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Need to Know
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
105 posts | 85 read | 60 to read
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review
AudiobookingWithLeah
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

4.75⭐
⬗ I could not stop listening…so good. This wasn‘t my first book by this author, but it is now my favorite, and it was her debut. As far as believability, it was believable while you were in it, experiencing it. Upon reflection, maybe everything didn‘t quite hold up, but it didn't matter because I was still captivated. Also, I think the author should explore the possibility of a continuation.
⬗ The narration by Mia Barron was decent.

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shawnmooney
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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https://youtu.be/SN2aXm6goms?feature=shared

The Case for Never Reading the Book Jacket by Tajja Isen: https://thewalrus.ca/the-case-for-never-reading-the-book-jacket/

What Do You Want to Know About a Book Before You Read It? by Molly Templeton: https://reactormag.com/what-do-you-want-to-know-about-a-book-before-you-read-it/

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CoffeeNBooks
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Starting spooky season with a mystery thriller.
📚☕️💀 Saturday morning #coffeeandabook

Jadams89 Bones Coffee 💕💕 2y
CoffeeNBooks @Jadams1776 My absolute favorite brand of coffee!! 2y
61 likes2 comments
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Valebecerrat
Pickpick

Very good light reading book❤️

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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I‘m a day late and behind on everything 🤪 it took me forever to find a book that I thousand no one had used!

#startswithn
#ForeverNovember

My awesome scarf from the sweetest @Avanders 💞💞

AmyG What a cute scarf! 4y
48 likes2 comments
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MidnightBookGirl
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

I usually stay to the murder side of Thrillers, but finding out that your husband is a Russian spy is pretty intense! There was tons of twists and turns and it kept me listening... although I think if I'd been reading in print, I would have definitely skimmed some. I got very frustrated with the MC ... bc she still trusted so much when it was clear her bs reader was completely broken. And it ended with a very strange twist that was too crazy.

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dylanisreading
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

A fun, quick read. Not really what I expected, but I don‘t read a lot of spy thrillers. (Perhaps it‘s time to change that.) I figured out most of the major twists, not uncommon for me.

I have mixed feelings about the main character‘s actions, but this book isn‘t really about characterization. TW for manipulation/gas lighting.

#thriller

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dylanisreading
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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This is the book I ended up starting late last night after flying through The Banker‘s Wife by Cristina Alger. I wanted another fast-paced read, and this is shaping up to be tense so far.

#currentlyreading #thriller

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Emma3
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this book I read it so quickly. Good to see this genre written by a woman as it seems to me to be more male dominated

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a.bookish.byrd
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think this was a fairly “clean read”. Pretty suspenseful. But Vivian drove me nuts. The decisions she made or didn‘t make when red flags started to appear in her life frustrated me.

KarouBlue The ending was frustrating to. A book I still think about! 5y
31 likes1 comment
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Madison91
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

A bit predictable... and I‘m notorious for not seeing ANYTHING before it laid out in front of me 😅

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Victoriahoperose
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

This was a quick read. It reminded me a lot of some plot points in the tv show The Blacklist. It had a good amount of suspense, but I found it to be a little bit predictable and I really feel like a spy themed novel needs to really have something different or unique in it to make it stand out. This just felt like the same plot that I‘ve read before in some ways.

31 likes1 stack add
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luv2read1977
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
Pickpick

Wow. Fabulous book. Listened on audio. Need to see if Karen Cleveland has other books.

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JoyBlue
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

I guessed the mole twist, of course, but still good. There was a little too much whining about her working mom angst, but not so much that I had to bail.

I must have picked up the hardcover at a library sale or in the book nook, though I listened through Overdrive. By the time I stop moving at the end of the day, I can hardly keep my eyes open!

64 likes1 stack add
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Grrlbrarian
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Later: -18 windchill, library instruction across campus, wrangling with the boss. For now: just this. Just this.

Reecaspieces This is a good one...I hope there is going to be a sequel 6y
32 likes1 comment
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TrishB
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

Quick, exciting spy thriller. I had guessed the twist at the end but it didn‘t make me enjoy it any the less. Thanks Melissa 😘

Cathythoughts Sounds good 👍🏻♥️ 6y
Melissa_J Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it 😊 6y
117 likes2 comments
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TrishB
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Thank you so much Melissa for these great looking books and lovely goodies 😁 this has to be the truest tote bag ever !! A lovely parcel to come home too 😘
And how quick was that!!

