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Firewall: An Emma Streat Mystery
Former opera singer Emma Streat has survived the murder of her husband and the destruction of her beautiful old house. Now a full-time single mother, she struggles to move forward and make a home for her two sons. Because of her detection skills, she has become a go-to person for help--so, when her rich, feisty, socialite godmother is blackmailed, she turns immediately to Emma. Soon, Emma founds herself thrust into the dark world of cybercrime. Mounting challenges take her to exclusive European settings where she mixes with top people in the financial and art collecting worlds and has intriguing and emotion-packed experiences with men--including her dynamic ex-lover, Lord Andrew Rodale. When she is targeted by a cybercrime network using cutting-edge technology, it takes all of Emma's resilience and wits to survive and bring the wily, ruthless criminal she's hunting to justice. Action-packed and full of twists and turns, this third book of the Emma Streat Mystery series does not disappoint!
341 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2019
About the author
Eugenia Lovett West
6 books31 followersEugenia Lovett West was born in Boston. She attended Sarah Lawrence College and worked for Harper’s Bazaar and the American Red Cross. Then came marriage, four children, volunteer work, and freelancing for local papers. Eugenia divides her time between Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Series:
* Emma Street
Series:
* Emma Street
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 12, 2019
I didn't realize when I picked this book up that it was actually the third in a series. I was wondering when I kept reading about references to Emma helping solve her husband's murder, so I went to the author's website and that is where I discovered there was in fact previous books. Despite not reading the first two books, the author does a good job of summarizing what happened and how Emma came to work with various intelligence agencies.
In this book there are actually multiple crimes that Emma is brought into assist but they all tie in together and Emma finds herself in several countries at the behest of the various agencies she has been helping. It starts with her godmother, Caroline, who is being blackmailed and that crime is solved in the first part of the book but is it really? Emma is taken to Italy to assist Caroline with an art viewing and possible purchase and there were learn that Caroline may have had some lasting repercussions from an attack in the first portion of the book. It is then a whirlwind journey through multiple countries trying to find the cybercriminal mastermind.
I thought this was an interesting approach to writing this book - there isn't just one crime but multiple that need to be solved. Many are tied together and as one crime is solved it leads Emma to the next one. Emma has dalliances with different men, but will any of them be her true love? Each of the men brought something different to her life and only future books will tell us if any of these men stay in her life on a romantic level.
The book is action packed and despite Emma wishing she didn't have to be in a few of these places, she is able to help root out those that are involved in the crimes and make connections that the agencies or police aren't able to put together. This is mainly due to her conversations with the various characters and not ineptness by the police.
I enjoyed this book and we give it 4 paws up.
In this book there are actually multiple crimes that Emma is brought into assist but they all tie in together and Emma finds herself in several countries at the behest of the various agencies she has been helping. It starts with her godmother, Caroline, who is being blackmailed and that crime is solved in the first part of the book but is it really? Emma is taken to Italy to assist Caroline with an art viewing and possible purchase and there were learn that Caroline may have had some lasting repercussions from an attack in the first portion of the book. It is then a whirlwind journey through multiple countries trying to find the cybercriminal mastermind.
I thought this was an interesting approach to writing this book - there isn't just one crime but multiple that need to be solved. Many are tied together and as one crime is solved it leads Emma to the next one. Emma has dalliances with different men, but will any of them be her true love? Each of the men brought something different to her life and only future books will tell us if any of these men stay in her life on a romantic level.
The book is action packed and despite Emma wishing she didn't have to be in a few of these places, she is able to help root out those that are involved in the crimes and make connections that the agencies or police aren't able to put together. This is mainly due to her conversations with the various characters and not ineptness by the police.
I enjoyed this book and we give it 4 paws up.
October 27, 2019
This book is my first introduction to author, Eugenia Lovett West and Emma Streat. Wow, I really enjoyed this book. I was not even done with the first chapter and already I knew I was going to be in for a real treat. Luckily, I was not wrong.
There are some past relationship/dynamics in this book but nothing that distracts from this book and will keep you from reading this book. In fact, this book can be read as a stand alone novel. After finishing this book and really enjoying it; I will be going back and reading the prior Emma Streat novels.
