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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley and Alibi for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.
I am fascinated by the CIA and its international counterparts. I can't imagine that the books and shows that capture my attention are anything close to reality but they fascinate me nonetheless.
Nora Barton gets a call from her husband's counterpart in London. Jeff, her husband, is dead and she's needed to come to identify him and bring him back home. Details are minimal. Nora catches the first flight she can and lands in London to identify her husband's remains. Things quickly go from bad to worse. After positively identifying her husband at the morgue she is mugged in a nearby park. The mugger isn't successful but she's shaken all the same. Her husband ha died suddenly and she's an attempted mugging victim? How much more can she handle? As it turns out, a lot more is going to be required of Nora before her trip concludes and she can resume life and figure out what that looks like without Jeff.
I really liked this stand alone title from Savage. I don't think I have read him before but I am curious to read more of his titles since I liked this one so much. It was packed full of action (perhaps unrealistic but I am easily entertained), had great characters, a great plot, some twists and turns. It was a lot of fun to read and try to figure out as the story went on.
Mrs. John Doe was my first read by Tom Savage, which I tackled through a reading challenge in which I was prompted to read "an espionage thriller". I'm not a huge fan of these kinds of books, to be honest - but I chose one with a central female protagonist, which you don't seem to find too often in espionage fiction.
This was an enjoyable book, if you're a fan of this sort of thing. It's fast-paced and has a likeable heroine in Nora Baron, the central character, who is an actress and acting professor (we are really hit over the head many, many times by Savage with Nora's acting background... it gets a bit cliche at times). Following the mysterious death (?)/disappearance of her husband, Nora embarks on an often dangerous journey that takes her all across England and France, meeting many nefarious and shady characters along the way.
It's difficult to write a thorough review of a book like this without giving too much away, so I will refrain from expounding too much further. Needless to say, I made it through the book and found it somewhat entertaining, but doubt I will read any of the succeeding books in the series. I have to chuckle at how stories like this show a curious penchant for describing clothing the characters are wearing in detail... as well as various foods and meals that are eaten. To be honest, I felt like I was reading a more adult Nancy Drew novel - the only difference with this one being that there ended up being quite a body count by the end. And Nancy Drew even seems more fun. Savage's writing felt assured for his genre and breezy enough, but not all that great or compelling to me, and the surprises weren't huge. It felt predictable. I've read my espionage thriller and can "tick" it off the list.
This was an enjoyable book, if you're a fan of this sort of thing. It's fast-paced and has a likeable heroine in Nora Baron, the central character, who is an actress and acting professor (we are really hit over the head many, many times by Savage with Nora's acting background... it gets a bit cliche at times). Following the mysterious death (?)/disappearance of her husband, Nora embarks on an often dangerous journey that takes her all across England and France, meeting many nefarious and shady characters along the way.
It's difficult to write a thorough review of a book like this without giving too much away, so I will refrain from expounding too much further. Needless to say, I made it through the book and found it somewhat entertaining, but doubt I will read any of the succeeding books in the series. I have to chuckle at how stories like this show a curious penchant for describing clothing the characters are wearing in detail... as well as various foods and meals that are eaten. To be honest, I felt like I was reading a more adult Nancy Drew novel - the only difference with this one being that there ended up being quite a body count by the end. And Nancy Drew even seems more fun. Savage's writing felt assured for his genre and breezy enough, but not all that great or compelling to me, and the surprises weren't huge. It felt predictable. I've read my espionage thriller and can "tick" it off the list.
This is my first Tom Savage book, and I'm sorry I waited so long to read this one. This was a fast paced quick read. Kept me guessing and unable to put down.
Why did no one ever tell me about Tom Savage?
Seriously. He's fantastic! Right up there with Michael Connelly or early James Patterson.
I received a free review copy of Mrs. John Doe from the publisher last week and was immediately sucked in. It's a fun, thrilling, fast-paced, twisty-turny spy story that had me completely hooked.
Nora Baron has a pretty darned good life. She's got a good job, a good kid, and is married to the love of her life, who also happens to be a spy. When Nora receives a call from London letting her know her beloved husband has been killed in a car accident, she flies to England to claim the body and thus begins a series of events that grab hold of you from the start and don't let up until the very end.
I loved this book and can't wait to get my hands on even more from this author. I highly recommend that anyone who likes suspense/mystery/spy novels give this one a try.
Seriously. He's fantastic! Right up there with Michael Connelly or early James Patterson.
I received a free review copy of Mrs. John Doe from the publisher last week and was immediately sucked in. It's a fun, thrilling, fast-paced, twisty-turny spy story that had me completely hooked.
Nora Baron has a pretty darned good life. She's got a good job, a good kid, and is married to the love of her life, who also happens to be a spy. When Nora receives a call from London letting her know her beloved husband has been killed in a car accident, she flies to England to claim the body and thus begins a series of events that grab hold of you from the start and don't let up until the very end.
I loved this book and can't wait to get my hands on even more from this author. I highly recommend that anyone who likes suspense/mystery/spy novels give this one a try.
