The Shadow Spy

by Robert Lance

Doug Finley is a CIA sleeper agent activated to hurry along the demise of the Soviet Union. It's a simple task: construct a money tunnel to fund the budding reform movements inside Russia. But everything escalates before Doug can finish the job, and he finds himself the target of the KGB, the Russian mob, his own CIA, and a powerful cartel who have their own plans for Russia. Doug must navigate through betrayal, treachery, bribery, man hunts and murder, only to discover he's been set up as the patsy.

297 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Born and raised in St Joseph, Missouri, Robert Lance studied History with an emphasis in Soviet Studies, while attending Missouri Western College. He later served as a crew member with the Airforce Reserves and flew several missions to Vietnam before becoming a pilot with American Airlines. His varied experiences have all lent inspiration to The Shadow Spy, which is the first book in a series.

Reviews

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of the book “The Shadow Spy,” by author Robert Lance in exchange for an honest review. My contact at www.authoright.com has been sending me some fabulous books to review. I can only say that this is another book that has taken me by surprise.

“The Shadow Spy” is exactly as the title states, it’s a spy novel. I had to pull out my www.bing.com PhD and research the genre that I felt this book fell under. I found that if the book is going to be classified as Mystery, then it typically it will have been more along the lines of detectives and whodunit style. Thrillers tend to be along the line of psychological, crime and so forth. Finally, Suspense is when feeling of pleasurable fascination and excitement mixed with apprehension, tension, and anxiety developed from an unpredictable, mysterious, and rousing source of entertainment. (Wikipedia)

With that being said, I have officially declared that “The Shadow Spy” is a Mystery, Suspense and Thriller novel. I don’t know how the author and authoright will have it listed in the plethora of book genres but for my purpose, I have declared this blogs genre.

Now on to the book:
In “The Shadow Spy,” we meet Doug Finley, who works at the Economic, Energy and Business Bureau (EEB). He’s held his job as a Senior Analyst for Soviet Affairs for the past three years. His job is boring and is basically not leading to anything big. He’s an expert on all affairs of the Soviet Union. He’s fluent in the language. Has a vast knowledge of the power players in Russia. But, none of this does him much good when all he has become is a desk jokey. BTW, he’s also a sleeper CIA agent.

Everything changes when Richard Campbell, the field agent in Russia, is struck and killed by a car. Doug has now been transferred into the now open position. Doug is finally getting to do what he’s been trained to do, infiltrate Russia.

After meeting with his new handler, Oscar Blenhem, life starts to move in fast forward for Doug. He’s being sent in as a under the EEB umbrella to work with the executives in the World Bank. His job is “to advise and oversee joint ventures and investments in Russia to insure they were transparent, aboveboard and fair.” While he’s there he also will be acting as a translator for the Americans. All the while, doing his duties as a CIA agent and reporting the actions of the Russians.

Before heading to his destination, he is set up in Stockholm for a conference to establish his contact in Leningrad. While in Stockholm, Doug encounters his first of many odd behaviors of those around him. He becomes the center of some elaborate CIA-KGB operation. Never having to actually fire a gun, let alone carry one, Doug is forced to fight for his life when attacked. Finding help in the most unusual people, a Russian speaking, red head comes to his aid. Totally confused on what is going on, his handler is being evasive in his directions and answers. Doug is left to figure this out on his own.

Once he finally reaches Russia, he starts to see that things are going to be a lot more complex. He’s finding that there is more corruption in the World Bank that was ever anticipated. The American’s who he’s with are now starting to become suspects. The Russians want to break free from the communist regime. He’s learning that his handler might be crooked. Not knowing who he can trust, he is now on his own. It’s up to Doug to figure out what he actually needs to be doing if he wants to stay alive.

This novel doesn’t really pick up steam until Doug hits Stockholm. Basically up to this point, you are being introduced to key characters in the book. There are added characters that play a major roll later on, but initially, we are learning who’s who in the initial bunch. The author did an excellent job with this part of the book. This novel by no means was boring in the beginning, but you had to get the inside scoop of what was to come. Otherwise, when all the action took place, you would be lost.

I don’t know who Mr. Lance used as a reference in this book, but whoever it was, gave him some expert advice. I love books that involve the mafia, CIA and just spying on other countries. There was no special weaponry used in this book, unlike with James Bond. But on the other hand, it did have the James Bond type feel to it.

“The Shadow Spy,” had me guessing on who was really working behind the scenes and creating Doug’s life a living hell. I suspected one person from the beginning, but blew that thought off for the time being. Then when the climax to the book started taking shape, I started questioning what and why is this person behaving the way they are. I was really shocked by the ending of this book. I honestly, didn’t see it coming to an end the way that it did.

With the way the author ended this novel, I’m questioning if this book will have a sequel. If not, it ended on a good note. However, it leaves just enough of a taste of wanting to know what becomes of those that survive this tale.

I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what Robert Lance decides to do. In my opinion, this is one exceptionally written and edited book! Bravo.