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Reviewed by Justin Gaynor for Reader Views:
“Austria has been home to many deep, ponderous thinkers – Sigmund Freud, the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, the scientist Nikola Tesla – but you’re not gonna find that stuff in this book. Nope, Kay Sparling’s “Mission Thaw: a Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller” is a pedal-to-the-medal adventure from the first page to the last. It takes talent to maintain that momentum across 330 pages, but I gobbled this one down in two sittings and was never bored for a moment. (Rising from my seat and throwing roses): Brava, Signora!

For you see, our narrator Kaitlyn Stewart is a world-class opera singer, and we’ve moved a few decades back in time to the waning days of the Soviet Union and East Germany. Her formidable voice was forged on a farm in Iowa, hollering at livestock, but there’s little opportunity for classical singers in Iowa. When we meet her, she’s living la bon vie in Vienna. For complex but credible reasons, a woman like her – fluent in German and English, culturally integrated into the city, and with the blonde, busty good looks that melt the brains of creepy East German neo-Nazi slave traders – is the perfect decoy for the CIA.

Her initial assignment is simply to go to a party and watch some people, but she proves so adept at her work that her responsibilities keep growing. In an interesting twist on an old premise, she’s the one seducing beautiful men and casting them aside when she’s done using them. Take that, James Bond! The author is an opera singer herself, and it must be acknowledged that the opera scenes sound more credible than the spying ones. But who cares? This is an upbeat, fun story.”
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BookView review: Mission Thaw: A Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller by Kay Sparling

“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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Mission Thaw: A Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller by Kay Sparling [The Prairies Book Review]

A heart-stopping tale of espionage and bravery in the face of political corruption and nuclear terror.

Sparling delivers a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled thriller, launching readers into a pedal-to-the-metal adventure. As the Cold War draws to a close, Kaitlyn Stewart begins her apprenticeship at the Vienna State Opera, unaware that her life is about to take a dramatic turn. Recruited by the CIA as their only high-profile female operative in Mission: THAW, Kaitlyn is tasked with dismantling a human trafficking operation run by corrupt politicians with ties to the East Germans and KGB. Under the guise of an opera singer, she must infiltrate their inner circle, but as she edges closer to uncovering their plans for a dirty bomb, she realizes that MI6 agent Clive Matthews may not be her only ally in this perilous mission. Based on true events, Mission: THAW is a heart-stopping tale of espionage and courage against a backdrop of political corruption and nuclear terror.

The novel seamlessly blends classical music, espionage, and Cold War politics, capturing the high stakes of covert operations conducted by the CIA and MI6. The vivid setting of Vienna and its rugged mountainous terrain heighten the urgency of Kaitlyn’s mission, firmly rooting the story in a period of significant political upheaval as the threat of East Germany’s collapse looms ever closer. Tension escalates as Kaitlyn’s skills as a spy develop. Initially assigned to basic surveillance, her mission quickly intensifies, thrusting her into unexpected challenges that jeopardize her survival. She learns to shoot, fight, and navigate treacherous situations, evolving from an opera singer into a formidable operative. Her camaraderie with MI6 agent Clive Matthews and a diverse team of operatives enriches the narrative, offering moments of levity amidst the darkness.

Sparling skillfully weaves the grim realities of human trafficking into the fabric of Cold War espionage, offering a compelling narrative through a female perspective. Kaitlyn’s transformation from an opera singer to a CIA operative provides a refreshing take on a genre often dominated by male protagonists. Her journey from a farm girl to a skilled spy not only illuminates her personal growth but also critiques the systemic injustices that afflict vulnerable populations. By drawing unsettling parallels between political corruption and the exploitation of individuals escaping oppressive regimes, Sparling challenges readers to confront both historical and contemporary truths. Graphic depictions of violence, torture, and sexual assault may be challenging for some readers. However, these details highlight the depravity that Kaitlyn is determined to dismantle, making her fight against this pervasive evil both urgent and intensely personal.

With its razor-sharp blend of pulse-pounding espionage and a harrowing look at the human impact of political corruption, the novel grips readers and holds them captive long after the final page is turned.

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