Publication Date: October 23, 2013
In Wisecrack by Mark Meier, Selma Saddiqi was a news analyst with the CIA when she was forced to resign. Minutes after she leaves the country, Iranian suicide bombers detonate car bombs and all signs point to Selma’s involvement. Selma is not a hero but she may have to become one to save her own life. With the help of Noah Amonie, who believes himself responsible for the death of one of the victims, can she evade her pursuers and stop the movement of a world about to go to war?
The author, Mark Meier, provided me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my review.
Wisecrack by Mark Meier is an investment. Meier starts the book with loose threads that he weaves into a complex tapestry as the novel progresses. Meier’s international political thriller takes its time in developing but once the story is laid out Wisecrack is a compelling tale.
Selma Saddiqi is a hesitant hero. Meier brings us into the story at the moment of terror and lays a compelling case why Selma would be a suspect. Selma blossoms within the story to someone who has isolated herself out of love for her family to someone who knows when to make a stand. What Selma does, comes from a place of thinly held desperation.
Noah is something of a different character in this genre. He is petulant, and a bit jaded. He and Selma are logically connected through Noah’s father who worked with Selma and with whom Noah has a tense relationship. Selma and Noah compliment each other and bring a unique voice to Wisecrack.
Meier’s biography tells us that he has lived internationally and worked for the government and that is likely why his setting and the plotting of this story ring true. Meier has either researched well or has written about what he knows. The story feels like it may be the latter with a healthy dose of creativity. Once Noah and Selma get together and the story gets going, the reader is locked into a rapid-fire pacing. Strange as it is to say, I was lucky enough to be sick when I read this novel so that I had the opportunity to consume it in one extended meal, and it was quite the satisfying thriller.
I highly recommend this thriller for people who enjoy in-depth stories that engage and make a reader think.
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Mark Meier teaches at the university level and has lived and worked all over the world. [easyazon-link asin=”1628279133″ locale=”us”]Wisecrack[/easyazon-link] is his first novel. A portion of the sales from [easyazon-link asin=”1628279133″ locale=”us”]Wisecrack[/easyazon-link] will be donated to international charities that promote peace and the rights of women and children.