An impressive debut. If I hadn't known that this was the author's first novel, I would never have guessed. It was very polished. The writing style was flowing and easy to read. The author obviously did her research, but there were no annoying info-dumps in this book. The historical backdrop was just that, a backdrop for the plot, not a textbook.

If you're looking for a "fluff" romance, then this is not the book for you. This is not a brain-candy novel. There are several scenes that might be disturbing to more sensitive readers. But if you want a gritty, sensual spy story, then you will enjoy this.

The characters were well-drawn and had great chemistry. They weren't too perfect as to be believeable, but they weren't too flawed as to be unlikeable. I was able to cheer for them. The intrigue plot was well-written and fast-paced, but the author was able to strike a good balance between the mystery and the romance. A tacked-on love story is a pet peeve of mine, but that didn't happen here.

I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author in the future.