Fans of spy thrillers and domestic suspense will relish The Expats by Chris Pavone. Readers who enjoyed the intrigue and tension of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and the international espionage of John le Carré's novels will find this book captivating. It’s perfect for those who enjoy layered plots with unexpected twists.

Chris Pavone's thriller, The Expats, garners praise for its intricate plot and engaging espionage narrative, effectively capturing expatriate life and marital tensions. Critics commend the novel's brisk pace and twisting storyline. However, some find the characters underdeveloped and the plot at times convoluted. Overall, it is an entertaining read with a few shortcomings in character depth.

The Expats by Chris Pavone follows Kate Moore, a former CIA agent who relocates to Luxembourg with her husband, Dexter, and their children. As Kate adjusts to domestic life, she becomes suspicious of Dexter and a new expatriate couple, Bill and Julia. When a massive cyber heist implicates her husband, Kate uses her espionage skills to uncover the truth while managing her own secrets.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Unnerving / Challenging / Bittersweet

- The Expats is Chris Pavone's debut novel, which became a New York Times bestseller and won the 2013 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
- The book was inspired by Pavone's own experiences living in Luxembourg as an expat when his wife took a job there.
- The novel explores themes of espionage and deception, reflecting Pavone's affinity for thrillers and his own brief studies in architecture and design in college, which influenced his attention to detailed plotting.

**Kate Moore**  
A former CIA analyst and field agent adjusting to life as a retiree while adapting to new personal and familial dynamics in Luxembourg. She navigates her complex roles as a mother and spouse alongside her lingering skills from her intelligence career.

**Julia Maclean/Susan Pognowski**  
An enigmatic figure with a background in the FBI, posing as Kate's friend in Luxembourg. She is involved in a secretive investigation that connects her with Kate's husband, Dexter.

**Dexter Moore**  
A skilled security systems expert and Kate's husband who works in the financial services sector. His career moves lead the family to Luxembourg, sparking intrigue and tension in their lives.

**Bill Maclean/Craig Malloy**  
A fellow agent linked to Julia and posed as her husband, he navigates a complex professional and personal relationship in the story. His interactions with Dexter arouse suspicion and influence the unfolding events.

Chris Pavone

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Expats reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Expats | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Expats and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Expats Summary

Background

The Expats Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prelude-Part 1, Chapter 6

The Expats Prelude-Part 1, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-12

The Expats Part 1, Chapters 7-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 The Expats Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Interlude-Chapter 28

The Expats Part 3, Interlude-Chapter 28 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 29-34

The Expats Part 3, Chapters 29-34 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Expats Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Expats Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Expats Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Expats Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Expats Essay Topics

The Expats

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Expats?

Reading Age

Book Details