The Helsinki Affair, Anna Pitoniak
The Helsinki Affair, Anna Pitoniak
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The Helsinki Affair

Author: Anna Pitoniak

Narrator: Amanda Dolan

Unabridged: 12 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/14/2023


Synopsis

One of The Washington Post’s Best Thrillers of 2023

It’s the case of Amanda’s lifetime but solving it will require her to betray another spy—who just so happens to be her father in this “delicious spy novel” (People).

Spying is the family business. Amanda Cole is a brilliant young CIA officer following in the footsteps of her father, who was a spy during the Cold War. It takes grit to succeed in this male-dominated world—but one hot summer day, when a Russian defector walks into her post, Amanda is given the ultimate chance to prove herself.

The defector warns of the imminent assassination of a US senator. Though Amanda takes the warning seriously, her superiors don’t. Twenty-four hours later, the senator is dead. And the assassination is just beginning.

Corporate blackmail, covert manipulation, corrupt oligarchs: the Kremlin has found a dangerous new way to wage war. Teaming up with Kath Frost, a fearless older woman and legendary spy, Amanda races from Rome to London, from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, unraveling the international conspiracy. But as she gets closer to the truth, a central question haunts her: Why was her father’s name written down in the senator’s notes? What does Charlie Cole really know about the Kremlin plot?

The Helsinki Affair is an “propulsive, captivating spy novel,” (Good Morning America)—but this time with a refreshing female-centric twist. Perfect for fans of John le Carré and Daniel Silva, this book introduces Pitoniak as a singular new talent in the world of spy fiction.

About Anna Pitoniak

Anna Pitoniak is the author of Our American Friend, Necessary People, and The Futures. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked in book publishing, including as a senior editor at Random House. Anna grew up in Whistler, British Columbia. She graduated from Yale and lives in New York City.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mallory on August 30, 2023

This spy novel was a wild and fun ride. I will admit that this isn’t a typical genre for me, but I really enjoyed it. I think my favorite part is that the main character, Amanda Cole, is a female spy which I feel like is overlooked in most media about spies. The book takes place in two timelines and......more

Goodreads review by Julie on March 03, 2024

I enjoyed the hell out of this. I'm stunned, really, to see the low ratings by my fellow Goodreaders. This was just so dang satisfying and well-written. What the actual, friends? In a literary world dominated by the tech-and-technique heavy Tom Clancy knock-offs and the testosterone-dripping Jack Re......more

Goodreads review by Katie on December 03, 2023

3.5 stars Even though I don't read CIA thrillers very often, I wanted to give The Helsinki Affair a chance because it features a female lead character. I figured that would give the author the opportunity to explore some of the challenges a woman might face in what is typically a more male-dominated......more


Quotes

"Amanda Dolan brings to life CIA agent Amanda Cole, who during her posting in Rome uncovers a Russian plot with far-reaching ties that potentially involve her father, a former CIA agent. Determined to establish the truth about what’s going on, Amanda is drawn into a complex conspiracy that involves unmasking double agents and countering acts of treason while uncovering more about her father’s past. Dolan’s strong characterizations make it straightforward for listeners to follow the principals, especially during scenes of dialogue. She creates a believable protagonist, and her capable use of accents is particularly notable when voicing the Russian characters."