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The Decoy #1
The Decoy
Nina is living a dangerous lie.
On the outside, she's an agreeable graduate student with doting parents. Behind that prim and proper facade is a dangerous and eager Russian spy.
An unexpected first mission falls to her. Nina is excited at the chance to prove her worth. But, when it all explodes in her face, a lifetime of training may not be enough to save her.
The line between friends and foes blurs.
Trust is a luxury she cannot afford.
The lie might have slipped out of her control, but the truth is relentless.
It might just crush her. Or it might set her free.
The Decoy is an immersive spy thriller, a front-row seat to the dark world of espionage and conspiracy.
On the outside, she's an agreeable graduate student with doting parents. Behind that prim and proper facade is a dangerous and eager Russian spy.
An unexpected first mission falls to her. Nina is excited at the chance to prove her worth. But, when it all explodes in her face, a lifetime of training may not be enough to save her.
The line between friends and foes blurs.
Trust is a luxury she cannot afford.
The lie might have slipped out of her control, but the truth is relentless.
It might just crush her. Or it might set her free.
The Decoy is an immersive spy thriller, a front-row seat to the dark world of espionage and conspiracy.
- GenresSuspense
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2021
33 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 7, 2023
This was a good read. I am looking forward to trying more stories from this author.
October 19, 2024
Un premier roman, un thriller d'espionnage russe à la québécoise, une nouvelle auteure à découvrir !
Je ne peux commencer à parler de ce roman sans faire un tour d’horizon des éléments qui m’habitent avant l’écriture de cette chronique.
Devrais-je vous dire que « Alias Nina P. » est un premier roman ?
Où vous dire qu’il a d’abord été écrit en anglais ?
Que Chloé Archambault, l’auteure est avocate et qu’elle a décidé de quitter sa profession pour devenir écrivaine ?
Ou même que cette première oeuvre est un roman d’espionnage, un genre peu fréquent en littérature québécoise ?
Encore mieux, le personnage principal est une espionne russe, espionne en dormance à Montréal, étudiante à l’université McGill ?
Et enfin, que sa mission au Québec se déroulera pendant une réunion du G7 dans Charlevoix ?
Mais par où commencer ?
Parlons d’abord de l’intrigue.
Nina Palester est une jeune étudiante à l’université McGill et elle demeure en appartement dans le centre-ville de Montréal. Ses parents vivent sur la Rive Sud de Montréal. Bonne étudiante, elle réussit très bien et comme tous les jeunes de son âge, elle fréquente quelques amis. Son copain Hans Meier est un étudiant allemand. Voilà donc la façade !
En réalité, le vrai nom de Nina est Ekaterina Yegorova, elle est née en Russie, adoptée à 11 ans par un couple d’agents secrets russes. La petite famille s’est installée dans la région de Montréal, vivra une vie normale jusqu’au moment où Nina sera affectée à une mission importante : se rendre à la réunion du G7 avec son copain, lui aussi agent secret, pour rapporter une clé USB contenant des éléments que les Russes voudraient bien posséder. Des scènes compromettantes « mettant en vedette » le président des États-Unis. Il leur suffira de rencontrer l’Américain qui détient la clé et de la ramener à leur agent de liaison responsable de l’opération.
La mission semble être simple, tout devrait bien se passer, mais malheureusement pour Nina, tout part en vrille. Rien ne fonctionne comme prévu et Nina devra prendre des initiatives qui ne seront pas toutes payantes. Malgré le fait que toute l’opération a été minutieusement préparée, des imprévus compliquent grandement le plan. Et on se demande si ces imprévus ont peut-être été prévus ?
Comme dans tout bon thriller d’espionnage, il y aura des revirements inattendus, des moments explosifs, des poursuites haletantes et des trahisons, des vraies et peut-être des fausses.
