4.5/5 stars

I had a lot of fun listening to this book, Maggie at times annoyed me but I think for her character that's a good thing. She's stubborn and dedicated to stopping terrible people from doing terrible things.

The whole book is very memorable, despite it taking me a while to finish reading, I still remember nearly everything that happened.

I can absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good FBI/CIA team up story.

Maggie is on the search for her fiancés assassin and will stop at no cost to find her. Even though everyone believes that the assassin has been killed, Maggie doesn't believe it and won't stop until she finds out the truth. Even if it means destroying her career at the CIA.

I wanted to know what was going to happen and if what Maggie suspected was true.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Good action and interesting characters! You could probably read this without having read the first one but would miss out on a lot so I wouldn't recommend. I would continue with this series if there is more. The narrator was good for this.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the Author for an Audiobook version of this book to listen to during my workdays and drive time! This did not affect my rating.

TW: Terrorism, death of children via murder, gun violence, 9/11 references

So I truly enjoyed this novel and will definitely be looking for more by this author, especially the first in this series. This is definitely one that could be read on its own, but I think the background of what hapoened in more depth would be nice. It is touched upon in this book, so you are not left scratching your head and lost, which is nice.

The characters were able to be connected to and the their storylines were believable. I do feel that the romantic storyline was unnecessary, but that might just be my opinion.

Maggie is stubborn and a take charge type of woman, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I liked that she was strong and independent. She had her own thoughts and ideas.

The story is a quick pace and I know I would have been finished with it much sooner, if I wouldn't have had some playback issues through NetGalley. For some reason when I first downloaded the book, it did not want to play. When it did finally play, if I paused and came back, I could not just unpause, but I would have to restart the app. I truly do not know why.

I am only giving 4 stars, because I really felt the romantic portion of the storyline was not needed and was more of a distraction than a positive addition to the story.

Maggie Jenkins a CIA analyst Her husband has been killed and she is convinced his killer is still alive. Whilst she is involved in a terrorist plot she is convinced she has seen his assassin .She then chases the killer around the globe determined to get revenge.
This was a fast paced book with great characters. The narrator brought the story to life in the audiobook.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers so the chance to hear an ARC

I was fortunate enough to listen to the audio book “Wayward Assassin” written by Susan Ouellette and read by Erin Bennett.

In “Wayward Assassin”, CIA Analyst Maggie Jenkins believes that the Chechen rebel that killed her fiancé is still alive. She puts her career on the line to track down the assassin and discover the assassin’s next plans. Through her research and unexpected field work, Maggie believes she knows the plans for an attack against Americans. The story goes from Russia to Chechnya, to London, and the suburbs of Washington, DC, Maggie rushes to try to stop the next attack.

There is good scene and character development. Since Maggie is an analyst rather than a field agent, she is not taken seriously by CIA and the FBI leadership. Even with her proven track record, they are slot to act. This brings a lot of tension to the story since the attack is imminent and the stakes are high. The scenes are well thought out and build on each other. The plot is multifaceted and nuanced.

The narration was excellent and enjoyable. I recommend listening to the audio book.

A fast paced CIA thriller. Maggie Jenkins a CIA analyst is convinced her husband killer is still alive and when she sees her in a terrorist plot this leads to an across the globe chase. Good characterization and well plotted this novel leaves you wanting more. Erin Bennett does an excellent job narrating this book.
I received this audiobook from CamCat books and Netgalley for a review.

Maggie Jenkins is a CIA analyst, not a spy, as she is frequently reminded, but she’s not going to let that stop her!

I really enjoyed the non-stop action and continuous suspense. The plot is tight and the story quickly unfolds over just a few days.

As well as the drama you would expect from a CIA based thriller, there is also a good balance of insight into how the roles that the characters carry out in their professional lives impacts on their personal lives.

Absolutely a 5 ⭐️ read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is my first exposure to this author and I was not disappointed. The author has delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. This is a taut, character-driven psychological thriller, filled with suspicion and tension. Oullette has a wonderful imagination and creates very realistic and disturbing scenarios. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night.

Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Books who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

A twisty action packed mystery thriller. This took me a bit to get into, maybe because this is the second in a series (but it can be read as a standalone). I always love seeing a strong FMC and this didn't disappoint, even through her grief Maggie is still bad-ass and brave. This was a great mystery and I will be checking out the rest of the series.

The Wayward Assassin was outstanding! It was fast paced, took place in a very short time frame and had some traces of romance all the makings for a great book to read! I loved the hard headed, strong female lead character and how she didn’t listen to anyone but herself. She took the lead based on her instinct and kicked butt the whole way. This book covered some very serious topics but still had a light hearted feel at times. There were two POVs and I found both very interesting and loved both sides of the story. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!! I will highly recommend this book to other readers!

New obsession!

This is book 2 in the series and book 1 was phenomenal. I was happy to see that book 2 continued on that path.

The narration was done extremely well it remained engaging throughout the entire book.

The storyline may be a little sensitive to some readers, make sure to check trigger warnings. Susan Ouellette has become a new favorite author. This installment picks up around 9ish months after the end of book 1. Maggie has made a career switch back to the CIA. Convinced that the terrorist responsible for her fiancés death is still alive, she is hell bent on bringing her to justice. The Wayward Assassin spans multiple countries as Maggie chases down the terrorist. It is a race against time--and the appearance of her obsession with revenge to stop tragedy before it blows up on American soil.

Spy thrillers is a new genre for me. When I had done some research into the genre, I had found some articles about female authors and leads not being the norm in this genre. Ouellette brings that much needed diversity to the genre and she does it well. I will be following Ouellette and awaiting each new installment in this series.

While this is the second book in the Wayward series, I received an ARC and read it without reading The Wayward Spy first - and I still loved it!

Maggie Jenkins, a CIA analyst, sets out to hunt down the female Chechan terrorist who killed her fiance the year prior. Ouellette does a superb job at weaving in the background of Wayward Spy into this one, which allows the reader a seamless read if reading Wayward Assassin as a standalone.

Wayward Assassin has big thriller and action vibes, without being <i>too</i> much. I was absolutely captivated by the fast pace, smooth narrative, and wonderfully descriptive writing.

Very much looking forward to reading more of Ouellette's work!

I was completely captivated once again by this amazing author's writing style and story. It draws you in immediately and the short chapters inspire you to keep the rest of the world waiting as you attempt to solve this mystery too. I find the descriptions of life as a special agent intriguing and the unexpected romance was a pleasant surprise. I can't wait to read more!

I love a strong female lead in a suspenseful thriller like The Wayward Assassin by Susan Ouellette. This audiobook is read by Erin Bennett who does a fantastic job of bringing this story to life.

A rouge CIA analyst, Revenge. And a new type of terrorist that will stop at nothing to complete their deadly plot to kill innocent Americans are just some of the exciting things you’ll get when you read The Wayward Assassin.

I loved the way this book describes details so you feel like you are watching a movie in your mind. You can see the setting, hear the sounds, and feel the emotions of the characters in this book. I love thrillers and suspense this book brings the best of all the big name authors in this category.
This is book 2 in the Wayward series. I didn’t read book 1 and never felt like I was missing anything. The story weaves in and out of different POV and brings everything full circle with a fantastic ending.

Erin Bennett does a great job narrating this exciting story. I enjoyed her tones and nuances. She brings life to the different characters and makes it obvious who those different characters are with different voices. I’ve listened to her in other books as well and find she is professional and very talented.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for their next great thriller.

I was graciously provided this book by NetGalley and offer my 100% honest review.

Setting the Scene: It is 2004. Less than a year ago, Maggie Jenkins, CIA analyst, lost her fiance to a terrorist attack lead by Chechen terrorist and assassin known as Zara. The CIA and the American government insist Zara died in the attack, but Maggie is certain she is still alive and planning more death and destruction. When Maggie spots Zara at a terrorist attack on a Russian school, she is determined to track her down and ensure that she pays for her crimes. As she does so, she will have to battle all the alphabet agencies of the United States government. Further complicating Maggie's efforts is Zara's apparent alliance with Jihadists. Only days before the 9/11 anniversary, Maggie must prove that not only has Zara reached Washington, D.C., but she has a plan that will shatter American lives, but it has nothing to do with 9/11.

