In this
fourth book by Turner we find Alex Talanov facing a set of circumstances that
will either end his life or reignite his desire to live life and live it
fully. Talanov's wife Andrea is
dead, killed by a sniper round that was meant for Alex or was it?
But for
Alex life has come to a crushing end.
He is in complete despair and doesn't really care what happens. He is drinking himself into oblivion at
club after club. Our story starts
with him in a hotel room with a hooker named Tash who has drugged him and is
now robbing him blind.
Alex
wakes up, much sooner than he should, mainly because of his physical condition
and professional background. He
goes back to the clubs and finds Tash, confronts her about his wallet, all he
wants is his wife's picture. But
in the process two bouncers get in the way and Alex is beaten badly.
But Tash,
whose real name is Larissa is overcome with compassion for Alex. She tracks him down, brings back his
wallet and enters his life in a way that only one other person has before and
that person was Andrea who is now dead.
Through
many mishaps it appears that everyone wants a piece of Alex, from the LAPD to
the FBI to ICE and finally the CIA.
So who will win out and get his attention.
As it
turns out Larissa is being used by the Russian Mafia to get close to Talanov,
but instead she falls in love with him.
The FBI and LAPD just want Talanov deported and sent out of the country.
But the
CIA wants him on their side. They
want the former KGB operative to help them run to ground the Russian Mafia and
end their hold on crime in Los Angeles.
Enter
Bill Wilcox, Talanov's former CIA handler. He and Alex will work for the next few days to save the life
of Larissa, save the life of a CIA agent, save the life of a U.S. Congresswoman
and do their best to bring to the end a Russian Mafia crime ring that has been
devastating Los Angeles. Can they
do all this? That's the story line
of the book.
Unlike
many other spy / crime / mystery / war / political thrillers that take you all
over the world Janes Houston Turner does a fantastic job of building his story
completely around the city if Los Angeles and has it all wrapped up in just a
few days time.
At first
the story seems a bit slow in developing because there is a lot of time given
to the new relationship between Alex and Larissa. But it is all necessary to build on the characters, build on
the story line and bring the action to a head. I say a bit slow, but that is only because most thrillers
have lots of action. The beginning
has lots of relationship.
But I was
so intrigued by Turner's writing style and the character development that it
keep me turning pages. Just when I
went to set the book down so I could do some chores he ends a chapter with a
cliff hanger comment from the CIA to Alex about his new love Larissa. So, instead of setting the book down I
had to keep reading.
That's
how the whole book goes, just when you think you might take a break someone new
and exciting or intriguing pops up and you keep reading. I finished the book in just two
sittings. That's unusual for me as
I usually stop several times and do other things.
But the
writing and the story were so captivating that I just kept turning the pages.
How will
it turn out? Well, maybe good
maybe not? Will everyone survive
the final chase scene and gun battle?
Maybe, maybe not. When all
is said and done is the story over?
Maybe, maybe not. Turner
ends the book with a hook that will make you anxious for the sequel that will
be coming in 2013. But trust me,
after reading this you will want to mark your calendar so that you don't forget
to order the sequel when it comes out.
Enjoy!
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