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20 May 2025 Mélisende Thriller #3 My thanks to the author for the book and the invitation to the blog tour |
June is the National Crime Reading Month and I am pleased to share my review of this crime novel by Alison Morton…
A kidnapped daughter. A rigged election. A family under siege.
Former French special forces intelligence analyst Mélisende is desperate for recovery time after a gruelling mission. But when enforcers attack her family home in rural France, she uncovers a shocking truth – her sister-in-law’s gambling debt has put them all in danger.
Before Mel can untangle the crisis, she is ordered to Germany, where the daughter of Achim Nessler – the front-runner for chancellor – has been abducted. The kidnappers’ goal? To force Nessler to throw the upcoming election, paving the way for a hard-right victory that could upend not just Germany, but all of Europe.
Racing against time, Mel and fellow investigator Jeff McCracken dive into the murky world of extremist politics where old wounds and new betrayals collide. But as their hunt leads them deep into eastern Germany’s shadows, Mel discovers a chilling link between the case and her own family’s troubles.
Now, with both a nation’s future and her loved ones at stake, Mel must risk everything to stop a conspiracy that hits closer to home than she ever imagined.
📖 My Review…
Mélisande des Pittone’s peaceful retreat at her family home in France is shattered when she discovers that her sister-in-law’s behaviour has put them all in grave danger. However, before Mel can investigate further she is ordered to take charge of a complex investigation in Germany where the daughter of the man who is in line to be the next chancellor has gone missing. Together with her partner, Jeff McCracken, Mel discovers that nothing about this investigation is going to be straightforward and with particular problems from extremist far right political groups both Mel and Jeff soon discover that the case is far more complex than either of them could ever have imagined.
Cleverly written, with a realistic sense of time and place, and plenty of believable action, we are plunged deep into the complicated world of European political activism and the extremist behaviour of individuals who will stop at nothing to get what they want. With tensions running high in this fast action thriller, we are plunged deep into a shadowy world where prejudicial doctrine flourishes. There are twists and turns aplenty and as Mel and Jeff edge closer to the truth so a very dangerous threat starts to become very personal for Mel and her family.
Whilst Double Stakes in the third book in the Mélisande Thriller series it is possible to read as a standalone story however, for better enjoyment, and to observe the character progression, it is better to enjoy this excellent series from the very beginning.
About the Author
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. She lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her latest three contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes.
Her eleven-book Roma Nova thriller series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.
Six years’ military service, a fascination with Ancient Rome and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction have inspired her writing. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/ and receive 'Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’ as a thank you gift.
Social Media Links
Connect with Alison on her World of Thrillers site: https://alison-morton.com
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonMortonAuthor
Alison’s writing blog: https://alisonmortonauthor.com
Alison’s Amazon page: https://Author.to/AlisonMortonAmazon
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/alison_morton @alison_morton
Newsletter sign-up: https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/
Thank you so much, Jo, for hosting Double Stakes (and Mel and Jeff!) on the launch tour.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to be involved.
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