Comme premier roman, Chloé Archambault a réussi son entrée dans le monde du polar québécois. L’histoire est très bonne, le récit est écrit avec un rythme soutenu, l’écriture est efficace et l’intrigue est très bien ficelée. L’auteure ose nous ramener au cœur de la guerre froide entre la Russie et les États-Unis tout en situant l’action au Québec. Parfois, au fil de notre lecture, on se demande où l’auteure a pu trouver certaines informations sur le fonctionnement des services secrets ; on y croit tout en se demandant si cela vient de son imagination ou d’une recherche terriblement rigoureuse. Et on ne veut pas savoir la réponse parce que le plaisir de lire y prend sa source, le lecteur est « bluffé »… et il aime ça !
L’élément qui m’a le plus accroché, c’est le personnage de Nina. L’histoire met en scène les services secrets des géants comme la Russie, les États-Unis et le Canada, mais Chloé Archambault a réussi le tour de force de nous rendre l’espionne très sympathique. On arrive à oublier Ekatarina, l’espionne russe, et pour qui elle travaille, en trouvant sympathique Nina, la jeune étudiante montréalaise, prise dans un tourbillon de secrets, de fausses identités, de trahisons, d’infiltrations et de violence. Le fait que toute l’histoire soit racontée et vécue par Nina crée un lien étonnant entre le personnage et le lecteur.
Avec de faux noms, de fausses identités, une fausse famille et même de fausses vérités, « Alias Nina P. » est un « vrai » bon roman d’espionnage. Un vrai thriller haletant qui vous accrochera et que vous ne lâcherez plus. Jusqu’à la finale ! Et en prime, Chloé Archambault vous appâtera dans les dernières phrases du roman, vous laissant en attente de quelque chose qui pourrait ressembler à une suite ?
C’est à voir !
En attendant, n’hésitez pas à rencontrer Ekatarina Yegorova, alias Nina P. ! Quand le monde ordinaire cache des réalités (ou des faussetés) bien singulières et passionnantes, on ne boude pas son plaisir !
Bonne lecture !
Je ne peux commencer à parler de ce roman sans faire un tour d’horizon des éléments qui m’habitent avant l’écriture de cette chronique.
Devrais-je vous dire que « Alias Nina P. » est un premier roman ?
Où vous dire qu’il a d’abord été écrit en anglais ?
Que Chloé Archambault, l’auteure est avocate et qu’elle a décidé de quitter sa profession pour devenir écrivaine ?
Ou même que cette première oeuvre est un roman d’espionnage, un genre peu fréquent en littérature québécoise ?
Encore mieux, le personnage principal est une espionne russe, espionne en dormance à Montréal, étudiante à l’université McGill ?
Et enfin, que sa mission au Québec se déroulera pendant une réunion du G7 dans Charlevoix ?
Mais par où commencer ?
Parlons d’abord de l’intrigue.
Nina Palester est une jeune étudiante à l’université McGill et elle demeure en appartement dans le centre-ville de Montréal. Ses parents vivent sur la Rive Sud de Montréal. Bonne étudiante, elle réussit très bien et comme tous les jeunes de son âge, elle fréquente quelques amis. Son copain Hans Meier est un étudiant allemand. Voilà donc la façade !
En réalité, le vrai nom de Nina est Ekaterina Yegorova, elle est née en Russie, adoptée à 11 ans par un couple d’agents secrets russes. La petite famille s’est installée dans la région de Montréal, vivra une vie normale jusqu’au moment où Nina sera affectée à une mission importante : se rendre à la réunion du G7 avec son copain, lui aussi agent secret, pour rapporter une clé USB contenant des éléments que les Russes voudraient bien posséder. Des scènes compromettantes « mettant en vedette » le président des États-Unis. Il leur suffira de rencontrer l’Américain qui détient la clé et de la ramener à leur agent de liaison responsable de l’opération.
La mission semble être simple, tout devrait bien se passer, mais malheureusement pour Nina, tout part en vrille. Rien ne fonctionne comme prévu et Nina devra prendre des initiatives qui ne seront pas toutes payantes. Malgré le fait que toute l’opération a été minutieusement préparée, des imprévus compliquent grandement le plan. Et on se demande si ces imprévus ont peut-être été prévus ?
