Book Description 

The war between age and youth has never been so vicious.

Eighty-one-year-old widow Maggie Burkhardt came to the Royal Karnak to escape. But not in quite the same way as most other guests who are relaxing at this threadbare luxury hotel on the banks of the Nile. Maggie, a compulsive fixer of other people’s lives, may have found herself in hot water at her last hotel in Switzerland and just might have needed to get out of there fast… But here at the Royal Karnak, under the hot Saharan sun, she has a comfortable suite, a loyal confidante in the hotel manager, Ahmed, and a handful of sympathetic friends, similar “long-termers” who understand her still-vivid grief for her late husband, Peter. Here, she is merely the sweet old lady in Room 309.

One morning, however, Maggie notices a new arrival at check-in: a mournful-looking young mother named Tess and her impish eight-year-old, Otto. Eager to help, Maggie invites them into her world. But it isn’t long before Maggie realizes that in her longing to be a part of their family, she has let in an enemy much stronger than she bargained for. In scrawny, homely Otto, Maggie Burkhardt has finally met her match.

A propulsive, addictively-readable breakout from the critically acclaimed author of A Beautiful Crime and The Lost Americans, Havoc is brilliant, twisty psychological suspense that will get under your skin like the most unforgettable Hitchcock classics. 

My Review 

I read this book in one sitting. I have a load of denim that needs to go in the dryer, but I found myself unable to get up until I found out how this book was going to end. 

Maggie has been living abroad since the death of her husband several years beforehand, floating from one hotel to the next. She spends her days manipulating situations to “help” those around her because she believes that she knows what they need better than they do.   

Her latest “home” in Luxor, Egypt. There, she meets Otto, an eight year old boy who quickly becomes her nemesis. From there, Maggie’s closely controlled environment begins to dissolve as it becomes clear that Maggie and Otto are determined to destroy each other. 

Wow, talk about evil kids! I know that Maggie is not completely innocent, but it’s clear that Otto brings out the worst in everyone he encounters. Despite her numerous flaws, I found it hard to dislike Maggie for most of the book. That said, the twist at the end had me breathless. 

I would absolutely recommend Havoc. This is a quick read, and well worth your time. I hate to dismiss the power of the written word, but this book would make an amazing limited series.