Copy courtesy of NetGalley
I don't often read thrillers, but the description of a forty-something actor wife and mother getting drawn into the shadowy, lethal world of spies caught my eye. I'm glad I requested it.
The beginning was somewhat slow going. Savage has a tendency to stop the story cold in order to furnish data, but once the action picks up again, it's tightly written and the pacing steadily accelerated to a cinematic and utterly satisfying ending.
There were sufficient twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader guessing, which also served to underscore the ever-shifting morality of the spy world. The key Maguffin I figured out from the gitgo, which was okay, but.
I really liked Nora, and I loved the way Savage worked her acting experience into her dealing with the dangerous world of spies. I also liked how she was blindsided, as a civilian would be. But when she needed to, she stepped up, until she gained agency. A fun, thoroughly engrossing read.
I don't often read thrillers, but the description of a forty-something actor wife and mother getting drawn into the shadowy, lethal world of spies caught my eye. I'm glad I requested it.
The beginning was somewhat slow going. Savage has a tendency to stop the story cold in order to furnish data, but once the action picks up again, it's tightly written and the pacing steadily accelerated to a cinematic and utterly satisfying ending.
There were sufficient twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader guessing, which also served to underscore the ever-shifting morality of the spy world. The key Maguffin I figured out from the gitgo, which was okay, but
Spoiler
I was really surprised, given all the mysterious notes with double meanings, that the villain didn't figure out about the locket, which of course would have ended the story on page tenI really liked Nora, and I loved the way Savage worked her acting experience into her dealing with the dangerous world of spies. I also liked how she was blindsided, as a civilian would be. But when she needed to, she stepped up, until she gained agency. A fun, thoroughly engrossing read.
This review has also been posted to my blog https://throwmeabook.wordpress.com/2015/10/03/mrs-john-doe-by-tom-savage/
Way back in 1995, or thereabouts, I read my first Tom Savage novel, the fast-paced and chilling mystery thriller Precipice. Years later I came across an old copy of it at a book sale and re-read it once more. It was just as deliciously deceptive and thrilling as I remembered it to be. So of course, when I saw that there was a new Tom Savage thriller coming out, I had to get my hands on a copy of it. What follows are my thoughts after reading Mrs. John Doe.
Nora Baron, also known by her stage name Noreen Hughes, is a former actress and current drama/acting teacher on Long Island Sound. Wife to Jeff Baron, electronics consultant, and mother to Dana, she lives a fairly peaceful and idyllic life. After receiving a distressing phone call from her husband’s employer informing her of Jeff’s death, Nora travels to London, England to identify her husband’s body. As soon as she lands, things take an unexpected turn and Nora soon realises that not everyone is who they appear to be, as she unwittingly becomes a person of interest in a dangerous international conspiracy.
The first half of the book was exactly what I had expected from Tom Savage, a fast paced, unpredictable and compulsively page turning read. The author’s use of subterfuge and misdirection was excellent, and I found myself blindsided by some of the twists in the storyline. Nora Baron, as the main character was portrayed as a quite capable, strong woman, and an excellent female role model. We definitely need more books with women like her. However, as the story progressed, everything became a little too perfect and too convenient for even this book, which already at the get go requires you to suspend all disbelief. I found the ending actually quite predictable, having kind of guessed the outcome sometime in the second half of the book.
In the end, not at the same level as Precipice, but nonetheless a light and easy to read, entertaining spy thriller.
I give Mrs. John Doe 3/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Alibi) for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Way back in 1995, or thereabouts, I read my first Tom Savage novel, the fast-paced and chilling mystery thriller Precipice. Years later I came across an old copy of it at a book sale and re-read it once more. It was just as deliciously deceptive and thrilling as I remembered it to be. So of course, when I saw that there was a new Tom Savage thriller coming out, I had to get my hands on a copy of it. What follows are my thoughts after reading Mrs. John Doe.
Nora Baron, also known by her stage name Noreen Hughes, is a former actress and current drama/acting teacher on Long Island Sound. Wife to Jeff Baron, electronics consultant, and mother to Dana, she lives a fairly peaceful and idyllic life. After receiving a distressing phone call from her husband’s employer informing her of Jeff’s death, Nora travels to London, England to identify her husband’s body. As soon as she lands, things take an unexpected turn and Nora soon realises that not everyone is who they appear to be, as she unwittingly becomes a person of interest in a dangerous international conspiracy.
The first half of the book was exactly what I had expected from Tom Savage, a fast paced, unpredictable and compulsively page turning read. The author’s use of subterfuge and misdirection was excellent, and I found myself blindsided by some of the twists in the storyline. Nora Baron, as the main character was portrayed as a quite capable, strong woman, and an excellent female role model. We definitely need more books with women like her. However, as the story progressed, everything became a little too perfect and too convenient for even this book, which already at the get go requires you to suspend all disbelief. I found the ending actually quite predictable, having kind of guessed the outcome sometime in the second half of the book.
In the end, not at the same level as Precipice, but nonetheless a light and easy to read, entertaining spy thriller.