Melissa_J Holy crap that was fast! I mailed your package at the same time I mailed Leah‘s and hers only arrived yesterday. 6y
LeahBergen @Melissa_J gives great gifts! ❤️❤️ 6y
TrishB @melissa_j I just realised you made the card and it‘s lovely 💕 I couldn‘t believe it when my daughter said there‘s was a parcel from Canada already! 6y
See All 9 Comments
TrishB @LeahBergen she absolutely does!! Yours may arrive from me by the end of the year 😉 postal timings are so weird!! 6y
Melissa_J I think I put a bookmark or two in one of the books. 6y
Melissa_J @TrishB @LeahBergen I love buying stuff for you ladies. I just wish shipping to the UK wasn‘t so expensive or I would send more. 6y
TrishB @Melissa_J I‘ve just found them 😁 the amount of Litsy bookmarks I actually find when I read the books!! Those will now have to be used to read the books, it‘s like, the book law 😘 and I know what you mean about expense!! It doubles the cost basically. 6y
Cathythoughts Lovely gifts ... that tote is perfect for you Trish ! 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts I know 😘 6y
97 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
SomedayAlmost
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

Clever plotting. One good twist. But the characters are more concepts than people. I could not draw any character from this book with a pencil and paper-none of them stay vivid. Viv‘s interior monologue also turns into a vehicle for telling and not showing. CIA details were mildly interesting. A review compared this to Gone Girl -Gone Girl has its flaws but it is better than Need to Know. #thriller #cia #characterdevelopment

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guinsgirlreads
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Yesterday‘s B&N haul 🧚‍♂️👯‍♀️

Avanders Lol! Read the spine poetry ... 😆😆 6y
guinsgirlreads @Avanders omg I totally didn‘t even notice that! 😂 6y
41 likes2 comments
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SomedayAlmost
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Don‘t you hate it when you‘re reading a perfectly good thriller, with a good plot, but you can‘t help but compare it to another recent read and the current news? When we read a book colors our evaluation of it... #thriller #reviews

Meaw_catlady What a cute bb! 😻 6y
24 likes1 comment
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LisaJo
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

Holy moly cow. This was a fun read. Recommended to me by my book club leader. Started it on Sunday late. Finished it today (Tuesday). I think I would‘ve read it straight through except things like work and sleep got in the way. Kind of a thriller, kind of a spy 🕵️‍♀️ novel. Do not want to say anymore. Do not read the dust cover just go in not knowing anything. JUST A FUN THRILLING BEACH READ.

LisaJo Last sentence in the second chapter hooked me. Usually you get a denial at this point. But instead we got a matter of fact answer. And I kept turning pages and turning pages and pages from that point. 6y
Cinfhen So I‘m intrigued!!!! 6y
42 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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SomedayAlmost
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Dolly Cat needs to know what Vivian‘s husband is hiding! Don‘t tell me... #20pagesin #nospoliers

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LisaJo
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Starting this on today.

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SomedayAlmost
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Starting these two books for my local September book club meeting. Starting with the thriller! Don‘t usually get to the nonfiction pick in time, but hear “Educated”‘is very good. #excited #bookclub #thriller #memoir

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SomedayAlmost
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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My neighborhood book club just picked this for September. Looking forward to diving into it! #bookclubpick #tbr #Septemberread

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puddlebook
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
Pickpick

I read this book so quickly..it is that awesome!!
The ending left me speechless...for a few seconds, until I jumped up from the couch and yelled,
'Oh heck no!'
The story was even better with no sex scenes and no profanity.
Ms. Cleveland there better be a SEQUEL!! Pleaseeeeeee :)
HIGHLY recommend to those that like to be kept on the edge of their seats!

LisaJo I just finished reading this. And everything you said perfectly matches my feels. Such a good book. 6y
3 likes1 comment
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Fryxie
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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This book is just so good. So thankful my toddler has decided to play on his own so I can keep reading. Probably weird reading about Russian spies on the 4th of July. 🤷🏻‍♀️

2 likes1 stack add
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ReadZenRites
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

Terrific #triller from a new #femaleauthor who is, herself, a former CIA agent.

Compellingly fast-paced, and thoroughly character-driven, I was glued to the pages as they flew by. This is not a spy thriller in the traditional sense, as the MC is a desk-bound CIA analyst who happens upon the duplicity of someone close to her. No “Mission Impossible” heroics or gunfights, but psychological suspense that hooked me until the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5

MuddyPuddle Sounds good!! 6y
ReadZenRites It‘s very good! If I had written the review right away, I‘d have given it 5 stars. But I have to be completely blown away by a book for that top rating... it probably earned 4.5, though 😊 6y
54 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Teresereading
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Currently reading. Impressive endorsements-Grisham, Cornwell, Penny, Pavone and Child. #bookabuy #thriller

RadicalReader @Tereses you have the most unique username I have ever seen!! Love the cover of this book!! 6y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kathyann
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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I‘m suppose to feel like I have no choice. Like I‘m alone, and I‘m not strong enough to do this on my own.
But they‘re wrong. I do have a choice.
And when it comes to my kids, I‘m stronger than they think.

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MarticaMustRead
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Panpan

👎😒📖📽 #BooksToScreen

I started this on audio but didn't like the narrator so I switched to print. But now I'm thinking it was the basic writing & predictable plot that didn't work bc I ended up skimming the 2nd half only to get to the end 'twist' which I had pretty much guessed early on. Not to mention, that the main character CIA analyst, was unrealistically dumb & naïve.
Perhaps the movie (starring Charlize Theron) will do a much better job!

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MarticaMustRead
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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🎧😒.....📖🤓🍤🍝🧀🍓😋 #LunchtimeReading #BooksToScreen #CurrentRead #LibrarianLife

I couldn't get into the narrator for the #Audiobook of this one so switching to print to see if I feel a stronger connection to the characters/plot as I enjoy last night's dinner leftovers. 😊

#TGIF everyone!

MelissaSue81 Your lunch looks yummy! 7y
26 likes1 comment
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BookShark
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

Female CIA agent makes a shocking discovery while working her Russian counteroffensive mission. While this was page turning and predictable, there were a few enjoyable twists. Bottom line: We all have to believe the real CIA is better than the fiction portrayed here.

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MarticaMustRead
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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🎧📖📚📚📚🤓 #Audiobook #CurrentListen #LibrarianLife #WorkPerks #LitsyLovesLibrarians #ForTheLoveOfBooks #LibrariansOfLitsy

The shelving & reshelving never stops when you work in a library, but at least I can sneak in a few minutes of audio listening when it's quiet like this...😉.

27 likes1 stack add
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Pam.Kokomo
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Another beautiful #vacation reading spot!

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REHill
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Mehso-so

The ending saved this book. Do NOT skip ahead & read the ending. This was not a spy thriller. This was a story about a CIA analyst who wanted to be a mother. On many levels this speaks to women everywhere & the themes are universal. We think we choose for ourselves but someone else is usually behind the wheel. I enjoyed this book because of these themes & a 2nd book could be killer but this is a book about a woman trapped. Sad; not thrilling.

DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚👍Hope you enjoy it here! 7y
REHill Thank you! So far... do! ;) 7y
Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: http://bit.ly/litsyvideos are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
See All 8 Comments
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻 7y
RaimeyGallant Welcome from me too! 7y
REHill @Eggs TY, 🥚z! ;) 7y
REHill @RaimeyGallant 📚Thanks! 7y
REHill @Chelleo Great! 7y
9 likes8 comments
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BookBelle84
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

That ending! Fast paced and I'm still guessing about who is on which side. Hoping for more with this as I feel like everything has been left as a cliffhanger.

HiddenGemBooks Really? I couldn‘t stay hooked at all.. maybe a second chance is deserved? 7y
SassyBookworm I loved it too! But that ending has me anxiously waiting for the next book!!! 7y
EJG31 I never considered there might be a next book but I guess it makes sense. I had mixed feelings about the ending. 7y
26 likes1 stack add3 comments
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JHSiess
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

I read #NeedToKnow on the beach on Maui in January but I'm still raving about #KarenCleveland's debut thriller. Smart, intriguing, full of plot twists & a jaw-dropping ending, the former CIA agent demonstrates command of her subject & superb story-telling ability. Put this one on your must-read list. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Complete review: http://www.jhsiess.com/2018/02/05/book-review-need-to-know/
Thanks to #NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.

19 likes1 stack add
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Skeebies05
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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Pickpick

Now I want more CIA or spy novels written by women. Granted, this one started with a bang and falters just a bit after the fast start but I liked it quite a bit.

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GripLitGrl
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
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somebooksaround 🙌🙌🙌 7y
31 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Mercurialbeth
Need to Know | Karen Cleveland
Mehso-so

I was on a spy novel kick after reading the entire “Red Sparrow” trilogy by Jason Matthews. The premise is compelling, but many of the plot details/motivations don‘t make complete sense, and the main characters seem largely underdeveloped. Still worth a read if you‘re hankering for a modern-day DC-Russia spy story.