The Argentine Triangle: A Craig Page Thriller

Craig Page #4

by Allan Topol

Former CIA director Craig Page is enjoying a new, exhilarating life racing cars across Europe. But when new dangers threaten America and an old friend goes missing in Argentina, will Craig be ready to step up to the plate? Undercover in the glamorous world of Buenos Aires’ wealthy elite, Page finds himself on the brink of a terrible discovery. A world of brutality hidden in the classified secrets of Argentina’s Dirty War comes to light, painting an image of the cataclysmic future awaiting South America. Hard on the heels of The Russian Endgame comes Allan Topol’s next great thriller. Rife with the exotic backdrops and hairpin plot turns that put Topol on the best-seller list, The Argentine Triangle is a heart-stopping foray into human vice coupled with power accelerating towards catastrophe. In a world fraught with global conspiracy, Craig Page is king.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2014

About the author

Allan Topol is the national bestselling author of six novels of international intrigue, including Spy Dance, recently translated into Chinese. He is a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology, who majored in chemistry, abandoned science, and obtained a law degree from Yale University. A partner in a major Washington law firm, and an avid wine collector, he has traveled extensively, researching dramatic locations for his novels. You can join him on Facebook. Please let him know if you would like to receive his free newsletter. Allan is available for speaking opportunities on subjects of international affairs, dealt with in his novels.

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ARGENTINE TRIANGLE:
A Craig Page Thriller

By Allan Topol



Can you reinvent who you are while remaining the same person you have always been? Can you change your identity and still be yourself? What happens when you are blindsided by the one person that you have come to trust and wind up out in the cold with nowhere to turn? What happens when Craig Page enters the office of the President of the United States, reminded about what happened to the President of China and a Russian named Orlov and the situation that you were just put in is now lost? Craig Page returns from Moscow and arrives at his office at 8 that morning. Director of the CIA for only three weeks he has not found the time to even choose secretary. Rehashing with his assistant, Betty Richards that President Zhou was dead and killed by the Russian named Orlov and Orlov by Zhou’s and, what seems that the perfect end or solution to a bad situation comes falling down on him. Like a fragile house of cards or a piece of blown glass that just needs the slightest touch to fall into millions of pieces, so does his life explode within seconds of entering the Oval Office. As the situation if discussed and the new President of China is losing control the end result is a recap of what happened but not exactly the way it really went down. As Craig is put out to pasture and hung dry you might say by President Treadwell, his presidential adviser and lawyer Edmond Bryce points fingers, puts the blame on Craig and what happens in the prologue sets the stage for one of the most explosive situations ever created by Mystery/Thriller writer Allan Topol. As the situation heats up and Treadwell reviews what he ahs been told, stating that the now deceased President of China has some powerful friends and they want the new president out and just might start a trade war with the United States. The events and facts are stated and presented within the final pages of the prologue as Edmund Bryce manipulates the President, convinces him that Craig’s actions were to avenge the death of his daughter.

What happens next will continue to set the stage for his reentry into the world he let but not before he reinvents himself as someone else, changes his appearance, rethinks his career and becomes someone else. The Argentine Triangle Wait until you find out who is at the top of each point of this triangle, what their role is and the final outcome. Plastic surgery in Switzerland and the former CIA agent finds himself amidst the world of racecar driving, living it up in Europe.

Ted Dunn had 25 years with CIA and was retired. So, what would make him take one more case that would change the course of more than just his life but put others in dangers too. When Betty Richards requests his help to go to Argentina and pretend to be a tourist what could be so hard? His goal to find out what one General Estrada was up to and report back directly to her. Taking his weapon, connecting with a man named Pascual, reading his report he hoped to wrap this job up and get his life back on track. But, not everything goes as planned and the end result will bring him face to face with some dangerous soldiers.

Enrico Martina/aka/Craig Page is gripping the steering wheel hard of a light blue jaguar. Speed increasing, dangerous curves ahead as he and his navigator Luigi, from Rome, studied the map as his life depended on it. Dangerous snakes in the road and the Jaguar passed some twists and turns as both men find themselves holding on for their lives. Craig finds himself in the hospital and face to face with Betty Richards. Ted Dunn is missing and Betty has to persuade Craig to go undercover to Argentina and find him. But, will he and at what cost?

Working his way into the lair of this dangerous General, Craig comes face to face with Colonel Schiller whose plans for Argentina will be stopped if he doesn’t eliminate Craig. When his brutal past is uncovered and the hidden truths and lies revealed who will remain in power and who will turn to dust? As the author presents his extensive research concerning Argentina’s Dirty war a graphic image comes to light as he reminds readers of the future of what Estrada wants for his country and just how it would destroy it.
( a little history of the time period and the Dirty War to enlighten readers)

“Dirty War, Spanish Guerra Sucia, also known as Process of National Reorganization, Spanish Proceso de Reorganización Nacional or El Proceso, infamous campaign waged from 1976 to 1983 by http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t... military dictatorship against suspected left-wing political opponents. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 30,000 citizens were killed; many of them were “disappeared”—seized by the authorities and never heard from again.
On March 29, 1976, five days after Argentine Pres. Isabel Perón was deposed, a three-man military junta filled the presidency with Lieut. Gen. Jorge Rafaél Videla. The junta closed the National Congress, imposed censorship, banned trade unions, and brought state and municipal government under military control. Meanwhile, Videla initiated a campaign against suspected dissidents. Throughout the country the regime set up hundreds of clandestine detention camps, where thousands of people were jailed and persecuted. Because leftist guerrillas had been widely active in the country beginning in the late 1960s, the Argentine government, which maintained that it was fighting a civil war, initially faced little public opposition, but this began to change in the late 1970s, with growing evidence of civil rights violations.
“ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...



