At first glance, Chris Pavone's Two Nights in Lisbon appears to be yet another of a particular type of underdog story: Protagonist is threatened, overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles and emerges as a heroine one hopes will be victorious. However, what makes the novel stand out is its unique overlay of that tired trope — "woman seeking justice" — onto an intriguing and often disturbing exploration of why people thirst for power. What begins as a simple kidnapping story quickly deepens into an insightful analysis of the nature of truth and the lengths to which one may go to ensure that justice is served.

In the opening scene, we are shot into the thick of a summer vacation in Lisbon, Portugal, where Ariel Pryce and her mysterious younger husband, John, are extending one of his many business trips with some personal sightseeing and pleasure. It's a late honeymoon of ...