Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner is a suspenseful and smartly crafted novel that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. The story follows Sadie Smith, a cunning and ruthless secret agent whose clean beauty and sharp intellect belie the dark and dirty work she is sent to do in the French countryside. The novel is well-paced, with a taut narrative structure that builds tension as Sadie navigates a complex web of deception, manipulation, and espionage.

Kushner’s ability to blend the personal and political with such grace is impressive, and the novel's short, punchy sections give the story a propulsive energy. Her rendering of noir elements is both dazzling and intellectually engaging, making Creation Lake not only a thrilling read but also a meditation on identity and power.

Thank you Scribner Books for the gifted copy.