You can run from a killer – unless the killer is you …
In top-secret talks in Barcelona, ex-spy Dr Tori Swyft seals a landmark deal over the Arctic that sends Washington DC and Moscow reeling. The next morning, she wakes beside two dead bodies …
A nameless voice phones her, taunting her and revealing a shocking video that shows Tori as the murderer. Yet she has no memory of what happened.
With Spanish police converging at her door, Tori flees, in a race against time to find The Voice and prove her innocence – before it’s too late.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Double Deal is a quick-paced action thriller which focuses on ex spy Tori Swift who is caught in a game of cat and mouse. Framed for a crime she did not commit, Tori is haunted by the The Voice, an unknown and mysterious man who she seeks to find while racing to prove her innocence. The chapters are short but are filled with action that kept me turning the pages. I was on the edge of my seat right until the end and felt like I was fully immersed in Tori’s story. I loved Double Deal and look forward to reading more works from John M. Green. Sharon, VIC, 5 Stars
This book is a fast paced, action packed thriller, the book equivalent of a Die Hard movie. It’s a cat and mouse game of strategy, using technology to frame an innocent person. Tori Swyft wakes up from a very real nightmare which never stops. She has become a victim in a very twisted psychological mind game with a faceless perpetrator called the Voice. She doesn’t know who he or she is but must figure out the truth before she and everyone she knows and cares about ends up dead. She’s on the run from police for a crime even she doesn’t know if she’s innocent of. It’s an amazingly well thought out novel. Which leaves you on the edge of your seat till the final page is turned. Even then there are a few ambiguous hints that there could be more to this story. I loved it and would enjoy reading more of his books. Hirell, NSW, 5 Stars
Double Deal drew me in hook, line and sinker from the very first chapter. The opening few pages take the reader to a very dark and scary place. A world of darkness and horror of unimaginable proportions. Tori’s situation leads her into a diplomatic whirlwind involving very powerful people. John M. Green describes his characters extremely well allowing us to rise and fall with emotions as we delve deeper into his tale. The “behind the scenes” deals that occur between countries and powerful people allows us an insight into a world the general public rarely is privy to. A thoroughly absorbing read, highly recommended. Shelley, NSW, 5 Stars
At first I was hesitant as the opening few pages were quite intense, I pushed through and fell in love with this book. I LOVED Tori, her character full of boldness and strength, but i have to admit i was really intrigued by The Voice. What a great character The Voice was, complex and clever, always thinking 5 steps ahead, remarkable villian. The story was incredibly well written, i loved the variety of countries that were referenced, especially Australia! Highly recommend this book if you love thrillers, it will not disappoint. Thank you Better Reading for allowing me the opportunity to preview this book. Jodi, QLD, 5 Stars
Follow Dr Tori Swyft on a crusade to prove her innocence. The novel is an extremely quick read. The chapters are short but action packed to keep you engaged. So much happens between the pages that have you on the edge of your seat and flipping the pages in the hope of identifying the players. The players are nasty with world leaders at risk and so much more. Run with Tori as she follows ‘the Voice’ to get the answers she needs. If it’s possible for a book to give you energy, it’s this one. Sharon, QLD, 5 Stars
This is my first time reading this author and quite excited about it. A well thought out story that has many characters from different countries involved in suspense, back stabbing and a thrilling who is it. I was not expecting such well a written book. He’s up with the best out there. Stephan, VIC, 4 Stars
John M. Green’s Double Deal is a compelling page-turner with a sociopolitical plot that twists and shocks at every turn. When we meet ex-spy Dr Tori Swyft she has just awoken in her Barcelona hotel room to find herself in a huge mess. She’s soon on the run from the authorities for a crime she couldn’t have committed… could she? When she’s contacted by a man identifying himself as The Voice, Tori sees a video which chills her to the core — proof she’s committed the heinous acts for which she’s accused. But Tori knows she’s being set up, and so she goes on the hunt to find The Voice… This is a tense, action-packed thriller that keeps you on your toes from the get go, with multiple characters, each with their own agendas, in play throughout. The chapters are short and each one crackles with tension and drama. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Tori and her colleague Frank Chaudry, I thought they had a really great chemistry together. Their characters are vividly drawn and felt very authentic. A fast-paced thriller that hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the last. Linda, QLD, 4 Stars
In top secret talks in Barcelona, ex-spy Tori Swyft seals a landmark deal that will change the way the world operates. The following morning, she wakes beside two dead bodies with no memory of what happened. I love a good thriller with all its twists and turns and enjoyed this book immensely. With short, sharp chapters it was a very easy read. Carolyn, WA, 4 Stars
Thank you Better Reading for the advance copy of Double Deal by John M. Green for honest review. This was a great action thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very last pages. Fantastic, fast paced read that I really enjoyed! Lisa, QLD, 4 Stars
Warning! The first couple of chapters of Double Deal are gruesome, and I wondered if I could continue reading. I did and I soon got hooked into this unbelievable story line involving future international politics, espionage and incredible IT capabilities. I couldn’t stop reading it. John M Green has an incredible imagination and knowledge. He even incorporates his interest in magic. The ending is quite ambiguous, leading to me think he is planning a sequel involving three of the main characters. What did happen to Hermes and Frank?? Sue, WA, 4 Stars
