When I read the premise of this book, it strongly appealed to me. I’ve been interested in the idea of Russian sleepers for many years. So I was very happy to get an advance copy from Net Galley.

If you, too, are interested in Russian sleepers, you will love this book. If you really have no knowledge of Russian sleepers, but are into family dynamics, you also will love this book. This was the type of book I had to put down at times, not because it wasn’t interesting, but because I was so afraid of what was going to happen. Obviously, I was engaged with the characters.

If you like thrillers, this is your book. If you haven’t done thrillers in the past, try this one. It’s not creepy scary, not bloody, just fraught with tension.

Vivian is caught between a rock and a hard place. She works for the CIA and discovers her hubby is a Russian sleeper. Oh the trouble Viv finds herself in, makes for a Awesome novel.

Karen created a masterful novel of the Cat & Mouse game of espionage. The characters, the twist and turns. What a Fantastic novel!!!

Good story. Engaging characters. I enjoyed the read even though I was constantly challenged to suspend belief by the many, many technical intelligence issues seemingly due to a serious lack of knowledge of the field. Still, it would seem Ms. Cleveland could make a good show in this genre if she can make some contacts, keep researching, and develop a better grasp of the technical aspects.

I loved this book, and it made me question my ethics. Who would I put first, and who could I trust. This book was fun, and kept me up late at night.

(2 1/2). This is a fun little throw back style thriller. Good and evil. Russia vs. U.S.A.. Family vs. honor. A couple of really fun twists and turns. See if you can figure out the end before it gets you. It sure got me!

I think I read this book in record time. I had trouble putting it down. It's the story of Vivian Miller, a counter=intelligence agent for the CIA, who discovers evidence about Russian sleeper cells that tests her allegiance to the United States and to her family. The plot was fast-moving in this well-written book, and the emotional anguish the protagonist experienced is palpable. The only reason I'm giving the book four stars instead of five is because I found the plot to be somewhat predictable--that is, until the very last few pages. That surprise plot twist was the perfect ending for the book.

Karen Cleveland takes the traditional spy genre and tilts it on this head by employing a female protagonist and putting her in an impossible situation. Far from being contrived, this was a great story with a fresh perspective. Throughout the book I was yelling (in my head) for Vivian to do the "right thing", but all along the author made sure we understood the character's motivation and how, from her point of view, she was doing the right thing. The author jumps heads a couple of times, but doing so only advances the storyline. If there is going to be a sequel, sign me up for a copy.

If you liked the series The Americans, about a Russian sleeper cell, you will love this book about a similar story, focusing on a couple, the wife working for the CIA, and her husband the Russian sleeper agent. The descriptions of the heart-wrenching decisions faced by both of them are very realistic, and the story gripping. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you Karen Cleveland, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to review.

This book follows Vivian Miller, a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst, who is assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. During her pursuit, she uncovers a dangerous secrets that tests her loyalties to both the agency and to her family.

NEED TO KNOW has it all: a unique storyline, love and loyalty, Russia sleeper cell agents, fast-paced plot, dynamic characters, well-written thematics, loads of suspense, and twists that keep you guessing. The reader should look forward to a sequel, as this novel does end on a cliffhanger. This is my first Karen Cleveland novel, and she did not disappoint! This was a thoroughly compelling psychological thriller novel, and I recommend it to anyone interested in a good thriller or novels about sleeper cells. This unputdownable novel gets five easy stars.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity! I started reading this book on a Saturday morning and I couldn't put it down the entire weekend. I have always been a fan of spy movies and this is telling a story from the other side. How do you trust someone that you love when you find out that they have lied to you for 10 years? If someone threatened your family would you betray your country? These are just a couple of the things that the main character, Vivian, has to struggle with. And the ending... I don't want to give away anything but let's just say that this is one of those books that you finish and then sit there thinking "What just happened??". This book is a must read!

WOW! Just WOW! A unique storyline, a character driven plot, high suspense, twists galore: CAN NOT get better than all that! Thematic issues of love and loyalty to one's family and conscience. The denouement is incredibly satisfying! A bit lacking in character development, but the riveting plot more than makes up for that! Plan on reading it on a day (and night) when you have no responsibilities because the novel is un-put-downable! It is THAT good! Looking forward to a sequel as the reader is left with a delicious cliffhanger!

Rather than relying on the action spy thriller format of Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Ben Coes, Alex Berenson, and Tom Clancy (all of whom I love), Cleveland’s approach is a splendid, delicious, and unique story angle that keeps us, through virtually the whole book, inside the main character’s head. No bombs blasting, no machine guns firing, no IEDs going off, yet, every bit as thrilling. It’s different , delightfully so, and every bit as good.

Initially the use of the first person was off putting to me – for about 2 pages. Then I quickly got in to this thriller that is unlike any out there today.

Cleveland is able to capture and firmly hold the reader’s interest. The twists and turns this story takes couldn’t be followed any other way than the way she expertly handles them – by letting us “hear” the main character’s thinking process and the horrifying choices they have to evaluate.

This was not at all what I expected. What a smartly written book!

Need to Know was a very odd read for me. It was as if I was reading two separate books. Book one was a fast driven race car. A Formula One page turner. Book two was a confusing mess. Who is everyone?

From a technical standpoint Karen Cleveland knows how to write. There is a lot of internal dialog explaining what the character, Viv Miller, is going through with each revelation. I appreciated the looking back in her history with her husband that explained what she was doing in the present. It did become a bit repetitive with people asking her if she was okay but this is a minor issue for me. Although there is the backwards/forwards aspect to the story it does not bog it down at any point.

From a character perspective the book is messy. Viv is weak as a person, as in no spine to do what would appear to be the right thing. EARLY IN THE BOOK SPOILER ALERT. Her husband is a Russian sleeper agent who targeted her as a source, marries her, has 4 children with her and yet she still has a trust in him that seems beyond comprehension. Everything points to him putting Russia before his family. She needs to protect her children, her country, but why her husband? Just didn't gel all that well. Had Viv gotten stronger due to adversity the story line and her character would have been more compelling. The book also has a fairytale ending.

I see a good writer in Karen Cleveland. I would read any subsequent efforts from her. Her characters just need more flesh and growth.

Gripping and impossible to put down.
Vivian's world flipped one day, and the life she knew no longer exists. From that moment on, high tension dominates, and the 'need to know' how it's going to end is the only reigning looming emotion. Not one moment of boredom. The writing, the plot, the characters, I loved the whole package. Beautiful work!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, I was able to enjoy this story.

What a great book! It grabs your attention and keeps it until the very end. It was impossible to put down. The plot is gripping and completely plausible, which is what makes the book so engrossing.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the the main character works for the CIA, and ends up making decisions that made me question what I would have done if I were in a similar situation.

This is a must read book, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I could not put this book down. The author had me hooked on the first page. I felt the anguish of the heroine in her struggle for the correct definition of loyalty. The subject matter is timely which made the plot all the more realistic. The twists towards the end were very well positioned and now I need a day before starting another book to digest the ending.

Outstanding! I couldn't stop until I finished! The reader really understands what Vivian is thinking and why she does what she does. So I was surprised time and again! Amazing book!

Need to Know is a very well written book with a super good plot. I enjoyed this book and the author's writing style.

Karen Cleveland ‘s Need To Know is definitely a need to read novel. It is a superb thriller set in our nation’s capital. It involves Russians… and spies… and the CIA. Those three separate topics always leads to some kind of controversy and debate, but together they make for an intriguing plot that results in an engaging emotional novel. You will not be disappointed with this read.