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Sasha Plotkin's Deceit by Vaughn Sherman
It is 1972, and the Soviet Union has succeeded in planting a mole in the top echelons of the Central Intelligence Agency. Three years earlier, CIA officer Chris Holbeck took part in a failed mission to engineer the defection of a Soviet KGB officer who may know the mole’s identity. His name is Sasha Plotkin. When they were both stationed in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1969, Chris and Sasha connected on a personal level. Chris was excited to find a KGB officer interested in changing sides. Then, on the day of the Soviet agent’s defection, Sasha was a no-show. Chris would soon discover the full extent of Sasha Plotkin’s deceit. Now Sasha has resurfaced and wishes to make another attempt to defect. To Chris’ dismay, he is the only CIA officer the man will consent to deal with, even though their once close relationship is now riddled with mistrust. Chris’s wife, Lisa, has sworn to leave him if he abandons her and the family for one more perilous mission. His alluring young colleague Bisan seems determined to seduce him. Despite the risk to his life and his marriage, Chris answers the call of duty. If Chris succeeds in transporting Sasha to the United States--come hell or high water--will the Soviet agent reveal the true identity of the mole? One thing is the lives of the two men will be forever changed.
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First published June 1, 2012
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About the author
Vaughn Sherman
6 books17 followersVaughn Sherman was born and educated in Seattle, Washington. After working as a fisheries biologist in Alaska and Washington State, he was recruited by the CIA and served as an operations officer for more than twenty years, mostly abroad. Taking early retirement due to an illness in the family, Vaughn became involved in numerous community activities, mostly involving the governance of non-profit agencies and community colleges. He and his wife, Jan Lind-Sherman, live in the Pacific Northwest. In 2011 they founded Patos Island Press LLC, a small press that published two books in 2012: Walking the Board Walk provides guidance on nonprofit board governance; and Memoirs of a Master Marine, the autobiography of Holger Christensen as told to Vaughn. Additionally, Vaughn’s novel based on his CIA career, Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit, was released by Camel Press in August of 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 23, 2012
The best description I could give of this book would be: a low-key spy novel made up of 3 parts—alternating between the 'present', and an incident that occurred 3-4 years prior. The primary target audience would likely be anyone interested in the inner workings of the CIA during the 1970's.
The author seems to go to great pains to provide an accurate depiction of a CIA operation involving the possible defection of a KGB agent. I never doubted his expertise for a moment. From a technical angle, the book is well-edited (save for a couple of minor errors) and the prose is competent (aside from the distraction of a few word repetitions.) The setting and character descriptions are solid. And it offers a satisfactory ending, with the fitting irony of a full-circle incident--which some may appreciate.
On the downside, the story starts off slow, weighed down by large chunks of dragging backstory. Sluggish transitions and plodding pace causes the prose to be further bogged down in mundane, irrelevant details. Too many 'tempest in a teapot' scenes may prove to be a letdown to readers in terms of action. With it's sometimes detached, biography-like flavor, some may find it difficult to relate to or become emotionally invested in the characters and their journey. Also, the rocky relationship between the main character, Chris, and his passive-aggressive wife ultimately seems to lack a certain authenticity.
Favorite quote:
“Neutrality may be useful, but it's useful like eunuchs are useful. Once you cut off their balls they grow big and strong, but you can never be sure if they will serve the harem or the master.”
--Vaughn Sherman (Sasha Plotkin's Deceit)
The author seems to go to great pains to provide an accurate depiction of a CIA operation involving the possible defection of a KGB agent. I never doubted his expertise for a moment. From a technical angle, the book is well-edited (save for a couple of minor errors) and the prose is competent (aside from the distraction of a few word repetitions.) The setting and character descriptions are solid. And it offers a satisfactory ending, with the fitting irony of a full-circle incident--which some may appreciate.
