Thrillers & Suspense
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Red Widow
"A wicked sharp spy novel…Equal parts Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Killing Eve." –S. A. Cosby, author of Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears
An exhilarating spy thriller written by an intelligence veteran about two women CIA agents whose paths become intertwined around a threat to the Russia Division--one that's coming from inside the agency.
Lyndsey Duncan worries her career with the CIA might be over. After lines are crossed with another intelligence agent during an assignment, she is sent home to Washington on administrative leave. So when a former colleague--now Chief of the Russia Division--recruits her for an internal investigation, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Lyndsey was once a top handler in the Moscow Field Station, where she was known as the "human lie detector" and praised for recruiting some of the most senior Russian officials. But now, three Russian assets have been exposed--including one of her own--and the CIA is convinced there's a mole in the department. With years of work in question and lives on the line, Lyndsey is thrown back into life at the agency, this time tracing the steps of those closest to her.
Meanwhile, fellow agent Theresa Warner can't avoid the spotlight. She is the infamous "Red Widow," the wife of a former director killed in the field under mysterious circumstances. With her husband's legacy shadowing her every move, Theresa is a fixture of the Russia Division, and as she and Lyndsey strike up an unusual friendship, her knowledge proves invaluable. But as Lyndsey uncovers a surprising connection to Theresa that could answer all of her questions, she unearths a terrifying web of secrets within the department, if only she is willing to unravel it....
An exhilarating spy thriller written by an intelligence veteran about two women CIA agents whose paths become intertwined around a threat to the Russia Division--one that's coming from inside the agency.
Lyndsey Duncan worries her career with the CIA might be over. After lines are crossed with another intelligence agent during an assignment, she is sent home to Washington on administrative leave. So when a former colleague--now Chief of the Russia Division--recruits her for an internal investigation, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Lyndsey was once a top handler in the Moscow Field Station, where she was known as the "human lie detector" and praised for recruiting some of the most senior Russian officials. But now, three Russian assets have been exposed--including one of her own--and the CIA is convinced there's a mole in the department. With years of work in question and lives on the line, Lyndsey is thrown back into life at the agency, this time tracing the steps of those closest to her.
Meanwhile, fellow agent Theresa Warner can't avoid the spotlight. She is the infamous "Red Widow," the wife of a former director killed in the field under mysterious circumstances. With her husband's legacy shadowing her every move, Theresa is a fixture of the Russia Division, and as she and Lyndsey strike up an unusual friendship, her knowledge proves invaluable. But as Lyndsey uncovers a surprising connection to Theresa that could answer all of her questions, she unearths a terrifying web of secrets within the department, if only she is willing to unravel it....
Editorial Reviews
Finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
One of:
Northern Virginia Magazine's Best Beach Reads
BookPage's Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021
Writer's Digest's 71 Books and Authors to Check Out in 2021
"Katsu, a longtime intelligence analyst for the C.I.A. and N.S.A, writes what she's most professionally familiar with after years in the paranormal and horror novel trenches. The plotting is sophisticated and laced with surprises, but what stands out most is the emotional core of Lyndsey and Theresa's alliance, and whether there is room, in a nest of vipers, for true sisterhood." –The New York Times Book Review
"Terrific…Fans of FX's ‘The Americans' will recognize a world where professionalism can fall prey to sexism, careerism, and garden-variety klutziness. Duncan's job is a lot ‘like juggling knives,' and Katsu makes us care that she doesn't bobble." –The Washington Post
"Red Widow is layered with inside knowledge of how CIA bureaucracy works; it is often a bleak workplace, it seems, where loyalty is in short supply and careers can be ended on a whim." –Financial Times
"This political thriller is years in the making because it's based on the author's own past as a woman working in the intelligence field. DC-area readers familiar with that world will appreciate the attention to detail and the way Katsu's experience shines through." –Northern Virginia Magazine
"Lyndsey is a likeable, slightly mysterious heroine readers will want to see again. And her creator, having traded ghosts and gore for more subdued thrills, still manages plenty of jaw-dropping revelations." –Charleston Post & Courier
"Alma Katsu's main characters in Red Widow are written with a ...