Comme dans tout bon thriller d’espionnage, il y aura des revirements inattendus, des moments explosifs, des poursuites haletantes et des trahisons, des vraies et peut-être des fausses.
Comme premier roman, Chloé Archambault a réussi son entrée dans le monde du polar québécois. L’histoire est très bonne, le récit est écrit avec un rythme soutenu, l’écriture est efficace et l’intrigue est très bien ficelée. L’auteure ose nous ramener au cœur de la guerre froide entre la Russie et les États-Unis tout en situant l’action au Québec. Parfois, au fil de notre lecture, on se demande où l’auteure a pu trouver certaines informations sur le fonctionnement des services secrets ; on y croit tout en se demandant si cela vient de son imagination ou d’une recherche terriblement rigoureuse. Et on ne veut pas savoir la réponse parce que le plaisir de lire y prend sa source, le lecteur est « bluffé »… et il aime ça !
L’élément qui m’a le plus accroché, c’est le personnage de Nina. L’histoire met en scène les services secrets des géants comme la Russie, les États-Unis et le Canada, mais Chloé Archambault a réussi le tour de force de nous rendre l’espionne très sympathique. On arrive à oublier Ekatarina, l’espionne russe, et pour qui elle travaille, en trouvant sympathique Nina, la jeune étudiante montréalaise, prise dans un tourbillon de secrets, de fausses identités, de trahisons, d’infiltrations et de violence. Le fait que toute l’histoire soit racontée et vécue par Nina crée un lien étonnant entre le personnage et le lecteur.
Avec de faux noms, de fausses identités, une fausse famille et même de fausses vérités, « Alias Nina P. » est un « vrai » bon roman d’espionnage. Un vrai thriller haletant qui vous accrochera et que vous ne lâcherez plus. Jusqu’à la finale ! Et en prime, Chloé Archambault vous appâtera dans les dernières phrases du roman, vous laissant en attente de quelque chose qui pourrait ressembler à une suite ?
C’est à voir !
En attendant, n’hésitez pas à rencontrer Ekatarina Yegorova, alias Nina P. ! Quand le monde ordinaire cache des réalités (ou des faussetés) bien singulières et passionnantes, on ne boude pas son plaisir !
Bonne lecture !
April 10, 2025
Je n'aurais pas deviné qu'il s'agissait d'un premier roman pour l'autrice. 👏🏼 Un roman d'espionnage russe, dans un décor québécois et montréalais, c'est du bonbon! Il y en a trop peu dans le genre.
J'ai passé un bon moment, du début à la fin. L'intrigue est bien ficelée, de même que chaque scène et interaction. Je ne suis pas gênée du tout de le recommander à quiconque ayant un intérêt pour les romans policiers et/ou le monde de l'espionnage! 🪪🔍
J'ai passé un bon moment, du début à la fin. L'intrigue est bien ficelée, de même que chaque scène et interaction. Je ne suis pas gênée du tout de le recommander à quiconque ayant un intérêt pour les romans policiers et/ou le monde de l'espionnage! 🪪🔍
July 14, 2025
Très contente de me rendre compte qu’il y a une suite à cette histoire. Une histoire qui est extrêmement bien ficelé. Tordue dans tous les sens mais qui continue d’en faire :)
November 6, 2024
I went into this book blind, and honestly, I couldn’t wait for it to be over. I’m not a fan of stories about undercover spies, so that set the tone off for me from the start. The relationship between Maya and Tobias felt weird. Her mission was uninteresting, and the twists—like her being adopted and betrayed by the people who raised her—fell flat. To top it off, she ends up going back to her biological father, the one who was originally being a creep lurking outside her place, when he could have just knocked on her door explaining who he is and their story. Overall, this story was a huge disappointment.
March 21, 2025
Début divertissant, dynamique et surprenant; toutefois, des longueurs apparaissent au fur et à mesure que l’écheveau de personnages se complexifie, et les révélations se bousculent dans un amalgame de révélations en tourbillon.
