MAY 2017 - AudioFile
Think Jason Bourne, but female. Narrator Julia Whelan easily defines the facets of Bianca—a.k.a. the Guardian—the best international con artist there is. Her father is presumed dead, and she’s bound and determined to rescue her little half-sister from those with dangerous intentions. She stays ahead of the villains and even her nemesis, Mickey, the lead agent for an another nefarious group. Whelan creates a gruff, determined voice for Mickey, who will not be deterred by Bianca’s evasive moves. The listener is pulled into the suspense by characters infused with life and believability. Whether you’re new to audiobooks or a veteran, Julia Whelan will not disappoint in this mighty fine story written by Karen Robards. To be continued? A.M.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
04/17/2017
This series launch from bestseller Robards (Hush), about a female master thief with highly developed martial arts skills, scores points for energetic storytelling but is marred by an implausible plot, shallow characters, and uninspired dialogue. As a child, Bianca St. Ives, known as the Guardian, learned about martial arts, explosives, and deception instead of playing with toys. Now she has joined her father, Richard St. Ives, “tall and elegant, the ultimate silver fox,” in recovering stolen money and secret government documents. The elite criminal and law enforcement entities know Richard only as the Traveler. When Richard is killed during a botched job, Bianca returns to running her own security company in Savannah, Ga. Email delivered to Richard’s encrypted account later sends Bianca on an international recovery mission and a search to find out if her father really is dead. A far-fetched, game-changing character reveal near the finale is more laughable than stunning. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media. (June)
From the Publisher
Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards
The latest from thriller-master Robards is an enthralling high-stakes caper novel... Readers won't want this adrenaline-rich story to end... Buy extra copies.—Booklist (starred review) on The Ultimatum
"Robards begins a new series with a fascinating main character, blazing action, a Jason Bourne-esque central mystery, and an intriguing cliffhanger ending... Fresh, sexy, and eminently readable."-Kirkus on The Ultimatum
"Robards's visually evocative narrative allows the reader to 'see' Bianca during her escapades... Readers who appreciate the thrillers of Iris Johansen, Tess Gerritsen, and Lisa Gardner will enjoy getting to know Bianca St. Ives."-Library Journal on The Ultimatum
Exhilarating... Edgy and engaging.-USA TODAY
"[Robards writes] a feast of menace and mystery." -Woman's Day
One terrific storyteller.-Chicago Tribune
"Robards always delivers a thrilling reading experience."-Midwest Book Review
Robards has a knack for writing taut thrillers that are genuinely enjoyable.-Bookworm Room
Spellbinding...explosive.-Publishers Weekly
Library Journal
05/15/2017
Bianca St. Ives is a gifted and integral part of her father's international band of high-stakes thieves who specialize in conning con men and returning their ill-gotten gains to their victims. But when a job goes wrong and her father is killed, Bianca takes over the family business and subsequently becomes the target and pawn of the U.S. government, which doesn't believe Richard St. Ives is really dead. With her team and livelihood at risk, Bianca needs to dig up the truth about her father before the feds do. This series launch moves swiftly and keeps us engaged; Robards's visually evocative narrative allows the reader to "see" Bianca during her escapades. VERDICT Readers who appreciate the thrillers of Iris Johansen, Tess Gerritsen, and Lisa Gardner will enjoy getting to know Bianca St. Ives. [See Prepub Alert, 12/12/16.]—Nicole A. Cooke, GSLIS, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
MAY 2017 - AudioFile
Think Jason Bourne, but female. Narrator Julia Whelan easily defines the facets of Bianca—a.k.a. the Guardian—the best international con artist there is. Her father is presumed dead, and she’s bound and determined to rescue her little half-sister from those with dangerous intentions. She stays ahead of the villains and even her nemesis, Mickey, the lead agent for an another nefarious group. Whelan creates a gruff, determined voice for Mickey, who will not be deterred by Bianca’s evasive moves. The listener is pulled into the suspense by characters infused with life and believability. Whether you’re new to audiobooks or a veteran, Julia Whelan will not disappoint in this mighty fine story written by Karen Robards. To be continued? A.M.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
