Scan barcode
prr's review against another edition
3.0
Ross H. Spencer tries putting more than one sentence together. The story gets longer but not better. He remarks: "the human mind {is} a labyrinth with as many dead ends as thruways", and this sums it well. There IS a "mystery" in here but it is overwhelmed by bars, women, and women in bars.
His earlier books are at least quicker reads.
FYI: the meaning of the title does not come up until 91% of the way through. A better title appears near 96% but nobody should have to read this much mind-lint.
His earlier books are at least quicker reads.
FYI: the meaning of the title does not come up until 91% of the way through. A better title appears near 96% but nobody should have to read this much mind-lint.
melissaspt's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic historical fiction look at the American society’s pressures and expectations on women amidst 1940’s and 1950’s NYC, Mcarthyism, and the Red Scare. I felt so seen as a mother that loves my children but struggled with the guilt of acknowledging that I just was a happier person when I worked outside the home. I really enjoyed reading this and hope others will pick it up!
sydwishnow's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rar0506's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The never-ending debate of whether a woman wear more titles than just mother once she has kids. Rina is a highly educated, linguist working at the UN in the late 1940s. She meets a dashing doctor, fall in love, get married and have children. From the outside looking in, she has the perfect life on the Upper East side of Manhattan. If that’s true, then why does she look out the window each night wondering if this is all life is? One event leads to another and she is suddenly pushing the boundaries of her marriage as she gets wrapped up into the world of espionage. She is recruited by the FBI, her college lover is a communist running operations throughout New York. It’s an exciting adventure as she navigates new relationships, secrets and loss. Not 5 star for me cause I wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending.
amw_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mgodissart's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
melissariggs's review against another edition
4.0
It was a slow start for me-along with some serious frustration with the husband who thought it was fine for his wife to staff home all day with 2 small children and no help. But the intrigue and characters that Rina met drew me into the story.
"A Fifth Avenue address, parties at the Plaza, two healthy sons, and the ideal husband: what looks like a perfect life for Katharina Edgeworth is anything but. It’s 1954, and the post-war American dream has become a nightmare. A born and bred New Yorker, Katharina is the daughter of immigrants, Ivy-League-educated, and speaks four languages. As a single girl in 1940s Manhattan, she is a translator at the newly formed United Nations, devoting her days to her work and the promise of world peace—and her nights to cocktails and the promise of a good time. Now the wife of a beloved pediatric surgeon and heir to a shipping fortune, Katharina is trapped in a gilded cage, desperate to escape the constraints of domesticity. So when she is approached by the FBI and asked to join their ranks as an informant, Katharina seizes the opportunity. A man from her past has become a high-level Soviet spy, but no one has been able to infiltrate his circle. Enter Katharina, the perfect woman for the job. Navigating the demands of the FBI and the secrets of the KGB, she becomes a courier, carrying stolen government documents from D.C. to Manhattan. But as those closest to her lose their covers, and their lives, Katharina’s secret soon threatens to ruin her."
"A Fifth Avenue address, parties at the Plaza, two healthy sons, and the ideal husband: what looks like a perfect life for Katharina Edgeworth is anything but. It’s 1954, and the post-war American dream has become a nightmare. A born and bred New Yorker, Katharina is the daughter of immigrants, Ivy-League-educated, and speaks four languages. As a single girl in 1940s Manhattan, she is a translator at the newly formed United Nations, devoting her days to her work and the promise of world peace—and her nights to cocktails and the promise of a good time. Now the wife of a beloved pediatric surgeon and heir to a shipping fortune, Katharina is trapped in a gilded cage, desperate to escape the constraints of domesticity. So when she is approached by the FBI and asked to join their ranks as an informant, Katharina seizes the opportunity. A man from her past has become a high-level Soviet spy, but no one has been able to infiltrate his circle. Enter Katharina, the perfect woman for the job. Navigating the demands of the FBI and the secrets of the KGB, she becomes a courier, carrying stolen government documents from D.C. to Manhattan. But as those closest to her lose their covers, and their lives, Katharina’s secret soon threatens to ruin her."
wengergal's review against another edition
3.0
I was first drawn to A Woman of Intelligence from the description and the beautiful cover. I was not familiar with Karin Tanabe's writing so I had no expectations.
This is a story about a woman who was an Ivy League graduate, spoke four languages, worked at the UN and then got married and became a mother. I found it difficult to connect with this character. She should have been very interesting and multi-faceted. I found her to be shallow. Tom, the husband, was a jerk. There is no other way to describe him.
I would not say that this story is poor. I just found it lacking. The premise was good but so much I found to be not quite believable. I do think others will enjoy the story so that is why I am rounding the 2.5 stars up to 3.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
This is a story about a woman who was an Ivy League graduate, spoke four languages, worked at the UN and then got married and became a mother. I found it difficult to connect with this character. She should have been very interesting and multi-faceted. I found her to be shallow. Tom, the husband, was a jerk. There is no other way to describe him.
I would not say that this story is poor. I just found it lacking. The premise was good but so much I found to be not quite believable. I do think others will enjoy the story so that is why I am rounding the 2.5 stars up to 3.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
maegan_mccrea's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up. This book dragged for me and I ended up skimming the majority of the last half. It was choppy and Rina was so whiny and wishy-washy.
plantlady28's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0