Caught in a web of lies, deceits, greed and a power struggle that would take him across many different countries and cities in Argentina and back to Washington, D.C. Craig Page has to find a way to get the President back on his side, destroy his closest advisor, Edward Bryce and regain his life. Giving up Elizabeth and living without her more than he could bear at times, but nonetheless they both agreed. With Estrada manipulating Gina and Byrce feeding him the information needed and doing his bidding, things seem to be taking shape but for which side? General Alfredo Estrada and the deranged Colonel Schiller want nothing more than to control their population as the Nazi’s did during WWII. Orchestrated attacks, money they hope would find and build up Argentina’s economy, Estrada with the help of Gina and Bryce puts his plans in motion. Knowing that Bryce would make sure that he is flooded with the weaponry he needs, and Gina would convince Bryce to get what Estrada needs, with the information he gets and Gina being so naïve and not realizing that what he tells her about her father and being a hero is false, things to into motion.

As Estrada plans his strategy the undercover Page has to count on his own intelligence group, Betty and his close friend Tim to help Estrada and Schiller. But, things backfire and Schiller does not trust him and somehow sends Page a painful message. Learning where his friend Ted was is paramount but the end result will change everything.

Deceit, lies, intrigue and an ending so explosive that not everyone will survive. Gina Galindo. Although enamored with Craig will learn something that will send her over a ledge she might never come back from as she listens to two women that will enlighten her to several truths and the end result will either stop Craig in his tracks or gain another ally. Working for La Nacion are constantly claims to price to have many assignments hoping to avoid his advances yet locked into the relationship because of Estrada?

When the President takes ill what will Bryce do? When the Vice President takes hold of the situation and reminds Bryce that a pact was made with Brazil and he should have not altered it what will the end result be? Power, greed, financial gain sparks the action of this outstanding and well-researched novel.

Craig Page/ Alfredo Estrada: Two men on a mission to save their nations. Two men who will stop at nothing to win what they want. The Argentine Triangle: At the top of the main point we have Argentina, the bottom point on the left the United States: on the right Brazil: Whose point will remain sharp and standing at the end as two men share the center of the triangle! Which will remain and which will wind up ……………? Who lives? Who dies? Take one more triangle: At the top the President, on the bottom Estrada and on the other side on the right Bryce: Whose power is the strongest to fight or join forces with the man in the center: Craig Page.
The Argentine Triangle: Allan Topol at this best as this well researched novel and ending will keep you guessing as to what really happens to some of the characters and what is in store for Page next? Will he bring back Gina? Will Elizabeth return? Will there be a different triangle that will they form their own triangle? A must read and a definite five star novel.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
$16.95; 320 pages

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Argentine Triangle is another exciting political thriller by Allan Topol starring Craig Page.

Craig's new career as CIA Director comes to an abrupt end when he becomes a political scapegoat for President Treadwell and his closest advisor, Edward Bryce. Fearing for his safety, Craig undergoes dramatic plastic surgery to conceal his identity and amid concerns for his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth, they mutually agree to (temporarily) end their relationship. Now pursuing his longtime dream of racing cars , he agrees to his old friend and current CIA Director Betty Richards request to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of an undercover agent (and friend) in Argentina.

Page's investigation leads directly to General Alfredo Estrada and his sidekick Colonel Schiller. Estrada's career began during Argentina's Dirty War and he is once again poised to stage a coup and put Argentina's leadership back in the hands of the military. Following an important discovery that could lead to a substantial financial windfall for Argentina, Estrada begins to implement his diabolical plan. Manipulating a young journalist into helping him carry out his nefarious plot, Estrada has ensured Edward Bryce's co-operation with procuring arms for Argentina.

With the operation completely off the books, Page relies heavily on his instincts and a few contacts as he delves into Estrada and Schiller's scheme. Unsure who to trust, Craig is forced to make risky decisions that could have devastating results. He is, at first, primarily concerned with Ted's whereabouts but once he uncovers the truth about Estrada, he is compelled to stop him from carrying out a devious plan that could have catastrophic consequences.

While The Argentine Triangle shares a few similarities to other novels starring Craig Page, Allan Topol keeps the storylines fresh with his ingenious use of factual historical events. He does a credible job combining bits of history with intriguing suppositions of what could happen if the wrong person assumes power and the end result is a thought-provoking and action-filled adventure. The political element raises questions about power, influence and corruption in the US government that are troubling and well within the realm of possibilities.

Overall, another fast-paced and compelling novel old and new fans of the genre do not want to miss.

[James Cummings, Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting

Very fast paced. A little over the top in credibility but still a fun read. Topol is an excellent writer.