A really excellent thriller. Brilliantly paced and told over a dual timeline, I found this hard to put down. One of the best books of this genre, I’ve read this year.
Wholeheartedly recommend.
4.5 stars.

This is my first Joseph and won't be my last. Quick paced, full of action, this is his new unputdownable 2025 book about a ordinary man who suddenly finds himself with a bounty on his head. Gripping and made me want to come back for more.

The Oligarch’s Daughter – WOW! At first, I wasn’t sure about the back-and-forth between the time periods, but it worked brilliantly and was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. There were a couple of moments when I thought, “This guy is really pushing his luck,” but it all came together perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven’t come across Joseph Finder before, but I’ll definitely be seeking out more of his work.

I have always been a fan of Joseph Finder and when I saw there was a new book on offer, I immediately requested it, and I was not disappointed.

This is fantastic spy thriller, and I could not turn the pages quick enough. Paul Brightman is a hedge fund manager and a very smart one. He meets Tatyana, an incredibly beautiful woman who is trying to become a successful photographer. Paul falls hard for her and soon they are in a relationship. As their relationship progresses it was inevitable that the time would come for him to meet her family. Tatyana told Paul that her father was a successful businessman and soon he finds himself being offered a role in her father’s business. Initially Paul is hesitant to take the job, but the offer is amazing, and he then makes the decision to jump ship from his current company and moves into the offices where her father works.

The action begins immediately and soon you are drawn into a world of lies, deceit and espionage. Paul is now in a very sticky situation, and he begins to question his decision, but he is now in over his head, who does he trust and are people really who they seem to be. Then throw in the FBI and the CIA and you have the makings of a terrific book that will take you on a wild ride. I am not going to say anymore other than that this was a five-star read for me, and if spy thrillers are your thing I do not believe you will be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

A new discovery for me this author. What a fantastic read…. Detailed, dynamic plot with twists and turns. Lots f depth and intelligent writing. I am already into his back catalogue. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

‘Until that day, Grant had never killed anyone.’

A man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town. Paul Brightman is his real name, and there is a million-dollar bounty on his head. His cover blown; Paul flees into the New Hampshire wilderness.

The story unfolds over two timelines. In the present, we are with Paul as he tries to evade those seeking him. In the past, we learn how he came to be in such a dire predicament.

Yes, the story involves a Russian oligarch and his daughter. Paul Brightman, a successful hedge fund manager, falls in love with the daughter, starts working for the father and, gradually, finds himself in danger. Various US intelligence agencies are also involved. Who can Paul trust?
It took me a while to adjust to the pace of this novel. I enjoyed the shifts between past and present which certainly helped to maintain the tension. There were a few fortunate coincidences towards the end, but by then I was so caught up in the story that I accepted them and quickly moved on.

A terrific spy thriller. This is the first of Mr Finder’s novels I have read: I’ll be looking for others.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith