Review

Quick Recommendation: DIVINE MIGHT and PANDORA’S JAR by Natalie Haynes (Harper Perennial)

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Like many people who saw and enjoyed Christopher Nolan’s take on The Odyssey this summer, my long-standing interest in mythology has been given a bit of a boost. Unconnected to the upcoming Nolan movie, I had started reading Stephen Fry’s Mythos series last year, with Mythos and Heroes. After seeing the movie, I decided to finally finish Fry’s series, which I did over the past couple of months or so. Afterwards, I found myself casting about for something else to try, craving a bit more mythology. (It’s just so much more interesting than what’s going on in the real world, to be honest, that I’ve found myths to be a rather pleasant escape.) That’s when I noticed Natalie Haynes’s Divine Might (2024) and Pandora’s Jar (2022). Continue reading →

Quick Review: CORMORANT HUNT by Michael Idov (Scribner)

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A renegade CIA officer must infiltrate an extremist group in the heart of Europe…

Ari Falk has just blown the lid off a massive conspiracy at the highest level within the CIA. While some hail him as a hero for exposing government corruption, others brand him as a dangerous traitor to his country. His quiet exile in the Republic of Georgia is shattered when a new mission arises—one perfectly suited for someone as jaded and unpredictable as him.

A hot war in Europe and shadowy political schemes set the stage for danger at every turn. Enter Asha Tamaskar, a brilliant, neurodivergent CIA officer with her own secrets, and Felix Burnham, a chilling antagonist with radical alliances that could change the global balance of power. From Tbilisi to Prague and Andorra to Bethesda, Falk’s quest for justice takes him on a high-stakes journey around the world.

The Cormorant Hunt explores geopolitics with grit and authenticity, weaving together a narrative that is both urgent and unforgettable. Razor-sharp dialogue, heart-pounding twists, and complex characters abound—blending suspense, wit, and brilliant storytelling, this is a must-read for fans of political intrigue, espionage, and thrillers that don’t play by the rules.

This is Michael Idov’s second, fast-paced and gripping spy novel starring Ari Falk. It picks up soon after the end of the first book in the series, and offers another contemporary, well-written story, populated by engaging characters. After enjoying the first novel in the series (with just a few minor reservations), I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed this as well, and it does mark an improvement in Idov’s writing. Continue reading →

Upcoming: & SONS (Icon Film)

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Over the weekend, I spotted the trailer for the upcoming film & Sons (probably on Instagram). The name jumped out at me, because back in 2014 I read (and very much enjoyed) a novel of the same name by David Gilbert. And, it turns out, it is indeed an adaptation of that book. I was a little thrown, initially, because the novel is set in Manhattan, but the movie is set in the UK — an interesting choice, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this changes the story.

The trailer is above, and here’s the movie synopsis:

A world-renowned but reclusive novelist, convinced he is about to die, summons his estranged sons to his home. But instead of seeking forgiveness for his countless mistakes, he instead reveals a truly unbelievable secret that brings his beloved ex-wife back into his orbit. With decades of resentment, jealousy and rage on the verge of spilling over, this splintered family is forced to face an inevitable reckoning, for better or for worse.

The movie, directed by Pablo Trapero and distributed by Icon, has a stellar cast, too: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Johnny Flynn, Noah Jupe, George MacKay, and Dominic West.

The movie will open in cinemas on August 21st. (I think it is also going to be on at TIFF, so I’ll do my best to see it then.)

David Gilbert’s & Sons is out now, published by Random House in North America and Fourth Estate in the UK.

Movie: Website, IMDb
Follow the Author: Goodreads

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Quick Review: RED DEAD’S HISTORY by Tore C. Olsson (St. Martin’s Griffin)

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An engaging introduction to a certain period of US history, through the lens of one of the greatest video games ever made

A pathbreaking new way to examine US history, through the lens of a bestselling video game

Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption II, set in 1911 and 1899, are the most-played American history video games since The Oregon Trail. Beloved by millions, they’ve been widely acclaimed for their realism and attention to detail. But how do they fare as re-creations of history?

