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REVIEW: American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

  Lauren Wilkinson sets the bar high in her debut novel. It is written as a letter from the protagonist, Marie, to her twin sons. She tells the story of how she became a spy and what it was like for a black woman to be working for the FBI in the 1980s. Marie is contracted by the CIA to go undercover and spy on Thomas Sankara. The political aspect of the book is inspired by the true events surrounding Sankara, the president of Burkina Faso during the Cold War. Ultimately, this is a story about family. The novel spans decades as Marie also tells her boys their entire family history – from her relationship with her parents and sister, to meeting their father and what became of him. “I’m writing this to give you honest answers to the questions I hazard to guess you’ll ask while you’re growing up. I’m writing it all down here just in case I’m not around to tell you.” The pace is a bit slower than the average spy thriller, but for me it pays off because of the depth of the characters
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Ratings

My rating will be out of five so as to be consistent with Goodreads. There are certain things I look for when I rate a book, and I will give each category a rating, and then take the average for my overall rating.

Writing style: Is the writing easy and readable or awkward and confusing? Is it original and meaningful or contrived and redundant? Does it have a distinctive, engaging tone and voice or is it flat and/or clichéd.

Pacing: I tend to like short chapters so I can find more time to read a few pages throughout the day. I like to finish a chapter in one sitting. However, I have also enjoyed books without any chapters. Is the chapter length appropriate? Is there enough tension to keep me turning the page? Is it suspenseful; are there secrets, scares, and surprises?  What is the objective of the plot and do the characters have a stake in the outcome? Do the characters have conflict and setbacks with reflection in between?

Plot: How strong is the opening? How many pages until I am invested in the outcome? I have to be honest, if it takes more than 50 pages, I likely won’t finish the book. Are the stakes for the characters authentic or fabricated, and do I care if they succeed? Do the actions of the characters make sense based on their development? Is there too much backstory, or does it balance the main plot? Is there a satisfying conclusion? Are there any unresolved issues?

Setting: Do I feel immersed in time and place, and does it enhance the story? Is the description meaningful and vivid?

Character: What is the point of view and does it suit the story? Are the characters distinctive and well-developed or lacking in depth? Are their motivations manufactured or believable? Is the dialogue effective? Does it serve a purpose in developing the characters or is it used to dump story information on the reader?

Bonus category: What are my personal connections to the story? Does this add or detract from my enjoyment of the book?

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