Yes, you will need to know what happens in this riveting thriller of a novel. I was captivated from the start and felt the structure of the book to be different from other thrillers but made it all the more compelling in figuring out what happened and how it came to be. Very exciting, and not to be missed if you enjoy thrillers or suspense.

I've always been fascinated by spy movies and TV shows. I don't exactly know why, but there's something thrilling in watching seemingly regular people outsmart others, get information using mind games and basically kicking ass. So when I read the blurb for Need To Know, I knew I needed to read this book.

The story focuses on Vivian, a CIA analyst that discovers her husband is a Russian sleeper spy, and her struggle with defending her children and doing her job. Along the way, we also discover how she and Matt, her husband, met and how their relationship started, basically, and what their lives have been like up until she discovers his secret. The part that I loved most was how Cleveland used the past to explain the present. There were a few moments throughout the book where something that happened in the present time was better explained by exploring a similar or a connected scene from the past, and I thought that was very unique and interesting.

I also liked the mind game aspect of this book. At first I was a bit disappointed by some of Vivian's actions, but the more I think about them, the more I wonder if Matt played some reverse psychology/mind games with her to make her act the way she did. Like everything else she did after they got married, even her actions in the present seem guided by her husband and her fear of losing him. I enjoyed the aspect of not knowing if she was really clear-headed and if she truly wanted to do what she did, or if her actions were being influenced in any subliminal way.

The pacing of the story is really good. The story seems to flow, and it really caught me, enough for me to read it pretty fast. The flashbacks also added to the pacing, because it helped me take a little bit of a break from the tension of the present timeline without taking me out of the story, which I really enjoyed. Although the story is more focused on the inner turmoil of Vivian, I still got a thrill from the moments in which she or one her children was in danger. There were a few things that happened in the book that were very close to Finagle's Law, which I kind of liked, because it's been a while since I last read a book where basically everything goes wrong at the wrong time, and not in a funny way, but in a very dramatic, "are you joking" way. There were also a few improbable things that happened, but Cleveland finds a way to explain why those things are happening, even if it's in a very subtle way, which I liked.

I also liked the ending. It was surprising, really, but I like how the key to understanding the ending is in the book, you just have to pay attention to the small details. And I like how Cleveland managed to sneak that in there, how I actually had to think a bit about it before I had my "Ah-hah" moment. The ending also plays with your mind a little bit, because it is left open in a way. And I did not expect that, at all. If this were a movie, I'd probably see this last scene being showed after the credits, to be honest. So I liked that.

The thing that bothered me a little bit was how extremely naive Vivian was at some point. As a psychologist, I do understand how mind games work, and how you can trick someone into doing whatever it is you want, and I said I loved that part of the story and it is true. But what I didn't enjoy that much was what came afterwards. After Vivian makes her discoveries, after everything blows up and she goes from a small issue to a major problem, when all is said and done, I didn't agree with her final decision. Maybe it's because I'm pretty black-and-white when it comes to betrayal, but I didn't understand her forgive-and-forget attitude. I expected a different outcome, and her actions and some of what she discovered led me to believe she'd make different choices in the end.

All in all, this was a pretty interesting book, and I really enjoyed reading it.

Vivian is a CIA Analyst. She loves her job but at the same time misses spending time with her four children. Now she is trying to unravel information that will give the CIA the upper hand at learning who the top man is of a secret cell. They know their are five sleepers waiting for their handlers call.
Imagine her horror when she taps into the sleepers and discovers her husband is one of them.
Well written, strong characters, intriguing.
5 Stars

Authentic! I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Written by Karen Cleveland, and published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, New York in 2018, this story has the stamp of authenticity that comes from the author’s extensive experience working for the CIA and the FBI.

Vivian Miller is a counterintelligence analyst working for the CIA. She and her software engineer husband, Matt, have four kids. One of them, twin boy, has an acute congenital heart condition. At her job, Vivian has developed an algorithm that enables her to identify a Russian intelligence handler and to break into his computer, which contains the photographs of five agents who form a sleeper cell of Russian spies operating in the United States. When she looks at the photos, she receives the shock of her life. She recognizes one of the Russian agents.

In an effort to protect her family, Vivian becomes enmeshed in a web of deceit and betrayal woven by the Russian handler, Yury. The safety and lives of her children are threatened if she doesn’t do what the Russians demand. Things progress to a climactic conclusion that involves Vivian and her entire family, including her parents. Suspense is built all along the way. Can she really trust the people she does? Can she trust anybody at all? You can learn the answers by reading the book, which is very well-written, by the way.

