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Heart of Deception: A Novel
by
M.L. Malcolm
From M. L. Malcolm, the acclaimed author of Heart of Lies, comes a powerful sequel that spans the years from World War II to the turbulent 1960s--the riveting story of a family struggling with choices forced upon them by war . . . and the consequences that will take a generation to unfold.
Aman of many contradictions, Leo Hoffman is a Hungarian national with a French passpo...more
Aman of many contradictions, Leo Hoffman is a Hungarian national with a French passpo...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by William Morrow Paperbacks
(first published March 17th 2011)
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I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
Following World War II, mystery man Leo Hoffman must become a spy to earn American citizenship and re-unite with his long-lost daughter, her mother having passed away long before.
It was a very quick read, but unfortunately I wasn't drawn in to the story and transported away to the various locations throughout the book as I like to be with this sort of novel.
The characterization is mostly very flat throughout, with few characters...more
Following World War II, mystery man Leo Hoffman must become a spy to earn American citizenship and re-unite with his long-lost daughter, her mother having passed away long before.
It was a very quick read, but unfortunately I wasn't drawn in to the story and transported away to the various locations throughout the book as I like to be with this sort of novel.
The characterization is mostly very flat throughout, with few characters...more
“Heart of Deception” by M.L. Malcolm is the fictional sequel to "Heart of Lies" picking up with the same cast of characters after World War II.
Spy extraordinaire Leo Hoffman is, again, in some forsaken place trying to get a government, any government, secure a safe corner in the world for him and his daughter. Leo's daughter, Maddy, is living with her aunt in Englewood Cliffs, NJ oblivious to the issues her father is dealing with. The aunt is Leo's sister in law and still blames him for her sist...more
Spy extraordinaire Leo Hoffman is, again, in some forsaken place trying to get a government, any government, secure a safe corner in the world for him and his daughter. Leo's daughter, Maddy, is living with her aunt in Englewood Cliffs, NJ oblivious to the issues her father is dealing with. The aunt is Leo's sister in law and still blames him for her sist...more
Two disclaimers: a) I won this from a first reads giveaway and b) I have not read Malcolm's previous book, Heart of Lies, where this story originated.
I really, really, really liked this. A quote from Dorothea Benton Frank is on the cover of the book. She wrote, "It has everything you want: suspense, adventure, and romance across several continent," and really, that does an excellent job at describing the book. The description of the book focuses on Leo Hoffman, a spy; but the book is really abou...more
I really, really, really liked this. A quote from Dorothea Benton Frank is on the cover of the book. She wrote, "It has everything you want: suspense, adventure, and romance across several continent," and really, that does an excellent job at describing the book. The description of the book focuses on Leo Hoffman, a spy; but the book is really abou...more
It feels a bit unfair that I'm reviewing this book: were I not on this tour I never would have read it, given my dislike of the first book. But I was committed to the tour so I tried hard to give this book a fair reading.
Many of the problems I had with the first novel I had with this one: very thin characterization, an abundance of plot, and not enough pages to thoroughly explore the myriad events the characters experience. The novel spans 1942 through 1963, mostly through the viewpoint of Madd...more
Many of the problems I had with the first novel I had with this one: very thin characterization, an abundance of plot, and not enough pages to thoroughly explore the myriad events the characters experience. The novel spans 1942 through 1963, mostly through the viewpoint of Madd...more
It's time to find out what happened to Leo Hoffman. When we last heard from him in Heart of Lies by M.L. Malcolm, Leo was leaving his daughter Maddy behind in New York. Leo was set to embark on life as a spy. Why abandon his child? Does Maddy feel abandoned? It was all for a purpose. Maddy's safety would be ensured as long as she wasn't with Leo.
I was sad for them at the end of the first book. They went through the perils of war in Shanghai. Now at the height of World War II, Leo can't be with h...more
I was sad for them at the end of the first book. They went through the perils of war in Shanghai. Now at the height of World War II, Leo can't be with h...more
3.5 stars, but it didn't quite live up to the first book for me. Still, I'm looking forward to the next book.
I need to be clear here. I enjoyed reading this book. I just was hoping for more. I liked all of the aspects that I wanted more from. If I didn't like them, then I could have just written them off.
So for every issue I have, keep that in mind.
Part of the problem was that I couldn't figure out what kind of book it was, so I could set my expectations accordingly. I love books that bend genr...more
I need to be clear here. I enjoyed reading this book. I just was hoping for more. I liked all of the aspects that I wanted more from. If I didn't like them, then I could have just written them off.
So for every issue I have, keep that in mind.
Part of the problem was that I couldn't figure out what kind of book it was, so I could set my expectations accordingly. I love books that bend genr...more
After a big unexpected hit for me in Heart of Lies, Heart of Deception was a bit of a let down going too much into soap opera/melodrama territory with cliches like the blue blood rich family rejecting their son for marrying a (reasonably wealthy too) Jewish girl in 50's USA - come on how many times did we read this?? and that is just one of the examples, not to speak of fake confessions, lost relatives turning up just conveniently for the plot...
