‘Cascade’ by Peter Harper

Cascade

When her adopted father suffers a heart attack, Shani Bălcescu hurries to Prague to be at his bedside. However, his dying words leave Shani puzzling over a mystery – one that will lead her into a maze of corruption and secrets, not to mention rebel freedom fighters and military coups. With the help of a journalist, Shani discovers where she fits into the mystery and begins to uncover the hidden history of her own family.

Initially, I struggled to get into this book, but by the third chapter, I was hooked on the story and couldn’t put it down. The author weaves a truly global plot packed with intrigue, devilish villains and even a spoonful of romance. The main characters are well-drawn and believable, and while one or two of the characters are at times a little ‘preachy’, the denouement is worth waiting for.

A clever and insightful story that reflects our troubled times.