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Pub date August 13. 2024

Tellwell Talent

ISBN 978-1779419088

Price $28.00 Hardcover, $15.99 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle edition

In Sparling’s gripping debut, the brutal underworld of human trafficking crashes into the high-stakes game of Cold War espionage. Set during the twilight years of the Cold War, the story follows Kaitlyn Stewart, an American opera singer who is swept into the dangerous world of espionage. When Kaitlyn begins her apprenticeship at the prestigious Vienna State Opera, she expects to focus on her burgeoning musical career. Instead, she is recruited by the CIA and tasked with infiltrating a human trafficking cartel that spans the divide between Western and Eastern political interests. The stakes couldn’t be higher—the success of Mission: THAW could destabilize East Germany and bring down the Berlin Wall.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Austria’s mountains, the novel uses the harsh terrain to mirror the increasing stakes of the mission. Kaitlyn’s team must brave the treacherous Alps while battling enemies, blizzards, and the clock, creating moments of intense suspense. Unlike the typical spy thriller heroine, Kaitlyn brings an intriguing duality—her mastery of opera and her role as a spy merge, allowing her to use her charm and intellect to outmaneuver dangerous men in Vienna’s elite circles. Sparling cleverly flips the classic James Bond trope, making Kaitlyn the one who seduces and manipulates, maintaining control in a male-dominated world. Although some espionage elements may stretch credulity, Sparling’s extensive knowledge of the opera world lends authenticity and cultural depth to Kaitlyn’s journey. Through Kaitlyn’s eyes, the book underscores the high-stakes nature of intelligence work and the moral ambiguities that accompany it. The novel’s relentless pacing, combined with its nuanced characters and high-stakes intrigue, makes it a must-read for fans of Cold War thrillers. Sparling is undoubtedly an author to watch.

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