Reviews

Passport To Spy by Nancy Cole Silverman

katreader's review

4.0

PASSPORT TO SPY by Nancy Cole Silverman
The Second Kat Lawson Mystery

Kat Lawson is in Munich, Germany ostensibly as a reporter for Travel Life magazine writing about winter attractions. In reality, she's working for the FBI looking for information about a hidden cache of artwork stolen by the Nazis. She has no trouble getting close to her target, a charismatic museum curator, but unfortunately, she's also caught the eye of a suspicious Russian, a gatekeeper receptionist, and a protective sister. Soon Kat gets in deeper than she ever imagined. Will she get out alive?

Though I'm generally a stickler for reading series in order I didn't have time to read the first Kat Lawson mystery before this one. However, PASSPORT TO SPY works perfectly well as an introduction to the series. In fact, it seems as if it is the first book in the series as this is Kat's first assignment. I never felt as if I was missing anything and the book works perfectly well as a stand alone mystery, though I am quite looking forward to see what happens next.

Both intriguing and captivating the second Kat Lawson mystery has mysteries to unravel, though Kat's job is not to solve them. Instead she's supposed to get close to the museum curator and merely gather intelligence. Kat not only gets close, but gets more involved than her handler wants and discovers more than she should. I love how she's able to incorporate her cover story into her real work, as I got to learn about the winter activities and tourist spots around Munich. I also appreciated how Kat was able to keep calm as things spiraled out of control.

PASSPORT TO SPY is an exciting mystery that's part thriller, part historical fiction, and all fun.

drops_everything_and_reads's review

1.0

I really tried to get into this book but just couldn’t do it. Just wasn’t for me, and that’s okay!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of the book. All thoughts are my own.

jen_baroness_mom's review

5.0

 Passport to Spy by Nancy Cole Silverman is fantastic! I loved the historical aspect mixed with spying, art, and the Christmas scene in Germany. 

Will Kat find the Gerhardt's Hoard or die trying? 

Kat Lawson 

Kat is no longer just a journalist. She is also a spy. Her first assignment is to find proof that Gerhardt's Hoard is actually in Germany. Kat has packed her bags and headed to Germany, where she is posing as a travel journalist for a travel pub that is part of an FBI cover. Even though Kat is there to find the art treasure, she must also write articles for the magazine. 

I enjoyed traveling around Germany with her, whether by train or automobile. She also meets up with her brother Sandor and his wife Annika a few times. We see a tougher part of Kat and how stubborn she can be. I had hoped that Adolph and Kat would still be communicating, but that isn't the case. She has, it seemed, divorced her idiot husband. The one thing that Kat learned from this case has got to be to keep her mouth shut unless she trusts a person completely. 

The Case 

The assignment is to secret stash of old artworks stolen by the Nazis during World War II. The book is set in the 1990s, and the wall is down, but there are still repercussions regarding the rights of the actual owners of the stolen masterpieces. Kat meets some interesting people. Some are nice and help her out, while others are using her. Kat ends up in a bit of hot water. However, she figures a way out of it soon enough. By the end of the story, her job is secured, and she is good with her editor. 

After reading Passport to Spy, I want to see Germany, and before, it wasn't even on my list. Ms. Silverman made it seem realistic, beautiful, and filled with yummy desserts. Don't get me wrong; there are freezing temps, crazy drivers, and some rude people. But Kat and Sophie came through in the end. 

Five Stars 

My rating for Passport to Spy by Nancy Cole Silverman is five stars. I love Ms. Silverman's writing style and how she transports you to the setting. I immensely enjoyed hanging with Kat. She has a beautiful way of dealing with things, and despite being a spy, she sees the good in people. I highly recommend this book and the series to all mystery readers. 

Another plus, is the Author's Note at the end of the book that tells where the story idea came from. 

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Passport to Spy by Nancy Cole Silverman. 

Until the next time, 

~Jen 

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

clougreen's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A great sequel! I loved the first book and I was super excited to start the next in the series. The plot line is much more mystery/crime focused in this story whereas the more family driven plot line in the first story. This story takes on a different direction focusing much more on the art theft and history part. The story, like a classic mystery, included twists I was not anticipating which kept me intrigued and invested in the story. I read it all in only a couple sittings because I was enjoying it so much. I look forward to more stories in this series.

valeris29's review

4.0

 

On her first official undercover case for the FBI after foiling a trafficking ring in The Navigator’s Daughter Kat finds that she may have bit off more than she could chew one her second trip abroad. Based loosely on a true life narrative once again this is a must read! 

jodiesackettbrown's review

adventurous informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

thenorwegianperson's review

adventurous informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Got this book as an ARC through Netgalley

Give us one undercover journalist trying to uncover stolen art from WW2, based on real history and you have me enthralled!

Kat needed a new job, and what better job than undercover journalist for the FBI, with one mission to find proof of a hidden art collection stolen from the Jewish people under WW2. Needing to find out more, Kat gets close to Hans, who is suspected to have inherited said collection from his uncle. 

I'll admit I was a bit sceptical if this book would suit my taste, but it got me hooked and finished within 24hrs.