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The Spy Who Vanished #2
On Enemy Ground
In the follow-up to award-winning author Alma Katsu’s The Vanishing Man, Russian spy turned informant Yuri Kozlov struggles with his roots, his relationships, and the true nature of his operation.
Yuri’s time at the CIA safehouse is going well. He’s pacified his handlers, going so far as to call one of them a friend. But even as he settles, Yuri struggles with why he came to America in the first place. He traces his present situation back to the mission for Russia that made his name—and that may have condemned his soul.
On Enemy Ground is part of The Spy Who Vanished, a three-part journey into the political unrest that forces Russia’s most famous spy to choose between his legacy and who he wants to become. Read or listen to each immersive story in a single sitting.
Yuri’s time at the CIA safehouse is going well. He’s pacified his handlers, going so far as to call one of them a friend. But even as he settles, Yuri struggles with why he came to America in the first place. He traces his present situation back to the mission for Russia that made his name—and that may have condemned his soul.
On Enemy Ground is part of The Spy Who Vanished, a three-part journey into the political unrest that forces Russia’s most famous spy to choose between his legacy and who he wants to become. Read or listen to each immersive story in a single sitting.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2024
188 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Alma Katsu
38 books3,529 followers"Hard to put down. Not recommended reading after dark." -- Stephen King
"Makes the supernatural seem possible" -- Publishers Weekly
Award-winning author of eight novels, including historical horror (The Hunger, The Deep, The Fervor) and spy novels (Red Widow, Red London). Coming September 2025: FIEND (Putnam)
"Makes the supernatural seem possible" -- Publishers Weekly
Award-winning author of eight novels, including historical horror (The Hunger, The Deep, The Fervor) and spy novels (Red Widow, Red London). Coming September 2025: FIEND (Putnam)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 13, 2024
Yuri Kozlov is like the Russian version of James Bond! His books might be short, but worth the effort. Not my most favorite type books, but I did enjoy his little excursion!
October 9, 2024
The Spy Who Tried 2
Review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook (July 18, 2024) released simultaneously with the Audible Originals audiobook.
The CIA have stashed Yuri at a supposed secure facility for vetting and debriefing. Ridiculously he has been able to escape the site and secure a cell phone for communications with his FSB handler. He begins to determine if he can turn one of the CIA agents into an informer and a potential double. This story continues to be unrealistic and unbelievable.
On Enemy Ground is part 2 of the 3 part novella The Spy Who Vanished.
Trivia and Links
Alma Katsu is the author of about 30 works of fiction in the historical fiction, horror and suspense category. Her best known series are The Taker Trilogy (2011-13) and the Red Widow Duology (2021-23). Her most popular work (based on the number of GR ratings and reviews) is The Hunger (2018). a horror fiction novel based on the real life Donner Party Expedition (1846-47).
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
Review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook (July 18, 2024) released simultaneously with the Audible Originals audiobook.
The CIA have stashed Yuri at a supposed secure facility for vetting and debriefing. Ridiculously he has been able to escape the site and secure a cell phone for communications with his FSB handler. He begins to determine if he can turn one of the CIA agents into an informer and a potential double. This story continues to be unrealistic and unbelievable.
On Enemy Ground is part 2 of the 3 part novella The Spy Who Vanished.
Trivia and Links
Alma Katsu is the author of about 30 works of fiction in the historical fiction, horror and suspense category. Her best known series are The Taker Trilogy (2011-13) and the Red Widow Duology (2021-23). Her most popular work (based on the number of GR ratings and reviews) is The Hunger (2018). a horror fiction novel based on the real life Donner Party Expedition (1846-47).
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
October 31, 2024
Koslov Gets To Work — The Debriefing Begins
In this second volume, Koslov starts to target CIA personnel for targeting to turn them into assets. The interviews contain some difficult and probing questions. He is paraded before CIA personnel and members of Congress for political gain. He uses those opportunities to cause difficulties for the CIA. Notably, he learns about Renata Jacobs's background.
Kozlov's thoughts in this novel provide more insight into his character. The reader will see more of his actions that demonstrate his duplicitous nature. He is not being truthful to the CIA or his Russian handlers. He did recruit one of his CIA handlers. His relationship with another of his CIA handlers provides an interesting twist, and I was interested in finding out what effect it would have on his actions.
There is very little of the trifecta of intimacy, language, and violence that is objectionable to some readers.