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
One of:
Northern Virginia Magazine's Best Beach Reads
BookPage's Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021
Writer's Digest's 71 Books and Authors to Check Out in 2021
"Katsu, a longtime intelligence analyst for the C.I.A. and N.S.A, writes what she's most professionally familiar with after years in the paranormal and horror novel trenches. The plotting is sophisticated and laced with surprises, but what stands out most is the emotional core of Lyndsey and Theresa's alliance, and whether there is room, in a nest of vipers, for true sisterhood." –The New York Times Book Review
"Terrific…Fans of FX's ‘The Americans' will recognize a world where professionalism can fall prey to sexism, careerism, and garden-variety klutziness. Duncan's job is a lot ‘like juggling knives,' and Katsu makes us care that she doesn't bobble." –The Washington Post
"Red Widow is layered with inside knowledge of how CIA bureaucracy works; it is often a bleak workplace, it seems, where loyalty is in short supply and careers can be ended on a whim." –Financial Times
"This political thriller is years in the making because it's based on the author's own past as a woman working in the intelligence field. DC-area readers familiar with that world will appreciate the attention to detail and the way Katsu's experience shines through." –Northern Virginia Magazine
"Lyndsey is a likeable, slightly mysterious heroine readers will want to see again. And her creator, having traded ghosts and gore for more subdued thrills, still manages plenty of jaw-dropping revelations." –Charleston Post & Courier
"Alma Katsu's main characters in Red Widow are written with a ...
Readers Top Reviews
RogerKindle MD
Writing is so, so as is the story. Positive are the strong women characters. I would give it a pass.
Andy BRogerKindle
I was searching for a decent book and this popped up as a recommendation; it’s an excellent read and hard to put down. I did find the first few parts to be slow burning as the story is set, but once the layers of deceit and intrigue begin, the pace picks up. There then follows numerous twists and turns which kept me engaged. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes this genre and I’m looking forward to reading more from this excellent author.
lynguy1Andy BRoge
Alma Katsu switches genres with RED WIDOW . Instead of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural, she draws on her experience as an intelligence analyst with several U.S. agencies in this engrossing espionage mystery. Similar to her other books, she manages to reveal human weaknesses and their consequences in a compelling and very readable way. Lyndsey Duncan has been recalled back to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. She’s been sent home on administrative leave after dating a foreign intelligence agent during her assignment in Beirut when a former colleague who is now chief of the Russia Division recruits her for an internal investigation. Three Russians providing information to the United States have been disappeared or died, including one she recruited when she was a handler in the Moscow Field Station. The CIA is convinced there’s a mole, but who is it? Lyndsey is a likeable character who is lonely, isolated, and questioning her career. However, she is determined to find and expose the traitor. Other major characters include Theresa Warner, Eric Newman, and Raymond Murphy. Theresa is the wife of a former CIA chief killed in the field and has a young son. She and Lyndsey become friends during the course of the story. Eric is the one that brings Lyndsey in to work on the investigation. He has a tendency to be controlling, but supportive. Raymond Murphy is from the Counterintelligence division of the CIA and the person working with Lyndsey to find the mole. While I have seen this novel categorized as an espionage thriller, it more closely resembles a police procedural. This is a story about the investigation and the people involved. It isn’t full of action, although there are a few action scenes. The suspense is built as the investigation evolves and discoveries are made. Katsu includes some plot twists that may catch some by surprise. Information on the CIA and part of its structure is weaved into the story. The story largely takes place within the walls of the CIA headquarters building. One of the revelations that struck me was how similar office employees are, whether they work for the CIA or a corporation. There are meetings, collaborations, computer work, paper work, secrets, projects, reports, office politics, competition, and gossip. The writing flowed well and was descriptive, but sometimes repeated details became telling rather than showing, which caused the pace to slow. Themes include violence, murder, loyalty, betrayal, lies, friendship, ambition, deceit, morality, national security, and much more. Overall, this was suspenseful and intriguing with compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. With a fascinating story, it kept me fully engaged in learning who the traitor was. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are ...
H Millerlynguy1An
A top notch read by an obvious CIA insider. The number of twists and turns reminded me of the hazard of old fashioned fishing reels - that being something called a backlash where your fishing line suffered a multitude of knots. Just when you thought you had untangled the last knot, another presented itself and on it went until finally you found the satisfaction of a smooth ending.
