In a world on the brink of war, three men are caught in a deadly game of espionage and survival in " Ukraine." Russia's top FSB operative, Dmitri Orlov, is tasked with a daring assassinate the Ukrainian president as war looms, aiming to cripple the nation's leadership for a swift victory. Orlov has a secret he has kept hidden for nearly a decade. What is about to unravel in Ukraine threatens everything he holds dear. Jack McBride, a sharp and dedicated MI6 agent, is given a critical assignment to ensure the Ukrainian president's safety. As the invasion clock ticks, his team's daring extraction plan must succeed to preserve Ukraine's legitimate governance. Meanwhile, Andrew Buranov, the young and resourceful head of Ukrainian Military Intelligence, finds himself at the heart of his nation’s turmoil. Tasked with safeguarding his homeland's fate, Buranov maneuvers through the shadows of impending war. " Ukraine" is a riveting exploration of the first days of the war in Ukraine, unveiling the clandestine efforts and raw sacrifices made by those fighting for their country and loved ones. This high-octane thriller invites readers to live through harrowing conditions alongside unforgettable characters first introduced in " Cyprus." Experience how Olga and Alex, an unexpected couple living under witness protection in Canada, become deeply intertwined with the war’s outcome. Follow Alex's journey back to his homeland as he joins a special drone operation unit, where destinies collide in unforeseen ways. Dive into a tale of suspense, loyalty, and the unbreakable human spirit in " Ukraine."
It is recommended that you read the first book in the series, Cyprus, to fully understand the characters' intriguing backstories and how their journeys unfold.
Just finished the second book in the Playground series—Playground: Ukraine—and I now completely understand why "Playground" is such a fitting title. This book really highlights how places are turned into battlegrounds by the darker forces at play in our world. I also loved seeing the characters from Playground: Cyprus introduced into the new story and setting and discovering how deeply connected they were. There's some brilliant symbolism too—if you think of certain characters as representing trends in the modern world, you’ll see what I mean.