It is amazing to see the growth in a talented writer's second book, in this instance a sequel to the first.
In Rebecca Lerwill's debut novel, Relocating Mia, we meet Mia Trentino, who inadvertently gets involved in international espionage, but the up side, she falls in love with a gorgeous spy, Douglas Farland. Farland and company work for an agency that basically 'invisible' - The Acronym - an agency so covert that no one in power or office will acknowledge their existence, and the agents have no insurance, no net to fall back on. A top group of elite operatives, being part of The Acronym is being part of the best of the best.
In this exciting sequel to Relocating Mia, The Acronym is bigger, more exciting in action, romance, and content. Indeed it is a thriller at its best.
Mia Trentino, living at the Acronym's training facility, and is now Farland's lover, must return to Russia to testify for the prosecution from the actions of the baddies of Yukoil. At the last moment, she finds that Douglas will not be able to go with her, but will be accompanied by Ludvika, the tough Russian who was part of the last operation in Russia, and a new agent, Ewe Hirsch, a former German agent who is now part of Acronym. Protecting Mia to testify will be a hard task as a baddie named Selkin is out to stop her.
Brian Secona, Farland's best friend and fellow operative stays behind and finds that something is amiss regarding Farland. It seems Farland is suspected of treason, and cannot be found. Acronym has received photographs showing Farland with the baddies and the photographs look pretty darn authentic. Secona and Farland have to work to find who is framing Farland, while the gang in Russia tries to protect Mia from the very nasty enemies who want Mia dead.
Protecting Mia from harm and clearing Farland from suspicion is a heavy job to balance, but Ms. Lerwill does it beautifully.
The action scenes are at breakneck speed; the love scenes are more sensual - everything is more polished and grander.
The resolutions of all the actions are believable and amazingly handled.
Ms. Lerwill had an excellent debut novel, but she has hit it out of the park with The Acronym - she has established herself as a major contender in the genre and I cannot wait for her next novel.
Spasebo and Danke, Rebecca Lerwill!
ellen george
The Acronym by Rebecca Lerwill, ISBN 10: 1934938408, Langdon Street Press, Review by ellen george