My major issue with this novel is that Kozlov leaves the compound and uses a weak excuse. This incident is not handled professionally by his CIA handlers. I cannot believe that a senior handler would act so lackadaisically. This incident is required for this series of short stories to work. While minor regarding the storyline, I did not understand the strange location of a polygraph sensor. It didn't make sense to me, having taken a few in my lifetime. That was quite a while ago so that things may have changed.
The flow of the main storyline was adequate, keeping my interest. I finished this novel in a few hours. I have read two previous short stories by this author. This one is not of the same quality as those short stories. You must read all three short stories to see the whole story and the first before reading this one. I did enjoy reading it. I rate all three novels read together with three and a half stars rounded to four stars. Taking this novel by itself, I rate it as a three. I do not understand why a short story is split into three individual books.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Amazon Short Stories. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Amazon Short Stories, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
In this second volume, Koslov starts to target CIA personnel for targeting to turn them into assets. The interviews contain some difficult and probing questions. He is paraded before CIA personnel and members of Congress for political gain. He uses those opportunities to cause difficulties for the CIA. Notably, he learns about Renata Jacobs's background.
Kozlov's thoughts in this novel provide more insight into his character. The reader will see more of his actions that demonstrate his duplicitous nature. He is not being truthful to the CIA or his Russian handlers. He did recruit one of his CIA handlers. His relationship with another of his CIA handlers provides an interesting twist, and I was interested in finding out what effect it would have on his actions.
There is very little of the trifecta of intimacy, language, and violence that is objectionable to some readers.
My major issue with this novel is that Kozlov leaves the compound and uses a weak excuse. This incident is not handled professionally by his CIA handlers. I cannot believe that a senior handler would act so lackadaisically. This incident is required for this series of short stories to work. While minor regarding the storyline, I did not understand the strange location of a polygraph sensor. It didn't make sense to me, having taken a few in my lifetime. That was quite a while ago so that things may have changed.
The flow of the main storyline was adequate, keeping my interest. I finished this novel in a few hours. I have read two previous short stories by this author. This one is not of the same quality as those short stories. You must read all three short stories to see the whole story and the first before reading this one. I did enjoy reading it. I rate all three novels read together with three and a half stars rounded to four stars. Taking this novel by itself, I rate it as a three. I do not understand why a short story is split into three individual books.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Amazon Short Stories. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Amazon Short Stories, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
October 27, 2024
In the second entry in the series, we learn more about Yuri Kozlov's uniquely tepid brand of espionage. He submits to a polygraph but manages to remain inscrutable. He seduces an impressionable intelligence officer for a seemingly negligible advantage. He uses his charm to get time alone in a room with the Director where he plans, but reconsiders, infiltration of her computer. He has another reflective, unremarkable conversation with one of the officers who facilitated his defection. Then, the second installment comes to an end. Still, very pleasant.
July 21, 2024
Second episode of the Amazon Original short story series.
July 27, 2024
Great characters and situations. I am enjoying these shorts and will continue.
July 21, 2024
An infamous Russian spy defects to the US….or does he?
Yuri Kosovo is a legend in the world of espionage, referred to as the Russian James Bond (a nickname he hates) whose exploits are taught as part of basic training at the CIA. When he approaches a high ranking American at a function and says he wants to defect, it seems too good to be true. An exfiltration operation is planned and executed, and he is assigned Renata Jacobs as his handler. She is young, but something in her background may make her the perfect person to bring him into the fold. Is he like so many Russian operatives fed up with Putin’s actions in Ukraine, looking to get out before that regime collapses? Or is his defection happening for other reasons? In the world of espionage, no one should take anything at face value …and the best spies can sell a lie to anyone, even themselves.
This is the second in a compilation of three stories (The Vanishing Man, On Enemy Ground and Shaken Not Stirred) detailing Yuri’s defection from when he boards a speedboat in Instanbul as a body double distracts his pursuers through his vetting and debriefing in Virginia and beyond. It’s a peek behind the curtain of the intelligence world, where seasoned veterans and relative neophytes match wits and work to enhance their careers while struggling to ascertain the sincerity (or lack thereof) of a master spy. Yuri is an enigma, and discovers that even he isn’t completely certain which way he will decide to go, while Ren is much too green for this assignment but that naïveté coupled with her background may be what tips the scales for Yuri. A quick, fun read for fans of Alma Katsu’s Red Widow series as well as readers who like Ava Glass, Paul Vidich and Francine Matthews. My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for allowing me access to a copy of The Spy Who Vanished.
Yuri Kosovo is a legend in the world of espionage, referred to as the Russian James Bond (a nickname he hates) whose exploits are taught as part of basic training at the CIA. When he approaches a high ranking American at a function and says he wants to defect, it seems too good to be true. An exfiltration operation is planned and executed, and he is assigned Renata Jacobs as his handler. She is young, but something in her background may make her the perfect person to bring him into the fold. Is he like so many Russian operatives fed up with Putin’s actions in Ukraine, looking to get out before that regime collapses? Or is his defection happening for other reasons? In the world of espionage, no one should take anything at face value …and the best spies can sell a lie to anyone, even themselves.
This is the second in a compilation of three stories (The Vanishing Man, On Enemy Ground and Shaken Not Stirred) detailing Yuri’s defection from when he boards a speedboat in Instanbul as a body double distracts his pursuers through his vetting and debriefing in Virginia and beyond. It’s a peek behind the curtain of the intelligence world, where seasoned veterans and relative neophytes match wits and work to enhance their careers while struggling to ascertain the sincerity (or lack thereof) of a master spy. Yuri is an enigma, and discovers that even he isn’t completely certain which way he will decide to go, while Ren is much too green for this assignment but that naïveté coupled with her background may be what tips the scales for Yuri. A quick, fun read for fans of Alma Katsu’s Red Widow series as well as readers who like Ava Glass, Paul Vidich and Francine Matthews. My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for allowing me access to a copy of The Spy Who Vanished.
September 16, 2024
Last Call for a Russian James Bond
An aging Russian version of James Bond is sent on a mission as defector bait for the Western intelligence services to take. His mission: to eliminate another earlier defector as an object lesson for Vladimir Putin to put in front of others thinking of following suit.
An interesting volte-face premise unfortunately undercut by briefness of the story and lack of complexity in either plot or character development.
Alma Katsu’s 2024 three-part spy novella with separate titles, “The Vanishing Man”, “On Enemy Ground”, and “Shaken, Not Stirred", combined are maybe one hundred pages in length and can be read within a couple of hours. The interest, albeit brief, is the author’s lengthy experience working as a senior intelligence analyst for several US agencies.
Yuri Kozlov is on an uncomfortable mission which he takes because “…All Yuri cares about these days is survival.” As he admits to himself, “he wasn’t intelligent like some of his peers, the ones who rose through the ranks or slipped into the ‘private’ sector to run a corporation at Putin’s pleasure.”
He is successfully picked up by US Intelligence in forms of Renata Jacobs and many others – all reporting to Jennifer Grayson. Then, his mission unexpectedly changes and will the hunter become the hunted?
Despite three titles, the tale is one story and deserving of one review. It seems like a treatment for a video game script where the characters are ciphers and have little substance. The main interest is whether the author’s experience as an analyst offers any insight to how “foggy bottom” works.
Their secrets are safe for now.
An aging Russian version of James Bond is sent on a mission as defector bait for the Western intelligence services to take. His mission: to eliminate another earlier defector as an object lesson for Vladimir Putin to put in front of others thinking of following suit.
An interesting volte-face premise unfortunately undercut by briefness of the story and lack of complexity in either plot or character development.
Alma Katsu’s 2024 three-part spy novella with separate titles, “The Vanishing Man”, “On Enemy Ground”, and “Shaken, Not Stirred", combined are maybe one hundred pages in length and can be read within a couple of hours. The interest, albeit brief, is the author’s lengthy experience working as a senior intelligence analyst for several US agencies.
Yuri Kozlov is on an uncomfortable mission which he takes because “…All Yuri cares about these days is survival.” As he admits to himself, “he wasn’t intelligent like some of his peers, the ones who rose through the ranks or slipped into the ‘private’ sector to run a corporation at Putin’s pleasure.”
He is successfully picked up by US Intelligence in forms of Renata Jacobs and many others – all reporting to Jennifer Grayson. Then, his mission unexpectedly changes and will the hunter become the hunted?
Despite three titles, the tale is one story and deserving of one review. It seems like a treatment for a video game script where the characters are ciphers and have little substance. The main interest is whether the author’s experience as an analyst offers any insight to how “foggy bottom” works.
Their secrets are safe for now.
November 11, 2024
He won’t be hard to manage. Ren, however…there is something going on in her pretty little head. Ren is the one he will need to watch out for.
Back in Culpeper, Virginia.
