Kimberly Belle’s latest psychological thriller, The Expat Affair, transforms Amsterdam’s picturesque canals and glittering diamond houses into a treacherous maze where one wrong turn can prove fatal. This meticulously crafted novel weaves together the stories of two American expats whose lives collide in the most devastating way possible, creating a narrative that’s as brilliant and multifaceted as the diamonds at its center.
A Night That Changes Everything
The story opens with Rayna Dumont awakening in an unfamiliar bed beside a very familiar nightmare. What was supposed to be an adventurous one-night stand with the charming Xander van der Vos becomes a waking horror when she discovers his lifeless body in the shower, his finger severed, and millions of dollars worth of diamonds missing from his safe. Belle masterfully captures that disorienting moment between sleep and consciousness, making readers feel Rayna’s confusion and growing terror as reality crashes down upon her.
Across the city, Willow Prins—wife to diamond heir Thomas Prins—watches the scandal unfold from her gilded cage, simultaneously fascinated and horrified by the news. When she realizes the victim is her husband’s former associate, her already crumbling marriage faces a new kind of scrutiny that threatens to expose secrets she’s desperately tried to keep buried.
Character Development: Diamonds Under Pressure
Belle’s characterization proves exceptional, particularly in her portrayal of two women struggling to find their footing in a foreign land. Rayna emerges as more than just a convenient suspect; she’s a complex woman reinventing herself after a devastating divorce, seeking adventure but finding herself trapped in a nightmare that threatens to destroy the new life she’s building. Her vulnerability feels authentic without making her helpless, and her gradual transformation from victim to survivor provides the novel’s emotional backbone.
Willow presents an equally compelling figure—a woman who appears to have everything but possesses nothing of real value. Belle explores the psychological toll of living within the diamond dynasty’s expectations while maintaining a marriage that’s become as cold and hard as the stones her husband’s family peddles. Her growing friendship with Rayna becomes the heart of the novel, two women finding strength in each other when their worlds threaten to collapse.
The supporting cast, particularly the menacing Lars and the enigmatic Fleur Prins, adds layers of complexity that keep readers guessing about true motives and hidden agendas. Belle avoids the trap of creating one-dimensional villains, instead crafting characters whose actions stem from believable motivations, even when those actions prove morally questionable.
Amsterdam as Character
Belle’s intimate knowledge of Amsterdam elevates the setting beyond mere backdrop to become an essential character in its own right. Having lived in the Netherlands herself, she captures both the city’s enchanting beauty and its underlying dangers with remarkable authenticity. From the exclusive diamond district to the working-class neighborhoods, from elegant canal houses to industrial warehouses, Amsterdam pulses with life throughout the narrative.
The author’s attention to cultural details—the challenges of navigating Dutch bureaucracy, the social hierarchies within expat communities, the linguistic barriers that can isolate and expose—adds authenticity that grounds the thriller elements in recognizable reality. This isn’t just any international setting; it’s a fully realized world where readers can almost feel the damp air from the canals and hear the clatter of bicycles on cobblestones.
Narrative Structure: A Carefully Cut Gem
Belle employs a dual perspective structure that alternates between Rayna and Willow, a technique she’s perfected in previous novels like The Marriage Lie and Dear Wife. This approach allows her to build suspense while gradually revealing the connections between seemingly separate storylines. The pacing accelerates steadily, with each chapter ending on notes that compel immediate continuation.
The three-part structure mirrors the stages of diamond cutting—the rough discovery, the careful planning, and the final polishing that reveals the stone’s true nature. Part One establishes the deadly foundation, Part Two builds the complex web of relationships and deceptions, and Part Three brings everything to a explosive climax that redefines everything readers thought they understood.
Writing Style: Polished Prose with Underlying Tension
Belle’s prose style has evolved considerably since her earlier works like The Last Breath and The Ones We Trust. Her writing in The Expat Affair demonstrates increased confidence and sophistication, balancing accessible storytelling with literary depth. She has a particular gift for capturing the internal voices of women under extreme pressure, making their fears, doubts, and desperate hopes feel immediate and visceral.
