Hi everyone. Today I am reviewing The Expats by Chris Pavone for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The story: Kate Moore, a working mother of two, is married to Dexter who is a financial systems security consultant. When Dexter gets the opportunity to work for a banking client in Luxembourg, Kate jumps at the chance to leave her job and start a new life in a new place far away from their current life in Washington, DC. Kate has a secret that she has been working very hard to keep a secret and she welcomes the opportunity to shed her old life for the new life of being an expat. But Dexter’s new job keeps him away from home for long periods of time and any details as to who he works for and what he does are held close to his chest. In the meantime, Kate meets a couple, Julia and Bill, who she is increasingly wary of. As we learn more and more about Kate’s past, we see how it shapes her worries and suspicions in the present. As she begins to investigate, she discovers that Julia and Bill are not who they say they are, that Dexter has his own dangerous secrets. That’s all I’m going to say – you know I never reveal too much plot!
My review: What happens when secrets are kept – when, in fact, everyone is keeping a secret? The Expats is all about secrets, dangerous secrets. This is a wonderful book – an international spy thriller with a strong, gutsy female protagonist – that is filled with suspense. Pavone has used the device of alternating between the past and the present, giving us tantalizing bits of information here and there, allowing us to try to put the puzzle together ourselves. It’s executed brilliantly. The plot is complex, with twists and turns at every corner. Kate’s character is beautifully realized. The other characters are equally well written. Pavone has crafted an intricate plot with layers and layers that are slowly peeled away until the truth is revealed. But not too soon – that wouldn’t be fun! After all, this is a spy thriller of the first order. Pavone writes about life in Luxembourg and Paris and the Alps with great detail – each international location is richly drawn. Chris Pavone is a gifted writer and I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.
About the author: Chris Pavone, a book editor for nearly two decades, returned to New York City after a sojourn in Luxembourg. The Expats is his first novel.
Oh you lucky people – one of you will have the opportunity to win a copy of this book! Just leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Wednesday evening. Good luck!
Happy Monday.
This sounds like a great book for my sister and I to read together. We have an over-the-phone book club — she’s in CA and I’m in OR. We read the same book at the same time and discuss. Thanks for sharing (and I hope I win!).
I would love to read that book . I love that kind of story thanks
Sounds like a good read. Would be interested in giving it a try. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
It certainly sounds like an edge of your seat thriller. My kind of book. Please enter me to win. Thanks Claudia!
Sign me up, girl! I’m always looking for a new book to read. Many thanks for the chance to win!!!
This sounds juicy! Great review, Claudia. I love trying to figure out the who, what and why’s in a book!
XO,
Jane
Sounds wonderful and enthralling … my cup and tea!
Oh Claudia, how wonderful another book give away. I love the sound of this book, very suspenseful. Thank you!!!!
Ohh sounds like a great book!! Can’t wait to read:)
Sounds like this book is right up my alley! Thanks for the opportunity Claudia! ;)
Fascinating possibilities, I adore a mystery that keeps me interested & this sounds like it will!
Claudia this sounds like a book I would love!! Thanks for your review and the chance to win this book!
Big Hugs,
Linda
Great review! Certainly makes me want to read it, especially with some of the setting in Luxembourg. i know you’re not a rubber stamp approval reviewer so I bet it’s a good one. I would love to be entered. Thanks so much, Claudia.
Dewena
You have me intrigued. <3 Fingers crossed
You have me wanting to read it!!! I hope I win, Doris
Oh, now I want to know what the secrets are!
Sign me up for the the drawing, please.
nancyr
Thanks for bringing this book to us, Claudia!! It sounds like it would keep me on the edge of my seat!! A good mystery/thriller is my favorite read!! Thanks for the chance to win it. Francine
Thank you Claudia for bringing another wonderful book to my attention. Thanks for the chance to win!
oops! I’ve been looking at computer screens too long today! I posted in the wrong spot. Excellent review Claudia! It makes me want to pick up the book but maybe I’ll get lucky enough to win!
t’s been so long since I’ve read a good book just for fun! These days I’m reading textbooks. I need to take a break and read something with lots of twists and turns and a suspense novel sounds like fun! Oh, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I may with this book! Sure wish you lived close by so we could chat over coffee. It’s taking me such a very long time to learn about social media, twitter, hootsuite yadda, yadda. I’m loving it but my mind is swimming!
I’m on a waiting list for this book. Would love to speed that up. Thanks for giving one away!
Sounds like another winner Claudia..
Before your review was finished I decided I want to read this book. It sounds intriguing and interesting. I am making a note right now in case I am not the winner.
Betty
If you draw my name, give it to someone else…I have read the book. Got an early issue when the publisher came to our local bookstore. Enjoyed it, anyone who wins this book is going to enjoy it!!
I would love to read this one. Sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the oppertunity.
Claudia, just taking a chance as I don’t have a blog. Hope you can include me in the drawing. Would love to give it to hubby for Valentine’s. Thanks for your blog, enjoy it daily. Hugs, Lucy
You don’t have to have a blog to enter, Lucy. As long as I have an email address for you, and I do, you’re entered.
Oh, now I have to read this book! It is just what I need to curl up with on these chilly evenings.
Thanks for all the book reviews! I’ve added several to my Books to Read board.
Love this type of book. Thanks for the recommendation and for introducing us to a new author! Hope winter your way is quieter. Was 68 today here. Crazy winter.
This sounds like my kindof book and I would love to win it. I love reading, especially when the weather is so nasty! I hope your DH is feeling better. Hugs to your lovely dog. Blessings Lesley UK
Thanks for the book review…I’ll add that to my “to read” list !
You wrote a very enticing review! This sounds like a book that both my husband and I would enjoy!
A lovely review! Sounds like an intriguing book that both my husband and I could both enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway!
After your review of the Jack Reacher book, and me reading the whole series, I’d LOVE to receive this book!
I would love to read this book.
Claudia:
I would like to win, it’s always nice to find a new author, and the story sounds very intriguing. Thanks, Noelle
Your reviews are always great. Sounds like a good start from this author. This book may be the perfect read for my unexpected down time on these cold winter days. Thanks, Verna
Secrets, secrets, and more secrets made The Expats a wild ride indeed :) Enjoyed your review and loved spending time with all your crafts on the blog :) I’m following by email :)
Thanks for being on the tour!