Review: Agents, Algorithms & Attraction
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 2, 2013
Covert Assignment is the literary version of Alias. College student Elle Paquet is finishing up her graduate thesis on data algorithms (don’t worry, you won’t need a computer science degree to understand) when she is approached to help out a certain operative, Preston Raddick in data analysis. Preston is a nice distraction from her recent discovery of some risqué photos of her boyfriend with his lab partner and they weren’t studying.I am a huge fan of espionage, intrigue and spy novels and movies and Alias was one of my faves and so I was very excited to read Covert Assignment.  Elle is believable and likable and the situation regarding her boyfriend was very relatable. I liked that she struggled with forgiveness and moving on, and that she did so in a non-whiny, pathetic way.  You could really root for her like you would a good friend.  I also liked the internal career conflict. Finding passion in one’s work is something that we all can relate too and the way that it is played out was refreshingly non-judgmental or preachy.I would have liked the character of Preston fleshed out more beyond his Hollywood good looks, but his charm was infectious and I would love to see him in future “assignments.” ;)  The spy element was a little fantastical and unbelievable (contracting a civilian college student on a domestic terrorism case) , but it is nicely written so I can’t complain too much. Covert Assignment is not a gripping page-turner or bodice ripper, but it is a cute, quick read.  I would like to see Marciassa branch out more and take more chances with the action (inside and outside the bedroom) but for a debut novel, Covert Assignment, is concise and nicely paced, with rising action in all the right places.  Missy Marciassa has got a new fan in me and I am very excited to see what she comes up with next.3.5