I read an unedited proof, but I noted no deficiencies that needed correcting. The author uses the literary device of flashbacks, but she does so quite effectively. We see how her situation develops from the time she first meets her husband-to-be when she moves into her new apartment after being hired by the CIA following graduation form college. This writer is gifted, in my estimation, and will probably make the NYT Best Seller list with this book. The story is written from a woman’s perspective, and I believe women will like it. Even though I do not, in general, like stories with weak, foolish and stupid protagonists, I will make an exception this time. I didn’t really like Vivian, much, but I think that most readers will. This book is a keeper. I highly recommend it.

Oh how I LOVED this book....

The illusion of a cheerful home is about to hit a major speed bump! This edge of your seat spy thriller is so addictive with the full steam plot, it kept me up all night reading!

I love that this is a straight up spy thriller that isn't bogged down with too much analyst mumbo jumbo. You can just enjoy the page turning without having to decipher unfamiliar lingo, but offers enough details to tell an authentic, believable story.

Vivian is a CIA counterintelligence analyst, but also a wife and mom to four young children. Her husband, Matt works from home at his flexible IT position and he loves helping out with the kids. Vivian and her team are hard at work trying to bring down some suspected Russian sleeper agents planted in the U.S.
Vivian is excellent at her job and what she sees on her laptop when she clicks on a secret file of a Russian agent she is investigating takes her breath away! What is she looking at? Who is she seeing? No, this can't be? The story takes off and doesn't stop until the last word which took my breath away.

Loved this novel, loved the pacing and suspenseful twists. I read this straight through and really look forward to the author's next book. This is a her debut.

Need to Know, written by Karen Cleveland, is definitely a page-turner. I was captivated from beginning to end. This is a story filled with unexpected twists and turns...one that will leave you guessing until the very end!

Vivian Miller works as a counterintelligence analyst with the CIA. Her current job is to uncover leaders in a Russian sleeper cell operating within the United States. Upon accessing the computer belonging to a potential Russian involved in the sleeper cell, she is shocked to find a file containing pictures...especially when she sees the picture of someone she knows. Vivian is forced to reexamine her life and everyone in it. Torn between defending her country and those she loves, she has to figure out who she can trust.

The story that unfolds is truly riveting! Vivian is a strong female character, one who's loyalties are tested beyond imagination. Every time she thinks she has figured out who she can trust, another twist in the story makes her question her own judgement once again. This story is a rollercoaster ride filled with many plot twists and unknowns. While reading this, I found myself torn as well. At times, I truly felt sorry for Vivian and could not imagine what it must have been like for her to not know who she could trust. However, then there were times I was questioning her judgement in regards to some of the decisions she made. The simple fact that this story evoked such a wide range of emotions while reading it is a testament to the amazing storytelling skills of the author.

Overall, this book has it all! Karen Cleveland weaves together a realistic spy novel that will keep you captivated and engaged until the very last page. I strongly recommend reading Need to Know.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

I can't be the first, and certainly won't be the last, to point out how apt the title of this book is: at the end of every chapter (EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.), I needed to know what was going to happen next. Karen Cleveland's debut thriller is just as exciting, page-turning, and absorbing as everyone has been saying.

To talk about the plot beyond the first chapter is to give too much away--that's how fast this story moves--so I won't even attempt the tightrope walk of delivering a spoiler-free synopsis. But fortunately for me, plot isn't what I really want to highlight here anyway. It's character.

No matter how exciting your set pieces, how intricate your plot, how effective your red herrings, how genuine your thrills and chills, or how glorious your prose, a novel is nothing without characters a reader cares about. Love them, hate them, pity them, root for them: a reader needs to feel something for your characters if your story is a success. NEED TO KNOW is a success, in my opinion, because we do care. (Which isn't to say Cleveland's action, plot, and prose are lacking--they aren't!)

Vivian Miller, our narrator/protagonist, is someone we get to know intimately. Because NEED TO KNOW is told in the first person, Cleveland gives us a not just a peek but full-on view of Viv's inner workings. We learn her hopes, her fears, and how she navigates the two however she can. I think one of the best decisions Cleveland made with this book was to forgo a massively complex plot full of countless twists and turns and jaunts around the globe (like so many espionage thrillers), and instead focus on how the characters deal with every single aspect of a simpler (though no less harrowing) story. We've all read or seen stories of Russian sleeper cell spies and the Americans racing against time to identify them--but we haven't heard what Vivian Miller does in that situation, which necessarily makes this a unique story, even given its popular plot line. It's Vivian that makes NEED TO KNOW--we care less about what happens next in the story than we do about what happens next to her. This, I think, lifts Cleveland's debut higher than most in the genre.

