Moscow Bound

This story connects on so many levels. It uses the post cold war Russia as a backdrop to show that the human nature involved in cruelty to and exploitation of your fellow man never changes. Through the first half of the book, the basis for the violence and murder is not known. The reader can't tell the good guys from the bad, and your opinion keeps changing as the story unfolds. The bitter cold of Russia is a solid allegory for the cold hearts of all the major players. The central character, a human rights attorney, is surrounded by sharks in the form of competing Russian dark organizations, rich Russian criminals, and American agents who don't seem to be what they claim they are. The chaotic action and many players draw the reader in and make the book very difficult to put down. You finish it with a feeling of great relief, and then want to go back and read it again.

It's been a long time since I've read a political thriller that I enjoyed as much as this one. From the start, the story pulled me in and I was engaged with the characters. I was trying to sort out who the good guys were from the bad - and then another twist came in and shocked me. I was intrigued with the amount of detail provided by the author, and wonder if this is actually based on fact rather than fiction! This novel had it all: murder, abuse of political power, suspense, conflicted characters. The first in a series, I wonder what the next will bring! Highly recommend to fans of David Baldacci and Dan Brown.

This novel started off really well, even though I will admit I struggled with the Russian names. Good story, and well written.

Book 1, in “The Puppet Meisters” trilogy.

This is an engaging story that surely will please anyone who is interested in reading thrillers set in contemporary Russia and enjoys navigating the complexities of its law, its bureaucracy and are concerned about the ever-growing abuses of state power. Scott Mitchell, the fictionalized idealistic human rights lawyer, is one of the messengers in this suspenseful and very captivating novel that revisits Cold War themes.

The story opens with an electrifying start and keeps the tempo throughout and never let go, so be ready to stay captivated for hours. Although keeping with the Russian names may be somewhat of a challenge but is a lot of fun once into it, I for one, gobbled it down in now time. The author handles the various threads competently and has provided us with a story that has depth and populated with rich and archetypal characters we came to expect in modern day political tales. To add colour we have the gorgeous Ekaterina, young Russian mother separated from her oligarch husband and Pravda, a Lieutenant-General of the GRU (military intelligence).

The main plot and sub-plots have all the exciting elements: The book opens with Scott Mitchell, a human right activist, a hero and defender of ethnic minority manages right from the start to get in trouble with the Russian army. One thing leads to another and Ekaterina shows up needing Scott’s help finding her father, a man who was spirited away by the KGB years ago. Now more mystery is added when POV characters are found murdered in particular manner, Pravda, an honest and patriotic soldier gets mixed in and slowly we are into an explosive military secret that is at risk to be revealed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and looking forward to its sequel.

My thanks to NetGalley and to Silverwood Books for the opportunity to read this book

Very readable, fast-paced story.