This spy thriller has its ups and downs. Not so much a romance but a action packed thriller. Zoe Lorel, elite operative/assassin, working for an international spy agency with a wonderful girlfriend whom she hopes will soon be her wife, Isabel. There is a 9 year old child, Leah at the center of the read. There is much pain to go around which has quite a bit to do with Zoe's Uncle Easton. He makes me think of the quote, "power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely". On the other hand, when you think of the agency Easton runs, it does provide protection which unfortunately is desperately needed. The read seems to set-up a follow-up book.

The Child Riddler is a good, solid debut by Ms Greenman and I would read the follow up if one appears. The plotting is complex and has an ambiguous morality that I like. It’s hard to tell who are the ‘good guys’ when they use such ‘bad’ practices. The story involves a global espionage agency based in America who have to find an orphaned child who knows a riddle. Her father has built a dangerous weapon which is activated by a code held in the riddle.

Zoe is tasked to find the child and get the code. But Zoe doesn’t much like kids, despite her fiancée being very keen to start a family. There are drugs to make assassins able to kill, fancy gadgets, and people who aren’t sure what side they’re on. There is an exposition of how much power can corrupt and how detached you have to be to send people into the world as killers.

There are a few hiccups but overall this is well written and an enjoyable read. It is different from much available lesfic and for that I applaud the author.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

The plot was great but for whatever reason I didn't quite enjoy the story as I thought I would. Regardless I recommend, 3 stars.


Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

The child riddler, for me, was very difficult to get into. It does have action, but I felt things didn't add up right. Leaving questions behind that I didn't get answers for. The relationship seemed odd too.

This book just wasn't for me.

1/5

Zoe was trained to be an assassin from a very tender age. Now, as an adult, she is considered the best at her trade. Zoe works for her uncle‘s spy agency to eradicate terrorists and make the world a safer place. All is going well for Zoe until she is tasked to kidnap the nine year old daughter of the terrorist she just killed. 
The Child Riddler is a debut novel with some of the hitches and hiccups expected from a novice writer. The story is wonderfully spy-ish with amazing nanotechnology, intriguing gadgets, evil killing concoctions and pure adrenaline rush escapades. Zoe is supposed to have our compassion due to her backstory but unfortunately Greenman doesn’t expose the reader to a fully three dimensional character. Zoe comes across as rigid, cold, aloof and all about her work. This is demonstrated every time Zoe thinks of her fiancé as her Lady which feels cold and lacking in affection.
There are also a few scenarios which lacked credibility and felt rushed to move the story forward including the bonding between Zoe and the nine year old.
As a debut novel, The Child Riddler is full of spy themed action. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel but felt bereaved of human and emotional contact.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Zoe Lorel is Wildcat, a highly trained spy/assassin. She is based out of the US but works for an international spy agency. Zoe’s latest mission is getting the code for a new nanoweapon. A child is believed to have the code sequence which she learned from her father who taught her riddles (hence the name of the book). Other government agencies are after the child as well making for some exciting moments. Zoe has to stretch herself to bond and create trust with the child. Some of the story is spent on setting up Zoe’s background (a horrific training school), and her agency which is run by her uncle. Zoe also has a fiancé/love interest who works for the same agency.

I didn’t really enjoy the story. I love spy stories when I’m rooting for the good guys as they work against enemies. But this is all morally questionable as the agency you’re suppose to cheer for is corrupt. And Zoe is skilled but she’s been drugged and manipulated her whole life. I didn't buy into her love relationship either as they didn’t seem to be in agreement as to what their futures will look like. I think I would read another in the series to see where it is going but it isn’t a book I’d strongly recommend.

Can’t decide how much I really liked this story. The story in itself was reasonably exciting but I’m not sure I could identify with the morality of it. On saying that I could actually believe such an institution did exist as I have no high opinion of any government/politics these days. I would probably also read a sequel if one were written as I feel the story was left not exactly on a cliff edge but perhaps on a slight incline.