And maybe its because I'm a new parent, but I thought the stakes in this book were outstandingly high. It wasn't just about saving the world or protecting the country (which are such common goals they've become almost meaningless--like saying the word banana over and over in your head until, well, you know), it was about protecting your family. Vivian has four children with her husband Matt, two of which are no more than toddlers, making them particularly vulnerable. If something were to happen Vivian or Matt, those kids would be wrecked. Cleveland knows how to ratchet up the tension and throw up roadblocks to every out Vivian thinks of, making the stakes nigh unbearable. Even better than all that, Cleveland is great at holding your hand and making sure you understand just how important it is for a parent to protect their children--it becomes as real to the reader as it is to Vivian.

(I don't want to say much more for fear that I'll let something slip, and this book she be approached as fresh as possible, without knowing anything about it. But I do want to say this real quick: the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five has to do with two minor quibbles I had. I won't talk about them here, for fear of spoils, but I will say they have much less to do with this book in particular than with the demands of the genre. After the book's been out for awhile, I'll edit the post and talk more about them.)

I loved Vivian. I loved the book. I read it in three sittings over a day and a half, and I know I'll be giving it as a gift to several people this year. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

It was a shocking story that could of been taken from the headlines. It's about a agent who finds out that she's married to a Russian intelligence agent who infiltrated our government. The ask what would you do to keep your family safe.

Need to Know

If you like mysteries (and I do) and you see recommendations from some of your favorite mystery writers (Louise Penny, Lee Child, and John Grisham) for a debut novel called Need to Know by Karen Cleveland on Net Galley’s advance reading copy offerings (and I did), you have a tendency to take their word for it and add it to your Kindle reading queue.

In a very slight spoiler, the first chapter ends with CIA analyst Vivian Miller finding her husband’s face on the file she opens of a Russian sleeper cell. You might guess that I did not turn over and go to sleep. The trouble was that each chapter after that kept me in suspense as CIA investigations, family anxiety, and questions of who Vivian can trust leave something hanging at the end. Then there is the question that recurs about her own ethics beginning with her deletion of that file and her loyalties to country, family, and colleagues. The ending, which I will not give away, had me returning to read it again and asking, “Really?”

The author’s authenticity comes from her own background in eight years as a CIA analyst focusing on counterterrorism which brings to mind the old and sometimes reliable saying that one should write what she knows.

The release date for the Need to Know is Tuesday, January 23, but I was not at all surprised to see that movie rights are already in the works. In the meantime, if you are looking for a nice quiet book to lull you to sleep at night, this is not it.

Attention domestic thriller addicts coming off of earlier January releases "The Woman in the Window" and "The Wife Between Us": here is your next fix.

To me, this quote-unquote spy novel (considered by many a reviewer to be a literary mash-up of the TV show "The Americans" and the movie "Salt") is more women's fiction steeped in psychological suspense.

It's spectacularly good in that respect. I lost sleep (tip: don't start reading it at bedtime, because you won't be able to stop!), had a pounding heartbeat, and was sweating right alongside Viv.

I marvel at how the debut author maintained that palpable tension and paranoia from beginning to end. (A good thing, as the chapters are long.)

It should translate well to the big screen, as it's set to.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

If you’re looking for a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than Karen Cleveland’s debut novel Need to Know. Not only it is an incredibly timely story with its focus on Russian operatives and sleeper cells in the U.S., but it’s also a well crafted one that takes us through one mother’s journey to see how far she will go to protect her family when she feels they are being threatened. And as if that isn’t enticing enough, I’ve read that Need to Know is also being made into a movie with Charlize Theron in the starring role so there’s that as well!

Need to Know follows the journey of Vivian Miller, a counter-intelligence analyst at the CIA. Incredibly skilled at what she does, Vivian has risen through the ranks and has landed a coveted job in the department that investigates all things Russia. When the novel opens, Vivian and her department have been looking for Russian sleeper cells in the U.S. and Vivian has developed an algorithm that can identify Russian operatives who handle the sleeper cells.