December 16, 2021
Nina is your typical graduate student… except she isn’t. She’s hiding a deep dark secret: she’s a Russian spy! She’s unexpectedly thrown into the field, but things don’t quite go as planned. When the mission takes an explosive turn, Nina’s on the run for her life. Who can she trust and can she salvage her mission when everyone seems to be her enemy?
The Decoy is an interesting and engaging thriller. It’s easy to get sucked into the well-paced plot and unique, multi-faceted characters. The prose is easy to read and isn’t cumbersome, making it easy to move through the book quickly.
All in all, I found The Decoy to be an intriguing and thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The Decoy is an interesting and engaging thriller. It’s easy to get sucked into the well-paced plot and unique, multi-faceted characters. The prose is easy to read and isn’t cumbersome, making it easy to move through the book quickly.
All in all, I found The Decoy to be an intriguing and thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Want to read
February 26, 2023DNF - 11% Nope!
July 22, 2023
Spy thriller in Montreal
This well crafted book has the feel of a spy thriller bestseller from the peak of the Cold War, but set in modern times. Interesting!
This well crafted book has the feel of a spy thriller bestseller from the peak of the Cold War, but set in modern times. Interesting!
August 15, 2023
female spy fan.
I enjoyed the story. Good character development and I was intrigued by the main character and her complex past. Looking forward to be reading the next book.
I enjoyed the story. Good character development and I was intrigued by the main character and her complex past. Looking forward to be reading the next book.
December 28, 2024
J'ai sauté quelques descriptions
Read
January 5, 2022Who is Nina Palester? Even Nina isn’t sure anymore, not after the stranger in the restaurant leaves an envelope for her containing an old New York Times article. A story about a Russian spy ring in Washington, a couple with a child, the woman killed, the man now vanished. What does this article have to do with her, Nina wonders. She knows she is an orphan raised by the Russian state, her birth parents unknown. An exceptional child, gifted in French, mathematics and judo, her talents would be an asset to the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, Uncle Ivan told her. Uncle Ivan, chief recruiting officer of the Youth Division of the Service, plucked her from Orphanage Two and assigned her to a “family”.
Now she lives with her parents/handlers Irina and Dimitry across the river from Montréal, in Saint-Lambert, where everyone knows them as the Palester family – Jérôme, Marie and their daughter Nina who is a graduate student in computer science at McGill. Nina is trained to steal research data from the professors in her faculty. She is intelligent with nerves of steel, a powerful combination. The Service has even assigned her an official boyfriend/partner, Yuri, aka Hans.
One night in March, footsteps follow her home from a solitary walk on Mount Royal, back to her student apartment in the McGill Ghetto. A stranger attacks her in a cul-de-sac, another stranger rescues her and disappears moments before the police arrive. Now the SPVM, the Service de police de la ville de Montréal, have a file on her, she is in their database, a very bad thing for a Russian agent. Life has become even more complicated and doubly dangerous. How can Nina explain this to her handlers?
The complications pile up. While she is on a mission with Yuri at the G7 in Charlevoix, a bomb explodes, almost killing her. Someone is after her, who can she trust? Irina and Dimitry disappear. Sent back to Russia, or disposed of? And is Theo just a random sexy grad student she just happened to meet at a party, or an agent? Her identity, her purpose, are now one big question mark. Who is Nina Palester, really?
The Decoy is a thriller and page-turner from start to finish.
Now she lives with her parents/handlers Irina and Dimitry across the river from Montréal, in Saint-Lambert, where everyone knows them as the Palester family – Jérôme, Marie and their daughter Nina who is a graduate student in computer science at McGill. Nina is trained to steal research data from the professors in her faculty. She is intelligent with nerves of steel, a powerful combination. The Service has even assigned her an official boyfriend/partner, Yuri, aka Hans.
One night in March, footsteps follow her home from a solitary walk on Mount Royal, back to her student apartment in the McGill Ghetto. A stranger attacks her in a cul-de-sac, another stranger rescues her and disappears moments before the police arrive. Now the SPVM, the Service de police de la ville de Montréal, have a file on her, she is in their database, a very bad thing for a Russian agent. Life has become even more complicated and doubly dangerous. How can Nina explain this to her handlers?
