An absolutely thrilling story with lots of twists and turns. I would rate it higher but at times it felt like there were too many characters being introduced in ways that made them seem like they were important, when really they were more background characters (which just got very distracting). Corrupt government and a lawyer fighting for human rights is a great setup for tension and thrills. I couldn't help but hold my breath at times, waiting to see how Mitchell would escape when the powers that be were after him. Overall an enjoyable read.

Interesting concept, but difficult to follow. There seemed to some information missing to connect some areas of the story line or that may have been a non-issue had I read the previous books in the series. Good writing, however.

This is one of the best suspense novels I have read in awhile. The main character, Scott Mitchell, is a British human rights lawyer who has been framed as helping launder money for Chechnyans and the story focuses on his efforts to prove his innocence, which is a complicated process involving powerful figures in Russia and the British government, all of whom have their own agendas that they want Scott to assist with.

The story is full of twists and turns and just when you think you are piecing it all together, there is another surprise twist. The author does a great job of maintaining a complex plot with interesting and somewhat mysterious characters and plenty of action. The story is also very topical, with mention of events that actually happened in 2016, as well as references to doxing, use of Twitter as a source of breaking news and a source for personal attacks and defamation, and the Panama Papers. The story focuses on Russia and the powerful people around Putin, as well as issues involving Ukraine, Chechnya, Russian oligarchs, corruption, and money laundering.

I want to read the previous novel, as well as the third book in the series.

It took me a while to get into this novel, but once I did, I was hooked. Our protagonist is a British attorney who generally dealt with human rights cases. His last major victory was over the Russian government in dealing with the Chechen situation. He is, afterwards, publicly arrested for money laundering, loses his job and begins a search for those who are attempting to destroy him. The story, after the slow start, is riveting and his adventures will quickly grab the reader’s interest. The ending makes the reader think and hope there will be more to come. Thanks to Net Galley and the Author for an ARC for an honest review.

Book #2, in The Puppet Meisters trilogy

“Dancing With Shadows” is the second book dealing with state abuse of power featuring Scott Mitchell, a human rights lawyer. This sequel to “Moscow Bound” is a gripping and exciting read from start to finish. This time we have Scott on suspicion of laundering $250 million for the Chechen mafia and we follow him through a sea of untrustworthy characters from London, to different Russian cities, to Budapest and Malta in a cat and mouse game while he tries to prove his innocence.

Scott is the lead in this story but many characters we came to know in the first book are re-introduced and play important roles: Ekaterina, Gravchenko and Pravda. Ms. Churchward doesn’t shy away from introducing multiple new characters also. The plot has multiple threads to follow that need our attention and can be overwhelming but the author set the stage expertly by including a group of well-developed players, beautiful surroundings and a touch of gastronomy delights. No doubt, this gripping tale filled with unexpected twists and turns is well worth reading. If you enjoy a thriller rifles with conspiracy and danger and have a soft spot for some Anglo-Russian shenanigans, give this one a try.

Intoxicating thriller. I enjoyed the detail that Adrian Churchward crafted from spy-craft, mafia, money laundering and espionage. Detail that captured my attention and kept me moving from place to place and country to country through this well thought through and complex plot.
The main character, though not a spy himself, mastered the deep waters and back streets occupied by twisted billionaires and new money from Russia and the east. He kept his cool through the plot and was readily supported by the reader as he put his life on the line to uncover the origin of the threats against him and why he was framed in such a glorious manner.
Definitely one to read if you enjoy thrillers which probe the murkiness behind our richest but less honourable citizens.

A fast paced modern day spy thriller. Scott Mitchell, a successful human rights lawyer is framed for money laundering and it leads to a journey to the darker side of Moscow, Budapest and beyond. Very enjoyable, though occasionally a little confusing.

Very good story about what could be happening behind the scenes, and how do you extricate yourself from these situations. Thoroughly enjoyed it.