The Expats: A Novel
Release date: 2013 / 352 pages
Synopsis(from Amazon): At first glance, Kate Moore is an ordinary American expat mom whose days are filled with coffee mornings and the mundane demands of childcare. But Kate is also guarding a secret: until recently she’d been leading a double life as a CIA agent, traveling the globe on increasingly dangerous covert missions. After her job drives her to commit an unforgivable act, Kate is ready for a less eventful life, and her husband Dexter’s new job as a financial systems security consultant in Luxembourg provides the perfect exit strategy. But still she remains unable to bring herself to reveal her secret to him.
Review: Fans of international intrigue would enjoy Pavone’s Expats. I agreed to read this due to the setting of Luxembourg, where my husband’s ancestors originated. I rarely read this genre – or any mystery or thrillers – so I’m a bit of a “newby.”
When I began the novel, I assumed the author was female (“Chris”) but could tell after about 50 pages that this was most likely not true. The protagonist was female but felt quite male, and I was not surprised when I turned to the back jacket that Chris Pavone was indeed male. Kate’s voice and thoughts were not authentically female, which was a bit distracting.
But the plot was fast-paced and suspenseful and fans of this genre would not be disappointed. The Expats could easily become a successful action-adventure movie – due to the setting, plot twists and turns and interesting character dynamics.
So, while Expats did not encourage me to seek more of this genre, I do believe fans would enjoy it.
Interested in winning a copy? Drop me a comment below!
And be sure to check out the other stops on the tour, too:
I reviewed ‘Expats’ when it first was released last year, and it wound up in my top five books for 2012. Although it is not my typical choice in books, there was something about the delivery that held a certain weight and really stuck with me. Sadly, I had to pass the book along to another reader. I would love the chance to add this one to my bookshelves. Thanks for the great and honest review, as always!
Mysteries, thrillers…my favorite genre. I would love to read this book. It is definitely on my TBR list!
I’m enjoy good mysteries and crime fiction. The Expats interests me because I haven’t real many books about CIA agents and spies. I don’t always enjoy the thrillers that would make good adventure movies but something about this book piques my interest.
If you ever want to try another book in the mystery/thriller genre there are several excellent books by Norwegian authors…Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbo…etc.
Thank you for this giveaway!
I hope this book doesn’t discourage you from trying others in the genre. I’m a very avid fan of all crime fiction and this one just didn’t do anything for me. I felt very similar to you about the authenticity of Kate’s voice and the book seemed to drag for me.
I hope you’ll give something else a try before throwing in the towel on the genre. It has a long of wonderfulness to offer readers.
This novel sounds captivating. Thanks.
I am interested in this book. Sounds unique.
Thank you, Jen! I will heed your advice!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
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