The Red Wolf

by David Tindell

January 1987: In a secret meeting at Camp David, the president instructs the CIA to send a team of operatives behind the Iron Curtain to track down a legendary Spetsnaz soldier known only as the Red Wolf. Their mission is to prevent the Wolf from assassinating Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and touching off a military takeover that might turn the Cold War hot overnight. The newly-formed Pallas Group selects Air Force special operator Jo Ann Geary, the White Vixen, to lead a team into communist Hungary and stop the Wolf. But powerful men in Washington don't want the mission to succeed and will risk everything to stop it. They place a mole inside Pallas, and now Geary doesn't know who she can trust. Deep inside Hungary, she must stay one step ahead of the KGB and find the Wolf before he takes the shot that will alter the course of history.

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 24, 2016

About the author

Born in Germany and raised in Wisconsin, David Tindell wrapped a career in broadcasting around 15 years of government service. A martial artist who holds black belts in two disciplines, he travels the world with his globetrotting wife, Sue. They live on a lake in northwest Wisconsin with Maisie the Morkie and Jezabel the Siamese.

Reviews

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1987, during the Cold War, a group of Russians hire the Red Wolf to assassinate their leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. In the United States, Jo Ann Geary, also known as the White Vixen, is recruited as part of the new Pallas Group, comprised of elite military and intelligence officers. Their first mission is to stop the Red Wolf. But with so much double-crossing going on in both camps, who can be trusted?

This is the second book in The White Vixen series but, even though I haven't read the first book, I had no trouble following the story. The author provides a Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book, a handy feature to keep track of the numerous American and Russian characters and their military ranks. There are lots of nostalgic eighties references, including guest appearances by such real life celebrities as President Ronald Reagan and Kung fu instructor Bruce Lee. With a kick-ass female hero and a bad guy you're loathe to hate, this political thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat with its mix of suspense, martial arts action, international espionage, and even a little romance. The author gives us a tantalizing glimpse into the future in the Epilogue, and I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

Full blog post (6 July): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...

[Jack Durrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aother Missy McCrea

Love the White Vixen. As I breathlessly await the next installment about Missy the Werecat, aka newly graduated and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Missy McCrea, executive officer of Special Forces A-Team 22, the Army's Quick Reaction Team for Paranormal and Supernatural situations, and a genuine, snake-eating badass, I discovered another military, special operations female, snake-eating badass!!! The White Vixen!!! Now, for the favorite part of David Tindell books. The settings!! Both the first book and the Red Wolf, and apparently the next book, are set in real historical events; i.e. the Falkland Islands war, the Great Patriotic War, the First World War, German East Africa (Tanzania), Hungary, etc. Each book begins with a historical vignette, ala Clive Cussler. Great read!!! Jack Durrett

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Tindell makes me remember why I like reading International espionage thrillers. I used to imagine that I was a secret agent. Thus I had fun pretending that I was Jo Ann aka The White Vixen. She is one tough cookie. She seemed to be very easily matched to the Red Wolf. I found that Mr. Tindell really is a good storyteller. This book features story characters as well as a nice storyline. In addition, the pacing was great. I got "lost" in the story and found myself coming up for breath about 10 chapters later.

In regards, to the international piece, this story took me all over from: Maryland, West Germany, Siberia, Virginia, and Hungary to name a few places. With each location there were different characters. Sometimes this can make reading difficult with so many different characters to keep straight. Yet, it was seamless with this book. Each character had a purpose in the story. I look forward to reading more books by Mr. Tindell.

[E Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

Good read. I like seeing writers improve with each new book, and often within a book. The first quarter of this one had a few overly contrived scenes that seemed like filler, but then the story just got better and better. I LOVE the historical setting in a time I remember well. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks visiting relatives who worked at the American embassy in Moscow in 1980 and learned firsthand what it feels like to be under constant surveillance without benefit of diplomatic immunity, without knowing the language, and without any legal rights. The author nailed it in the way he wove that undercurrent of constant tension throughout the story. It was a very good story! Besides that, what woman doesn't long to be a ninja warrior?!