After his outing to the hotel bar in town, Yuri Kozlov is escorted back to the safe house.
His handlers, Ren and Jack Weingert, are none too pleased.
After establishing that Yuri had sexual needs to satisfy, it’s time for the assessments. Polygraphs, interviews, interrogations…
Curious to see which of the men Yuri will attempt to seduce. Not sure it’s the best rep of bisexuality, though.
George Vandiver seems vulnerable, and thirsting for Yuri.
Flashback to the Chechens is pretty damn cool. Yuri’s subsequent requirement by the KGB at age 19…
Trip to Langley. The meeting: Director Jennifer Grayson—again.
Ren’s secrets of her own. Shocking origins.
Tension, flow, pacing—deft. Twists and turns aplenty.
How the hell is she gonna wrap this up with only one more book to go??
Very strong read. If this were a bit more fleshed out, it would be a 5 ⭐️ . Not quibbling about the page count, just what the author chooses to do with her pages.
The die would be cast, and the truth is…he’s not sure he wants to go through with it.
Back in Culpeper, Virginia.
After his outing to the hotel bar in town, Yuri Kozlov is escorted back to the safe house.
His handlers, Ren and Jack Weingert, are none too pleased.
After establishing that Yuri had sexual needs to satisfy, it’s time for the assessments. Polygraphs, interviews, interrogations…
Curious to see which of the men Yuri will attempt to seduce. Not sure it’s the best rep of bisexuality, though.
George Vandiver seems vulnerable, and thirsting for Yuri.
Flashback to the Chechens is pretty damn cool. Yuri’s subsequent requirement by the KGB at age 19…
Trip to Langley. The meeting: Director Jennifer Grayson—again.
Ren’s secrets of her own. Shocking origins.
Tension, flow, pacing—deft. Twists and turns aplenty.
How the hell is she gonna wrap this up with only one more book to go??
Very strong read. If this were a bit more fleshed out, it would be a 5 ⭐️ . Not quibbling about the page count, just what the author chooses to do with her pages.
The die would be cast, and the truth is…he’s not sure he wants to go through with it.
October 29, 2024
I read all three of the shorts in the series The Spy Who Vanished. The premise of the series is how do you know when your spy is your ally or your enemy. The blurb provided is “One country’s enemy is another man’s ally.” (1) The Vanishing Man by Alma Katsu is a great start to the series. Yuri Kozlov vanishes from Istanbul with the assistance of the CIA. Are things really as they seem? (2) On Enemy Ground by Alma Katsu covers day 4 through 21 of Yuri Kozlov’s debriefing by the CIA after his defection and disappearance in Istanbul. These days are mostly spent in a secure facility rural area of Virginia. Yuri thinks things are going well until the CIA asks about Maryam Babak. (3) Shaken, Not Stirred by Alma Katsu covers day 22 through 24 and then an update from three months later. The three months later was as I expected, so this book didn’t quite live up to the first two, for me. I would recommend this collection overall.
January 24, 2025
The Spy Who Vanished novella, broken into a trilogy, is Alma Katsu’s emotional injection of a Russian spy who attempts to defect to America in the broiler of the new cold war. I think this trilogy was a little too ambitious when the piece opens with a bold statement that the main character, Yuri Kozlov, is the Russian 007. But this book is little more than two parts that bring our hero to the US, feels a lot of things and wonders what happened to some old compatriots, and is then hunted down when he makes the final decision to stay and spill his guts and take selfies with CIA operatives, senators, and celebrities at a party. The best part of the trilogy is the last one – of course, the big reveals and a killer showdown, but I am not sure the payoff is worth the rest of it despite it being well-written.
May 30, 2025
5/28: Reserving judgment until I read all 3 parts. These aren't 3 separate complete stories, it's a single story divided up into thirds to make it fit into a set for Amazon Original Stories. This is highly annoying - just publish it as a single novella and be done with it.
5/29: Read all parts of the story. All three parts concern the "defection" of a high-ranking Russian spy and his attempts to infiltrate the CIA to learn the whereabouts about another actual Soviet defector, all because Putin is paranoid about some secret the Soviet may or may not have about him. So...nothing new or innovative here.
I had high hopes for this, because her books sound interesting, and I had several in my TBR read list. Not anymore. There are better spy thrillers to read, so save your time and go read those.
5/29: Read all parts of the story. All three parts concern the "defection" of a high-ranking Russian spy and his attempts to infiltrate the CIA to learn the whereabouts about another actual Soviet defector, all because Putin is paranoid about some secret the Soviet may or may not have about him. So...nothing new or innovative here.
