Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes is war thriller.

Louise Koski and her husband Arnie are stationed in Finland in 1947. Arnie is a US ambassador and Louise is from a Midwest town. They have been struggling to have a child, having suffered a loss. Balancing etiquette in the powder keg of a political climate of Finland The United Stated and The Soviet Union could easily be catastrophic as saying or doing the wrong thing can lead to danger or death. World War II has just ended two years ago, but Finland is a mix of supporters, many hating The Soviet Union for the destruction they have caused, as well as the sanctions that were imposed upon them post war.
Natalya Bobrova will do almost anything to support her husband Mikhail and her country. When Natalya and Louise and their spouses meet at an embassy party, they begin to develop a friendship. But in a time when anyone can betray you, how much can these women really disclose. When they bond over an orphanage in need of help, they try to maneuver through diplomatic channels to help get funding to children in need. The number of children that are orphans post World War II has increased exponentially and the funding to feed and or care for the children is limited by many factors, the most significant being the financial sanctions that the area is under. At the same time Arnie and Mikhail get a little drunk, they begin to boast about their accomplishments in skiing and end up making a wager about who would win in a cross country skiing competition. In a time period where World War II has barely ended, something as simple as two attaches making a friendly competition, quickly escalates to so much more.
This was my first time reading a book by Karl Marlanres and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have always loved history and have always enjoyed reading historical based fiction. I like the way the stories put you into a time period but in a way that draws people in, not just history buffs. I enjoyed the way the author kept me hanging on until the very end.
I loved the narrator. Bronson Pinchot had a great voice and drew me into the story very quickly. My husband walked into the room while I was listening and he sat there listening to the book, commenting how much he enjoyed the narrator. I enjoyed this book and will definitely check out more books by this author and or this narrator.

This was an interesting read, but honestly, was a bit long at times.

I felt like the characters fell flat in some portions, however, there was a lot of the Cold War typical type talk. Someone is always watching, someone disappears kind of thing.

Overall, this was what I call a McConaughey (alright, alright, alright).

Thank you NetGalley for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank You, NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I went into this with a lot of expectations but somewhere it failed to fulfil the promise for me. The premise had a lot of merit but somewhere it ended up being mediocre.

Still, this is my perspective and I would encourage people to give it a chance, a book is a personal choice after all.

This was a very good book, I loved the characters, they were very well developed. The plot was really good, a bit predictable but I still really enjoyed it. It is hard to imagine life during those dark times in history.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for allowing me to read and review Cold Victory on NetGalley.

Published: 01/09/24

Narrator: Bronson Pinchot

Stars: 4

Smart. The goal is to keep Finland out of Russian hands during a period in time where absolutely no one could be trusted. These were true spy days. The KGB was real. Marlantes and Pinchot had me holding my breath and sighing audibly, as well as leaving me with goosebumps. The dark noir -- agents following, standing on corners, bugs, and smoking expected. The U..S. had their spies too.

Pinchot was amazing.

I found Cold Victory to be well done. The relationships the women formed was heartwarming and heartbreaking. This begs the question how far would you go? I'm still sickened.

I would gift this in a basket with a bottle, cheese and some good chocolate.

Everything about this was great. First, it was in Finland, which is interesting, and during the Cold War. The couples were sympathetic and believable, the friendships were beautiful (especially considering their differences), and the action was intense but believable. The story was involving and there were so many everyday details that rang true. I was listening to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this

I enjoyed this Cold War tale of Americans and Russians in post-WW2 Finland. Each of the USSR countries/territories had their own Cold War experience with similarities and differences between each other. I hadn’t read this type of Finnish perspective. It was unique and compelling. It had some of “The Americans” vibe with Louise (American) and Natalya (Russian) navigating the CIA/KGB, as well as their own marriage, dynamics on both sides. It was compelling, and at times chilling, historical fiction. Great narration too by Bronson Pinchot. Definitely recommend!
*Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone publishing.

I absolutely loved this novel! I enjoy a cold, Arctic setting and this novel provides just that. Even better it had a great story of post WWII Finland. I learned a lot about this region from this novel. Great historical fiction read!

Marlantes, Karl, Cold Victory. 10.34 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2024.

Set in 1947 Helsinki. Teetering between Soviet Union and United States, Finland is an unsafe place to be. Louise’s husband, Arnie Koski, is a military attaché for the American side. Natalya Bobrova is the wife of a Russian military attaché, Mikhail. After getting drunk Arnie and Mikhail challenge each other to a secret skiing race across Northern Finland. Meanwhile, the race is the perfect opportunity to raise money for the local orphanage. Things take a dangerous turn when the press and the KGB get wind of the race. Should Mikhail or Natalya embarrass the Soviet Union, they will likely be killed along with their children. Can Louise fix things and save her friends from the KGB? Who can she trust?

Narrator, Bronson Pinchot does a great job of embracing the tones and personalities of the characters. Pinchot’s subtle approach to the novel brings to life the adventure, danger, and action of the novel. Characters are likable and well-developed. World building is well done and draws the listeners into the time period. Fans of political thrillers, historical fiction, and action adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most public library collections. 5 stars. ADULT

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

I have mixed feelings on this book. I actually really enjoyed the narration, and what it added to a spy story.

I also loved the setting, and loved learning more about the impact of Norway during World War 2.

However, I did struggle with the story overall. Some of it felt quite predicable, and so that took away some of the enjoyment for me.