On the downside, the story starts off slow, weighed down by large chunks of dragging backstory. Sluggish transitions and plodding pace causes the prose to be further bogged down in mundane, irrelevant details. Too many 'tempest in a teapot' scenes may prove to be a letdown to readers in terms of action. With it's sometimes detached, biography-like flavor, some may find it difficult to relate to or become emotionally invested in the characters and their journey. Also, the rocky relationship between the main character, Chris, and his passive-aggressive wife ultimately seems to lack a certain authenticity.
Favorite quote:
“Neutrality may be useful, but it's useful like eunuchs are useful. Once you cut off their balls they grow big and strong, but you can never be sure if they will serve the harem or the master.”
--Vaughn Sherman (Sasha Plotkin's Deceit)
September 3, 2022
With battles of wits rather than brawn, and clashes of personalities rather than gadgets, Sasha Plotkin's Deceit suggests a kind of literary authenticity. In telling his tale, Vaughn Sherman forgoes the big-budget action sequences, the crazy gadgets, and the overt sexuality of his cinematic peers to focus instead on the human element of covert espionage.
Set during the height of the cold war, this is a story of betrayal and blackmail played out on both an international scale and an intimate one. On the surface, it's the story of a reluctant CIA operative working to orchestrate the physical defection of a KGB agent, one with whom he has an uncomfortable history. Beneath that surface, however, it's also the story of one women attempting to prevent the emotional defection of her husband, and another that of her son. Chris, the CIA operative upon whom the story turns is a man caught between conflicting loyalties and expectations, in a world where he can afford neither.
Although the pacing was a bit slower than I have become accustomed to, the story does move along well. There's a lot of historical information to absorb, but I have to give Sherman for credit doing so as part of the story, rather than just info-dumping on the reader. Even if you're not old enough to remember the cold war, he recreates that world and deftly immerses the reader within it. The flashbacks were a bit awkward, and I found they pulled me from the story, but were necessary to establish the 'present' tension and to create some real mystery.
In terms of characters, they're all well-developed on an intellectual scale, but they seemed to lack something on an emotional level. Maybe it was the coldly detached manner of storytelling - which is completely appropriate to the genre - but I didn't find I ever came to truly care about them. Chris and Sasha intrigued me, and I really wanted to know how their tale would resolve itself, but Lisa and her mother-in-law were almost a distraction, despite the fact that their relationships help to define Chris.
Having said all that, this was a story that kept me reading right to the end, and which had me sincerely intrigued as to how it would all work out. The espionage elements were fascinating, as were the political aspects, and I quite appreciated how the story came around to its resolution. If you're a fan of the genre, or have an interest in the time period, it's definitely a book worth checking out.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Set during the height of the cold war, this is a story of betrayal and blackmail played out on both an international scale and an intimate one. On the surface, it's the story of a reluctant CIA operative working to orchestrate the physical defection of a KGB agent, one with whom he has an uncomfortable history. Beneath that surface, however, it's also the story of one women attempting to prevent the emotional defection of her husband, and another that of her son. Chris, the CIA operative upon whom the story turns is a man caught between conflicting loyalties and expectations, in a world where he can afford neither.
Although the pacing was a bit slower than I have become accustomed to, the story does move along well. There's a lot of historical information to absorb, but I have to give Sherman for credit doing so as part of the story, rather than just info-dumping on the reader. Even if you're not old enough to remember the cold war, he recreates that world and deftly immerses the reader within it. The flashbacks were a bit awkward, and I found they pulled me from the story, but were necessary to establish the 'present' tension and to create some real mystery.
In terms of characters, they're all well-developed on an intellectual scale, but they seemed to lack something on an emotional level. Maybe it was the coldly detached manner of storytelling - which is completely appropriate to the genre - but I didn't find I ever came to truly care about them. Chris and Sasha intrigued me, and I really wanted to know how their tale would resolve itself, but Lisa and her mother-in-law were almost a distraction, despite the fact that their relationships help to define Chris.
