DoubleHelix is an atmospheric espionage thriller with an intricate mystery and political noir. There’s also a compelling story-within-a-story set against a backdrop of the Soviet Cold War era and puzzling archives that make the book an addictive read that gets more intricate with every chapter!

The story follows mystery author Mike Green in Washington, D.C., 1996, who, while doing research for his novel, stumbles upon a file at the National Archives: the case of Delilah Grennan, a murdered Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as curiosity spirals into an obsession, and soon Mike finds himself entangled in a dangerous war between crime syndicates, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that sees him as family!

The story is mostly told from Mike’s POV but also switches to Delilah (when Mike’s reading her book), keeping readers constantly engaged! Delilah’s chapters are in a past timeline, detailing her complicated family/romantic life, all of which is at risk from Russian espionage—and it’s a detailed recount leading all the way up to her death. Meanwhile, Mike’s POV is the heart of the story—he’s highly intelligent, flawed, and compelling, and also haunted by a mysterious past. As the story unfolds, Mike shifts from the curious writer to a man consumed by guilt, paranoia, and a need for truth. His communication with Delilah, even though she’s deceased, is a fascinating and engrossing part of the story—is he hallucinating, speaking with her ghost, or being sent messages from beyond?? Every interaction between them gives more clues about her mysterious death and the impending danger to Mike!

Mike’s other close relationships in the story are all well developed and layered—from his politically opposite girlfriend to his drug-addict best friend, who’s the son of his surrogate political dynasty family, there are intricacies, suspicious motives, and red flags everywhere that will keep readers guessing!

The story’s pacing is one of the novel’s strongest suits. The early chapters immediately draw readers in with Mike’s compelling backstory, his archival research, and his complex relationships. As Mike’s curiosity about Delilah’s story becomes an all-consuming obsession, the story picks up pace and becomes so much more intricate. If listening on audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower pace to avoid missing any key clues or details, especially in Delilah’s past timeline chapters! By the midpoint readers will be hooked and emotionally invested in Mike’s outcome, as dangerous secrets and conspiracies unravel, and the tension builds to an almost unbearable level! The climax includes a high-stakes confrontation, and the fallout has so much to offer—betrayals, consequences, and reveals—that will have readers’ heads spinning! The epilogue is short and open-ended but also hints at future dangers—and perfectly sets up for a compelling sequel that readers will be eager for!

Overall, DoubleHelix is a complex, addictive thriller that’s perfect for readers who love spy thrillers with morally ambiguous characters, political conspiracies, and stories with lots of psychological suspense! It’s also a very strong start to a series—there’s not much to find fault with here, and, most importantly, the protagonist is memorable and someone who readers will want to continue reading about! Anyone looking for an intricate, multi-POV thriller that will get their inner detective wheels turning and that lingers after the final page should add this one to their immediate reading list!