Double Deal by John M. Green is a gripping page turner, with plenty of action amidst deceit. The female protagonist, Dr Tori Swyft is an ex-spy agent, but when she wakes up next to two appallingly mutilated bodies, she starts to question herself and wonders what she might be capable of. Admittedly, I was a bit confused with all the characters at the start of the novel and had to reread a few pages to remember who was who. However, this quickly turned into a very fast-paced action thriller, with exciting twists and turns as Tori drastically tries to find out who “The Voice” is and why was she framed for the awful murders. This story touches on futuristic crime with a focus on cyber security that could become very real in the not too distant future. I recommend this enthralling action-packed novel for all who love a good crime story. Congratulations John M. Green, and thank you Better Reading for the opportunity to read and review this book. Christine, QLD, 4 Stars
Double Deal by John M. Green is set in an unspecified period that feels like it may not be the too distant future. Who can you trust? Can you believe everything you see? This was a slow burner for me that built the political backdrop and kept me hooked right until the end. Charlotte, WA, 4 Stars
This book is ideal for readers who like a complex mystery thriller. Unfortunately, it was a bit challenging for my poor old brain and at times I found it hard to follow as it jumped from location to location. Kaysie, NSW, 3 Stars
I was excited to have a chance to preview this book – a political thriller set around negotiations between Greenland, China and the USA. It took me a little while to get into the story, I’ve never read any of Green’s work before (this is his 5th book!) so it is probably Green’s style of writing that I am not familiar with. Once I persevered with the story, it was gripping and action packed. Even though Tori was the opposite of myself (Tori evoked images of a female James Bond) she was a relatable character and I felt sympathetic to her plight as she tried to identify ‘The Voice’. Tori is set up for a crime by someone only known as The Voice and the story is a race to see if she can clear her name. This novel was a complex psychological thriller that was hard to put down. I do recommend setting aside an hour or two to begin the book to get the most out of it. Catherine, QLD, 3 Stars
This action-packed thriller hits the ground running and doesn’t let up on the pace until the last page. Lovers of thrillers won’t be disappointed – they will be kept on the edge of their seat with white-knuckle twists and turns to keep them reading well into the early hours. The female Australian lead is a nice twist in this tale of international relations, scandal, and murder. Settle in to find out who is the body behind the Voice that set up Tori as a murderer and how she uses her background training in the CIA to try to uncover the truth. Traci, NSW, 3 Stars
From the time that I received it I could not put this book down. Ex-spy Tori Swyft wakes up in Barcelona next to two dead bodies with no memory of what has happened. From this dramatic opening we are catapulted into a world of international politics, cyber-crime, deception and murder. The story twists and turns at a very quick pace. Punchy short chapters keep the action coming switching between locations around the world and characters larger than life. I must admit it was a little too far-fetched for me and too graphic at times. Congratulations to John M. Green for creating several strong female characters that are very different to the usual thriller cast. I would like to know more about Tori and the other characters. The conclusion leaves more questions than answers and a sequel seems likely and I will be looking out for more from John M. Green in the future. Debbie, NSW, 3 Stars
Double Deal is a fast paced thriller that has lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the setting in Barcelona and the way technology was used to trick and deceive. The tricks used by spies were interesting and I enjoyed seeing Tori evade capture My husband and father in law will both enjoy the story too. It would be a great holiday read or Father’s Day present. Julie, NSW, 3 Stars
When I read a book like Double Deal by John M. Green I am really glad I live what is a boring, normal life to most people. Mysterious voices on the phone, people being blown up, weird killings and the ever present wondering of “who can I trust?”. There are lots of characters to keep track of in this book but this does not detract from the reading, rather adds to it. I particularly loved Thatcher, the hacker, who refers to himself in the first person. What a genius! Having little Davey lipreading at a crucial stage of the book has you cheering him on to tell his mother as soon as possible what is being said. I did actually find myself holding my breath at this stage…. With more than one twist and turn in the story of course there will be one more just when you don’t expect it. You will have to read the book to see what I mean! Denise, NSW, 3 Stars
Once I had the myriad of characters down it read a lot easier. The desperation definitely came through in the writing of the main character’s story and it kept you racing through right till the end with a few twists and turns along the way. I feel the end was a bit abrupt compared to the detail throughout the book and it wasn’t tied up neatly and still left you wondering like there was something missing. The last few sentences left you wondering was there maybe more and another book might follow. All in all an enjoyable read with hints of I have to keep reading to find out what’s going to happen next but the end was a little flat. Tracy, WA, 3 Stars
This was a fantastic gripping story that kept you guessing if the main character Tori Swyft who woke up in bed with two political officials who had been horribly murdered. Unfortunately it left you wanting more so I think there will be a series in the future and I can’t wait to see the result. Leanne, SA, 3 Stars