Having said all that, this was a story that kept me reading right to the end, and which had me sincerely intrigued as to how it would all work out. The espionage elements were fascinating, as were the political aspects, and I quite appreciated how the story came around to its resolution. If you're a fan of the genre, or have an interest in the time period, it's definitely a book worth checking out.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
November 7, 2012
Sasha Plotkin's Deceit is a story of espionage set in the early 1970's during the Cold War era. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone looking for something that is intelligent and not fast-paced.
The story is centred around two main characters - Chris Holbeck, a CIA agent, and Sasha Plotkin, a Soviet KGB agent, whom Holbeck helps to defect. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I did I found it hard to put down and really wanted to see how it all panned out in the end.
The plot of the book contains a few little twists and turns, and there were a couple of times where the story ended up in places I had not expected. Early on in the book a personal relationship starts to develop between the two main characters, but this relationship is put under strain by something that is done by Plotkin, which could have jeopardized the outcome of his proposed defection. Holbeck has to make some tough decisions based on the deceit of Plotkin, and I was left wondering how what happened would have done to the choices I would have made if I had been put in a similar position.
One of the great things about this book is that it has very strong secondary characters. There are also some very strong female characters. The book shows how involvement in secret agent work affects those near and dear to the agent. In this book the effects of this on the relationships between Holbeck and his wife, children and parents is explored in a fair bit of detail. This is much different from many other books I have read in this genre and certainly is a diversion from the way such stories are portrayed in Hollywood.
For some, this book may seem too drawn out. I didn't find this to be so, but I enjoy character development, with plenty of background detail. The author, Vaughn Sherman, spent some time in his life with the CIA, and this is evident in the way that life in the secret service is described.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book, with action on every page, then this may not be the book for you. If you are looking for a well-developed story, with much to absorb and think about, then give it a try. You may well enjoy it. I did and am glad to have been given the opportunity to do so.
The story is centred around two main characters - Chris Holbeck, a CIA agent, and Sasha Plotkin, a Soviet KGB agent, whom Holbeck helps to defect. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I did I found it hard to put down and really wanted to see how it all panned out in the end.
The plot of the book contains a few little twists and turns, and there were a couple of times where the story ended up in places I had not expected. Early on in the book a personal relationship starts to develop between the two main characters, but this relationship is put under strain by something that is done by Plotkin, which could have jeopardized the outcome of his proposed defection. Holbeck has to make some tough decisions based on the deceit of Plotkin, and I was left wondering how what happened would have done to the choices I would have made if I had been put in a similar position.
One of the great things about this book is that it has very strong secondary characters. There are also some very strong female characters. The book shows how involvement in secret agent work affects those near and dear to the agent. In this book the effects of this on the relationships between Holbeck and his wife, children and parents is explored in a fair bit of detail. This is much different from many other books I have read in this genre and certainly is a diversion from the way such stories are portrayed in Hollywood.
For some, this book may seem too drawn out. I didn't find this to be so, but I enjoy character development, with plenty of background detail. The author, Vaughn Sherman, spent some time in his life with the CIA, and this is evident in the way that life in the secret service is described.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book, with action on every page, then this may not be the book for you. If you are looking for a well-developed story, with much to absorb and think about, then give it a try. You may well enjoy it. I did and am glad to have been given the opportunity to do so.
November 1, 2012
Have you ever wondered how a foreign national is recruited to be a spy? Vaughn Sherman, a CIA operative for about two decades, gives an insiders perspective on recruiting spies in his new novel SASHA PLOTKIN’S DECEIT (ISBN 978-1603818117, $16.95, trade paperback).
Chris Holbeck, Seattle heir to a tug boat empire has been a CIA operative for about two decades when he is sent to Stockholm, Sweden in 1968. He moves there with his wife and three kids. Chris meets Sasha Plotkin his KGB counterpart during a series of social occasions.
Sasha is disaffected by what’s going on in the Soviet Union but is equally displeased by US politics. He is looking for security, both financial and personal, and believes the US can give him that. This is during the unpopular Viet Nam war years. A plan to help Sasha defect is hatched by Chris, Sasha and the headquarters of the CIA. On the eve of the defection, Sasha disappears.
