Former FBI agent can't quite leave it all behind
In Takes One to Know One, Corrie Gellar is a former FBI counterterrorism agent turned suburban mom. She works on a freelance basis, recommending books for translation from Arabic to various publishing houses. In many ways, she has arrived at the normality she always wanted, but something feels off. At her weekly lunch meeting for area freelancers, there’s the remarkably unremarkable Pete Delaney. Corrie can’t pinpoint exactly what is wrong about him, but each corner she turns seems to support her theory that Pete is not what he seems. Is Pete really someone living some sort of double life, or is Corrie just desperate for some adventure in her otherwise normal and slightly boring life?
While it took a little while to get into the story, I did enjoy this book. I’d go to put it down and take a break, but then catch myself saying “just one more chapter” for a few hours at a time. This is not a thrill-a-minute narrative, nor is it a psychological thriller, it’s closer to a police procedural than an action novel. As a reader, I got to know Corrie well, but the other characters stayed surface level. While sometimes I like the deep dive into the psychology of a protagonist or villain, the lighter nature of this book was appealing. The idea of a subplot about a former flame makes a minor appearance, and I don’t think it is necessary or enhances the story. The best relationship development in the story is between Corrie and her father, a retired NYPD cop.
Recommended for: Mystery readers who need a bit of an adrenaline break after a string of breakneck paced novels, or people looking for a place between cozies and hard-boiled detective fiction.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via BookishFirst for a fair review.
While it took a little while to get into the story, I did enjoy this book. I’d go to put it down and take a break, but then catch myself saying “just one more chapter” for a few hours at a time. This is not a thrill-a-minute narrative, nor is it a psychological thriller, it’s closer to a police procedural than an action novel. As a reader, I got to know Corrie well, but the other characters stayed surface level. While sometimes I like the deep dive into the psychology of a protagonist or villain, the lighter nature of this book was appealing. The idea of a subplot about a former flame makes a minor appearance, and I don’t think it is necessary or enhances the story. The best relationship development in the story is between Corrie and her father, a retired NYPD cop.
Recommended for: Mystery readers who need a bit of an adrenaline break after a string of breakneck paced novels, or people looking for a place between cozies and hard-boiled detective fiction.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via BookishFirst for a fair review.