Erika in Santa Fe
Great insight into the CIA, FBI, current international relations. But most of all, I was struck by the insights into organizational dynamics. The organizational politics, management motivations and behaviors struck me as accurate. Unfortunately, many organizations, including corporations - even non-profits, actually work like this. Excellent reading for anyone trying to wade through and understand organizational politics. And .. it’s a great book! It gripped me. I rarely read a book by a new author, and I’m so glad I did! I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And I was delighted there was minimal slam/bam, punch, blood, etc. Lyndsey, the main character, uses her strong analytical abilities and intuition. She’s smart, resourceful, does the genuine right thing. I’m looking forward to reading more - actually all - of Alma Katsu’s books. Don’t miss this!
Short Excerpt Teaser
One
NOVEMBER 2018
NEW YORK CITY
The gentleman in seat 2D was in medical distress when he boarded, the flight attendant is sure of it.
He was the first on the plane, leading the rush of premium club members. She noticed he was already having trouble, stumbling in the narrow aisle, sweat visible on his face. He shoved his overnight bag into her arms to stow for him and asked for a drink right away, a vodka neat. She is used to this kind of treatment from business class passengers, especially on this hop from JFK to Reagan National, which is often full of VIPs, senators and businessmen. He looks to her like a politician, the worst of all. She knows better than to argue with him.
She brings him a glass of water, too, even though he didn't ask for it, in case he needs to cool off or take medication. He's not in great shape-three hundred pounds easy, squeezed into a suit at least two sizes too small. His face is pale, but there's a deep flush creeping up from under his collar.
He grumbles to himself throughout the boarding process, but is otherwise quiet. His cell phone is clutched in one hand as the rest of the passengers squeeze by, his face turned to the tiny window, shunning any possibility of contact. He pays no attention through the safety demonstration but then again no one does anymore, and the flight attendant stopped taking offense long ago.
As the plane taxis onto the runway, she checks the manifest. His name is Yaromir Popov and he came to JFK via an Aeroflot flight from Heathrow. A Russian businessman, then.
No sooner has the Airbus A330 lifted into the night sky than the Russian starts having problems. From the jump seat in the galley, the flight attendant sees his face has turned bright pink and that he's having difficulty breathing. Could he be choking on something? He hasn't pressed the call button so it might just be garden variety anxiety. Takeoffs are the worst for many passengers. She counts the minutes until the fasten seat belt signs go off.
The flight to Washington, D.C., will be quick. Because the plane is barely one-third full, the airline cut back on flight attendants. Tonight, it's just her and another woman, the bare minimum. Still, there's plenty for them to take care of and she doesn't think about Popov again until it's time to take drink orders. By then, he's gotten worse. He is shaking in his seat and on the verge of convulsions. His eyes bulge, and his bright red face is shiny from sweat.
She is glad the cabin is dark and the plane practically empty. She doesn't want to alarm the rest of the passengers. Most have their heads down anyway, trying to catch a quick nap on the ninety-minute trip.
She leans over him, bringing her face close to his so she can check for the smell of alcohol. "Are you okay, sir? Is there something I can do for you?"
He opens his mouth but no words come out, only a gurgling, choking noise.
Something's seriously wrong. Her pulse immediately quickens. She's never had to give emergency medical aid on a plane and she frantically tries to recall what she's supposed to do next. Loosen his tie? Check his airway for obstructions? Signal for the other flight attendant to come help her?
Bubbles form in the saliva that coats his lips, like a rabid dog. She darts into the galley for another plastic cup of water which he gulps down greedily but it does nothing to help him to speak. The shaking increases; it is like he is riding his own personal wave of turbulence. There is a strangled look of panic in his eyes-he knows something is very wrong-but stubbornly keeps trying to speak, as though he is determined to give a message to her.
Spooked, she leaps to her feet and sprints for the cockpit. She knocks on the door and waits for the click of the lock as it disengages before popping her head in. The pilot and copilot look up at her at the same time without even a hint of curiosity as to why she needs to see them. Maybe they think she is bringing coffee.
"We've got a passenger in medical distress. In business class," she adds, knowing that sometimes makes a difference.
A look of annoyance flits across the pilot's face. "How bad is he?"
"I don't know. He seems pretty bad."
The pilot twists in his seat to look directly at her, like this is her fault. "Do we need to turn back?"
