"Red Traitor" by Owen Matthews is an electrifying and immersive historical thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go until the explosive conclusion. Set against the backdrop of the tense and dangerous Cold War era, this novel takes readers on a thrilling ride through the world of espionage and political intrigue.

Matthews' writing is nothing short of exceptional, seamlessly blending meticulous historical research with heart-pounding action and suspense. The attention to detail in recreating the atmosphere of 1960s Moscow is remarkable, immersing readers in a world of suspicion, betrayal, and high-stakes espionage.

The protagonist, Tom Fox, is a compelling and multifaceted character who undergoes a gripping transformation as the plot unfolds. As a British journalist in Soviet Russia, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of secrets and deception. His journey is one of personal and political discovery, and readers will find themselves emotionally invested in his fate.

"Red Traitor" skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, keeping readers guessing and on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. Matthews expertly creates tension and suspense, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next revelation and unable to put the book down.

Beyond the thrilling plot, the novel also offers a nuanced exploration of the complex dynamics between East and West during the Cold War. Matthews delves into the moral dilemmas faced by characters on both sides of the ideological divide, adding depth and substance to the narrative.

In addition to its gripping storytelling, "Red Traitor" is a compelling study of human nature, ambition, and the sacrifices individuals are willing to make for their beliefs. The exploration of loyalty, love, and betrayal adds an emotional layer that resonates long after the final page.

In conclusion, "Red Traitor" is a masterful work of historical fiction that seamlessly combines espionage, political drama, and human emotion. Owen Matthews' expert storytelling and rich character development make this novel a must-read for fans of Cold War thrillers and historical espionage. Prepare to be swept away into a world of intrigue, danger, and heart-pounding excitement. "Red Traitor" is an outstanding achievement that leaves readers eagerly awaiting Matthews' next captivating tale.

A very good novel on the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Russian point of view. Draws on real facts discovered in the years since the crisis.

Published by Doubleday on July 20, 2021

Notwithstanding its unfortunate title, Red Traitor is a smart, entertaining spy novel that is told from an unusual perspective. Although a few American characters appear, the protagonist and most of the key characters are Russian. The story primarily alternates between Moscow and a Russian submarine near Cuba. The events are loosely based on a Cold War incident in which Russian submarines were armed with nuclear torpedoes, and on a Russian (the traitor in the title) who provided clandestine information to the United States.

The novel takes place during the Kennedy Administration. Russia is establishing a military presence in Cuba and America is on the brink of war. The more important war that the story showcases is between two intelligence agencies in the USSR: the KGB and the GRU.

Alexander Vasin is a lieutenant colonel in the KGB and a favorite of his superior, Lieutenant General Yury Orlov. Vasin became a favorite by blaming a problem on an American spy. While the details of Vasin’s previous mission are described in Black Sun, it isn’t necessary to read Black Sun to understand Red Traitor.

Vasin invented the American spy, but Orlov doesn’t know that, or perhaps doesn’t care. Orlov’s mission is to undermine General Ivan Serov, head of the GRU and his chief rival for power. To that end, Orlov wants to prove that the spy works for Serov. Orlov has a candidate in mind — Oleg Morozov, a colonel in the GRU — but has only circumstantial proof that Morozov is a traitor. Orlov wants Vasin to find evidence that Morozov is a spy and isn’t overly concerned whether the evidence reflects reality.

Morozov has been behaving suspiciously, in part by collecting information from Sofia Guzman, a translator who has access to information about a secret project. The project involves the installation of long-range missile bases in Cuba. News of the project has made its way to American intelligence, making Morozov the likely source of the leak.

Vasin learns of a related project — the arming of submarines with nuclear torpedoes that are sailing to Cuba. Kennedy is creating a naval blockade around Cuba. A Russian lunatic, without the knowledge of Khrushchev, has ordered the submarine commander to launch the torpedo if the Russian subs are attacked while trying to run the blockade. Vasin knows that this will trigger a nuclear war and the likely destruction of Russia. He resolves to use his own initiative to stop the war, even if doing so might make him a traitor.

Part of the action takes place on one of the subs, where the fleet commander is at odds with a submarine captain who is eager to fire the first strike. Much of the novel’s tension comes from that underwater conflict, although Vasin’s tricky relationships with Orlov, Morozov, and Guzman add to the drama.

Like Black Sun, Red Traitor succeeds in part because the story is based on real events and in part because Vasin is a dark character who does not equate loyalty to his county to loyalty to autocrats who are willing to harm his country to achieve their personal ends. Owen Matthews keeps the various plot elements in constant motion, building suspense that is only partially tempered by the reader’s knowledge that nuclear war did not break out in 1962. Exactly how that war will be prevented, however, is something that the reader won’t know until late in the novel. The second Vasin novel is as strong as the first, making Matthews’ unusual look at espionage from a Russian perspective a good choice for fans of spy fiction.

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Like M. King's Bodyguard, Red Traitor is a slow burn historical fiction. The book is set in Cold War era Russia in the early 1960s, the main character is KGB comrade Vasin who is trying to catch a suspected traitor in the act of betraying the motherland. Although it is a slow burn throughout the book, the author keeps the audience engaged with the story. Owen Matthews did a solid job writing this book and would recommend the book to any historical fiction fan who doesn't mind a slow build up of events. While it's easy to know the historical ending, because you can easily look that part up, the story around the characters is not easy to predict and I enjoyed not knowing what would happen

I enjoyed Matthews' book and was spellbound by his storytelling. It was interesting to get a view of the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Soviet side.

This is a terrific read! The Soviets are moving nuclear weapons to Cuba. The KGB is hunting for a traitor, possibly within the GRU. The world has no idea how bad things could be but Captain Vasily Arkipov, a sub commander, does. KGB Lt. Colonel Aleksandr Vasiin has been backed into a corner by the evil General Orlov after he identified a man he shot as an American spy. IS there a spy? He starts working his way toward answers using Sofia Guzman, a GRU translator who was brought to the USSR as a child in the 1930s. It's a complex novel- not one you can skim- because of the intricacies of the plot. The characters are terrific (I was especially intrigued by Arkipov). Even though we know how things turned out with regard to the missiles, Matthews managed to keep the reader on tenterhooks because this is about those characters, not the geopolitical maneuvering. This is much more sophisticated (and better researched) than many of the genre. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Highly recommend.

I read the previous book in the series and while I didn’t love it, I thought it was pretty good. This book was written in the same vein from Russia’s point of view with the main character, Vasin, using his connections to find out what is happening in Latin America. I did not really like this book. The writing was good and the story was good but I just didn’t really care about any of the characters. I got through the book but didn’t care what happened. It will probably resonate more with other readers but this story wasn’t for me.

Red Traitor by Owen Matthews is a well-written and engrossing read with well developed characterizations. Well worth the time spent reading.