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Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller
Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war with a passion for finding truth and doing the right thing. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Nikolai embarked on a career of a bodyguard and soon became the best in the prestigious Centurion Personal Protection Agency in Moscow. He excels at protecting his clients and preventing crimes. But this time, his case is personal. His brother calls Nikolai with an urgent plea for help, and Nikolai heads to a small town in Crimea. The town is quiet and picturesque, but dark forces are at work behind the scenes. Murders, illegal smuggling, and suspicious arrests challenge Nikolai's detective skills and put his life in danger. Lethal Cargo is the third novel in the Nikolai Volkov series. The two others are Gray Shadows (Book One) and In the Crosshairs (Book Two). Each novel is a complete story and can be read on its own.
- GenresThriller
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2018
20 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Julia Gousseva
25 books33 followersJulia Gousseva was born and raised in Russia when it was still a part of the Soviet Union, or USSR. For a long time, Russia was hidden behind the Iron Curtain and had a mysterious image of the Evil Empire to many Westerners, specifically Americans. But Russia was a mystery not just to outsiders, but to its own people as well. One of Julia's college history professors used to refer to Russia as a country with unpredictable past. Why? Because every time a new leader came to power, all state-issued history books were changed and rewritten. And all history books were state-issued.
Julia's novel MOSCOW DREAMS is set in Russia and presents life from the perception of everyday people whose lives were dramatically altered by events that have changed and are still changing Russia. Julia's short story collection titled TWELVE MONTHS OF THE SOVIET CHILDHOOD shows life in the Soviet Union before the changes and offer a child's perspective. Her children's stories put whimsical characters from old Russian fairy-tales in modern circumstances for today's kids.
Julia's novel MOSCOW DREAMS is set in Russia and presents life from the perception of everyday people whose lives were dramatically altered by events that have changed and are still changing Russia. Julia's short story collection titled TWELVE MONTHS OF THE SOVIET CHILDHOOD shows life in the Soviet Union before the changes and offer a child's perspective. Her children's stories put whimsical characters from old Russian fairy-tales in modern circumstances for today's kids.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 16, 2018
This is first and foremost a very good crime thriller but it is elevated by its unusual setting in Russia. The author has done an excellent job of transporting the reader to a small town on the Black Sea. The pages are filled with small details of Russian life, which left me feeling I was reading a Russian novel that just happens to be in the English language! Gorky Park was probably the last time I experienced something similar although that was set in a different time.
The plot is quite intricate and it is late in the book before Nikolai unravels the mystery, which kept me in suspense and keen to turn the pages. The characters are an excellent mixture, each with their nuances of Russian culture. Highly recommended!
The plot is quite intricate and it is late in the book before Nikolai unravels the mystery, which kept me in suspense and keen to turn the pages. The characters are an excellent mixture, each with their nuances of Russian culture. Highly recommended!
March 22, 2018
“Lethal Cargo” is a riveting thriller set in Russia, and namely one of its Southern resort cities, Petrovsk. After getting a strange call from his younger brother whom he lost touch with a few years ago, the protagonist - Nikolai - leaves his native Moscow to investigate. He barely gets a chance to see his brother when a squad of federal agents appears at his house to arrest him for treason, and now Nikolai will have to go to great lengths to find out what secrets a peaceful, quiet Crimean town really hides. Strange roadblocks, suspicious behavior of certain people he meets, inexplicable accidents and finally a double murder - and Nikolai has no doubt that something big is happening here, conveniently hidden away from everyone’s eyes…
What I really enjoyed about this thriller was not only an imaginative, compelling plot but also an exotic setting which definitely made reading it even more interesting. Little bits of Russian (or should I say, Soviet) history and cultural details added more authenticity and made me feel like I was fully immersed in the languid atmosphere of a quiet Southern town. What I also enjoyed was how not only the main protagonist himself was portrayed but also secondary characters, which were all complex and interesting in their own way, starting with Vera and finishing with Valentin and Anton; the latter won my affection right away with his confident and no-nonsense attitude, and I love it when a book makes me connect with characters this way, making me root for them even though they may not play a major part in the story.
Hard to put down, this gritty, compelling thriller with its brooding atmosphere is a perfect choice for all fans of the genre, and I highly recommend it.
What I really enjoyed about this thriller was not only an imaginative, compelling plot but also an exotic setting which definitely made reading it even more interesting. Little bits of Russian (or should I say, Soviet) history and cultural details added more authenticity and made me feel like I was fully immersed in the languid atmosphere of a quiet Southern town. What I also enjoyed was how not only the main protagonist himself was portrayed but also secondary characters, which were all complex and interesting in their own way, starting with Vera and finishing with Valentin and Anton; the latter won my affection right away with his confident and no-nonsense attitude, and I love it when a book makes me connect with characters this way, making me root for them even though they may not play a major part in the story.
Hard to put down, this gritty, compelling thriller with its brooding atmosphere is a perfect choice for all fans of the genre, and I highly recommend it.
