The Reflex

Maria Denison's novel, The Reflex, is one of great psychological intrigue and character-driven suspense. We follow Cara, a bright mother and wife who used to be an agent, as she navigates dangerous geopolitical conflicts while also struggling with family responsibilities and the lingering consequences of her former life. This duality gives the story emotional resonance that elevates it beyond a typical thriller. Cara is a fun character, who's impulsive, intelligent, and entertaining with her sardonic sense of humor. 

Denison is quite the master at building tension. The book changes between the past and the present on a regular basis, progressively exposing the legend surrounding "The Reflex," who was whispered about in intelligence circles for her deadly accuracy and ability to move covertly.

The cast is effectively brought to life by Denison's words as well. The strategic attitude of intelligence agents is shown in the tension and subtle psychological manipulation that often infuse conversations between allies and rivals. At the same time, Cara's humanity is shown in spurts of comedy and sympathy, which accentuates the complexity of her personality. Ultimately, The Reflex is a gripping thriller that shows readers that sometimes the most powerful weapon an operative possesses is not brute force, but intuition and instinct.