In this engaging book, award-winning American history professor Tore Olsson takes up that question and more. Weaving the games’ plots and characters into an exploration of American violence between 1870 and 1920, Olsson shows that it was more often disputes over capitalism and race, not just poker games and bank robberies, that fueled the bloodshed of these turbulent years. As such, this era has much to teach us today. From the West to the Deep South to Appalachia, Olsson reveals the gritty and brutal world that inspired the games, but sometimes lacks context and complexity on the digital screen. Colorful, fast-paced, and dramatic, Red Dead’s History sheds light on dark corners of the American past for gamers and history buffs alike.

Like many (many) people, I am a fan of the Red Dead Redemption franchise. The second game is a masterpiece, and I remember being completely swept up in the world and gameplay for many, many hours. When I saw that Professor Olsson had written a book looking at US history through the lens of the franchise, I knew I had to read it. While it took me a little time to get around to it (it’s now available in paperback), I am very happy to report that it’s an engaging and even valuable read.
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CR20 Favourites: MILKWEED TRIPTYCH by Ian Tregillis (Tor/Orbit)

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As you may have noticed, Civilian Reader recently celebrated its 20th anniversary — a milestone that is still quite amazing to me. In addition to sharing the first review and interview I posted, I wanted to publish some other “CR20” content. One of the ideas I keep coming back to, recently, is some kind of “CR20 Favourites” series of posts: what are the books, interviews, and other things over the past 20 years that have stood out to me.

I thought I’d kick off this series of posts by revisiting, and re-recommending, Ian Tregillis‘s superb, not-as-widely-read-as-it-deserves Milkweed Triptych! Continue reading →

Quick Review: A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE by Jordan Harper (Faber / Mulholland)

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Another grim, brutal exploration of the darker sides of human nature

For some people there are no rules, only prices…

This place is a crime that can’t be solved. And that’s why we love it.

LA is a brutal, burning city. It is America with nowhere to run. Each night Jake Deal captures it on a livestream to his blood-hungry subscribers. Above board, Doug Gibson is a street lawyer trying to fix the system one case at a time. Underground, Kara Delgado is working for a private concierge company – a make-a-wish foundation for the terminally rich.

When Kara’s best friend Phoebe goes missing, she soon finds herself in the worlds of both Jake and Doug. Will the remaining humanity of this fragile team kill them all or expose one enormous, unspeakable crime?

Jordan Harper has fast become a must-read author for me. His novels are consistently gripping, unafraid to venture into the darker corners of human nature and what the powerful can get away with. A Violent Masterpiece is no exception, and examines the worst-possible-scenario of Hollywood power and corruption. Continue reading →

Very Quick Review: MIST & MALICE by Rachel Howzell Hall (Thomas & Mercer)

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Return to Haven and the darkness beneath the ideal

A small-town PI is drawn into a killer conspiracy…

Private investigator Sonny Rush, the newest resident of Haven, California, knows that this fogbound coastal hamlet is every bit as dangerous as her hometown of Los Angeles. And when teenager and repeat runaway Honor Butler shows up at Sonny’s door with terror in her eyes, Sonny is immediately pulled into a new case that lands close to home.

Desperate, hungry, and in need of someone she can trust, Honor tells Sonny a horrifying story about where she’s been—and what she’s been forced to do. Then, hours later, the forest near Sonny’s cottage yields the remains of a missing day laborer, a man whose wife has been searching for answers for months. Soon, coincidence sharpens into conspiracy.

As Sonny digs deeper, the threads of these cases twist together into something horrifying: a ruthless network preying on the vulnerable, protected by the very people meant to uphold the law. With every step closer to revealing Haven’s corruption, Sonny risks pulling the lives of her loved ones into the cross fire—and exposing the shadows of her own past. Because in this town, loyalty can be fatal, and survival means deciding who you’re willing to betray.

Rachel Howzell Hall’s first Haven novel, Fog & Fury was a very good introduction to Sonny Rush and the ideal-but-only-on-the-surface town of Haven. In Mist & Malice, we pick up Sonny’s story shortly after the end of the first novel, as she continues to wrestle with the fallout of the first novel, even as a new case arises. I enjoyed this, but it wasn’t quite as strong as the first book. Continue reading →

Quick Review: THE SHADOW FRIENDS by Tess Gerritsen (Thomas & Mercer / Penguin UK)

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Ghosts of the Cold War come back to haunt the Martini Club

When a renowned disease expert and Russian defector dies mysteriously during a global affairs conference in Purity, Maine, the tight-knit band of former spies in the Martini Club once again sees their quiet coastal retirement interrupted by international intrigue. And when a waitress at the conference hotel is found murdered, Ingrid Slocum sees chilling links to a disastrous mission that nearly killed her three decades ago.