What I Thought: This was a captivating read. Maggie Jenkins is a great protagonist, vulnerable but determined. Zara is also an intriguing character, so totally flawed, blaming every tragedy in her life on others, and continuing the pattern, spreading hate and death wherever she goes. Even so, the book manages to minimize the gruesome details, without minimizing the cost of a life or lives lost. The fact that Maggie is not operating in a vacuum also contributes to the appeal of this book. Warner and Roger, each in his own way, lends much needed support to the headstrong Maggie, and the book's overall message is one of hope, not destruction. I look forward to more books in this series.

Erin Bennett was an excellent narrator.

I really enjoyed listening to thi! It has the perfect amount of twists and turns, suspense and secrets. I feel the narrator was a great choice and i voice i could easily listen too.

I really enjoyed how the story developed and was super satisfied with that superb ending

At first i was hesitant to start this book BUT i absolutely loved it! I became so consumed by the story and flew through the whole thing, i couldnt get enough. The story really keeps you wanting more and on edge. The characters were so great to follow and the suspense of everything was so captivating. I loved the ending and it was such a satisfying book all around. I definitely recommend this book.

Name of Book: The Wayward Assassin
Author: Susan Ouelette
Series: This Book II of Three in the Wayward series
Audiobook Narrator: Erin Bennett
Publisher: Cam Cat Books
Genre: Espionage, Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date Was: March 15, 2023
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages 371

My comment when I read [book: The Wayward Spy]

This story kept me interested but I am disappointed with the cliffhanger ending!

So here I am reading “The Wayward Assassin” book two in the “Wayward” series; many characters continue from the previous book. As you will remember from Book 1 - "The Wayward Spy" ended, CIA analyst Maggie Jenkins has barely escaped with her life as she was out to prove her fiancée Steve was killed by terrorist was not a traitor.

This story opens with the September 1, 2004 Chechen terrorist attack on a school in a Russian republic of North Ossetia; there are many deaths - 333, including 186 children, and 31attackers.

Zara Barayeva, a Chechen terrorist who was responsible for the school bombing is still at large in Russia.
CIA Analyst Maggie is an expert on Chechen terrorism, famous for stretching the meaning of some rules will do what she can to stop Zara before committing another terrorist attack as Zara is planning something more spectacular.

Zara is someone who doesn’t fit a terrorist profile, but can certainly can slip undetected from attack to attack, and who’s intent on pursuing a personal vendetta at any cost.
Chasing Zara from Russia to the war-torn streets of Chechnya, to London, and finally, to the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Maggie risks her life to stop the latest terrorism act~.

There is no doubt this story is heart pounding. The terrorist taking over a DC area elementary school had me on the edge of chair. School shootings by a deranged shooter with an assault weapon have happened too often ~ this fiction story was so close to being real.
Series has hooked now I have to read [book: The Wayward Target] Book #3

On the lighter side Maggie's romance with Roger also builds in the series.
Additionally narrator Erin Bennett did an excellent job performing the character. Her accent seems real to me.
Erin Bennett is one of my favorites!!! 💘

Interesting that author, Susan Ouellette is a former intelligence analyst for the CIA. She majored in of international relations and Russian language and culture as an ungraduated as well as graduate at both Harvard University and Boston University.

If you like an excellent spy novel, you will enjoy this.


Want to thank NetGalley and Can Cat Books for this great Audio eGalley!
Publishing Release Date was March 15, 2023

I am in love with this series! In the past 2 days I have listened to the first one and this one and I am anxiously awaiting book 3!

The narration is done well, the narrator kept me engaged and felt dialed in to Maggie--as well as the other characters.

Book 2 in the Wayward series picks up after the end of the first book. Maggie, still grieving from the loss of Steve, is now a CIA analyst and trying to get her first overseas assignment. Some bigger characters' stories from The Wayward Spy continue in to The Wayward Assassin, and some minor characters mentioned or with smaller parts get a bigger role. We have terrorists, conspiracies, and a race against time to save the day.

Spy Thriller is not one of my normal genres, but it is the genre I have most recently come to love. This book--and the series so far--is everything I am looking for in a Spy Thriller.