Chris’ marital situation has been in turmoil due to his frequent trips for the CIA without his wife Lisa. Lisa makes a surprise announcement when Sasha is a no show. Chris is shortly rotated back to the states and then to a two year stint in Saigon. When he returns to Edmonds, WA after that rotation, Chris is called to Washington, DC. Sasha has reappeared and wants to defect again. Sasha will work only with Chris so it’s back to Stockholm. It’s 1972 and all that happened then is to play a part in what happens.
The spy parts of the story move along at break neck speed. The pace slows down when dealing with Chris’ personal life. Chris’ mom and dad are great characters. You want to shake Lisa & Chris to get them thinking about their marriage.
Overall I give this book 4 stars out of 5 for reading enjoyment. You don’t have live in Washington State or even the Northwest to appreciate the story.
Buy. Read. Enjoy.
Chris Holbeck, Seattle heir to a tug boat empire has been a CIA operative for about two decades when he is sent to Stockholm, Sweden in 1968. He moves there with his wife and three kids. Chris meets Sasha Plotkin his KGB counterpart during a series of social occasions.
Sasha is disaffected by what’s going on in the Soviet Union but is equally displeased by US politics. He is looking for security, both financial and personal, and believes the US can give him that. This is during the unpopular Viet Nam war years. A plan to help Sasha defect is hatched by Chris, Sasha and the headquarters of the CIA. On the eve of the defection, Sasha disappears.
Chris’ marital situation has been in turmoil due to his frequent trips for the CIA without his wife Lisa. Lisa makes a surprise announcement when Sasha is a no show. Chris is shortly rotated back to the states and then to a two year stint in Saigon. When he returns to Edmonds, WA after that rotation, Chris is called to Washington, DC. Sasha has reappeared and wants to defect again. Sasha will work only with Chris so it’s back to Stockholm. It’s 1972 and all that happened then is to play a part in what happens.
The spy parts of the story move along at break neck speed. The pace slows down when dealing with Chris’ personal life. Chris’ mom and dad are great characters. You want to shake Lisa & Chris to get them thinking about their marriage.
Overall I give this book 4 stars out of 5 for reading enjoyment. You don’t have live in Washington State or even the Northwest to appreciate the story.
Buy. Read. Enjoy.
November 1, 2012
Vaughn Sherman’s well written Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit takes an amazing look into the world of espionage and the effects it has on a CIA agent’s family. This great spy novel takes place in the 1960s and it is not at all Hollywood-influenced. When CIA officer Chris Holbeck meets Sasha Plotking at a bash hosted by the Swedish Foreign Office’s Chief of Protocol Peter Palmstjerna, they automatically detect each other as companions even though they are on opposite sides. A friendship is born and Plotkin asks Holbeck to help him defect. Holbeck organizes the escape but Plotkin no-shows. The American soon learns the extent of the Russian’s deceit. Three years later, Plotkin asks his old friend to defect again. Will it be a success this around? Will Holbeck finally get the clues that will lead him to the true identity of the mole within the CIA?
Once readers dive into this novel, they will recognize that the storyline is a fast-paced espionage thriller. The plot is character driven and takes it back to the Nixon Era where it was a much more dangerous time. Author Vaughn provides richly textured and realistic accounts of a CIA agent trying to make a KGB officer defect. Vaughn’s vast knowledge of the genre and the fact that occurrences include real operations of the CIA and true events of the Cold War, it made the story authentically real. The plot delivers a dramatically-inclined storyline through its emotionally-driven characters and builds a one-of-a-kind climax. Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit is a triumphant story that is a must-read for not just fans of the spy genre, but for everyone.
Once readers dive into this novel, they will recognize that the storyline is a fast-paced espionage thriller. The plot is character driven and takes it back to the Nixon Era where it was a much more dangerous time. Author Vaughn provides richly textured and realistic accounts of a CIA agent trying to make a KGB officer defect. Vaughn’s vast knowledge of the genre and the fact that occurrences include real operations of the CIA and true events of the Cold War, it made the story authentically real. The plot delivers a dramatically-inclined storyline through its emotionally-driven characters and builds a one-of-a-kind climax. Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit is a triumphant story that is a must-read for not just fans of the spy genre, but for everyone.
