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hectaizani's review
4.0
I have never read the first book in the series, Mrs. John Doe, where the story began. In this book Nora is approached by her husband’s boss, Ham Green, because he has an operation that would be perfectly suited to her particular talents.
Nora must travel to Venice under an assumed persona and assist a Russian actress in defecting to the United States. The actress has become privy to some secrets. Information valuable to the CIA, but also information that could get her killed. Nora needs to play her part perfectly which shouldn’t be too hard because she’s an accomplished actress herself.
The story has a lot of twists and turns and is a really fun mystery that should keep the reader guessing.
I requested this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Nora must travel to Venice under an assumed persona and assist a Russian actress in defecting to the United States. The actress has become privy to some secrets. Information valuable to the CIA, but also information that could get her killed. Nora needs to play her part perfectly which shouldn’t be too hard because she’s an accomplished actress herself.
The story has a lot of twists and turns and is a really fun mystery that should keep the reader guessing.
I requested this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
jonetta's review
4.0
Nora Baron has returned to her life in Long Island as a university drama teacher following her turn at high intrigue months ago when she learned about her husband’s covert life. The former actress surprised herself at her own skills in rescuing him so when the Company calls her for help, Nora’s confident that she’s up to the assignment. Her job will be to help extract famous Russian theatrical actress Galina Rostova from Venice and help her defect to the US. She has information the government feels will make the risk worthwhile. Nora will pose as a television interviewer for a fictional production company and devise a plan to safely get the actress to America.
The elements I loved about the first book continue in this story. Nora is smart, skilled and quick minded. Her talent as an actress certainly helps but it’s those innate instincts that makes her ideal for this assignment. The setting this time is Venice, Italy and it’s as much a part of the story as the intrigue, taking us beyond the traditional sites and venues. I loved the subtlety of the espionage, not resorting to the typical tricks and thrills. This is probably more true to reality where the real effort is figuring out truths from lies and being quick on your feet. There are a host of players and it was a challenge figuring out what was fact and fiction and the true end game.
This is a smart and sophisticated story and I just love Nora. I was thrilled when I learned there would be more stories featuring her and like the direction taken for the character. If you enjoy intelligent mysteries that make you work at assembling clues instead of all action, you’ll love this book and series. There is quite a bit of action but isn’t the main focus, just appropriate in the moments and there to support the mind games. I’m just disappointed I waited so long to resume this series.
(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
The elements I loved about the first book continue in this story. Nora is smart, skilled and quick minded. Her talent as an actress certainly helps but it’s those innate instincts that makes her ideal for this assignment. The setting this time is Venice, Italy and it’s as much a part of the story as the intrigue, taking us beyond the traditional sites and venues. I loved the subtlety of the espionage, not resorting to the typical tricks and thrills. This is probably more true to reality where the real effort is figuring out truths from lies and being quick on your feet. There are a host of players and it was a challenge figuring out what was fact and fiction and the true end game.
This is a smart and sophisticated story and I just love Nora. I was thrilled when I learned there would be more stories featuring her and like the direction taken for the character. If you enjoy intelligent mysteries that make you work at assembling clues instead of all action, you’ll love this book and series. There is quite a bit of action but isn’t the main focus, just appropriate in the moments and there to support the mind games. I’m just disappointed I waited so long to resume this series.
(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
longtimereader's review
4.0
Pass by plausibility and enjoy the read! I didn't read the first book in this series that I recall. Anyway, Nora is suddenly CIA. Pretend she was qualified and go for it. A Russian ballerina is seeking freedom in the USA. The stage is set, and plans are carried out, only nothing goes quite as planned does it? You have to read it to find out what all happens, it's a reasonably good read and you can find out what side effects there are when you know too much.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
3no7's review
4.0
“The Woman Who Knew Too Much” by Tom Savage is an international thriller. It has everything a good thriller needs -- murder, deceit, spies, pretend spies, double-dealing, tragic mistakes, and tons of secrets. It involves the defection of a Russian actress who is to be “extracted” in Venice, Italy by a fake TV news crew from the U.S. headed not by a CIA agent, but by the wife of an agent who wonders just what this actress could possibly know that is so valuable. The action is non-stop, and plot has lots of twists, turns, and detours all on the way to a surprise ending. There are lots of nice geographic details about Venice as a bonus.
“The Woman Who Knew Too Much” is really a “cozy-type” thriller because while there are chills, thrills, anxiety, stress, and even murder, it won’t give you a stress-induced headache because of the blood, gore, and guts -- just a regular nail-biting headache from speculating on what comes next. Don’t start this book if you have plans for the next few days, because you will have trouble putting it down.
I received a copy of “The Woman Who Knew Too Much” in exchange for my review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have not read “Mrs. John Doe,” the first book in the Nora Baron series, but it is not necessary to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one. There are references throughout the book that fill in any relevant details from the first book without wasting pages and pages rehashing the first book.
“The Woman Who Knew Too Much” is really a “cozy-type” thriller because while there are chills, thrills, anxiety, stress, and even murder, it won’t give you a stress-induced headache because of the blood, gore, and guts -- just a regular nail-biting headache from speculating on what comes next. Don’t start this book if you have plans for the next few days, because you will have trouble putting it down.
I received a copy of “The Woman Who Knew Too Much” in exchange for my review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have not read “Mrs. John Doe,” the first book in the Nora Baron series, but it is not necessary to have read the first book in order to enjoy this one. There are references throughout the book that fill in any relevant details from the first book without wasting pages and pages rehashing the first book.
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