Review: I, Spy (Spy Another Day Series--Book 1) by Jordan McCollum

 

June 2013, Durham Crest Books; 310 pages
Source: Borrowed a copy from the library

Description: Canada is probably the last place you'd expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets--and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there's one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too--until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn't the only thing suffering. Now to save her country and her secrets, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

My Review: There is no way I could ever be a spy! My heart races at the thought of a sticky situation and I'm sure my mind would be a muddled mess. Yet, I love reading these types of suspenseful books. This one definitely had it all: suspense, action, romance, and mystery. Add to that some foreign languages and it was fantastic! What I'm really wondering is this: Is this author really a spy??? How can she write stories like this! Wow.

Talia is a likable character. She's human and no some superhero, yet she pulls off some crazy things. She's super smart (she can get by in 4 different languages), brave, and talented. She is also very conflicted--she's not willing to put her boyfriend in any danger, therefore, she can't be completely honest with him and that seems to bother her.

I liked Elliot, her partner. His wife was about to give birth to their first child and he was super distracted, but he and Talia had a good working relationship and that saved him.

These bad guys were really creepy! There were some twists and turns in the plot and with the characters that kept throwing me off, but things all made sense in the end.

Content: no swearing; some violence--it's an action spy thriller! Not too graphic; some kissing (mild). I'd consider it clean for an older reader.

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About the Author: 

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can't resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don't want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most--she's a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

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