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The Sound of Red Returning
by Sue Duffy
January 2012 by Kregel
Paperback, 288 Pages
Review Copy
After losing everyone she loves, concert pianist Liesl Bower has nowhere to go but to escape into her music. Searching for the peace she usually finds in her concertos and sonatas, Liesl can't shake the feeling that she is being haunted by her past . . . and by someone following her. When she spots a familiar and eerie face in the audience of a concert she's giving for the president in Washington, DC, the scariest day of her life comes back to her with a flash. It has been fifteen years since Liesl watched her beloved Harvard music mentor assaulted on a dark night in Moscow and just as long since the CIA disclosed to her that he'd been spying for Russia. She had seen that man--that eerie face--the night Professor Devoe was attacked. And now he's back--and coming for her.
On the run and struggling to rely on the protection of CIA agent Ava Mullins and handsome newspaper reporter Cade O'Brien, Liesl learns she is the prey of an underground cell of Russian KGB agents determined to restore their country to its former Soviet might. But what she doesn't know is that she is in possession of something--a piece of sheet music--that Russian intelligence is now frantic to find. Inside that music is a secret code, the hidden transcriptions of her deceased mentor, that clearly identify a Russian mole operating inside Israel's Department of Defense, a mole with enough power and access to execute a daring assassination that no one would see coming.
Thoughts
The first few chapters of this novel are for sure attention grabbing, following Liesel in her backwards memories to present day proved to be a smart plunge into the world of Russian spies, government conspiracies and life on the run. I did have a few problems with the pacing of the novel and often found myself having a hard time connecting to the story as a whole.
While political thrillers are normally out of my comfort zone, I actually found many elements of Duffy's novel exciting. I loved the way Duffy mixed romance, music and the intense mystery all together creating a intriguing character in Liesel who as a result of the past and present time periods, we see grow as a character. The best aspect is the actual reveal, I love when a book surprises me after I think I've solved it. While this is a great mystery and political thriller, I would only recommend this to readers who enjoy inspirational fiction, as the faith/religious theme is highly present. I myself really would have liked more romance and a faster paced story, however Im sure TSORR has an audience in its lightly sprinkled flavor and moral message.
Rating
Recommended to adult readers who enjoy thrillers or Inspy fiction. Contains: Murder, Violence and suspense- otherwise this novel is very wholesome.
2.5/5- Inspy-Thriller
Thanks to Kregel and Litfuse for Review Copy
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* A brand new Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
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To enter click one of the icons below. But, hurry! The giveway ends on 2/11. Sue will be announcing the winner of the “Red Returning” Giveaway on February 13th on the Litfuse website!
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I'm not much for thrillers unless they are heavy on the romance... hehe
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm glad to hear you were able to find some excitement in this one along with the surprise mix of romance.
I don't read political thrillers either, but I know several people that do and will pass the info along. I'm glad that this one kept you guessing. I hate when I can solve the mystery ahead of time and then get bored as the characters try to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteThis book definitely sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteDitto that I'm not big on international espionage or thrillers. But I do like books about musicians. And while the "code buried in the music" trope isn't exactly new, this one still sounds interesting. I might think on this one a bit more before writing it off.
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Lori
I love thrillers but sometimes they just don't work overall. It sounds like a good premise but not one that I can really get behind. I think I am more of the serial killer type of thriller gal!
ReplyDelete