One of my good friends from college and fellow book-lover sent me a picture of Karen Cleveland’s very first novel, Need to Know and told me I need to pick it up as soon as possible. I unwaveringly trust her opinion and I ordered it without question and without even reading a review. I am glad I did, it was a page turner.
The author uses her experiences as a former CIA analyst to build Vivian Miller’s character. As the reader, you feel like you are right there beside her as she goes into work everyday. She is on the Russian desk and is getting close to uncovering a Russian sleeper cell right there in Washington D.C. At the very start of the book her world is turned upside down as she discovers that someone incredibly close to her, someone she trusts, someone she completely relies on is actually a Russian sleeper. What follows is the riveting story of how she handles her discovery, the treasonous acts that follow as she attempts to cover up this secret, and the desperate acts of a mom doing everything she can to save and protect her family. I was on the edge of my seat as I read. I just couldn’t put the book down. I even brought it with me to the boys’ soccer practice and finished the remaining 20 pages ignoring the other moms and looking up every now and then to see what was happening on the soccer field.
At the end of the book, questions were answered but more questions were asked and left unanswered. I am hopeful there is another book coming…..
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
XO,
Ashley
CAMELLIA AVE 