One morning, while remote accessing the computer of a suspected operative, Vivian locates a secret dossier containing information about deep-cover Russian agents who are currently living in the United States. What she finds makes her realize that, if true, most of her life has been a lie, and it threatens not only her job but also her husband and even her children. Vivian has taken a vow to defend the U.S. against all enemies, whether foreign or domestic, but now she finds herself in an impossible situation, one that could get her imprisoned and even charged with treason!

What will Vivian do? How far is she willing to go to protect her family? Is there anyone she can trust to help her or is she on her own?

This is another one of those stories where I feel like I’m going to be vague in what I say so as not to give away any spoilers. Because giving away any spoilers at all would ruin it, please bear with the vagueness.
In a book like this, I need a likeable main character that I can relate to and I liked Vivian right away. She’s smart, savvy, good at what she does, and she’s a great wife and a devoted mother to her four children as well. I found her job at the CIA fascinating and so I enjoyed following her as she accessed the operative’s computer and sifted through his files looking for useful information. That said, I think where I found her the most relatable was her reaction once she uncovers this threatening information and realizes her family could be in danger. As a mom, I completely related to her need to do whatever it took to make sure her children were safe. Even though I didn’t necessarily agree with what she did every step of the way, I understood that the information she found put her in a no-win situation. She was damned if she did, damned if she didn’t so the only course of action that made sense was to at least protect her children at all costs.

Need to Know is presented to the reader from Vivian’s point of view, which was probably my favorite part about the novel. Seeing the story unfold through her eyes and having a bird’s eye view of what’s going on in her head as each new detail unfolded and the threat to her family grew just made the story all the more engaging for me. Her thoughts and fears and her frantically trying to find a way to make everything in her life okay again are what really kept me turning the pages. Her desperation is palpable as is her growing paranoia as she doesn’t know who, if anyone in her life, she can trust. I found myself right there alongside her, questioning everything and everyone and wondering if she would ever be able to find a way out of the mess she was in.

I also think having the story told from Vivian’s point of view added to the suspense and the tension in the novel. As I mentioned, that’s what kept me turning the pages and unable to put the book down once I got started. The suspense builds throughout and keeps the pacing of the story quick. I was easily able to read the book in less than two days and even found myself getting ready for work with my Kindle on the bathroom counter trying to squeeze in a few more pages whenever I could. That’s impressive for any book in my opinion but is truly impressive for an author’s debut novel, which this is.

A final area that really impressed me with Need to Know was how well researched the CIA portion of the novel seemed to be. It felt like I really was watching the inner operations of a counter-intelligence department, and I realized that I basically was once I checked out the author’s bio and learned that she herself had actually worked as a CIA analyst for 8 years, 6 of that specifically in counterterrorism. Karen Cleveland is definitely writing from experience here and I appreciated the authenticity it brought to the story.

I don’t want to say much about this, but if you’re a fan of “Long Cons,” you’ll love this story. It takes the long con to a whole new level!

I did have one issue with the story and that was that I thought there was a little too much focus on the day-to-day family activities in Vivian’s life. I loved that she was a fierce mom who would do anything to keep her children safe, but I felt like I got a little bogged down a few times along the way while I was reading. I’m dying to know what’s going to happen next on the Russia front, but instead I’m sidetracked reading about one of the kids running a fever and needing to be picked up from daycare. As a parent I recognize that those kinds of things are part of life, but as a reader, I was just sitting there like “Hurry up and get back to the juicy stuff!”

Even if you don’t typically enjoy spy thrillers, I’d still highly recommend Need to Know. Even though there is a heavy spy thriller element with the focus on the CIA and the sleeper cells, the story is still basically a story about how far a woman will go to protect her family. That added layer is what really made this a phenomenal read for me, and as much as I enjoyed Need to Know, I look forward to reading more from Karen Cleveland. I’m hopeful that the way the novel ends has left the door open for a sequel because I would love to read more about Vivian.

RATING: 4.5 STARS

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. First time reading this author. I got this on a whim. Started reading it-for some reason Matt irked me so I put it down. Picked it up yesterday and read the whole book at once!!! Wow the ending is a kicker!!

Wow this was an intense thrill ride! It kept me on the edge-of-my seat and I couldn't put the book down. I kept thinking what would I do if I was in Vivian's position which makes this story so believable.

This book was awesome and I highly recommend it to all. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for supplying me a copy of Karen Cleveland's "Need to Know" in exchange for an honest review.

A very interesting spy novel which kept me interested and I enjoyed. A lot of suspense and thrilling moments, fast-paced and a lot of action. Liked the writing style and what unique the plot is. Have not read books on CIA related topics and I found this one to be a very good introduction for me.