The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, particularly in the exchanges between Rayna and Willow as their unlikely friendship develops. Belle captures the way women communicate—the subtext beneath seemingly casual conversations, the way trust builds gradually through shared vulnerabilities, the fierce loyalty that can develop between women facing similar challenges.
Her descriptions of the diamond trade provide fascinating insights without overwhelming the narrative flow. The technical details about diamond cutting, certification, and the black market trade enhance the story’s authenticity while serving the plot’s needs.
Strengths That Shine
The Expat Affair succeeds brilliantly in several key areas:
- Authentic International Setting: Belle’s firsthand knowledge of Amsterdam creates a vivid, believable backdrop that enhances rather than merely decorates the story
- Complex Female Friendship: The relationship between Rayna and Willow develops organically, avoiding the tired trope of women as natural enemies
- Intricate Plot Construction: Multiple storylines weave together seamlessly, with revelations that feel both surprising and inevitable
- Cultural Authenticity: The expat experience feels genuine, capturing both the excitement and isolation of starting over in a foreign country
- Strong Emotional Core: Beneath the thriller elements lies a thoughtful exploration of identity, belonging, and the courage required to start over
Areas for Improvement
While The Expat Affair largely succeeds, it’s not without minor flaws:
The novel’s middle section occasionally slows as Belle establishes the complex relationships within the Prins family dynasty. Some readers might find the extensive cast of secondary characters initially difficult to track, though most serve important purposes in the final act.
Certain plot conveniences stretch credibility slightly—particularly some of the more elaborate deceptions that require precise timing and cooperation. However, Belle’s skilled writing generally carries readers past these moments without breaking the spell.
The resolution, while satisfying, feels slightly rushed given the careful buildup. A few more pages exploring the aftermath of the dramatic climax would have provided better emotional closure for such well-developed characters.
Thematic Depth
Beyond its surface thrills, The Expat Affair explores themes of reinvention, trust, and the price of privilege. Belle examines how people shed old identities when circumstances force change, whether through divorce, immigration, or moral awakening. The diamond industry serves as an effective metaphor for the way beautiful surfaces can conceal dark truths.
The novel also thoughtfully addresses issues of class and power, particularly through Willow’s perspective as someone who married into wealth but never quite belongs. Belle avoids simplistic judgments, instead exploring the psychological costs of living within systems that value appearance over authenticity.
Comparative Context
The Expat Affair represents Belle’s strongest work to date, building upon the domestic suspense foundations established in earlier novels while expanding into international thriller territory. Readers who enjoyed The Paris Widow and Young Rich Widows will find similar themes of Americans abroad facing deadly secrets, while fans of Stranger in the Lake will appreciate the careful character development beneath the suspenseful surface.
The novel fits comfortably alongside other international thrillers like Kate White’s The Second Husband or Jessica Barry’s Don’t Turn Around, but Belle’s authentic Amsterdam setting and focus on female friendship distinguish it within the crowded field.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy The Expat Affair should consider:
- The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle – Another international thriller featuring Americans caught in deadly circumstances abroad
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley – For complex character relationships and multiple perspectives
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – For psychological depth and unreliable narrators
- In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead – For female friendship dynamics under pressure
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – For international mystery with character-driven plots
Final Verdict
The Expat Affair delivers everything readers expect from a Kimberly Belle thriller while pushing her storytelling into new territory. The authentic Amsterdam setting, complex female characters, and intricate plot construction create a reading experience that’s both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. While not perfect, it represents a significant achievement that should satisfy longtime fans while attracting new readers to Belle’s increasingly impressive body of work.
The novel succeeds as both a page-turning thriller and a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging in an increasingly connected yet alienating world. Belle has crafted a story that glitters with all the surface appeal of the diamonds at its center while possessing the depth and complexity that transform good thrillers into memorable ones.
For readers seeking intelligent psychological suspense with international flavor and authentic emotional depth, The Expat Affair proves that sometimes the most dangerous adventures begin when we try to reinvent ourselves in foreign places—and discover that our past refuses to stay buried, no matter how many canals separate us from who we used to be.