Desperate to uncover the truth, Ingrid’s drawn back into the game by a magnetic ex-CIA colleague ― and former lover ― who was with her on the long-ago doomed mission. He convinces her to join him, and together they head to Amsterdam to track down her would-be killer.

Ingrid’s frantic husband Lloyd and Maggie Bird are close behind, but a clandestine network of assassins is intent on stopping them. Forced to question every allegiance, the Martini Club must rely on the skills they tried to leave behind. Because in this game of revenge and deception, the past never dies ― it just hides in the shadows.

The first novel I read by Tess Gerritsen was The Spy Coast (2023), the first book in the Martini Club series. It was a fantastic introduction to the group of retired spies living in Maine, juggling civilian life with the now-frequent resurrection of issues from their past actions. The Summer Guests (2025) nicely expanded readers’ picture of these characters and the lives they lived at CIA. In The Shadow Friends, Gerritsen continues to develop the characters and the world they live in, and also gives another member of the group the spotlight. It’s another engaging thriller/mystery, which I very much enjoyed. Continue reading →

Very Quick Review: DARK WIRE by Joseph Cox (PublicAffairs)

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The engaging, fascinating story about the largest sting operation in history

In 2018, a powerful app for secure communications called Anom took root among organized criminals. They believed Anom allowed them to conduct business in the shadows. Except for one thing: It was secretly run by the FBI.

Backdoor access to Anom and a series of related investigations granted American, Australian, and European authorities a front-row seat to the underworld. Tens of thousands of criminals worldwide appeared in full view of the same agents they were trying to evade. International smugglers, money launderers, hitmen: a sprawling illicit global economy as efficient and interconnected as the legal one. Officers watched drug shipments and murder plots unfold, making arrests without blowing their cover.

Featuring a new epilogue with crucial updates to the case, Dark Wire reveals the true scale and stakes of this unprecedented operation through the agents and criminals who were there. This is a fly-on-the-wall thriller for the modern world, where no one can be sure who is watching.

I first learned about this book via the Wicked Words podcast: my partner sent me the link to the episode with “I think you’ll find this really interesting.” She was right, and I went out and bought the book. I’m happy to say that the book definitely lived up to my expectations. This is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime and politics. Continue reading →

Quick Review: THE SWISS AGENT by Anna Pitoniak (Simon & Schuster)

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Amanda Cole manages a new case and a potentially-rogue friend and colleague…

CIA officials Amanda Cole and Kath Frost must work together to untangle a global bribery scheme involving murder, wealthy oligarchs, and high-level Swiss bankers — unless Kath’s mysterious past tears them apart first…

Amanda Cole’s posting as the CIA station chief in Rome is normally too quiet for her liking. But when a chef’s body washes ashore on Capri, and Amanda learns he worked for a Russian oligarch with deep Kremlin ties, her alarm bells start ringing. Even more suspicious is the fact that the oligarch had hosted a private dinner with NATO’s deputy secretary general the night the chef died.

To get answers, Amanda calls on her former partner Kath Frost, a semi-retired CIA legend who is as brilliant as she is unpredictable. As they dig deeper, they discover a web of corruption that stretches from Moscow to Geneva to Washington, eventually uncovering a Kremlin-backed scheme to bribe NATO officials and tip the global balance of power.

But when a suave Swiss banker named Julian Schmidt emerges at the center of the scheme, it becomes clear that Kath shares an intimate history with him and that she may know more than she’s letting on. It turns out that Kath’s past is full of shadows, and the choices she made decades ago, in the gray borderlands of the Soviet collapse, are resurfacing now with devastating consequences. Amanda must uncover the truth about Kath — and whether she can really be trusted at all — before it’s too late.

This is the sequel to The Helsinki Affair, which was Pitoniak’s first spy novel. I’ve been a long-time fan of the author’s work — I started with a very early ARC of her excellent debut, The Futures — and I’ve enjoyed each of her new novels. I have been particularly enjoying this pivot to espionage. While The Swiss Agent isn’t the author’s best, it is nevertheless an engaging read, and I enjoyed it. Continue reading →