Book Review
The Collaborators by Michael Idov
Thriller | Espionage | Mystery
CIA agent, Arie Falk, is already struggling with the morality of what he does. So, when his best asset winds up dead, Arie finds himself cris-crossing the globe in search of accountability, regardless of the personal cost…
The Collaborators is a twisty and exciting international espionage novel. Like most spy novels, this is a high-stakes and high-intensity story spanning multiple countries and perspectives.
The thing I love about novels like this is that, in terms of plausibility, almost anything goes — readers are just along for the adventure. However, because of this, spy stories can sometimes feel very convoluted and jargon-heavy. I appreciate that The Collaborators gave us the requisite layers and twists while still being relatively easy to follow along with. This book balanced feeling realistic while still providing non-stop action, and that made for a suspenseful and intriguing read.
Arie was a very likable character and it was fun following along with him as he attempted to unravel the truth. The ending was strong, surprising, and wrapped everything up nicely. While the characters weren’t necessarily the most in-depth, they didn’t have to be for this story.
If you want an exciting new read full of spies, global tension, and international mystery, this new novel from Michael Idov might just be what you’re looking for! Here’s hoping we get to see more espionage fiction from Idov in the future!
Recommended for:
Those looking for a quick and exciting espionage novel
This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Advance copy of the book provided courtesy of the publisher, Simon and Schuster Canada. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the book:
(From the publisher): Slow Horses meets Red Sparrow in this electrifying, globe-trotting spy thriller featuring a brilliant young intelligence officer and a troubled heiress who stumble into a global conspiracy that pits present-day Russia against the CIA and MI5.
Combining realistic thrills with sophisticated spycraft and witty dialogue, The Collaborators delivers a gut-punch answer to the biggest geopolitical question of our time: how, exactly, did post-Soviet Russia turn down the wrong path?
Crisscrossing the globe on the way to this shocking revelation are disaffected millennial CIA officer Ari Falk, thrown into a moral and professional crisis by the death of his best asset; and brash, troubled LA heiress Maya Chou, spiraling after the disappearance of her Russian American billionaire father. The duo’s adventures take us to both classic and surprising locales—from Berlin, to Latvia, Belarus, and a 1980s Jewish refugee camp near Rome.
Dynamic, fast-paced, and filled with captivating details that provide a window into a secretive world, The Collaborators is a first-rate thriller that pays homage to both meanings of “intelligence.”