"Traitors", by Robert B. McCaw

A political thriller

Robert Cooper, a Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ’s National Security Division has dedicated his life to hunting spies. When approached by a stranger on a lonely beach exposing Russian moles deep under cover embedded with the American government. Cooper pursues the trail that will lead him into the nation’s most protected corridors of power….

This is a gripping tale of espionage, betrayal and deception. Not a dull moment: fast-paced, high stakes international intrigue. I love how Mr. McCaw has combined this espionage thriller with legal aspect making one of the most riveting novels of its kind.

Explores the Department of Justice is quite a step away from the author’s Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series I loved so much to penned a thriller about a Russian campaign to take control of the White House. Cooper had to negotiate with Russian sleeper agent who is willing to divulge details of a plan which involved a Russian mole in the FBI. Suspenseful following him through a series of hurdles to achieve his goal flushing the traitors. I loved the finale a punchy one that began on a fishing trawler off the Canadian coast and provided a very satisfying payoff.

Being a former lawyer and Army lieutenant, Mr. McCaw has definitely brought unique authenticity to his gripping, very well written and cleverly told tale.

My thanks to W.W. Norton & Company to this ARC whish I am happy to review.

"The Last Time We Saw her", by Jaclyn Goldis

It has been 10 years when a legend of buried treasure lured a group of teenagers on a camping trip to Sao Miguel in the Azores archipelago. The vast value will turn the finder’s life to gold and what follows is a frenzied treasure hunt that turned tragic…a camper, Sydney Azulay, was never seen again.

10 years later, a memorial service brings back to the island Sydney’s closest circle of friends to honor her memory…..This story will tell us what their conversations were about and how they agreed to participate in a documentary reliving that terrible day.

My thoughts:

Although this is not a very long book, the pacing was so slow moving, it felt like it would never end. Said in turn by all the friends, one at the time they chat what they experienced during this first trip then in the next chapter was another friend and then up to the next…etc. it went on like that rehashing their perceptions of what may have happened to Sydney and who may have killed her, it seemed the chit-chat never wanted to end. I didn’t care much for the characters they are not particularly memorable.

The pacing having more spunk would have made a far more engaging read. Fortunately, this psychological thriller ramps up the action in the last third of the book salvaging the story with shocking twists and secrets…. a bit over the top, formulaic and largely predictable.

This book may not have love to my expectations it nevertheless received some great reviews.

Thank Atria Books and Netgalley for this ARC

"The Secrets of Eaton Square", by Alexander Larman

Sex, Scandal on the Road to Buckingham Palace

This book is an exploration of the history of London’s most sought-after address revealing live of notable figures from the past and present, including royals and political leaders….

Juicy London gossip, social insight fulling tabloids and a delicious romp through British history combining historical accounts with scandalous tidbits. Eaton Square is the largest residential garden square in London located in London’s Belgravia district and is one of the most expensive places to live.

My thoughts will be short and sweet.

For those interested in London’s history ranging from the 1600s to present time written in a clear language, this book could be incredibly interesting. For those like myself a North American (Canadian) not so much. Most people mentioned I had no idea who they were and cared even less.

I struggled with this book and the style. It seemed at times the author was losing focus and babbled (he wasn’t really), eventually I had to drop this and close the book.

Although, if you are an historian or a British aficionado looking for a fun glimpse of people who live in Eaton Square, this book may be for you.

I sadly join those who said that they were not the target audience for this book.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for granting me access to this ARC.