The complications pile up. While she is on a mission with Yuri at the G7 in Charlevoix, a bomb explodes, almost killing her. Someone is after her, who can she trust? Irina and Dimitry disappear. Sent back to Russia, or disposed of? And is Theo just a random sexy grad student she just happened to meet at a party, or an agent? Her identity, her purpose, are now one big question mark. Who is Nina Palester, really?
The Decoy is a thriller and page-turner from start to finish.
January 14, 2022
I wouldn’t put this on the TBR pile for “on the edge of your seat/heart pounding” thrillers but I wouldn’t write it off as a dud either. It has a hint of James Bond (from an inexperienced Russian agent in training perspective), a dash of Jason Borne, and a pinch of (??) something else.
The story follows Nina, a Russian orphan who has been brought up by agents to be a deep cover Russian spy. At this time she is a gifted student who helps Mother Russia by spreading misinformation and such to tear at the stability of the US. Then along with her assigned boyfriend agent she gets sent undercover to a G7 mission to collect secret documents from the organizations secret US Government mole. Things go a bit pear-shaped with the mole but Nina is able to retrieve what she was sent to get. Time to get out… right??? According to the boyfriend agent – No. Apparently there was another part to the mission that Nina is unaware off… Then things you could say literally blow up and Nina has to escape the G7 location, get somewhere safe, and in the process realizes that she doesn’t know who to trust.
There were enough moments of “really?” that I really began to believe that the twist was going to be that that she was dreaming until the real twist happened and I was like ok this is why the book is called “The Decoy”…
This is a good book to have on hand as a time filler for when you are waiting on an appointment, between books, commuting, waiting for the other half to finish shopping, etc.
3-1/2 stars.
The story follows Nina, a Russian orphan who has been brought up by agents to be a deep cover Russian spy. At this time she is a gifted student who helps Mother Russia by spreading misinformation and such to tear at the stability of the US. Then along with her assigned boyfriend agent she gets sent undercover to a G7 mission to collect secret documents from the organizations secret US Government mole. Things go a bit pear-shaped with the mole but Nina is able to retrieve what she was sent to get. Time to get out… right??? According to the boyfriend agent – No. Apparently there was another part to the mission that Nina is unaware off… Then things you could say literally blow up and Nina has to escape the G7 location, get somewhere safe, and in the process realizes that she doesn’t know who to trust.
There were enough moments of “really?” that I really began to believe that the twist was going to be that that she was dreaming until the real twist happened and I was like ok this is why the book is called “The Decoy”…
This is a good book to have on hand as a time filler for when you are waiting on an appointment, between books, commuting, waiting for the other half to finish shopping, etc.
3-1/2 stars.
January 14, 2022
Nina is a spy. Russian born and living in Canada, she completes each assignment as requested. Some assignments are trickier than others yet she longs for more. To her delight, she and her assigned boyfriend get a new and challenging assignment. As she ventures home one night, she is attacked. Her handlers/foster parents report this attack to headquarters. Who could be after her? Has her cover somehow been blown?
Nina is removed from the new mission. She is certain that her attack means nothing yet she feels that she is being followed. Who could be doing this? Are there other forces working against them? Nina will soon find that trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
This is a good debut from a talented author. The plot is original and the pace is good. Some of the characters need a bit of development. for example, Nina’s boyfriend seems one dimensional. The unique nature of being Russian and living in a strange country should be explored in greater depth. The espionage is fascinating and will capture your interest.
Nina is removed from the new mission. She is certain that her attack means nothing yet she feels that she is being followed. Who could be doing this? Are there other forces working against them? Nina will soon find that trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
This is a good debut from a talented author. The plot is original and the pace is good. Some of the characters need a bit of development. for example, Nina’s boyfriend seems one dimensional. The unique nature of being Russian and living in a strange country should be explored in greater depth. The espionage is fascinating and will capture your interest.