The same page turning qualities and a great beginn...more
The same page turning qualities and a great beginn...more
I wasn't at all sure what to expect from this as I has not read the first book but overall I was pleasantly surprised by ML Malcolm's book. First, I give the author high props for the excellent research and attention to historical details. It make me want to go back and pick up the first in the series. This is an ambitious work spanning Over twenty years and three continents as it follows Leo Hoffman and his daughter Maddy. Separated by lies and circumstances this family saga has an episodic vib...more
Heart of Deception is the sequel to M.L. Malcolm’s first book, Heart of Lies, which centers on the enigmatic Leo Hoffman. Malcolm picks up the story about three years later in 1942. Leo has agreed to spy for the Allies in exchange for American citizenship and a reunion with his young daughter, Maddy. With the outbreak of war in Europe, the Allies don’t seem eager to fulfill their end of the bargain. Even more upsetting, his letters to his daughter Maddy haven’t been getting through. When Maddy’s...more
M.L. Malcolm really knows how to suck you in and keep you wanting to read more. Just check out the way this book opens:
“If the city of Tangier had been a woman, she would have been a whore, and a wealthy one. Brazenly straddling the northwest tip of Africa, she brushed one of her sultry thighs up against the undulating waves of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea; the other unfolded west, perpetually teasing the unquenchable desire of the gray Atlantic Ocean” (Malcolm 3)
Talk about scandalous, huh?!...more
“If the city of Tangier had been a woman, she would have been a whore, and a wealthy one. Brazenly straddling the northwest tip of Africa, she brushed one of her sultry thighs up against the undulating waves of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea; the other unfolded west, perpetually teasing the unquenchable desire of the gray Atlantic Ocean” (Malcolm 3)
Talk about scandalous, huh?!...more
I read this as part of the free read program and finished it in one sitting. I like the early parts of the book involving WW2 and life in northern Africa during that time, which I don't know much about. As the story moves past the war, I almost felt there was a checklist of things that were going to occur, propelling us into modern times a touch too predictably. I enjoyed it and it was a nice way to spend the evening.
Pros: Beautifully written story about a father and daughter kept apart for way too long. Exquisite portrayal of lives caught up in the tangle of espionage and bureaucracy, and the struggle to survive in war-torn parts of North Africa during World War II. Heartbreaking details. Entrancing from the first page.
Cons: Slow-moving if you're an adrenalin addict like me. Frustrating at times because the characters seem to be at such a total loss as to what to do and incredibly gullible to boot. Very bel...more
Cons: Slow-moving if you're an adrenalin addict like me. Frustrating at times because the characters seem to be at such a total loss as to what to do and incredibly gullible to boot. Very bel...more
It was apparently the second in a series which explains some of why I felt like there were some really underdeveloped story lines. The language was marginal and too much sex. The mob story felt rushed and the spy story felt confusing and vague. Overall it was a marginal book. I don't think I will read the others.
This was a fun book at the beginning, but when all of a sudden gansters and blackmailing feds are thrown on top of international spies, nazis, and a host of abandonings it's just overdone and silly. This was a fun beach read kind of fluff until the kitchen sink got thrown at the plot.
I loved this thrilling continuation of the story of Leo Hoffman and his daughter Maddy. M.L. Malcom stays true to the history of the time-span this story covers, and delivers a novel that will keep the reader entertained to the very end!
An exciting sequel to Heart of Lies. My full review may be found on my book review blog Rundpinne.
Apr 01, 2012
Denise Devine
added it
Just as wonderful as book #1 (Heart of Deception). If you like a book with a complex plot and intriguing characters you can get involved with, this two book set is it.
Great historical detail. Likeable, believable characters. I read the first book in the series before this one, which I would highly recommend. Any fan of historical fiction would enjoy these books. Great to find a new author to follow.
Mar 17, 2011
Irwin
marked it as to-read
I just won as a goodreads giveaway! waiting to read it. Thanks.
Wishing I had read the first one, before I read the sequel...what was I thinking? I am going back to read it soon!
Great book!!
Good sequel to Heart of Lies.
3/24/11
Another first reads win - this one sounds really good!
5/16/11
I must admit to being a little disappointed by Heart of Deception. While the synopsis was so promising, the book itself wandered a bit, like a soap opera where the plot is made up as it goes along. Perhaps if I had first read Heart of Lies I would have cared more about the characters. Anyway, this book was just okay, despite an occasionally really beautiful sentence.
Another first reads win - this one sounds really good!
5/16/11
I must admit to being a little disappointed by Heart of Deception. While the synopsis was so promising, the book itself wandered a bit, like a soap opera where the plot is made up as it goes along. Perhaps if I had first read Heart of Lies I would have cared more about the characters. Anyway, this book was just okay, despite an occasionally really beautiful sentence.
Apr 04, 2013
Teri Speer
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2013
Trish
marked it as to-read
Jan 13, 2013
Courtney
is currently reading it
Dec 30, 2012
Shannon
marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2012
Jill Farr
marked it as to-read
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