I though there was lots of action happening throughout the story but there was more to come within the last third of the storyline. The last several chapters had me in suspense awaiting how the story would end. Firewall will have you losing hours of time while reading this book!
There are some past relationship/dynamics in this book but nothing that distracts from this book and will keep you from reading this book. In fact, this book can be read as a stand alone novel. After finishing this book and really enjoying it; I will be going back and reading the prior Emma Streat novels.
I though there was lots of action happening throughout the story but there was more to come within the last third of the storyline. The last several chapters had me in suspense awaiting how the story would end. Firewall will have you losing hours of time while reading this book!
November 28, 2020
Now the whole reason I requested this one was because I was tempted in by the intriguing synopsis. But after it being on my NetGalley TBR for nearly a whole year I finally got around to finishing it.
The story started off really interesting, but sadly I started to lose interest as I read on. The writing wasn’t bad but the plot felt a little slow and problematic. I thought it felt disjointed and very drawn out. I feel the main reason for this was in fact was because it was the third book in the series, which I didn’t know at the time of requesting. And also, there is quite a bit of referencing back to the crimes that had happened in the previous books.
I did think about DNF-ing this book at chapter 51, but I was so close to the end that after a little break I finally picked it back up and finished it.
This book has the potential to be a great read but sadly it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers SparkPress for my eARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The story started off really interesting, but sadly I started to lose interest as I read on. The writing wasn’t bad but the plot felt a little slow and problematic. I thought it felt disjointed and very drawn out. I feel the main reason for this was in fact was because it was the third book in the series, which I didn’t know at the time of requesting. And also, there is quite a bit of referencing back to the crimes that had happened in the previous books.
I did think about DNF-ing this book at chapter 51, but I was so close to the end that after a little break I finally picked it back up and finished it.
This book has the potential to be a great read but sadly it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers SparkPress for my eARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.
November 5, 2019
Emma Streat is no stranger to mysteries and solving international and domestic crime. Her husband was killed in the first case she later got involved in. Now the threat is a bunch of criminals involved in international cyberterrorism. This story begins when her elderly godmother is blackmailed, gives in to the demand but then sets out to find who is the blackmailer. She may be elderly but she’s a feisty lady who is no slouch and Emma shares many of the same attitudes and determination!
Her involvement will force Emma to bond with an ex-lover and other secret agents. She will be compelled to travel to France, Italy, Ireland and Geneva, Switzerland. In each place, more attempts at kidnapping will occur, some with horrendous attacks causing multiple deaths. The flair of each character involves twists and turns that are unexpected. Criminals may be multiple smart people but there are always miniscule mistakes they did not foresee which expose them to capture.
The bottom line of this mystery concerns multiple attempts to bribe wealthy individuals followed by the laundering of criminal monies. All of this costs big money that must be moved around by other criminal types and the criminal plot just keep growing more convoluted and complex, with Emma moving forward on her best instincts, both with and without legal protection. Violence and death will occur to many involved, both planned and accidental. She’s obviously a woman who thrives on following her instincts and love for adventure. Her children are in college and now she has taken up what seems to be a new career, being a sleuth who’s very good at listening to people, observing them and following her gut instincts in a process that is breath-taking and nerve-wracking, a double whammy package that keeps the reader reading rapidly, flipping the pages and wanting both a solution and yet also not wanting it all to end.
Ms. West has remarkable talent and skills to make this a nail-biting, satisfying international mystery. Readers are guaranteed to remember this read and to want more of the same in the near future!
Her involvement will force Emma to bond with an ex-lover and other secret agents. She will be compelled to travel to France, Italy, Ireland and Geneva, Switzerland. In each place, more attempts at kidnapping will occur, some with horrendous attacks causing multiple deaths. The flair of each character involves twists and turns that are unexpected. Criminals may be multiple smart people but there are always miniscule mistakes they did not foresee which expose them to capture.