October 31, 2012
Author Vaughn Sherman
Chris Holbeck a Central Intelligence Agent is involved in the defection of a Soviet KGB agent named Sasha Plotkin. The time period is the late 1960's to early 1970's. The CIA is aware they have a leak in their agency, they believe the Soviet KGB coerced an agent. Chris is working to help defect Sasha and uncover the mole in the agency. Meanwhile, Chris and his wife Lisa become emotionally entangled with Sasha Plotkin.
Over-all I liked this book and enjoyed reading it!
The author worked for the CIA during the same time period as this story (late 1960's early 1970's). His experience and knowledge is evident in giving a realness to the story.
I feel that I was given an education in how the real world of national security and counter terrorism and espionage works. It is not how it is portrayed on the big screen; but rather a waiting game requiring patience, counter-moving, wise choices, and knowing the enemy.
More than half the story is personal. Specifically how Chris Holbeck and his wife Lisa work to preserve their marriage and family. His lengthy travels and deployments over-seas takes a toll. Lisa is lonely and weary of Chris being absent. She wants a partner in every sense. Chris's mother worries about his safety, and the sanctity of his marriage. Chris is torn between the responsibilities of his job, and his responsibilities as husband and father.
Thank you to the author Vaughn Sherman and Partners In Crime for my free book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2012
This book takes place from 1968 to 1972. I was ten years old in 1972 so wasn't really aware of what was happening with the Soviet Union back then. This book gave me a good understanding of all that went on before the Soviet Union fell.
There are a few stories going on in this book besides Chris trying to convince Sasha to defect. Chris and Lisa are trying to keep their marriage together which is hard considering Chris spends a lot of his time away from home. Then there's Chris' Swedish mom who has lost one son in Viet Nam and wants to keep what's left of her family close to her.
You really get to know the main characters as they take a step back at one time or another and fill you in on their past.
I wasn't crazy about Chris' wife, Lisa. I didn't find her very likable at all. At point, she does something that to me was unforgiveable yet Chris gets over it and they move on almost like it never happened.
Finally I must say that I found the book kind of dragged. With tighter writing and a quicker pace, I might have enjoyed it more. But that's just me.
I'd recommend this if you are looking for a detailed spy novel in which they are trying to get the inside advantage on the former Soviet Union.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/10...
There are a few stories going on in this book besides Chris trying to convince Sasha to defect. Chris and Lisa are trying to keep their marriage together which is hard considering Chris spends a lot of his time away from home. Then there's Chris' Swedish mom who has lost one son in Viet Nam and wants to keep what's left of her family close to her.
You really get to know the main characters as they take a step back at one time or another and fill you in on their past.
I wasn't crazy about Chris' wife, Lisa. I didn't find her very likable at all. At point, she does something that to me was unforgiveable yet Chris gets over it and they move on almost like it never happened.
Finally I must say that I found the book kind of dragged. With tighter writing and a quicker pace, I might have enjoyed it more. But that's just me.
I'd recommend this if you are looking for a detailed spy novel in which they are trying to get the inside advantage on the former Soviet Union.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/10...
December 8, 2012
Many reviewers compare Vaughn Sherman's writing to that of John LeCarre. Well I have never read John LeCarre and now I actually don't feel a need to - any interest I would have in spy novels is definitely met with the writings by Vaughn Sherman. He is a masterful writer - clearly he is a master in his craft. The novel details so many aspects of the "spy world" that I would never possibly have even considered - the twists and turns are bountiful; the suspense is incredible and I was constantly left on the edge of my seat. I found this book much like a chess game - hurry up and wait. This was a spy novel based on brains and patience versus (not to sound like other reviewers but I do agree) all the Hollywood spy hype. I was six years old during the time period of this book - although many of the references have real history in them, much of it was new to me. And I love learning history through the addition of fictional elements. That feature is what causes me to give this a 5 out of 5 star rating. Funny thing - in high school I hated history - but now I gravitate totally to historical fiction etc...and throughout this spy novel the family aspect is intertwined and really allows the novel to be great.
