Need to Know

A Novel

By: Karen Cleveland

Narrated by: Mia Barron

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

Finalist for the ITW Thriller Award

Perfect husband. Perfect father. Perfect liar?

“Terrific.” (John Grisham)

“Superb.” (Lee Child)

“Breathtaking, heart-pounding.” (Louise Penny)

“A fast-paced, relentlessly gripping read.” (Chris Pavone Vivian Miller)

High-powered CIA analyst, happily married to a man she adores, mother of four beautiful children. Until the moment she makes a shocking discovery that makes her question everything she believes.

She thought she knew her husband inside and out. But now she wonders if it was all a lie. How far will she go to learn the truth? And does she really...need to know?

Film rights sold to Universal Pictures for Charlize Theron • Rights sold in more than 20 markets

“Shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest new thrillers.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“So timely.... Think of the perfect mix of Homeland and The Americans.... Need to Know needs to be read by all who relish spy novels. As entertaining as it is informative and as irresistible as it is impossible to put down.” (Providence Journal)

“Pulse-pounding.” (O: The Oprah Magazine)

“Accomplished...a nonstop thriller tapping into a hot mix of contemporary digital counterintelligence, old-school spying and ageless family drama.” (Shelf Awareness)

“An early contender for next year’s Gone Girl.” (GQ, UK)

“The Russia page-turner that should be on everyone’s list.” (New York Post)

©2018 Karen Cleveland (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Prediction: If you read chapter one, you’ll read chapter two. If you read chapter two, you’ll miss dinner, stay up far too late, and feel tired at work tomorrow. This is that kind of book. Superb." (Lee Child)

"Need to Know carves out a uniquely compelling space among thrillers: high-stakes international intrigue combined with high-drama domestic suspense. These richly overlapping layers of tension create a fast-paced, relentlessly gripping read." (Chris Pavone, New York Times best-selling author of The Expats)

Great Listen

The narrator kept me engaged and so did the storyline. I was never sure who to believe throughout the book.

Need to know

A really exciting book with lots of twists and turns and a very suspenseful end. I need a sequel!

Easy read!

This book was an easy read. Great ending great story line. I totally recommend it.

Good read or listen

Loved it. But got a little impatient with the lead character. Get a spine girl.

Quick and engaging plot

I really enjoyed the what-if plot.
I would be hard pressed to believe that's how things would have turned out in the end. I was glad for the last little doubt inserted into the story.

Sooooo gooood!!

Definitely draws you in and keeps you there. Such a good story. Need more from Karen Cleveland ASAP!! A sequel would be on my wish list!

Wow - Hold on for an amazing ride!

thank you John Grisham for recommending this amazing author, I can't wait for her next book. if you like Grisham, Coben and Connolly you will love Karen Cleveland. Mia Barron delivered a great performance!

Chic book

Great plot, too much fluff. Too much touchy feely female psycho bsbble. Ending had a great twist

A true thriller!

Such a page turner and I feel like I need to reread it. I may have missed something in my eagerness to find out what was going to happen next.

Very clever story but shame on the editor

Where does Need to Know rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As a new author, it was a homer!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Need to Know?

When it dawned on Vivian that she was "owned."

Which character – as performed by Mia Barron – was your favorite?

Oscar, the FBI agent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How far would you go to protect your children? Would you give up the security of a nation?

Any additional comments?

The plot and character development is great. Ms. Cleveland has great knowledge and insight that was instructive of the job and career as an analyst . I pray our government has more live her.

Every adverb was incorrectly used in the book beginning in the first 30 seconds. it was horrific. Surely someone edits or proofs a book before it goes to print. 99% of the time when the modifier describes "how" it is an adverb, usually, not always, will an "ly" added. For instance, "She held tight the bottle." Did she tight held the bottle or tightly held the bottle? I kept track for the first 80 then sat back and enjoyed the book. I may miss others but usually get the adverbs. I volunteer to proof at no charge hour next manuscript. It was a great novel. Keep them coming!