Talented concert pianist Liesl Bower has made a comfortable life for herself, putting her tragic past behind her including the suspicion that fifteen years ago she has colluded with her mentor and friend to betray her country to the Russians. As she performs an intimate concert in the White House, it is not the president’s presence that intimidates her but another face in the audience, one she had hoped never to see again. That night Liesl’s life erupts into one of fear and danger as American and Russian agents fight to discover a secret Liesl didn’t know she had.
With agents pressing her for revelations, Liesl returns to her beloved Charleston home and into the lives of a grandfather and grandson whose faith and fortitude challenge Liesl’s prejudice and self-protection. As a new Cold War edges closer, Liesl must choose the extent to which she is willing to sacrifice for her country, and for love.
Sue Duffy has written a gem of a suspense novel with a whisper of romance, set amidst political intrigue and international espionage. With likeable protagonists wrestling with complex relationships, Sue creates great pacing and suspense as Liesl and her small entourage seek to find the key that the CIA and Russian spys are racing to discover. Joining forces with unemployed journalist Cade O’Brien and his feisty grandfather Ian, gives Liesl opportunity to wrestle with her damaged faith and this aspect of the novel is woven in smoothly. Ian is a great character, an old school patriot whose presence injects plenty of humour and heart into the tale. Russian, American and Israeli involvement leads the reader through numerous twists and turns while Liesl and Cade’s attraction unfolds and a family tragedy takes a surprising turn. While the involvement of civilians in the protection of an important American asset seemed a little unrealistic, Duffy has penned an engaging story reminiscent of Cold War spy novels and films and has given readers much to anticipate in this ongoing series.
As seen at TitleTrakk
With thanks to Litfuse for my review copy
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