Action, murder, mystery novels aren’t normally my style, I started this with a open mind and determination to get it done so I could give a honest option… but deep down I was thinking this isn’t for me. I nearly quit in the first 100 pages… what kept me going was the short detailed chapters and a story that appeared to be moving well, by page 150 I was hooked! The story follows Tori an ex spy who is sent on negotiation talks overseas, waking up one morning to discover she had committed a gruesome murder on two others with all evidence pointed to her, only she has no memory of doing so, she then goes on the run in a foreign country changing appearances with the mission to clear her name and catch the true criminal. She with the help of fellow ex spy Frank and their IT connection uncovers a national threat. Would I recommend this book, yes it had depth and a road through twists and turns. Many thanks to Better Reading for the chance to preview this title. Crystal, TAS, 3 Stars
When the protagonist of the story woke up with her eyes glued shut and had to cut off her eyelashes to regain sight in the first chapter, I knew Double Deal was going to be a wild ride. Along with the tag line, ‘trust no one… not even yourself’ the intrigue levels were high. I found the first third of the book somewhat confusing with the number of different characters being introduced at a very rapid pace. The story settled into itself the further I read, and I found myself wondering how Tori Swyft could possibly prove her innocence – especially as curve balls continued to come her way. The plot was, at times, futuristic and bordering on impossible, but as a global political thriller in a post-Trump era anything is possible. Some will be frustrated with the ending of the book, however the lack of closure likely means this isn’t the last we have heard from Tori Swyft and her associates. Double Deal was a fun read, that kept me turning the pages quickly right to the end. Belinda, SA, 3 Stars
Double Deal can be described as a fast paced political thriller. It was an easy read which kept you wanting to turn the page. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a spy thriller with outrageous stunts. Daneka, QLD, 3 Stars
Fast paced with a breakneck speed and an interesting plot even if it was a little implausible in some areas. It was a full-on engrossing read and refreshing to see an Australian character in an international espionage thriller. Nerida, VIC, 2 Stars
A political thriller, not the genre I usually read. I liked that the chapters were short and suspenseful but it was an effort to finish the book. The story was unrealistic in parts so I couldn’t understand what was happening. There were too many characters I couldn’t understand. I liked some of the interspersed subtle humour but was confused by the ending. Luciana, WA, 2 Stars
I am torn in my review for this one. While I enjoyed the storyline of this political thriller and was drawn into parts of the story, it fell a little flat. I was ‘thrilled’ in parts and my mind was racing to figure things out, but there were parts I found to be boring and others too fantastical to believe. I did however enjoy Dr Tori Swyft’s storyline. An ex-spy getting caught up in a political derailment and then having to fight to clear her name. I also enjoyed the relationship between her and Frank. This book was, in parts, genuinely thrilling and kept me turning the pages, however I was confused by the sheer number of characters, sub-characters, plots, sub-plots and misdirection and often found myself re-reading passages to make clear the who, what, where, when. The ending, though clearly setting up for the next book, wrapped up very quickly and from the lead up I expected more. In saying all of this, I would read the next book to see where it is all going. Aotea, QLD, 2 Stars
I found Double Deal quite a difficult book to read. With so many characters being critical to the story, and the story being told from all their points of view, I lost track every time I put the book down. The characters themselves didn’t grab my interest, and many weren’t well developed, which also made it hard to keep track of the plot. While not the type of book I’d normally reach for, the general premise was good and I think with a few less characters, or a storyline that was easier to follow, I would have really enjoyed this. Jodie, WA, 2 Stars
I would describe this book as a political thriller. I found it up and down, it was a bit confusing in parts as there were a lot of characters. Some parts were a bit crazy and far fetched, others were good, but I had to drag myself through to finish this one. The ending was a bit disappointing. Jessica, NSW, 2 Stars
Double Deal by John M. Green is a political thriller, not normally my first choice of thriller novels. I really liked the short chapters, unfortunately this kept me interested and wanting to finish the book more so than the actual storyline. I enjoyed the chemistry between Tori and Frank but found some of the other characters had very little introduction so didn’t know who they were. Unfortunately not a novel I would recommend as I felt it was too unrealistic in parts and the ending was disappointing. Trudy, SA, 2 Stars
I would describe this book as a political thriller and it was a mixed bag for me. There were exciting, fast paced parts that had me turning the pages wanting to see what happened. I liked the chemistry between the two main characters, Tori and Frank. Unfortunately, a lot of the story was confusing with too many far fetched things happening that ruined it. There were a lot of characters that didn’t get a proper introduction so I was left wondering who they were and what was going on. I felt the story could have been a lot shorter and the ending was really confusing and disappointing. Tracy, WA, 2 Stars
Thank you for Better Reading for the preview copy. Double Deal – really gave you a double take. Fast paced actioned packed. As much as I enjoy thrillers this novel to me was too far-fetched and over exaggerated. The novel itself is cleverly written with political disputes and cyberterrorism at play, but unfortunately this novel wasn’t for me. Sally, NSW, 1 Star
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