I received this book from Partners In Crime Tours. All opinions, good or bad, are mine.
I received this book from Partners In Crime Tours. All opinions, good or bad, are mine.
November 15, 2012
In Sasha Plotkin’s Deceit, Vaughn Sherman paints an espionage tale. This isn’t the sort of glitzed up espionage tale that we get from movies or most of the genre. Instead, it has a more realistic feel to it. Chris Holbeck is not the badass James Bond type agent. He has a loyalty and love to his job, he doesn’t always come out on top and instead of being the conquering hero, he felt to me like just another person caught in this web of espionage, lies and emotional turmoil spun by the author.
We are thrown back in time to 1969 where we learn of Sasha Plotkin, a KGB officer who wished to defect to the States. For some reason, he disappeared and now in 1972, he has decided to contact Chris again. Chris’ higher ups want him to meet with him in hopes he has some information regarding a mole in their own ranks. This re-ignites all kinds of problems not only for Chris but his family.
This isn’t a story of blazing guns and fearlessness. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of infidelity, deceit, lies, love and truth. Above all else, it’s a story of redemption and atonement. It’s a work of fiction but it’s deep and it feels real.
Thank you to Vaughn Sherman and Partners in Crime Tours for the review copy. It in no way influenced my review.
We are thrown back in time to 1969 where we learn of Sasha Plotkin, a KGB officer who wished to defect to the States. For some reason, he disappeared and now in 1972, he has decided to contact Chris again. Chris’ higher ups want him to meet with him in hopes he has some information regarding a mole in their own ranks. This re-ignites all kinds of problems not only for Chris but his family.
This isn’t a story of blazing guns and fearlessness. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of infidelity, deceit, lies, love and truth. Above all else, it’s a story of redemption and atonement. It’s a work of fiction but it’s deep and it feels real.
Thank you to Vaughn Sherman and Partners in Crime Tours for the review copy. It in no way influenced my review.
March 16, 2014
My dad sent me this book, no doubt because he is the "Retired CIA" who endorses it on the back cover. I did not have high expectations that it would be any good, so imagine my surprise when it turns out to not only be immensly readable, with very good character development, but also, to my mind, a reflection of what I think my fathers carreer and experience in the agency may have been like.
I have read my share of "spy" novels, and this seems, to me, closer than any James Bond, or even John Le Carre novel ever gets.
The story is engaging, the relationships, characters and emotions are real, the dialougue can be a bit formal at times, but it does not detract from a great story. Highly Recommended.
I have read my share of "spy" novels, and this seems, to me, closer than any James Bond, or even John Le Carre novel ever gets.
The story is engaging, the relationships, characters and emotions are real, the dialougue can be a bit formal at times, but it does not detract from a great story. Highly Recommended.
August 6, 2016
as all the other reviewers say, this is well-written book. It might almost be a primer for someone who wants to learn how to write a novel. It's never boring, it makes you want to keep reading, but most of all you can see it happening before your very eyes. Having never been on a submarine, I feel like I really HAVE, thanks to Vaughn's masterful way with words.
But.......... there's one chapter in the book that is Xrated, and I kinda wish it had NOT been so masterfully painted. I wouldn't want my kids to read it. Sorry, Vaughn. Is there a version of the book that tones that chapter down? I'd buy 10 copies if there were.
But.......... there's one chapter in the book that is Xrated, and I kinda wish it had NOT been so masterfully painted. I wouldn't want my kids to read it. Sorry, Vaughn. Is there a version of the book that tones that chapter down? I'd buy 10 copies if there were.
November 11, 2012
Great job Vaugn really enjoyed this.
June 30, 2012
Good old fashioned Cold War spy story...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews