Reviews

"More than an effective page-turner, this is good enough that one wishes to call it a fine novel"

Where can the Hermitage find much-needed dollars? Sell a masterpiece for millions and then cover the illegal sale with an "authentic" forgery. Jennifer Morelli, a new American correspondent, discovers the plot but is murdered before she can submit the scoop to Colin Burke, a former Moscow-based journalist (and star of the author's Cover Story, LJ 5/1/94) who is now deputy foreign editor for the Washington Tribune. Feeling responsible, Burke takes a leave from his new job and travels to St. Petersburg to investigate. This dangerous crusade brings him into the path of numerous people with other agendas, including a well-armed Colombian art buyer, various Russian factions, and an attractive undercover C.I.A. agent. The multiple perspectives defuse suspense and keep the witty, likable Burke off-stage more than some readers may like. Yet series hallmarks such as a strong sense of place and fast pacing make this a priority purchase for fiction collections.-V. Louise Saylor, Eastern Washington Univ. Lib., Cheney

The guessing game starts early in this excellent thriller about art masterpieces, mayhem and military corruption in present-day Russia. Which priceless painting from the Hermitage is about to be secretly sold for $400 million? Evidence points to a rare Leonardo. The pending sale, moreover, seems to be connected to the death of Hermitage director Fyodor Vasiliev, as well as that of freelance reporter Jennifer Morelli, whose murder sends Colin Burke, the Washington Tribune's Russia expert, to St. Petersburg to investigate. Aided by black CIA agent Desdemona McCoy, who aims to prevent the Hermitage sale, Burke uncovers links among a ballet-loving Russian gangster, his hard-line military allies and the Calí drug cartel. Also in the thick is a talented Hermitage employee with an agenda of her own. Cullen (Cover Story, 1994) crams the narrative with acute observations on the former Soviet Union. He also packs in enough subplots to fill two average novels, including Burke's battle against alcohol, an assassination attempt relying on an American fall guy and the start of a new Cold War. But all these bonuses don't weaken the story line, which will keep readers tied up with its clever twists and sleek styling. (June)