Woah! The ending just blew me away! Need to Know is incredibly well written. The suspense build and builds, and then just when the reader thinks it is okay to breathe a sigh of relief it all ramps up again. I found myself wondering how I would react if I were in this situation. Need to Know is a book that I want to recommend to friends!

Vivian works for the CIA, is happily married to her wonderful husband Matt, is juggling work and raising their 4 children. While working on Russian sleeper agents, she comes across the worst thing that could disrupt her life as she knows it. This is a thrilling read that will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. It makes you wonder if this could really happen. A great debut novel that is hard to put down.

This is a book about bad choices and going against your gut. I was dismayed at the main character I felt she was very contrite and wishy-washy. She didn't follow through on her beliefs and led to a book that didn't really feel authentic.

This was a very well written book that will quickly grab your attention and hold it until the end. Vivian, a CIA analyst, is working on the Russian counterterrorism team and writes an algorithm to gain access to a suspected Russian sleepers handler's computer. Once gaining access, she makes a discovery that plunges her into a terrifying and dangerous game.

What would you do to protect your family? I found myself wondering if I might actually betray those things that are most important to me to protect my family and their way of life.

The best of books cannot keep me up all night reading; I'm just too old, tired, and grumpy. Need to Know, however, kept me up much later than any book has for years. I found myself looking for opportunities to read at work, home, and in the car (NOT while driving).

Scrappymags 3-word review: Shady Marriage Problems
 
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
 
Genre: Mystery/CIA-government thriller
 
Shortest summary ever: CIA counterintelligence analyst and mom of four Vivian Miller works on busting Russian cells in the U.S. until a cell hits a little too close to home. Now her family is threatened as she is sucked into a dangerous world of espionage. Who can she trust? Anyone?
 
What’s good under the hood: This is my first Cleveland book and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm a fan of bad-ass women in powerful, intelligent positions and thought that a woman with a family working as a counterintelligence analyst was a nice swing for me. Most of my love is reserved for "lone wolf" types, but I was in the mood for some good old Russians-spying-in-the-U.S. FICTION for once, so I turned off the news and engrossed myself in this novel. Glad that I did. It’s escapist, fast-paced and intriguing, a perfect blend of the three. I’m not married nor a mother so I didn’t connect with some decisions Vivian made for her family, but when I asked my mom she said she’d do “anything for my kids.” Thanks Ma! That told me that my criticism - that Vivian seemed a bit dumb initially in her decision-making is merely a matter of perspective. Throw kids into the mix, and mama bears everywhere will understand the compulsion to protect their cubs.
 
What’s bad or made me mad: It was a bit predictable, but I was surprised in a few places. My 4/5 is mostly because I'm not a damsel-in-distress fan and felt too much weakness in Vivian so it wasn't PERFECT, but a complete B+, worth the read and would recommend.  BUT again, I admit I am single and child-free, so having kids would change my perspective vastly and likely boost that up to a perfect 5.
 
Recommend to:
From the buzz I hear, Cleveland fans will give this an easy 5
Those in the mood for fast and furious espionage/spy/who-is-the-bad-guy/girl fun?

Thanks to NetGalley Random House Publishing Ballantine and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and being happy yet again to be single.

Before the index, the author plants a quote by Oscar Wilde, "When one is in love, one always begins by deceiving one's self, and one always ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance." Somehow, I missed this quote when my Kindle app too me straight to the first page of the story. Vivian Miller, counterintelligence analyst for the CIA, tells her story in first person.

Life as she knows it gets turned upside down when she discovers a photo of her husband on her computer at work-in the files of a suspected Russian sleeper cell handler. With four children under the age of 10, Vivian battles mommy guilt, daycare woes, and now the horrible suspicion that her beloved husband Matt isn't what he seems.

Cleveland's tale will take you on a wild ride with as many twists and turns as a Six Flags high-speed ride. The issues of mommy guilt and a woman's desire to contribute to both society and her family will make you think about how you handled those questions (or will handle them-depending on your age). Guys reading this book will find a great role model in Matt-a man's man who works from home, does the cooking, and primary caretaking for the kids.

But as Vivian's life unravels, she has frequent flashbacks to key points in her life that chip away at her faith in Matt. In the end, the only thing she knows for sure is that she will do anything to protect her children. A battle of Russian bear v. momma bear ensues as Vivian discovers the depths of her resolve.