Gina Wilkinson

This story is written by an Australian author who spent time living in Iraq as a journalist. It is set in Baghdad in 2002 under the regime of Saddam Hussein and features three women living in the city. Huda works as a secretary for the Australian embassy and finds her life spiralling out of control when she is pressured into spying on Ally, the wife of the embassador. Circumstances bring Huda into contact with estranged childhood friend Rania. Each of the three women have their secrets, and each of them find their security threatened by the frightening underbelly of the regime.

I found this a gripping story that had me crossing my fingers hoping everything worked out for the women. The ending was possibly a bit abrupt, but overall I found the story to be atmospheric and gave me an insight into the fear and suspicion people lived through in this time. Generally I gravitate to books by authors native to their country, but there is definitely something to be learned from an ex-pat experience, as they provide a different set of observations and insights. I enjoyed the audiobook narration very much, although as with most audiobooks the rendering of an Australian accent was pretty appalling.… (mais)

This suspenseful novel was well worth the read. I was quickly invested in each woman's story. Ally was kind-hearted but dangerously naive as she searched for answers about her mother. Huda wanted to protect her son, and Huda's former friend Rania was trying to protect her daughter. Too succeed, the women had to decide whether they could trust each other, but trusting the wrong person could be deadly. And there was always someone watching or listening.

This was hard to put down, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a tense, suspenseful read and to anyone who enjoys stories about strong women.… (mais)

This is the story of three women living in the shadow of dictator Saddam Hussein. Huda and Rania were childhood friends in Basra but now live in Baghdad. Ally is the wife of an Australian diplomat assigned to Baghdad. She is searching for information about her mother whom she lost at a very early age. Huda is forced to inform on Ally, or her son will be forced to join Hussein’s fedayeen. The beauty of Rania’s daughter has come to the attention of Hussein’s secret police. Rania knows she has to get her daughter out of Iraq to protect her from Uday Hussein.

The lives of these three courageous women become intertwined as they confront the intricacies of friendship and betrayal under the thumb of Hussein’s puppets.

Full of suspense and beautifully written, this book reflects the terror of living in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s reign.… (mais)