I give Mrs. John Doe 3/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Alibi) for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nora Baron is a former actress now teaching acting at a college in Long Island, New York. She's married to Jeff who's currently working in London. When Nora receives a call that Jeff's been killed in a car crash, her trip to London to identify his remains sets off a wild adventure.
I deliberately ignored the book blurb as I didn't want to know anything more about this story than what I wrote above. This is high intrigue at its best where you never know who to trust, nor can you tell the good guys from the bad. If you've any familiarity with London and/or Paris, you'll enjoy the romp through these settings as it's highly descriptive. You'll feel like you're there whether you've been there or not.
This was a very interesting story that ramped up to warp speed 2/3 into the story. Until then, it moved at a slower pace as I attempted to digest and analyze all the clues and details. I very much enjoyed this one and Nora Baron. She's quite the definition of a heroine.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
I deliberately ignored the book blurb as I didn't want to know anything more about this story than what I wrote above. This is high intrigue at its best where you never know who to trust, nor can you tell the good guys from the bad. If you've any familiarity with London and/or Paris, you'll enjoy the romp through these settings as it's highly descriptive. You'll feel like you're there whether you've been there or not.
This was a very interesting story that ramped up to warp speed 2/3 into the story. Until then, it moved at a slower pace as I attempted to digest and analyze all the clues and details. I very much enjoyed this one and Nora Baron. She's quite the definition of a heroine.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Mrs. John Doe by Tom Savage is a 2015 Alibi publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
'Tis strange- but true;
for truth is always strange;
Stranger than fiction.
Tom Savage is a master at hurling unforeseen plot twist at you, so it didn't surprise me at all that he opted to write a spy novel. Tom's writing style is absolutely perfect for this type of suspense thriller.
Nora is happily married with a college aged daughter, and a satisfying career as an actress and teacher. But, the charmed life she is living comes to a crashing halt when she receives word her beloved husband, Jeff, has been killed in a car accident while on a business trip to London.
Arriving in London, Nora, finds her husband has been listed as a“John Doe” and she must identify his remains. After this awful task is completed, Nora is attacked by a purse snatcher who apparently wants to steal Jeff's personal effects, a single act that thrust Nora into the role of a lifetime.
All the world's a stage...
Cloak and dagger suspense, dark, shadowy figures, secret agents, and a diabolical terrorist plot that must be thwarted, combines to create a non-stop thrill ride. Fasten your safety belts folks and get ready for a shocking, heart pounding, unrelenting thrill ride.
I loved Nora's character because she is so cool under pressure, she thinks on her feet, doesn't give in to hysteria, stays focused, and never gives up no matter what, not only to prevent a terrorist attack, but to find out what happened to Jeff.
LADY MCDUFF:
I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defense, To say I have done no harm?
ENTER MURDERERS:
'What are these faces?”
FIRST MURDERER Where is your husband?
LADY MCDUFF:
I hope, in no place so unsanctified Where such as thou mayst find him.
Nora is pretty much a one woman show here as she must make split decisions about who to confide in, who to trust, and of course stay alive in the process. She takes on several roles and sometimes gets things right, but sometimes she finds herself in a real pickle.
Reading this story is a lot like riding a roller coaster. The car starts off at a steady pace, climbs steep inclines, speeds up, takes hairpin twist and turns, then makes sudden drops that will take your breath away. From the first page to the last, I held on for dear life, enthralled and riveted, cheering on Mrs. John Doe, every step of the way.
Taut, cleverly plotted, action packed, and tightly woven, you won't be able to put this book down, I guarantee it.
I must confess to a few things right up front. I am a very big fan of this author, and have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for this book. Tom's trademark plot twist , despite my jadedness, never fails to surprise me, always taking me completely off guard. If you can trick me, then you will have made a fan for life.
Despite my loyalty to the author, I did approach this book with a small amount of trepidation because in all honesty, spies and espionage novels are not really my cuppa, for several reasons. But, my concerns were quickly laid to rest, as there was nothing slow or plodding, or too understated about about this book, and I found the attention to detail and the pacing to be right up my alley.
If you like fast paced, psychological twinged thrillers, packed with taut suspense and action, then you will not want to miss this one! 5 stars!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be very fast-paced and thrilling, with lots of twists and turns and surprises. There was so much that I didn't see coming, which was nice for a change. The book is about Nora Baron, whose CIA spy husband dies in a mysterious car accident while working on assignment in England. When she goes to England to claim his body, she gets wrapped up in a mystery that really kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading it, I had all kinds of crazy spy dreams too, so clearly the book stuck with me.
I've never read any of Tom Savage's books, but after reading this one, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more!
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be very fast-paced and thrilling, with lots of twists and turns and surprises. There was so much that I didn't see coming, which was nice for a change. The book is about Nora Baron, whose CIA spy husband dies in a mysterious car accident while working on assignment in England. When she goes to England to claim his body, she gets wrapped up in a mystery that really kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading it, I had all kinds of crazy spy dreams too, so clearly the book stuck with me.
I've never read any of Tom Savage's books, but after reading this one, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more!