(reviewed by JD Jung)
#CommissionsEarned
Private investigator Nicole Grave’s fiancé , Reinhardt, has disappeared. Actually, it’s not that unusual. First, he worked as a chief inspector for the London Metropolitan Police. He then took a rather secretive job, where his absences were sudden and for undetermined periods of time. Maybe he is now an operative for the UK’s M16? In any event, this disappearance has been for almost a year.
So, when Nicole, an American, is asked by British intelligence to pose as a tourist on a Russian riverboat cruise to observe a group of passengers, she considers it. Maybe this will bring her to Reinhardt.
As Nicole proceeds, there is more to this assignment than meets the eye. Have her British handlers been totally truthful with her? As the narrative unfolds, Nicole finds herself in perilous situations, bearing witness to a murder and fleeing from the relentless pursuit of Russian authorities. The tension and stakes are intense throughout, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
From the outset, the premise may seem a tad far-fetched, requiring a certain suspension of disbelief on how Nicole was recruited. It took me awhile to get past this. However, once I dove into the heart of the story, I found myself captivated by a fast-paced narrative that kept me turning the pages. While the plot doesn’t consist of intricate layers of espionage, it still remains solid.
The well-developed characters, even the minor ones, ensure that readers become fully invested in the story. The bleak Russian setting sets the tone, as we embark on a game of cat-and-mouse through the streets of Moscow.
The Moscow Affair is a quick read that fans of uncomplicated espionage thrillers (with a bit of romance sprinkled in) will enjoy.