The bottom line of this mystery concerns multiple attempts to bribe wealthy individuals followed by the laundering of criminal monies. All of this costs big money that must be moved around by other criminal types and the criminal plot just keep growing more convoluted and complex, with Emma moving forward on her best instincts, both with and without legal protection. Violence and death will occur to many involved, both planned and accidental. She’s obviously a woman who thrives on following her instincts and love for adventure. Her children are in college and now she has taken up what seems to be a new career, being a sleuth who’s very good at listening to people, observing them and following her gut instincts in a process that is breath-taking and nerve-wracking, a double whammy package that keeps the reader reading rapidly, flipping the pages and wanting both a solution and yet also not wanting it all to end.
Ms. West has remarkable talent and skills to make this a nail-biting, satisfying international mystery. Readers are guaranteed to remember this read and to want more of the same in the near future!
November 6, 2019
Firewall by Eugenia Lovett West
This was a mystery that was loosely focused on cybercrime. The plot moved from location to location while leaving a body each time. It read like a series of somewhat disjointed short stories.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I anticipated more technology and a clearer focus on cybercrime. Cybercrime is alluded to but the focus was really on Emma Streat and her foibles.
Emma appears to be conflicted in her emotions. She also seems to connect to men who have one foot on a banana peel and the other in a grave.
I liked the strength shown by Emma, that was one of the more redeeming characteristics of the book.
This was a mystery that was loosely focused on cybercrime. The plot moved from location to location while leaving a body each time. It read like a series of somewhat disjointed short stories.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I anticipated more technology and a clearer focus on cybercrime. Cybercrime is alluded to but the focus was really on Emma Streat and her foibles.
Emma appears to be conflicted in her emotions. She also seems to connect to men who have one foot on a banana peel and the other in a grave.
I liked the strength shown by Emma, that was one of the more redeeming characteristics of the book.
October 16, 2019
I did not realize this book was part of a series when I started it. Early in the book, I was worried I may have missed too much information to jump in where I was, but quickly found the author gave plenty of hints and information about what had gone on before to be able to read this one on its own.
Firewall started out reading like a mystery, I certainly suspected several characters as being the original blackmailer, but as the story unraveled, I found it built more like a thriller, each part taking the reader a bit deeper into a larger conspiracy. The novel felt a little more like three linked novellas than one novel, but the links were there and there was some tying up of loose ends at the end of the book.
I liked our heroine, Emma. She was smart and humble. I have not read many books about former opera singers and thought that was an interesting background, I wish there could have been a little more about it in this book. It is nice to see a heroine who has a little bit of life experience, knows who she is and is still able to grow as a person.
The settings were the star of the book for me. France, Italy, Ireland, Boston were all beautifully portrayed. The bits of history and local color were utilized well in this story.
This story was full of twists and turns with bad guys turning up at the most inopportune times. I said earlier this was like three novellas, there were certainly distinct parts to this novel, but maybe it's more like uncovering an iceberg. We discover the blackmailer quickly, but then we have to figure out who is blackmailing the blackmailer and so on through a litany of crimes. Reading this book was similar to a roller coaster; up and down for awhile, then a couple of straightaways lulling you into safety before plunging you down again at a dizzying speed.
I enjoyed this novel and am hoping to get my hands on the two earlier books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my free copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Firewall started out reading like a mystery, I certainly suspected several characters as being the original blackmailer, but as the story unraveled, I found it built more like a thriller, each part taking the reader a bit deeper into a larger conspiracy. The novel felt a little more like three linked novellas than one novel, but the links were there and there was some tying up of loose ends at the end of the book.
I liked our heroine, Emma. She was smart and humble. I have not read many books about former opera singers and thought that was an interesting background, I wish there could have been a little more about it in this book. It is nice to see a heroine who has a little bit of life experience, knows who she is and is still able to grow as a person.
The settings were the star of the book for me. France, Italy, Ireland, Boston were all beautifully portrayed. The bits of history and local color were utilized well in this story.
This story was full of twists and turns with bad guys turning up at the most inopportune times. I said earlier this was like three novellas, there were certainly distinct parts to this novel, but maybe it's more like uncovering an iceberg. We discover the blackmailer quickly, but then we have to figure out who is blackmailing the blackmailer and so on through a litany of crimes. Reading this book was similar to a roller coaster; up and down for awhile, then a couple of straightaways lulling you into safety before plunging you down again at a dizzying speed.
