ARC Review: The Russian Endgame by Allan Topol

The Russian Endgame

Author: Allan Topol

Publication: SelectBooks; 1 edition (September 10, 2013)

Description: When former KGB agent Dimitri Orlov orchestrates an alliance between two world powers bent on domination, he unleashes a powerful chain of events that will rock the Western World. The agenda? Eliminate the President of the United States and seize classified military weaponry capable of shifting the balance of world power. But before this nefarious scheme can reach fruition, Craig Page is on the scene, joined by companion Elizabeth Crowder, ready to confront a painful past and the enemies that helped create it. But can the indomitable Director of Counterterrorism emerge victorious? Finding himself facing an old enemy unexpectedly catapulted into a lethal position of power, Craig is pushed to the limit in an effort to foil his enemy's deadly plans and keep potentially devastating military technology out of the hands of those prepared to destroy the world as he knows it. 

Filled with thrills, twists, and danger, The Russian Endgame showcases best-selling author Allan Topol's talent for delivering electrifying, gripping expeditions into the world of international intrigue.

My Thoughts: This is the conclusion of the Craig Page trilogy and brings all the hanging plot threads to a satisfying conclusion. The story is told from multiple viewpoints - Dimitri Orlov, Craig Page and General Zhou - which lets us see the plot unfolding. General Zhou is plotting to become the leader of China and lead China to world domination. Dimitri Orlov, whose sister is the mistress of General Zhou, is plotting for power in Russia. He is being used by both the Russian President and General Zhou to further their plots. Craig Page is still focused - maybe even obsessed - with bring General Zhou to justice because he had Craig's daughter killed.

This one had all the elements to make a heart-pounding thriller but, somehow, it missed for me. I don't know if it was the viewpoint switches or the fact that enough plot for 800 pages was condensed into 300 pages that did it. It felt, to me, that the story needed a lot more detail to build the suspense.

I was also not a big fan of the main character - Craig Page. Others in the intelligence community describe him as a "cowboy" and a "loose cannon" which aren't characteristics that endeared him to me. His obsession with revenge on General Zhou caused him to run roughshod over fellow intelligence people and to make decisions without consulting anyone. It seemed that he was apologizing to the President every couple of pages for his activities. 

Readers who started the series will want to read this one to find out how the story finishes. Fans looking for a thriller might want to look elsewhere.

Favorite Quote:

Watching her walk away, he had no second thoughts about what he planned to do. Yes, he loved Elizabeth, but he rejected her opinion on this issue. She never had a child. She couldn't understand the pain of losing one. Perhaps he was a fanatic. And obsessive. Call it what yo want, but all that mattered to him right now was getting Zhou for Francesca's murder.

I was sent this ARC by a publicist. You can buy your copy here.