Dead Hand

by James Stejskal

Russia has won the war in Ukraine and is eyeing the Baltics next. The world stands on the precipice of war.

When a spy deep in the Kremlin contacts his handlers and mentions a code word for an insane Russian plan for winning a nuclear war, it sets off alarm bells in Washington.

A legendary CIA officer is sent to meet him. Former Special Forces and CIA operator Joshua Devlin is coaxed out of retirement to be his backup, with promises that the job will be little more than babysitting. But things go sideways, initiating a chain of events that throws Devlin back into a deadly world where failure could mean nuclear Armageddon.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2023

About the author

James Stejskal spent 35 years as a soldier and intelligence officer working in far off places with interesting people, which gives him inspiration for his writing.

As a novelist, he writes 'the Snake Eater Chronicles' tales of Cold War special operations and espionage carried out by an eclectic band of Green Berets.

He also is a military historian and author of "Special Forces Berlin" and "Masters of Mayhem," a study of Lawrence of Arabia and the inception of modern British unconventional warfare, a Military History Matters Silver Medal winner.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read and the latest book in The Snake Eater Chronicles series by James Stejskal. A whole new cast of characters and one huge dilemma to derail or die trying. I'm praying that your working on the next installment of the series?

[Steven Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review pending.

[J.R. Seeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed James Stejskal’s writing for nearly a decade. I started with his non-fiction books (Special Forces Berlin, Masters of Mayhem) and transitioned into his fiction. The thriller genre is filled with individuals who have Green Berets or CIA officers as their main characters. The reason Stejskal’s books are so interesting is he was both. His characters are just deep enough to avoid making them one dimensional, but the characters and their internal monologue don’t slow down the plot. As to the plots, Stejskal’s books capture the real shadow world of special operations and espionage. Dead Hand takes the reader into a near-term future world where Russia has been successful in their operations in Ukraine and are now looking to expand their control over the Baltic states. The plot line focuses on both a Special Forces team working to support Baltic counterparts while a CIA team conducts denied area espionage to prevent World War III. I am always reluctant to use the term “a page turner,” however, I can say categorically that Stejskal kept me up far later than my usual as I felt compelled to read chapter after chapter.
This is not a book for those who are looking for chapter after chapter of gunfights and “derring do.” Instead, this is a book for those who enjoy a realistic tale where the characters face real world problems and respond with real world solutions.

[Lachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEAD HAND is a prescient and clever espionage thriller based around a Joshua Devlin, a former Special Forces and CIA operative pulled from retirement to run a Russian agent to gain the upper hand as Russia eyes on the Baltics. With help from old hand Gabriel, they attempt to foil a Russian plan for winning a nuclear war.

Stejskal’s background and experience in military and intelligence is front and centre in this story and imbues it with unparalleled authenticity. The narrative is tightly woven, balancing intellectual intrigue with does of high-stakes action, while drawing on modern (and perhaps future?) geopolitical tensions. Very prescient in November 2024.

An excellent spy novel for fans of sharp, realistic espionage reads which you know are coming from an author who has lived and breathed it and now writes about it.

[DAVID CARMICHAEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all of James Stejskal's books, this one is clearly written by an author with first hand knowledge of Special Operations, Special Forces, Tradecraft, and Clandestine activity. No Armchair novelist here. Another great read.