If you can suspend belief and think that FBI and CIA folk actually work the way they are depicted in this book, then you will like this take down of a notorious bad guy by an FBI operative and her criminal “charge.” The authors have done a good job of explaining how the take down worked. The characters are likeable and well crafted. The “love story” element is just believable enough to be interesting. There is plenty of action. All the loose ends are neatly tied up. This is a fun and quick read even if not very memorable.
There is one problem with the story. I cringed when I read the arrogant “ugly American” remark in reference to the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. “I know all about them. I saw a special on the Travel Channel...” I have seen the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace in person and a “TV special” could not possibly do them justice. It was a throw away remark, but it jumped out at me as it would to anyone who has been in Istanbul and it would be quite offensive to locals. Evanovich and Goldberg should know better. If they don’t, then their editor/fact checker should have challenged this remark and others.
4 of 5 stars for the genre.