I had high hopes for this, because her books sound interesting, and I had several in my TBR read list. Not anymore. There are better spy thrillers to read, so save your time and go read those.
April 11, 2025
I understand that limitations of the "short story" format can necessitate fewer details and a faster pace. This particular story is crafted as the middle part of a trilogy of short stories, so the author should have more opportunity to flesh out the story than a standard short, and the middle entry should ideally be impactful and Earth shattering for its characters. This story ends with a revelation but the seeds for it were not planted adequately enough for the impact I think it was meant to have. I'm still interested in the story but unless I'm wrong about where it's going, then its foreshadowing is a little clumsy and obvious. Hopefully it sticks the landing and ends up being clever and cool.
December 29, 2024
Good, but not as solid as the first book in the series. Not much happened and the reveal was not much of a surprise. The ending was abrupt and not in the intriguing cliffhanger way the first book ended. I was just left with a weird feeling of where is this all going. I'm still fascinated by the portrayal of how a spy's mind works through problems. I just wish this had a little more plot or conflict in it instead of the ruminations of an aging spy.
January 8, 2025
It was ok. This is the 2nd of a trilogy of short stories that, so far, doesn’t seem like it really needed to be broken up. Not much more happened other than showing a slightly softer side to the main character. But the way his arc is leaning doesn’t really make sense when you consider his brutish background. At least it’s short af if nothing else. Whatever. I was just trying to crawl through a slump. 🙄
March 6, 2025
Audiobook
Yuri is settling into life in CIA hiding. He's trying to reassure his handlers in the CIA that he's there for good. Meanwhile he's got other plans, his Russian handlers are looking for information about a previous defector. We learn that Putin has sent Yuri to be a double agent. Yuri is trying to work his skills and find weak agents he can manipulate.
Again, I don't know why this was split into three parts.
Yuri is settling into life in CIA hiding. He's trying to reassure his handlers in the CIA that he's there for good. Meanwhile he's got other plans, his Russian handlers are looking for information about a previous defector. We learn that Putin has sent Yuri to be a double agent. Yuri is trying to work his skills and find weak agents he can manipulate.
Again, I don't know why this was split into three parts.
November 7, 2024
I can't help but think this should have just been one book instead of three separate snippets, but I blame Amazon for this (not the author). Being the "middle" of the series, this one just kind of seemed like it was awaiting getting you to the next book. I mean... a twist may be coming. Which okay, I'm still interested in how this all plays out. Time will tell.
July 21, 2024
The second book on the Trilogy, On Enemy Ground, is a sarcastic approach to a spy's handling and debriefing. Hearing lies, telling lies, all of them accepting them. Which is the main goal?
Another engaging and short read.
I thank Ms. Katsu, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Another engaging and short read.
I thank Ms. Katsu, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 4, 2024
Yuri faces doubts and the past in “On Enemy Ground,” the second part of Alma Katsu’s latest Amazon original in the three-parter that started with “The Vanishing Man” and concludes with “Shaken, Not Stirred.”
November 18, 2024
An interesting short (very short) story that shows that super egos that think they are infallible may be in for a very hard fall. All the same, being so very short, I am glad that I only borrowed it rather than bought it.
November 28, 2024
The second book reveals the mission of the protagonist. However, it may all be for nothing. I hold out hope that the third book sticks the landing for this series. If it doesn't, the main plot becomes contrived.
July 31, 2024
Part 2 in the series and it's another great one.
August 2, 2024
So boring but it's something to listen to on a walk. One left in the series and it's over woohoo
August 12, 2024
Holds my interest
Very well written and believable. Plot is well-developed and written from the defector’s perspective. Several side stories give background for some mysterious potential conclusions.
Very well written and believable. Plot is well-developed and written from the defector’s perspective. Several side stories give background for some mysterious potential conclusions.
Read
August 19, 2024Book 2 of 3 in The Spy Who Vanished series. Yuri continues to struggle with his assignment. An intriguing storyline that I’m sure will have a great ending in Book 3.
September 6, 2024
Short. Traitor Yuri
September 13, 2024
No more action packed than the first, but the intrigue is ramping up.
Read
October 3, 2024Audio
November 15, 2024
This novella (or short story) is the sequel to The Spy Who Vanished about a “Russian James Bond”. Not as good as the first, but still well-written and engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews