This series, set against a backdrop of the Soviet Union post Stalin years., shows a good sense of time and context. The well documented Soviet sense of striving to catch up to the decadent West while glorying in the greatness of the past, is overlain by some good spy/thriller text. The author has carved out a good niche for his stories and should do well. What some US readers may miss is that its not and East vs West thing its an ego competition among men with differing backgrounds. By better portraying each characters humanity the author differentiates his style from others in his space.

A well-conceived Cold War thriller, vocalising the inherent threat of war in space. There are apparent resemblances to actual historical figures alongside purely fictional characters. The danger of destruction is implicit in this thriller, and it replicates the feelings of many who lived under the constant threat of nuclear war.

If you are interested in the Cold War as it existed in the twentieth century, this will be of interest. It's a 'what if' book that could have easily happened.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse/ Killer Reads via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

An action packed story situated right in the late Cold War era involving the outbreak of war in Europe and the world. The story essentially an alternative history piece where our own history diverged with the Soviet Union challenging NATO and the US militarily.

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Derek Lambert. The Red Dove is the second book that I have read, by this author and I just can’t stop praising this book! I am a sucker for spy stories, especially the ones that were set during the Cold War. There is good ol’ spy work, espionage, defection, and nobody is whom they seem to be! And of course, there is a competition to win the title of “The Most Powerful Country.” The KGB tactics, and counter-tactics by the CIA or the MI6, the competition is tough. Agents from both sides either defect for good or play a double role.

I have read a couple of spy stories but The Red Dove is one of a kind. Who would have ever thought of defecting a Russian cosmonaut, that too while in space! Yes, you read it right! Defection in Space!!

The story starts with Nicolay Talin and Oleg Sedov. two Russian cosmonauts landing Dove I, a Russian space shuttle. Talin learns about the invasion of Poland while in space and he seems disturbed by it.

The Kremlin is obsessed with firsts. With the American astronauts making the first landing on the moon, Kremlin wants to be the first one to conquer space. Meanwhile, the President of America wants to win the next elections and for that to happen, he must do something “Spectacular.” With the help of the CIA and Robert Massey, he plans to infiltrate the Russian space program and persuade Talin to defect.

Robert Massey is an ex-cosmonaut who hates the CIA, after all, he was let go from further space programs as he was considered “not psychologically fit.” Robert Massey and Talin have a lot in common. They want the space programs to be global, and not a competition. Robert agrees to help the CIA with their plan.

As Massey enters Russia, he is kept on a close watch. As the KGB learns of Massey’s plan to defect, Nicolay Vlasov, chairman of the KGB, is doubtful. Massey convinces the USSR by giving them computer codes to the US Space Program.

The computer geek behind the US Space Program is Daniel Vogel, a hypochondriac. His Russian counterpart is Sergei Yashin, an ever-hungry young man who cannot stop thinking about food. Vogel and Yashin play a small yet important and interesting role in the development of this story.

Talin is in love with Sonya Bragina, a Bolshoi Ballerina. With Sedov as his mentor and Sonya, his lover, both Russians, Talin has to choose – defect or be loyal to Mother Russia. A CIA spy in Russia and a KGB agent following the CIA spy and another CIA spy following the KGB agent, this book is an interesting read. The plot, the way the story and the characters develop, this book is a masterpiece!

If you love to read stories set during the Cold War, do not miss to read this book.