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March 6, 2020🎁 Nikolai Volkov Series(3 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/6/2020)! 🎁
August 28, 2018
Intriguing mystery. I was hooked from the first page. Who was this man entering the town undetected via the sea? Was he good or bad and responsible for the shootings on the beach? Throughout, there were red herrings and misdirections to muddy the waters making for a gripping read.
Likeable characters. I especially liked the history between Nikolai and his brother and learning the fate of their grandfather.
I was fascinated by the insights into everyday life in Russia. This aspect really set the book apart for me.
Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to mystery/thriller readers. Now I want to read the others in the series.
Likeable characters. I especially liked the history between Nikolai and his brother and learning the fate of their grandfather.
I was fascinated by the insights into everyday life in Russia. This aspect really set the book apart for me.
Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to mystery/thriller readers. Now I want to read the others in the series.
August 26, 2018
Solid thriller. Caught my interest from the beginning and kept me guessing all the way through. Missed the killer. :) Oh, well, can't get them all. Great scene setting, likable characters, nice bits of history tossed in for good measure. I'd recommend for others who appreciate a good thriller. Kind of a Clancy/Ludlum kind of action novel.
October 8, 2018
I’m not sure how Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller (Nikolai Volkov Book 3) by Julia Gousseva showed up in my Amazon recommendations. I love thrillers, but haven’t been reading many lately. Regardless, I checked it out and added it to the TBR List. Read on for my review!
Synopsis (from the author):
Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war with a passion for finding truth and doing the right thing.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Nikolai embarked on a career of a bodyguard and soon became the best in the prestigious Centurion Personal Protection Agency in Moscow. He excels at protecting his clients and preventing crimes. But this time, his case is personal. His brother calls Nikolai with an urgent plea for help, and Nikolai heads to a small town in Crimea.
The town is quiet and picturesque, but dark forces are at work behind the scenes. Murders, illegal smuggling, and suspicious arrests challenge Nikolai's detective skills and put his life in danger.
What I liked:
Lethal Cargo had all the elements I like in a thriller. Sinister figures, shadowy conspiracy, action, intrigue, and really cool characters. Nikolai played the good guy perfectly, and the story, driven by his actions, moved along nicely. Entertaining plot twists and a satisfying end made it a fun read.
What I didn’t like:
To be honest, there wasn’t much to dislike about Lethal Cargo.
Overall impression:
Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller (Nikolai Volkov Book 3) by Julia Gousseva was a great read. The story moved at a nice pace. With realistic and believable characters and gritty action, the book was a quick read and an entertaining novel. If you like thrillers, try this one!
My rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis (from the author):
Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war with a passion for finding truth and doing the right thing.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Nikolai embarked on a career of a bodyguard and soon became the best in the prestigious Centurion Personal Protection Agency in Moscow. He excels at protecting his clients and preventing crimes. But this time, his case is personal. His brother calls Nikolai with an urgent plea for help, and Nikolai heads to a small town in Crimea.
The town is quiet and picturesque, but dark forces are at work behind the scenes. Murders, illegal smuggling, and suspicious arrests challenge Nikolai's detective skills and put his life in danger.
What I liked:
Lethal Cargo had all the elements I like in a thriller. Sinister figures, shadowy conspiracy, action, intrigue, and really cool characters. Nikolai played the good guy perfectly, and the story, driven by his actions, moved along nicely. Entertaining plot twists and a satisfying end made it a fun read.
What I didn’t like:
To be honest, there wasn’t much to dislike about Lethal Cargo.
Overall impression:
Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller (Nikolai Volkov Book 3) by Julia Gousseva was a great read. The story moved at a nice pace. With realistic and believable characters and gritty action, the book was a quick read and an entertaining novel. If you like thrillers, try this one!
My rating: 5 Stars
March 23, 2018
Lethal Cargo is a gripping thriller that starts with that sense that you are missing something really important and builds that feeling throughout, forcing you to turn pages. Nikolai is going to see his brother, who needs his help, but he's unsure why, and before they have a change to get to that, his brother is arrested for treason. That would have been enough for Nikolai to figure out but there are a lot of things about the town that seem off, and he's pretty sure it is all connected, but how? What has his brother gotten himself tangled up in?
I loved the way the layers of this story peeled back slowly to reveal more and when I thought I had it figured out a new layer was exposed. The end came as a surprise, which is always nice. I also thought the attention to detail was wonderful making a location that I've never been to or researched come to life. The history that was sprinkled throughout was fascinating.
I hadn't read any of the other parts and was easily able to follow along with this one. Of course now I'll have to go back and grab the others as well. Great read for fans of historical thrillers.
I loved the way the layers of this story peeled back slowly to reveal more and when I thought I had it figured out a new layer was exposed. The end came as a surprise, which is always nice. I also thought the attention to detail was wonderful making a location that I've never been to or researched come to life. The history that was sprinkled throughout was fascinating.