I enjoyed this novel and am hoping to get my hands on the two earlier books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my free copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
December 16, 2019
Firewall is an action packed novel with a powerful female main character in Emma that you will not want to put down. .
We are introduced to Emma, who has made a second career for herself solving crimes for the government. We learn that this was after the murder of her husband where she refused to take the simple answer and decided to investigate the case herself. This marked the start of her new career and life as a single mother. I did not realize there were other books in this series but this did not impact my comprehension or enjoyment of the book. Eugenia gives you enough information to understand the current plot and how it is connected to Emma’s past but doesn’t overload you with the previous plots and history.
I loved that we have a single, strong female character who has flaws that so many of us have but she embraces them which makes us love her even more. She is loving, kind, thoughtful but also vulnerable, honest and looking for more in life. She has been through a lot with the loss of her husband and having to reinvent herself but she comes through it fighting each step of the way. Eugenia does a great job with her female characters – Emma’s Godmother who we meet at the beginning at the novel, is feisty and full of fire. I loved how she developed her female characters in this novel – they were the heroes and did the rescuing, something we need to see more of in novels.
The plot was very well planned and laid out in the novel. Emma travels around the world solving what started off as the blackmailing of her Godmother. Eugenia keeps us on our toes, continuously guessing what will happen next as Emma solves multiple cyber crimes. Emma is put to the test many times throughout the novel to solve a string of seemingly unrelated crimes but as we find out later in the novel are woven together expertly by Eugenia.
We are introduced to Emma, who has made a second career for herself solving crimes for the government. We learn that this was after the murder of her husband where she refused to take the simple answer and decided to investigate the case herself. This marked the start of her new career and life as a single mother. I did not realize there were other books in this series but this did not impact my comprehension or enjoyment of the book. Eugenia gives you enough information to understand the current plot and how it is connected to Emma’s past but doesn’t overload you with the previous plots and history.
I loved that we have a single, strong female character who has flaws that so many of us have but she embraces them which makes us love her even more. She is loving, kind, thoughtful but also vulnerable, honest and looking for more in life. She has been through a lot with the loss of her husband and having to reinvent herself but she comes through it fighting each step of the way. Eugenia does a great job with her female characters – Emma’s Godmother who we meet at the beginning at the novel, is feisty and full of fire. I loved how she developed her female characters in this novel – they were the heroes and did the rescuing, something we need to see more of in novels.
The plot was very well planned and laid out in the novel. Emma travels around the world solving what started off as the blackmailing of her Godmother. Eugenia keeps us on our toes, continuously guessing what will happen next as Emma solves multiple cyber crimes. Emma is put to the test many times throughout the novel to solve a string of seemingly unrelated crimes but as we find out later in the novel are woven together expertly by Eugenia.
October 30, 2019
I was hooked on to the story from page 1. I started reading it post-lunch and before I knew, I was halfway through the story. There is never a dull scene in the novel. Action, adventure, the thrill of chasing and being chased and much more, Firewall is a complete entertainment package!
I loved Eugenia's writing. As I read through, it felt like a movie playing in my head. Emma, Andrew, Caroline, Peggy, Richard and many more - each of these characters play quite a role in the story. Though this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. There are flashbacks where Emma reminisces the ordeal she went through the last time she came face to face with cybercriminals.
Emotions, adventure and the feel of a spy-thriller-ish story, this book has it all. Just when Emma thinks that she can now pack her bags and go home, uh-huh, nope, she's roped into another task. And then some more...
Likeable characters, a cat and mouse chase that keeps you on the edge of your seat, romance, good food and pretty places in Europe -makes Firewall a must-read book, especially if you like stories of the genre Mystery and Thriller. I highly recommend this book.
I loved Eugenia's writing. As I read through, it felt like a movie playing in my head. Emma, Andrew, Caroline, Peggy, Richard and many more - each of these characters play quite a role in the story. Though this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. There are flashbacks where Emma reminisces the ordeal she went through the last time she came face to face with cybercriminals.