January 1, 2022
5/5 Stars
Nina- graduate student and Russian operative. Her objective- to handle a small handoff. But nothing is as it seems.
This is a fantastic debut novel that delves into Russian espionage. There is a nice flow of information and action that makes it read almost as a movie. The plot twists are well written and hidden until just a few pages before the reveal.
Every character has depth, no matter how small of a part they play. And I love that because readers can immerse themselves more in the world of this novel. Every action was well thought out and realistic.
There is a hint of an open-ending, which I think works beautifully. It wrapped up the story while also leaving readers (at least this reader) hoping for a sequel.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy through NetGalley.
Nina- graduate student and Russian operative. Her objective- to handle a small handoff. But nothing is as it seems.
This is a fantastic debut novel that delves into Russian espionage. There is a nice flow of information and action that makes it read almost as a movie. The plot twists are well written and hidden until just a few pages before the reveal.
Every character has depth, no matter how small of a part they play. And I love that because readers can immerse themselves more in the world of this novel. Every action was well thought out and realistic.
There is a hint of an open-ending, which I think works beautifully. It wrapped up the story while also leaving readers (at least this reader) hoping for a sequel.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy through NetGalley.
December 18, 2022
Voracious readers of spy thrillers will find that Archambault’s novel (her very first one at that) brilliantly opens a new window into the world of espionage beyond the stereotypical locales of London, Berlin or Washington. Fast-paced from page “one”, she creates characters that grip you on an emotional level such that the book immediately becomes a definite page-turner. The genuine spy intrigues very smartly mesh with real-world current events in a way that makes the story that much more believable and exciting. The end is also worthy of an encore, which is why I say without hesitation: when is the sequel coming out?! And, why not as well: the big screen adaptation?!
You guessed right: I strongly recommend you get your hands on the book. It’s not too late for Christmas…
You guessed right: I strongly recommend you get your hands on the book. It’s not too late for Christmas…
January 6, 2022
I did enjoy this fast paced spy/espionage thriller, it had lots of twists and turns to keep me hooked. I enjoyed how in the end the story had made connections to characters. I also loved this was set in a Canadian city! The story follows graduate student Nina and her dual life as a university student and spy. It takes a turn when she begins to question what is real and what is not when on a mission, from there the story takes a turn as she searches while on the run what is the real truth.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and book Whisperer, all opinions are my own.
I would recommend this book to a friend or my book club
I received a free copy from NetGalley and book Whisperer, all opinions are my own.
I would recommend this book to a friend or my book club
January 16, 2022
The Decoy by Chloé Archambault.
Nina is living a dangerous lie. On the outside, she's an agreeable graduate student at McGill with doting parents. Behind that prim and proper facade is a capable and restless Russian spy. An unexpected first mission falls to her. Nina is excited at the chance to prove her worth. But, when it all explodes in her face, a lifetime of training may not be enough to save her. The line between friends and foes blurs.
Trust is a luxury she cannot afford. The lie might have slipped out of her control, but the truth is relentless. It might just crush her. Or it might set her free.
A very good read with some good characters. Kept me gripped throughout. 4*.
Nina is living a dangerous lie. On the outside, she's an agreeable graduate student at McGill with doting parents. Behind that prim and proper facade is a capable and restless Russian spy. An unexpected first mission falls to her. Nina is excited at the chance to prove her worth. But, when it all explodes in her face, a lifetime of training may not be enough to save her. The line between friends and foes blurs.
Trust is a luxury she cannot afford. The lie might have slipped out of her control, but the truth is relentless. It might just crush her. Or it might set her free.
A very good read with some good characters. Kept me gripped throughout. 4*.
January 25, 2022
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Very well written and researched engaging and gripping from first to last page, this is a clever original unusual spy story. Let's face it how often do you cheer on the Russian spy. Our heroine is brave clever fearless and sassy, the best of a number of well drawn characters. Hopefully the Author will revisit this character in more books. Atmospheric descriptive intelligent and, tense with more than enough surprises, and plot twists for this ageing reader to solve, and some exciting action scenes thrown in along the way.