I hadn't read any of the other parts and was easily able to follow along with this one. Of course now I'll have to go back and grab the others as well. Great read for fans of historical thrillers.
May 18, 2018
A clever, fast-paced thriller with unflinching realism
This is a fast-paced suspenseful mystery/thriller with a Russian perspective. Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war with a passion for finding truth and doing the right thing. Working successfully as a bodyguard, he is doing well, then his brother asks for help and he heads to a town in the Crimea. What follows is a high quality thriller with a great plot, believable and engaging characters, and unflinching realism. The author has done an excellent job creating the environment and atmosphere of the area which is made all the more believable with relevant historical points and local knowledge. There are several story arcs that draw together really well to produce a satisfying end. Highly recommended.
This is a fast-paced suspenseful mystery/thriller with a Russian perspective. Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war with a passion for finding truth and doing the right thing. Working successfully as a bodyguard, he is doing well, then his brother asks for help and he heads to a town in the Crimea. What follows is a high quality thriller with a great plot, believable and engaging characters, and unflinching realism. The author has done an excellent job creating the environment and atmosphere of the area which is made all the more believable with relevant historical points and local knowledge. There are several story arcs that draw together really well to produce a satisfying end. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2018
LOVE BOOKS ABOUT REAL PLACES BY PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEM
I do love this author’s books about Russia, it’s her native land and she knows and understands the people well. This was a little different to the first two in the series as this time, Nikolai goes to help his brother who has got into trouble in a seaside town in the Crimea. The Russian bureaucracy and the suspicion of the residents all help to make this an exciting book to read. The author’s description of the people and the area brought the story to life and I think is an even better book than the first two in the series.
I do love this author’s books about Russia, it’s her native land and she knows and understands the people well. This was a little different to the first two in the series as this time, Nikolai goes to help his brother who has got into trouble in a seaside town in the Crimea. The Russian bureaucracy and the suspicion of the residents all help to make this an exciting book to read. The author’s description of the people and the area brought the story to life and I think is an even better book than the first two in the series.
September 15, 2018
I hadn't read anything from this author before but loved the sound of this book and so picked it up. My usual kind of book in a crime thriller, with the added bonus of being set in Russia. The story starts with a man dropped off in the black sea, wanting to swim to land without being seen or caught by the locals. After that, the story twists and turns with Nikolai coming to town to save his brother and all hell breaking loose. It was an engaging story, one I very much enjoyed with twists you won't see coming and and ending that touches your heart. Very much recommended!
June 22, 2018
Really enjoyed this book! The characters were detailed and three-dimensional and the story was fast paced and engaging. I particularly enjoyed the fantastic sense of place Gousseva has created and the fascinating insights into life in Soviet Russia. Both these elements gave the story a real sense of authenticity. I haven't read the other books in the series but it definitely didn't affect my enjoyment or understanding of this one!
August 10, 2018
Brisk, intriguing and well-written, Lethal Cargo is a very enjoyable thriller. Set against the backdrop of Russia's re-emergence after the fall of the Soviet Union, I found the setting and the way the characters related to the change in the political landscape fascinating. While it was a little on the short side, it never felt rushed and came to a satisfying conclusion. I'll certainly look to read more in this series.
June 3, 2019
Nikolai Volkov is a combat veteran of the Chechen war who now works as a highly specialized bodyguard. When he gets a call for help from his brother who works at a weather station in the small vacation town of Petrovsk, he leaves Moscow immediately. He arrives to find his brother has been arrested for treason and a community that has more secrets than a resort town should.
Well-written and generally fast-paced, I was fascinated to learn more about post-Soviet Union Russia and the aftermath of that political fallout. It did feel like the plot meandered a bit in the middle and spent a bit too much time on what I call "hellos" and introductions. However, it was an intriguing story that political thriller lovers will appreciate.
This is the third in the series, but you do not have to read the first two to enjoy and understand this book.
Well-written and generally fast-paced, I was fascinated to learn more about post-Soviet Union Russia and the aftermath of that political fallout. It did feel like the plot meandered a bit in the middle and spent a bit too much time on what I call "hellos" and introductions. However, it was an intriguing story that political thriller lovers will appreciate.
This is the third in the series, but you do not have to read the first two to enjoy and understand this book.
May 23, 2019
Dripping with Suspense!
Julia Gousseva's Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller (Nikolai Volkov Book 3) is a multi-layered story, brimming with complex characters and descriptive text.
Readers who are seeking crime thrillers (who-dun-its); private detective stories; historical fiction, set in Russia; serials or standalone fiction -- need look no further. Gousseva's book has all this, and more.
Julia Gousseva's Lethal Cargo: Russian Historical Thriller (Nikolai Volkov Book 3) is a multi-layered story, brimming with complex characters and descriptive text.
Readers who are seeking crime thrillers (who-dun-its); private detective stories; historical fiction, set in Russia; serials or standalone fiction -- need look no further. Gousseva's book has all this, and more.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews