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The Helsinki Affair
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
14 posts | 13 read | 1 to read
CIA agent Amanda Cole is thrust into an international conspiracy involving high-profile assassinations and Russian blackmail. Its the case of her lifetime, but solving it might require her to betray another spywho just so happens to be her father. Amanda Cole is a brilliant young CIA agent, following in the footsteps of her father Charlie. But Amandas posting in Rome is a sleepy one. Shes listless and looking for action when, on a hot summer day, it walks right through her door. A lowly Russian operative is desperate, telling her that a US Senator is about to be assassinated on an overseas trip to Cairo. Amanda believes hes telling the truth, but her superiors do not, and they determine that the best course of action is no action at all. But when the assassination occurs, Amanda is suddenly thrust into an international conspiracy as she tries to find out why the senator was killed. What did he know that made him a target of the KGB and the Kremlin? Amanda pairs up with fast-talking, take-no-bullshit Kath, a brash older woman, and legendary spy, to get to the bottom of the case. The investigation takes them from Rome to London to Moscow to Helsinki. As Amanda and Kath get closer to solving a case that involves double agents, blackmailed CEOs, illegal arms transfers, yachting oligarchs, and more, one question keeps coming back to haunt Amanda: why was her fathers name written down in the senators notes, notes that he seemed to be putting together right before he died? In order to get to the bottom of this international plot of blackmail, murder, and lies, Amanda must decide where her loyalty lies: with her country or with her family. The Helsinki Affair is Pitoniaks entre into the genre of full-fledged spy fiction. This explosive novel is for fans of the masters of the genreJohn Le Carre and Alan Furstbut will also introduce Pitoniak as a singular new talent in the world of female-centric spy fiction.
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bookandbedandtea
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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I thought June went by in an instant, but looking back on the month, it feels ages since I read these early books. Time is weird.
I can't decide what my favorite was for June. Kill For Me Kill For You is a contender. So are The Helsinki Affair, The Vacation, and The Royal Librarian. 🤔

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bookandbedandtea
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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I'm really enjoying this so far. Ahhh Saturdays....🩷

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Decalino
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Pickpick

This exceptionally well-crafted spy thriller follows Amanda Cole, deputy station chief in Rome, as she becomes embroiled in an investigation to uncover the truth behind an assassination. Her work is complicated by the realization that her father, a former CIA field agent turned PR hack, has secrets from his final assignment in Helsinki. This novel was engrossing, suspenseful & hard to put down--I will definitely look for other books by this author

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kspenmoll
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Joining in again to see if this will help me with my #TBR.please tag me @TheAromaofBooks - I may join in to #bookspinbingo as well.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Glad to have you along!! 9mo
42 likes1 comment
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AVChrista
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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I am always excited to start a new story.

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Aims42
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Pickpick

Themes: Espionage Thriller, Russian spies, CIA, Family

About halfway through this book I started thinking, “this is a good, not great read”, but now having finished it I realized you have to be in the right headspace for this book. There are a lot of characters, multiple POVs and storylines - it wasn‘t an easy/breezy read. BUT, if you can keep everyone and the stories straight, it‘s a clever and thrilling read 👍

jlhammar Good to know! Looking forward to it. 10mo
Aims42 @jlhammar I ran out of room in my review, if there‘s a sequel I‘d be totally up for it 👍 (edited) 10mo
41 likes2 comments
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papascott33
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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#39 of 2023! #BOTM November 2023
Started: 12/16/23
Finished: 12/25/23
10 Days

7 likes1 stack add
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marleed
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Pickpick

At first I thought this was more a book needed in order to introduce us to characters bound to become part of a long running spy series. That still may be true, but I was invested in the outcome of this 1980s/current day thriller. I liked that Amanda‘s story was not entwined in a romance (may happen if there‘s a book 2) because sometimes I just need a romance break.

Ruthiella I also like it when there is no “obligatory” romance angle in a mystery/thriller. Sometimes they can feel a little shoehorned in. 11mo
marleed @Ruthiella Yea, I‘m all about a romance, but sometimes I just need a break! 11mo
67 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Its_Amanda_Plz
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Mehso-so

This is my first spy thriller and I learned it‘s not my jam. While the story is detailed and well written, I found it somewhat anti-climatic. I guess I‘m used to too many psychotic twists as I predicted a lot of the book.

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paisleyjess
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
Pickpick

I liked this. It is a family drama, which is a bit over done these days, but there is enough actual spy stuff to keep me interested.

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EKonrad
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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Panpan

This espionage thriller was missing the thrills for me. Action didn't pick up until 87 percent in, and the ending had way too many loose ends. ⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/09/the-helsinki-affair-book-review/

Desha Im reading it right now…about a third in…and I‘m wondering if I should continue as it‘s not holding my interest! Your review makes me think maybe I should DNF…🤪😂 (edited) 12mo
EKonrad I very rarely DNF but this book kinda made me wish I had! 😂 12mo
26 likes2 comments
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jlhammar
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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#BOTM delivery to brighten my Monday. The Ward and Evison were already on my November to-get list so was thrilled to see those as options. And very excited to try the spy novel!

Aims42 I got “Again and Again” and my BFF got “The Helsinki Affair”, we‘re going to read ours and then switch 😁 Both sounded so good! 12mo
jlhammar @Aims42 Great plan! 12mo
TEArificbooks Great minds think a like I got the same three 12mo
68 likes3 comments
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Branwen
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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I almost forgot that it was the last day of the month! 😱 Book of the Month posted their November books earlier today and here is what I picked! I actually had to do a little bit of research this time because most of these books I didn't know anything about! But I'm pretty happy with my choices! 💕📚

What is everyone else choosing?

Kitta I meant to get The future and again and again was a back up pick but I choose 12mo
Captivatedbybooks That‘s weird Check Mate wasnt one of my picks 12mo
Branwen @Kitta I almost got that one too! It looks so good! 🥰 @Captivatedbybooks It was one of the new add ons! I don't think it showed up on the same page as the November picks! 12mo
28 likes3 comments
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kelli7990
The Helsinki Affair | Anna Pitoniak
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I‘m sharing a book I just received in the mail today from Simon & Schuster. This book sounds interesting. I haven‘t read very many spy thrillers.

Book Summary: CIA agent Amanda Cole is thrust into an international conspiracy involving high-profile assassinations and Russian blackmail. It‘s the case of her lifetime, but solving it might require her to betray another spy—who just so happens to be her father.

On Sale: 11/14/23