"We're almost over Trenton," the copilot says, looking at the instruments. "Even if we turn around, we'd have to circle at JFK for an hour before we could land. It's only another forty minutes to D.C. We can ask for priority landing and for a medical team to be waiting at the gate."
She can tell by the glassy look in the pilot's eyes that his mind is made up. "Yeah, sure, that's what we'll do....
NOVEMBER 2018
NEW YORK CITY
The gentleman in seat 2D was in medical distress when he boarded, the flight attendant is sure of it.
He was the first on the plane, leading the rush of premium club members. She noticed he was already having trouble, stumbling in the narrow aisle, sweat visible on his face. He shoved his overnight bag into her arms to stow for him and asked for a drink right away, a vodka neat. She is used to this kind of treatment from business class passengers, especially on this hop from JFK to Reagan National, which is often full of VIPs, senators and businessmen. He looks to her like a politician, the worst of all. She knows better than to argue with him.
She brings him a glass of water, too, even though he didn't ask for it, in case he needs to cool off or take medication. He's not in great shape-three hundred pounds easy, squeezed into a suit at least two sizes too small. His face is pale, but there's a deep flush creeping up from under his collar.
He grumbles to himself throughout the boarding process, but is otherwise quiet. His cell phone is clutched in one hand as the rest of the passengers squeeze by, his face turned to the tiny window, shunning any possibility of contact. He pays no attention through the safety demonstration but then again no one does anymore, and the flight attendant stopped taking offense long ago.
As the plane taxis onto the runway, she checks the manifest. His name is Yaromir Popov and he came to JFK via an Aeroflot flight from Heathrow. A Russian businessman, then.
No sooner has the Airbus A330 lifted into the night sky than the Russian starts having problems. From the jump seat in the galley, the flight attendant sees his face has turned bright pink and that he's having difficulty breathing. Could he be choking on something? He hasn't pressed the call button so it might just be garden variety anxiety. Takeoffs are the worst for many passengers. She counts the minutes until the fasten seat belt signs go off.
The flight to Washington, D.C., will be quick. Because the plane is barely one-third full, the airline cut back on flight attendants. Tonight, it's just her and another woman, the bare minimum. Still, there's plenty for them to take care of and she doesn't think about Popov again until it's time to take drink orders. By then, he's gotten worse. He is shaking in his seat and on the verge of convulsions. His eyes bulge, and his bright red face is shiny from sweat.
She is glad the cabin is dark and the plane practically empty. She doesn't want to alarm the rest of the passengers. Most have their heads down anyway, trying to catch a quick nap on the ninety-minute trip.
She leans over him, bringing her face close to his so she can check for the smell of alcohol. "Are you okay, sir? Is there something I can do for you?"
He opens his mouth but no words come out, only a gurgling, choking noise.
Something's seriously wrong. Her pulse immediately quickens. She's never had to give emergency medical aid on a plane and she frantically tries to recall what she's supposed to do next. Loosen his tie? Check his airway for obstructions? Signal for the other flight attendant to come help her?
Bubbles form in the saliva that coats his lips, like a rabid dog. She darts into the galley for another plastic cup of water which he gulps down greedily but it does nothing to help him to speak. The shaking increases; it is like he is riding his own personal wave of turbulence. There is a strangled look of panic in his eyes-he knows something is very wrong-but stubbornly keeps trying to speak, as though he is determined to give a message to her.
Spooked, she leaps to her feet and sprints for the cockpit. She knocks on the door and waits for the click of the lock as it disengages before popping her head in. The pilot and copilot look up at her at the same time without even a hint of curiosity as to why she needs to see them. Maybe they think she is bringing coffee.
"We've got a passenger in medical distress. In business class," she adds, knowing that sometimes makes a difference.
A look of annoyance flits across the pilot's face. "How bad is he?"
"I don't know. He seems pretty bad."
The pilot twists in his seat to look directly at her, like this is her fault. "Do we need to turn back?"
"We're almost over Trenton," the copilot says, looking at the instruments. "Even if we turn around, we'd have to circle at JFK for an hour before we could land. It's only another forty minutes to D.C. We can ask for priority landing and for a medical team to be waiting at the gate."
She can tell by the glassy look in the pilot's eyes that his mind is made up. "Yeah, sure, that's what we'll do....
