Description
The new novel from a master of the Cold War thriller . . .
'This is Robert Harris storytelling territory' Daily Mail
'Outstanding' Sunday Times
'Tense, exciting and authentic' Charles Cumming, author of Judas 62
'Stunning' The Times
'Brilliantly plotted' John Sweeney, author of Killer in the Kremlin
'A standout thriller' Financial Times
1963. In a desolate Russian penal colony, a radio broadcasts news of the killing of
President John F. Kennedy . . .
Alexander Vasin's new posting as director of a brutal gulag camp is far from a promotion. This is where disgraced KGB officers are sent to disappear, quietly, and forgotten.
But when a violent revolt breaks out, Vasin must decide: run or die. So he runs. With him goes a mysterious prisoner - an individual who might hold the key to an extraordinarily dangerous secret: the identity of who really ordered Kennedy's assassination.
Racing from bleak Siberian wastelands to the grey streets of Soviet Moscow, Vasin needs to stay one step ahead of the most ruthless intelligence organization in the world in order to keep the most wanted man in Russia alive. And with his loyalty, morality and patriotic duty tested to the limits, he will face the ultimate choice: fall in line, or die fighting the system . . .
Weaving together a critical moment in history with the cut-throat machinations of Soviet politics, this tautly told, nail-bitingly atmospheric novel is a superb Cold War thriller.
About the Author
Russian expert OWEN MATTHEWS is the author of two highly praised works of non-fiction, Stalin's Children and An Impeccable Spy, and two acclaimed historical thrillers, Black Sun and Red Traitor. As a war correspondent, he covered conflicts in Bosnia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq and Ukraine, and for ten years he was was Newsweek's Moscow bureau chief. He divides his time between Rome and Moscow.
Reviews
Matthews skilfully balances the exhilarating thrill of the chase with the conflict between duty, self-interest and justice in his hero's heart. A fine send off for a well-accomplished series. * THE TIMES 'Best Thrillers of the Month' *
Matthews' excellent Black Sun spy trilogy comes to an impressively tense conclusion in White Fox . . . First rate. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *
A white-knuckle ride through the grey paranoia of Cold War Soviet Russia, which Owen Matthews conjures up quite brilliantly. * SHOTS magazine *
Superlative . . . balances thrills with historical fact (and speculation) in equal measure and it races you along to its breath-taking conclusion. -- Maxim Jakubowski * CRIME TIME *
Impressive . . . Matthews' knowledge of the USSR and the Cold War gives the novel the feeling of authenticity . . . a personal note at the end shows why Vasin's struggles are both so convincing and so affecting. * LITERARY REVIEW *
Book Information
ISBN 9780552178365
Author Owen Matthews
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Penguin (Transworld)
Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 127mm * 35mm
