EVL was one of the first authors that I became seriously enthused with, and my enjoyment of his stories was a high point through most of my formative years, all the way back to the 1980's when the librarian would make sure you were above a certain age before you got allowed to take one of those books out. I haven't read much of the recent things, the Bourne novels didn't really have my interest, so I was interested to take a closer look into the new Evan Ryder novel.

The writing style has changed from his earlier novels, less visceral by an order of magnitude, the explicit descriptions of violence and gore aren't there any more, and it changes the feel of the book in a number of ways. The world building and research is still first class, and if there's one thing we've always been able to count on, it's that the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed, even to the point of acknowledging that there's been a liberty taken on one of the characters names in the afterword.

The story is in the steady hands of a master, there's a good degree of twisting and turning, the true power behind the throne is not revealed until the end, or so we think, and there's no degree of script immunity for most of the characters, which is precisely what a real thriller should be.

This story isn't one of the brutal thrillers I read when I was young, it's not so obvious, the black and white has been replaced with shades of grey (Just not fifty of them), and the nuance is impossible to ignore. Some part of me still misses those five page fight scenes that I used to read, but the ability to string a narrative along without giving everything away is not to be underestimated.

This is much better than the first in the series, and it's quite entertaining. The plot is intricate, but there is a logic to it. However, there are several inconsistencies and some strange tactics.

As a seasoned author, Lustbader knows how to craft a good thriller. This has a somewhat complicated plot, and has a good pace. I suspect this will sell pretty well. It will be satisfying for those that like spy stories and mysteries.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Nemesis may be no more but that infernal organisation may have more heads than Hydra.

Another plot unfolds and a so-called ally becomes Ben's downfall. What's a former spy/former agency boos to do when the rug is pulled from underneath him? He saves Evan and plunges headfirst back into the fray! The tentacles of Nemesis seem to still be pulling some strings and they are after Evan - again. But she is about to get a bigger shock - the truth of her sister's life before her death. She is shell-shocked to say the least.

Ludymilia is back to pulling clandestine strings again. There are so many intricacies in the plot that I thought I'd need to start taking notes to follow them all. Missing children are always going to target the heart-strings but someone really miscalculated in abducting Evan's remaining family - she will rain hellfire on them and walk through the pits of hell to get them back! Billionaires are meddling in world affairs and attempting to mould the world to their standards and a religious cult are both making waves but Evan is not about to let them win.

Ben and Evan get around the world this time from the USA to Odessa, Istanbul and Romania. They and sharp, witty, interesting characters and I am so enjoying this very female-driven series. No damsels in distress here, they'll slay the dragon themselves, thanks!

An interesting read.

The book is engaging as the female heroine searches for her sister's missing children. The plot is more nuanced than this as we know the sister's history as a Russian sleeper asset posing as a politician's submissive wife. Mixed in with the betrayal is a shadowy cult seeking her, and her partner's deaths.

Written in mixed flashback and different parties' perspectives, the plot is intricate and duplicity abounds.

I am reminded of Le Carre.