but at least she did draw a line at not giving in to the blackmail
Question: Was the “friends” file deliberately left unencrypted? Did they want her to find Matt’s picture?

Eden wrote: "(spoilers obviously)..... Ok so if I'm to understand the Epilogue correctly, then Matt was really Russian after everything that happened? Omar was always working for Russia and the two are aware of..."

I think she set up for a sequel. Yes, Matt and Omar are both lying to Vivian. Omar needs Vivian to go back to work so that he and Matt can continue to manipulate her and get information. It was a true, honest ending. I feel another book coming!

Matt and Omar had me completely fooled. I was so excited at the end, that Viv and Matt were finally happy again - and then that last bombshell. OMG! There has to be a sequel. There just has to!!!! I need more! I need answers!

Hoping there is a sequel. Do you think Matt ever really loved Viv and their children?

Eden wrote: "(spoilers obviously)..... Ok so if I'm to understand the Epilogue correctly, then Matt was really Russian after everything that happened? Omar was always working for Russia and the two are aware of..."
My opinion: Plot is stupid. Omar does not need Vivian to come back to the office because he can do all his damage without her. Also, once the Russians allowed Peter's wife to die they lost all leverage on him and in "real life" would have killed him too.

Carmen wrote: "Eden wrote: "(spoilers obviously)..... Ok so if I'm to understand the Epilogue correctly, then Matt was really Russian after everything that happened? Omar was always working for Russia and the two..."

SPOILER: I can see Omar wanting Viv back so she can do what they need and serve as a buffer, keeping Omar's position intact, if things go sideways and they need a fall person again (Viv). It was telling that Omar mentioned the rumors about her. They can use that perception later.

I agree with almost all these comments. It was unclear to me just what kind of information was being passed to the russians. Vivian worked there, everything was secretive, but what info was actually being passed to the Russians? Viv was disappointing. Also what was Matt's job throughout the bulk of the story? I didn't catch that.
I couldn't put it down, but the epilogue ruined the whole story for me.

Louise wrote: "I agree with almost all these comments. It was unclear to me just what kind of information was being passed to the russians. Vivian worked there, everything was secretive, but what info was actuall..." The "information" was the identities of the counter spies. IMO, the author wrote herself into a silly circle

Louise wrote: "I agree with almost all these comments. It was unclear to me just what kind of information was being passed to the russians. Vivian worked there, everything was secretive, but what info was actuall..."

Agree. We never really learned what information was being passed to the Russians. Are you asking about Matt's job to the Russians, or his "cover" job? To the Russians, he was an informant. His "cover" job was a software technician.

Eden wrote: "(spoilers obviously)..... Ok so if I'm to understand the Epilogue correctly, then Matt was really Russian after everything that happened? Omar was always working for Russia and the two are aware of..."

The last word in the book is in Russian, spoken by Matt. After looking up what that word meant, it left me wondering how Matt meant it. Is he done with the Russians, or not? It seems obvious to me Vivian is going to get trapped in the same mess when she goes back to work.

I agree with the summations given here. BUT ... I wanted so badly to believe in that husband - simply because I did NOT believe he was telling the truth from the beginning! I wanted a happy-ever-after ending, silly me, untypical me.
Everything hinges on the interpretation of that 'Dosvedanya'. I went back to it and I deliberately surmised a 'nicer' version: the two Russian accomplices, Omar and Matt, were cutting the ties, letting things be, saying farewell to each other and their connections.
Ah, except there is that description of Matt's expression, one 'that would make him look like a stranger, if anyone saw it', not 'the disarming, open smile that his family's always seen'. Damn!

Yeah, the ending killed it for me. Sounds to me like Matt AND Omar are Russian spies and will continue to use Vivian.
There was a lot of love going on but too many red flags in that relationship. Vivian was in a tight spot for sure.