Completely recommended.
Very well written and researched engaging and gripping from first to last page, this is a clever original unusual spy story. Let's face it how often do you cheer on the Russian spy. Our heroine is brave clever fearless and sassy, the best of a number of well drawn characters. Hopefully the Author will revisit this character in more books. Atmospheric descriptive intelligent and, tense with more than enough surprises, and plot twists for this ageing reader to solve, and some exciting action scenes thrown in along the way.
Completely recommended.
January 14, 2022
Nina is a regular college student in Montreal, but beneath the surface lies a multi-layered backstory, which unfolds at a riveting pace-- and never predictably. The great pleasure of reading The Decoy is in Archambault's seamless threading together of disparate realities: from Russia to Montreal to a G7 Summit-- a modern and fresh take on political intrigue. Readers will find much to connect to the present-day: from presidential scandals to the inner workings of the G7 Summit.
Overall, the Decoy breathes new-life into the spy genre at each page-- a must-read!
Overall, the Decoy breathes new-life into the spy genre at each page-- a must-read!
February 1, 2022
The Decoy by Chloé Archambault was a great quick read and I really enjoyed this book especially as it was a new author to me and it had me gripped within the first few pages. Nina is an orphan who is groomed at age 11 to become an eager Russian spy. Brilliant and a great page turner from start to finish.
I highly recommend this new author to me.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange of a honest review,
I highly recommend this new author to me.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange of a honest review,
March 27, 2022
This story read very much like something I’ve already read but can’t put my finger on.
I got vibes from Jason Bourne at moments, James Bond (secret spy vibes only), even Black Widow knock off vibes. Not in all good ways with these blockbuster comparisons.
This was not an edge of your seat thriller but not a flop either. It kind of was just good.
The storyline could have ended in points but then of course what good thriller is simple and stays the course right?
I got vibes from Jason Bourne at moments, James Bond (secret spy vibes only), even Black Widow knock off vibes. Not in all good ways with these blockbuster comparisons.
This was not an edge of your seat thriller but not a flop either. It kind of was just good.
The storyline could have ended in points but then of course what good thriller is simple and stays the course right?
November 28, 2021
The Decoy by Chloe Archambault tells the story of Nina an orphan who is groomed at age 11 to become a Russian spy. I read this book in a day! The author keeps you ready but not dashing from place to place. The characters are great and the dialogue is believable. I fought next to Nina and felt her emotions. I highly recommend!
January 7, 2022
This was just such an entertaining book and a different plot device which I enjoyed. I got into the story and wanted to know what happened next.
University student or Russian spy.
The writing was very well written and just carried you away with the story, almost movie like.
I was given an advance copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
University student or Russian spy.
The writing was very well written and just carried you away with the story, almost movie like.
I was given an advance copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
December 4, 2021
I enjoyed this book very much. It was interesting to take a look from a Russian perspective and root for the enemy spy.my only complaint would be that the author is too even handed and includes an over abundance of reality checks.
December 10, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer.
A light spy novel, very enjoyable and easy to read in one sitting. The characters are interesting and Nina, the absolute protagonist, is such an appealing character that she could be the subject of a sequel.
A light spy novel, very enjoyable and easy to read in one sitting. The characters are interesting and Nina, the absolute protagonist, is such an appealing character that she could be the subject of a sequel.
January 8, 2022
This book really meets the brief of “thriller” and every page is an important part of the whole - the writer does not waste pages on unnecessary filler. Really engaging characters support a high action plot which is incredible in the best possible way.
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January 13, 2022I really enjoyed The Decoy. It was a very believable story about people from a different country with very different ideas of what they should do for that country. Fast paced, it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
January 19, 2022
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was a very different genre for me but I am very glad I read it as it kept me guessing from start to finish.
January 9, 2022
A thrilling spy book. Nina is an exciting character and I rushed to get through to find out what happens to her. Recommended. This was an ARC copy from BookFunnel and this is my honest review x
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