Regardless, I do like this book, and think others would enjoy it. It just was not a favorite of mine.

I didn't love the plot of this book, and felt that the writing of the women characters was extremely weak, but the audio performance by Bronson Pinchot was great - no complaints there. The setting was interesting, and I liked learning more about the role of Finland in WWII and the beginning of the Cold War.

Copied from Goodreads:
As I read "Cold Victory," a common refrain raced through my head: "oh, come on! Have you not learned anything?" It also made me very concerned about the State Department's methods of preparation for international posts, at least those from 1947. The story centers around two women, Louise Korski and Natalya Bobrova, wives of the American and Russian legations to Helsinki, Finland, and persons close to both women. As would be expected, the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R do their best to overtly engage peaceably while spying. Louise's naivete was extremely frustrating. Even when accounting for the isolation of growing up in the Midwest, I just cannot imagine how Louise jumps into action with zero regard for the delicate Cold War balance. The setting of Helsinki in the aftermath of World War II and the start of the Cold War was engaging, although the book's characters were not as well-developed. All in all, "Cold Victory" is a solid piece of historical fiction told from a unique vantage point.

"Cold Victory" was released in the U.S. on January 9, 2024. Thanks to Blackstone Audio and NetGalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I lived in Finland for a few months so it was cool to listen to the events happening in places that I have been too. It was different than other spy thrillers, I would never have considered skiing to be a plotline in that genre.

This book! I loved every word of it. Karl Marlantes has outdone himself with this tension-filled story of the earliest days of the Cold War. Contrasting the decisions of the husbands with the decisions of the wives, not to mention the decisions and thought processes of the Americans with those of the Russians made for thrilling, hopeful, frustrating (in the best way) reading. Bronson Pinchot as narrator is sheer perfection.

3.5⭐️s rounded up. It was an interesting and well described setting to show both the naïveté of Americans and the brutality of communist Russians immediately post-WW2.

I thought the characters were portrayed well, and the danger and mistrust the Russians had towards everyone because of the violent nature of the communist regime, not knowing who to trust, who would turn you in, and how helpless you were being at the mercy of corrupt superiors. But also how unprepared the Americans were to relate to them, not understanding how delicate and tenuous their situation was, and what retaliation they would face doing simple things for American culture like compete in a sport.

The writing style was not my favorite. It would bounce between dialogue and good character interaction and events, to sounding more like a nonfiction book, in complete narrative, especially in beginning.

Overall I enjoyed it, but I’m glad I listened on audio, as the beginning was a bit to wade thru. It was very different from my norm, and I liked the story, even though it was a bit sad.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook of Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes. It was narrated by Bronson Pinchot whom I have listened to numerous books narrated by him and have enjoyed all of them. It is set in 1947 Helsinki Finland where everyone is being watched for their loyalty and afraid to make any waves. An American couple and a Russian couple are in Finland for diplomatic purposes. Louise Koski of the U.S. and Natalya Bobrova of Russia are the diplomatic wives and they meet at an embassy party where their husbands challenge each other to a cross country wilderness race, the women become friends. A great read, well written and very absorbing, I liked the authors writing.
#NetGalley #ColdVictory

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes.

First, a small criticism of the narration. Why have a man narrate when the book is mostly about the experience of two women? Yes, they are war wives, and their husbands are the propellor the move the book forward, but seeing as we get a lot of these women's inner thoughts and struggles, it seems having a female narrator would be more appropriate?

This was a fast paced and heart thumping story of two women, one from Russia, one from the States, both in Finland during the war in the late 1940's. Both have so far had vastly differing experiences due to their country of origin, so when their husbands propose a race across the frozen wilderness, the outcomes could spell out totally different things for both of them.

I liked this story in theory, I found the execution to be a bit dry and tedious. I thought getting insight on Finland's place in such a big war was interesting, but my interest flattened a lot while reading this book.

I love stories that take place in the North - but the Cold War is not one of my favorite tropes. Until I read this book! So well-written, well-researched, and well-developed! The characters seem very real and likable in their own imperfect way. The hardest part is the portrayal of Soviet Russia from the end of WWII for the next few years. Brutal and sad in so many ways, yet hopeful in a humanitarian way. This book is underrated! Couldn't put it down. 5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for review.

What worked for me:
I read historical fiction to get a perspective on an historical event/time/person that I may not be aware of so that I can look into this history further. While I was aware of Finland during the war, I was not well versed on after war - so this intrigued me.

What didn't work for me:
I am not a fan of the "evil Russian" trope & thought based off of the summary that it wouldn't fall under this - unfortunately it did. This laid a heavy hand on evil Russian/America is the innocent hero plot.
I also am averse to a naive woman & her actions being the plot device, but especially written by male author.

Overall this did not work for me & I wished the summary would have given a bit more information so I would have recognized key points that I usually avoid.

Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes is a great listen on audiobook, read by Bronson Pinchot. The narrator's voice is excellent, accents are spot-on, and he does a great job with differentiating the characters.

I enjoyed the story very much! It has the feel of an espionage thriller, but the added intrigue of the friendship between the wives and the two men makes it much more interesting to me. It took a long time to build the background and for the skiers to actually begin the race, and in fact the race is actually less than half the book which surprised me. I liked the wives' characters quite a lot, although Louise annoyed me with some of her complete cluelessness about the consequences of her actions.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks for the audio review copy of Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes. The opinions in this review are my own.