Date: November 4, 2024
Author: Chris Pavone
Genre: international spy & crime thriller
I found this gem on the shelf of featured novels in the library today. I am so excited to get started! I am making note that today is Monday. I say this because I want to see how long it takes me to plough through this book. Mr. John Grisham is quoted on the back cover stating, ‘I defy anyone to read the first twenty pages of this breakneck novel, then try to put it down for five minutes. It can’t be done. The plot is too devious; the pace is too gripping. This is smart suspense at its very best.’
Challenge accepted, Mr John Grisham.
Whelp? I finished it on Thursday night. It was extremely good. In fact, one of the best I’ve read in a while.
So, what is this masterpiece about? You may ask? Think the phrase revenge is best served cold. (And extravagantly.) Hats down to you Mr. Pavone, you set the scene spectacularly from page 1 and really delivered on the twists and turns.
Mentioned in the book was a comparison to Harvey Weinstein. The pervert? The main bad guy in this story was rich and powerful and like Mr. Weinstein he took what he wanted, consent be damned, so the heroine cooked up quite the plot for revenge!
And to answer your burning question; what is the results of the challenge? I wasn’t hooked to the point of not being able to set the book down for five minutes as per the challenge. This phenomenon didn’t occur until later, around page 200. So, per the guidelines of the challenge? No. It was not a success. I will say though, that it definitely was a star, right from the beginning.