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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
3.5 stars rounded up. Great premise for a book. Missing a little something to make it great, was a little messy at times. I did not like how Ruth’s character would look into the lense aka Zack Morris. I didn’t understand why it was necessary.
Trigger warnings: murder, imprisonment
(3.5 stars, rounded up)
Ruth Macallister's twin sister Iris disappeared from her home in London along with her husband and children in 1948. They haven't had contact in a dozen years when Ruth is approached by the FBI asking about Iris.
Iris' story at the beginning of the novel takes place in the past when she's with Ruth in Rome. There, she meets USA Embassy worker Sasha Digby, her future husband. The novel goes through their relationship while leaving the reader wondering what drove the twins apart.
The Russian arc in the novel's beginning follows KGB officer Lyudmila Ivanova, who is following an American family that sounds much like the Digbys. She intercepts Ruth's application for a visa and thinks the family's activity is suspicious.
The story is told in multiple timelines, revealing the past as you're also learning about the present. The plot moves forward while instilling a sense of foreboding -- it seems like this will not end well for the people involved. There's a lot to follow with plotlines and espionage so this might not be the best before-bed reading.
Ruth's narration is arguably the better performance, with her captivating voice and emotion. Iris' reader has a more displeasing voice, bordering on annoying. She also reads Lyudmila's story. There's so much happening in this audiobook that you have to pay attention; allow your thoughts to wander and you'll miss something important.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction and espionage.
I received an electronic galley copy and an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/woman-moscow
(3.5 stars, rounded up)
Ruth Macallister's twin sister Iris disappeared from her home in London along with her husband and children in 1948. They haven't had contact in a dozen years when Ruth is approached by the FBI asking about Iris.
Iris' story at the beginning of the novel takes place in the past when she's with Ruth in Rome. There, she meets USA Embassy worker Sasha Digby, her future husband. The novel goes through their relationship while leaving the reader wondering what drove the twins apart.
The Russian arc in the novel's beginning follows KGB officer Lyudmila Ivanova, who is following an American family that sounds much like the Digbys. She intercepts Ruth's application for a visa and thinks the family's activity is suspicious.
The story is told in multiple timelines, revealing the past as you're also learning about the present. The plot moves forward while instilling a sense of foreboding -- it seems like this will not end well for the people involved. There's a lot to follow with plotlines and espionage so this might not be the best before-bed reading.
Ruth's narration is arguably the better performance, with her captivating voice and emotion. Iris' reader has a more displeasing voice, bordering on annoying. She also reads Lyudmila's story. There's so much happening in this audiobook that you have to pay attention; allow your thoughts to wander and you'll miss something important.
Recommended for fans of historical fiction and espionage.
I received an electronic galley copy and an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/woman-moscow
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
There was a lot to keep track of in this book and I had a hard time doing that for some reason. Seemed like a lot of work to read.
4.5 stars
I received a complimentary paperback book from William Morrow through a Goodreads giveaway. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Beatriz Williams, William Morrow, and Goodreads for the the opportunity to read this book.
WOWZA!! I had to take a nap after finishing this book!! It blew my mind and I had to digest it all!
The story is told primarily about twin sisters Iris and Ruth in 1940's Rome, 1948's London/Dorset, and 1952's New York/Rome/Moscow. I knew little to nothing about post-WWII Europe and the U.S. Yes, I understood about the Cold War and remember doing atomic bomb drills in elementary school. But, I didn't really GET it. Now, I really GET it after reading this novel.
There are a few familiar names and places throughout the book from previous books, but you don't have to have read any previous books to understand and enjoy this book on its own!!
HIGHLY recommend - I would love for Reese Witherspoon to pick this book for her book club next month. It is that good!! Beatriz Williams just writes better and better novels AND ones that should be made into mini-series or movies!!
I received a complimentary paperback book from William Morrow through a Goodreads giveaway. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Beatriz Williams, William Morrow, and Goodreads for the the opportunity to read this book.
WOWZA!! I had to take a nap after finishing this book!! It blew my mind and I had to digest it all!
The story is told primarily about twin sisters Iris and Ruth in 1940's Rome, 1948's London/Dorset, and 1952's New York/Rome/Moscow. I knew little to nothing about post-WWII Europe and the U.S. Yes, I understood about the Cold War and remember doing atomic bomb drills in elementary school. But, I didn't really GET it. Now, I really GET it after reading this novel.
There are a few familiar names and places throughout the book from previous books, but you don't have to have read any previous books to understand and enjoy this book on its own!!
HIGHLY recommend - I would love for Reese Witherspoon to pick this book for her book club next month. It is that good!! Beatriz Williams just writes better and better novels AND ones that should be made into mini-series or movies!!
This was a great twist on a favorite subject matter of mine—a Cold War spy thriller featuring the women involved. It was interestingly told and enjoyable to read!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I could not put this piece of Cold War historical fiction down, as the fate of Ruth’s sister and her family hung in the balance. Ruth is a successful single woman, who feels indebted to her twin sister for saving her life when she was eight years old. Now it’s Ruth’s turn to return the favor, as she finds out more about Iris and her husband Sasha’s defection to the USSR. Based in the real life Cambridge spy ring, Williams does a masterful job. I highly recommend and thank Edelweiss for the ARC.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A good book by an author who has mastered the genre of historical fiction.