With the Third Estate holding all the power and the Assassins Guild running life and death, Sophie Allard fights them, along with a rogue assassin who holds his own loyalties, in an adrenaline-fueled ride, The Third Estate: Devil’s Tango by D.R. Berlin.
Table of Contents
Review
Who can you trust? When Sophie Allard finds herself suspended from medical school and followed by assassins, her only way out is an alliance with the devil himself: Kai Lovac. Follow these unlikely frenemies as they fight their way out of a convoluted web of lies, power, and danger in this heart-pounding thriller: The Third Estate: Devil’s Tango by D.R. Berlin.
Sophie Allard went from Junior Master Chef to pilot to medical student. When a dying John Doe arrives at her hospital, she needs to pivot again, as she faces members of the Assassins Guild asking questions, and her own bosses questioning if she had something to do with the death of another doctor. Is what she knows about the Third Estate true? Can she trust Kai Lovac? This is not their first encounter, and the first one was lethal. Furthermore, Lovac has been living off the grid for three years.
The most brilliant asset of the novel is the unique relationship between Sophie and Lovac. Sophie has a witty brashness that contrasts perfectly with Lovac’s serious and straightforward demeanor, giving rise to lively, organic dialogue. The overarching theme of the book, the question of who you can really trust, is perfectly embodied by this duo.
I want to commend the author for their attention to language and descriptions. With thrillers being mostly about action and enigmas, some authors neglect rich, delectable prose. This is not the case. Take, for example, the following sentence: “The air carried a brittle stillness, like the split second before glass surrendered and shattered.”
The novel’s pacing is absolutely perfect, with an exciting revelation in the first third of the read, and twists and turns that surprise even seasoned thriller readers.
The novel is also full of little tidbits of wisdom that can make anyone feel as trained and prepared as the book’s characters, e.g., “Doesn’t matter what the question is. The answer is always balance.” The author’s attention to detail jumps out for observant readers. For example, at one point, Sophie hurts her knee and later struggles with the car pedal. This might seem minute, but for someone who’s never had a knee injury, it’s not obvious that driving can be a major pain trigger. All these details lend credibility to the story and speak wonders of the author’s creative process.
Readers who didn’t read the first installment of this series might feel lost at the beginning. I felt a bit like someone who walks into the middle of a riveting conversation.
Secondly, the book lacks layering for my personal taste. This is a thriller through and through, without many subplots. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. I find that, for instance, a romance subplot can break the nonstop tension of thrillers and bring a lighter read and a richer experience.
I recommend readers start with the first installment, The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor, to get the most out of the novel. The book does have an adorable dog spy and some humor sprinkled here and there that breaks the tension a bit, whether it is in Sophie’s dark humor or in Tiny’s hilarious quirkiness.
I believe we all have a conspiracist side, and this book, with major organizations puppeteering the entire world, perfectly scratches that itch. This is also a fascinating read for those who love riddles and ciphers, and an exciting novel for all thriller lovers.
About the Author
D. R. Berlin writes mystery, suspense, and thriller novels. A U.S. Army veteran and general surgeon, she earned degrees from MIT and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She created The Third Estate series and spends her free time photographing her children’s sports, earning the nickname “Mamarazzi.”
Book Details
- Title: The Third Estate: Devil’s Tango
- Author: D.R. Berlin
- Genre: Thriller
- Theme: Action, Adventure, Assassination, Puzzles
- Publication Date: August 10, 2026
- ISBN or ASIN: B0GXXCZT6X
- Number of Pages:
- Minimum Audience Age: 15
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 0
- Religious themes: 0
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 2
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 1
- Other adult themes: 1
Rating
- Content: 4 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
- Uniqueness: 4 stars
- Editing: 5 stars
- Other factors: 5 stars
- Overall: 4.67 out of 5 stars
Related
Book Review: “The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor” by D. R. Berlin
What happens when unparalleled precision meets unwavering focus? In this pulse-pounding thriller, D.R. Berlin crafts a story where expertise drives every twist, keeping readers hooked until the final page.
Keep reading
February 2025 BREW Readers’ Choice Awardee: “The Third Estate: Secrets of the Manor” by D. R. Berlin
Here now is our BREW Readers’ Choice Award Book of the Month winner.
Keep readingDisclaimer: The content provided by The Chrysalis BREW Project is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in our reviews and articles are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Chrysalis BREW Project. Unless otherwise specified, product descriptions or author profiles are based on what has been provided by the author or publisher. We strive for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information provided. External links are for convenience and do not imply endorsement. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult professionals as needed. The use of our content is at your own discretion. Please read our full disclaimer version as well as other relevant policies, terms, and conditions on the links below for more details.
Important Reads: About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer and Disclosure
For more posts like this, here’s the link: https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/category/bookish-posts/.
Share this:
Discover more from The Chrysalis BREW Project
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.