This novel received a lot of praise. Although it has a family story mixed with a spy story and betrayal etc., I think the praise was more hype. Well written and interesting characters but not satisfying. ( )

I like a good spy novel every now and then. This one is solid, tho it took some concentrating to connect the pieces of the past story line with the present day. There's so much jet setting going on I got second hand exhaustion. ( )

Anna Pitoniak writes a spy thriller about a female spy. The book has gotten lots of attention because of it but as one commenter says about the review in the Washington Post, Why isn't there any discussion of the writing? Well maybe it's because the writing isn't great. (The Washington Post review wasn't very great either, getting as it does one of the most important facts wrong) Amanda isn't well written - the bit about her past dependence on alcohol is really weak. Katherine, an older fellow spy, is much more interesting. And Charlie, Amanda's dad, about whom the story revolves, is a shadow. All in all it's an ok book but not one that will push and of the old boys off their perches, much as we might like it to.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com. ( )

Spy novels aren't usually a genre I read but I really liked Anna Pitoniak's last book, Our American Friend, so I decided to give this a try. It was a good book, but I would have liked more character development for Amanda. It was interesting to how it went back and forth between Amanda and her father's stories. The ending seemed to suggest there could be a sequel. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. ( )

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The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak is a globe trotting espionage thriller about a CIA agent attempting to stop stock market manipulation by Russia. Ms. Pitoniak worked in the publishing industry before becoming an author.

Amanda Cole followed the footsteps of her father and joined the CIA. A Russian man walks into the Rome embassy, where Amanda works, and informs them that a US Senator is about to be assassinated in Egypt.

Amanda follows up on the tip, and when it comes to pass it opens up a whole can of global espionage shenanigans. Joining Amanda are Kath Frost, a legend in the agency, as they get closer to the uncomfortable truth.

I enjoyed this book very much. It has a lot going for it, an exciting adventure, great characters, moral and personal stakes, as well as a great plot which I could certainly see happening.

I really enjoyed the ability of the author to understand misinformation, meme stocks, and the manipulation involved. For me, this whole aspect of The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak was the highlight.

This is the first book I read by Ms. Pitoniak, and she is a gifted writer. The pace is excellent, the characters are interesting, and the plot is very intriguing. I’ve read several espionage books featuring female protagonists, it’s a nice change from the male-centric fantasy of James Bond. I have to admit that I enjoyed the majority of these novels, regardless of sex they’re just well written with strong, intriguing characters. The author herself, in the forward, admitted that she wrote this book because she wanted a spy thriller

The book goes back and forth in time to Amanda’s father, Charlie Cole’s Cold War days in Helsinki. We get more background information as Amanda pursues her current case, privy to what she knows and the layers she uncovers.

Despite the seemingly complex plot, involving many characters and financial crimes, I found it easy to follow. I’m looking forward to see if it is is part of a series, or just a standalone book. Either is fine, and I did not get the impression that Ms. Pitoniak wrote this book with a series in mind. ( )