Date first published	1 September 2007
ISBN Number	0 752 876406
Page Count	352 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

Deep in the Canadian Arctic, a research team come across a crashed Soviet Bomber, a discovery that will lead them all to their deaths.

The discovery forces the Russian Government to seek the help of the Americans, because the Bomber was part of their strategic Bio chemical arsenal.

The American government agrees to help in a semi covert operation to see whether the Bomber's deadly cargo is still on board, and neutralise it before it falls into other hands. Unknown to the Americans, the Russians have another secret to hide, and they will stop at nothing to keep the secret of the last 50 years.

Review

At the start I was slightly concerned by the blurb, which states "...they become aware that something else exists within the hulk of the bomber..". I thought that we were going to end up with a monster hunt. However what lurks in the hulk is a political secret, a planned attack on the USA in 1953, ordered by Stalin shortly before his death.

Once again Randi Russell is brought into the fray, and it looks like just one step from becoming a Covert One operative, something that has needed resolving because she has obviously become intrigued about Jon's status, as he seems to crop up at all the wrong sort of hot spots! However in this book she really has a rough time being raped by the terrorist outfit.

Jon has his own problems, the Russian liaison office Major Smyslov, is obviously more than a liaison officer, who will stop at nothing to prevent the secret of the bomber being found out, however he is torn between duty and respect for the American team. However the Spetznatz team that is also on the island will stop at nothing to see Jon and his team dead, especially after Jon has killed several of his team.

The final problem comes in the shape of an arms dealer, who sees other lives as just a commodity, to use and dispose of as he sees fit, whether they are innocent people providing shelter to his own team, who know to much.

Into the melting pot is thrown the Arctic weather, which prevents any help from the outside world for much of the book. With the discovery of the plane, and later the dead crew matters escalate and a desperate battle for survival from all parties, meets in an inevitable clash.

So with all the elements in place what is the book like. I enjoyed it. It was a move away from ECO terrorists, which I think we are all tired of. In some ways it is reminiscent of the old cold war stories, however it makes a refreshing change. The book sees a sea change in the way Jon Smith operates. In the past he has been the Lone Ranger, riding into town to sort out the problem, with some (unwanted) outside help. Here Jon is teamed up with two Femme Fatals, one of whom is definitely going to bed him.

The book has some light moments, as Metrace makes plain her expectations, but it also has some dark moments, the rape of Russell, the death of the Slovakian family who have given Kretek shelter and their daughter. I also wonder about Metrace, the attack on the rapist and later the killing of Kretek's deputy. Is she borderline psychotic?. It is obvious from the ending that this element will be an ongoing situation. The action sequences and the flight across the island are all competently handled. Weapons and skills are described without slowing the action. The book is reasonably short, only 352 pages, however it is 352 good pages.

The only flaw is a minor one, and that concerns the March Fifth Event, which is the true reason for the Russians attempt to keep Smith and his team quiet.

An enjoyable read, go out and buy it.

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