Emotions, adventure and the feel of a spy-thriller-ish story, this book has it all. Just when Emma thinks that she can now pack her bags and go home, uh-huh, nope, she's roped into another task. And then some more...
Likeable characters, a cat and mouse chase that keeps you on the edge of your seat, romance, good food and pretty places in Europe -makes Firewall a must-read book, especially if you like stories of the genre Mystery and Thriller. I highly recommend this book.
Read
November 18, 2019Former opera singer Emma Streat has survived the murder of her husband and the destruction of her beautiful old house. Now a full-time single mother, she struggles to move forward and make a home for her two sons. Because of her detection skills, she has become a go-to person for help--so, when her rich, feisty, socialite godmother is blackmailed, she turns immediately to Emma. Soon, Emma founds herself thrust into the dark world of cybercrime. Mounting challenges take her to exclusive European settings where she mixes with top people in the financial and art collecting worlds and has intriguing and emotion-packed experiences with men--including her dynamic ex-lover, Lord Andrew Rodale. When she is targeted by a cybercrime network using cutting-edge technology, it takes all of Emma's resilience and wits to survive and bring the wily, ruthless criminal she's hunting to justice. Action-packed and full of twists and turns, this third book of the Emma Streat Mystery series does not disappoint!
This was a very good book. It moves quickly so pay attention!
This was a very good book. It moves quickly so pay attention!
January 28, 2020
My Recommendation: Some parts worked, and others didn't. Overall, this was an engaging average read for a mystery/thriller. The dialogue was incredibly stilted at some points, but I've read a lot worse. The action was mostly believable and kept me engaged as I read. I don't think I'll seek out the other two novels in the series, but if you really like mysteries they're probably worth keeping an eye out for them.
My Response: I'm not going to lie, when I read the first line of this one I got super nervous. The last time I read a book from a non-major publishing company that was set in Boston I was VERY disappointed. So it was a good thing I was pleasantly surprised by this one—especially as it came from the same publicity company!*
Firewall is actually the third in the Emma Streat mystery series and I wouldn't usually take on a book mid-series. However, West's story of not getting published until she was in her 70s and then again in her 90s (Concord Monitor news link) I found to be intriguing and the blurb for this was just interesting enough to tempt me.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Firewall from the publicist in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
My Response: I'm not going to lie, when I read the first line of this one I got super nervous. The last time I read a book from a non-major publishing company that was set in Boston I was VERY disappointed. So it was a good thing I was pleasantly surprised by this one—especially as it came from the same publicity company!*
Firewall is actually the third in the Emma Streat mystery series and I wouldn't usually take on a book mid-series. However, West's story of not getting published until she was in her 70s and then again in her 90s (Concord Monitor news link) I found to be intriguing and the blurb for this was just interesting enough to tempt me.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Firewall from the publicist in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
November 3, 2019
Is unputdownable a word? It’s a perfect description for the fast paced Firewall. Retired opera singer and widow Emma Streat is summoned to New York by her beloved godmother who is being blackmailed. Soon, after a dangerous attack at home, Emma is plunged into an investigation into global cybercrime. The action quickly moves from Paris to Florence to Scotland and Geneva as Emma looks for clues and criminals in the opulent world of international art. Firewall is the third in a series by Eugenia Lovett West but is a standalone thriller. A strong plot, travel magazine worthy descriptions, unique and well drawn characters make this a stellar read.
Thanks to NetGalley and SparkPress for this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and SparkPress for this ARC.
Read
September 27, 2019Firewall is a fast-paced mystery crime novel that is sure to pull you in from the beginning. The characters are strong, well written and have intriguing backgrounds with a touch of international flair. West has a writing style that is mysterious that is sure to keep you guessing until the end. Firewall is an engaging read that will keep you reading late in the night turning pages as fast as possible!
November 11, 2019
This is a great addition to the Emma Streat series, but I don't think those who haven't read the other books would be missing out on any major backstories. The author did a great job of making sure old and new readers of this series enjoy this one!
January 9, 2020
Easy read, interesting storyline.
My Review
My Review
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews