Double Stakes by Alison Morton
Double Stakes by Alison Morton
A kidnapped daughter. A rigged election. A family under siege.
Former French special forces intelligence analyst Mélisende is desperate for recovery time after a gruelling mission. But when enforcers attack her family home in rural France, she uncovers a shocking truth – her sister-in-law’s gambling debt has put them all in danger.
Before Mel can untangle the crisis, she is ordered to Germany, where the daughter of Achim Nessler – the front-runner for chancellor – has been abducted. The kidnappers’ goal? To force Nessler to throw the upcoming election, paving the way for a hard-right victory that could upend not just Germany, but all of Europe.
Racing against time, Mel and fellow investigator Jeff McCracken dive into the murky world of extremist politics where old wounds and new betrayals collide. But as their hunt leads them deep into eastern Germany’s shadows, Mel discovers a chilling link between the case and her own family’s troubles.
Now, with both a nation’s future and her loved ones at stake, Mel must risk everything to stop a conspiracy that hits closer to home than she ever imagined.
Double Stakes is the third in the Mélisende Doubles thriller series
Double Stakes by Alison Morton
My review
I wouldn’t say I was a thriller junky, in fact I’m a wimp and usually prefer my reads to be warm, fuzzy and uplifting, however, this series of books has changed my mind.
Maybe it is Alison Morton’s attention to detail or meticulous research, that combined with her own military background, means this series is so believable I felt like I was in the heat of the action with the characters. Maybe it’s because the characters are not just strong, focussed and well trained, able to outwit any enemy, but they also retain their personal, emotional sides. Maybe I am more of an adrenalin junky than I realised.
Whatever it is, I was hooked. This book kept me on the edge of my chair and I’m sure it raised my heart-rate at times too. It’s fast-paced, full of action and political turmoil, both serious national issues and internal ones within various police forces and government agencies. This gave my brain lots to focus on and it was a difficult book to put down.
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Double Stakes by Alison Morton |
Having enjoyed the previous two books, I was eagerly awaiting this third book, and although they all grabbed my attention and imagination, Double Stakes was the best by far. I’m so glad I stepped out of my normal comfort zone and I'm sure you’ll enjoy these adventures too. I’m really hoping there will be more from Mélisende in the future.
Purchase links
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Alison Morton

Author Bio
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. She lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her latest three contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes.
Her eleven-book Roma Nova thriller series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the ancient Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but with a sharp line in dialogue.
Six years’ military service, a fascination with Ancient Rome and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction have inspired her writing. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
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Mélisende Doubles thriller series by Alison Morton
If you haven’t yet read the first two books in the Mélisende Doubles thriller series, what are you waiting for – you can read my reviews here: