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Vendetta: A Novel
During the 1942 Battle of Stalingrad, two brilliant snipers--Antonov, a Russian, and Meister, a German--stalk each other through the city ruins.
- GenresWarHistoricalFiction
167 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1990
20 people want to read
About the author
Derek Lambert
73 books8 followersDerek Lambert was educated at Epsom College and was both an author of thrillers in his own name, writing also as Richard Falkirk, and a journalist. As a foreign correspondent for the Daily Express, he spent time in many exotic locales that he later used as settings in his novels.
In addition to his steady stream of thrillers, Lambert also published (under the pseudonym Richard Falkirk) a series about a Bow Street Runner called Edmund Blackstone. These, the fruit of research in the London Library, were interspersed with detailed descriptions of early 19th century low life, as the hero undertook such tasks as saving Princess Victoria from being kidnapped, or penetrating skullduggery at the Bank of England.
Lambert made no claims for his books, which he often wrote in five weeks, simply dismissing them as pot-boilers; but in 1988 the veteran American journalist Martha Gellhorn paid tribute in The Daily Telegraph to his intricate plotting and skillful use of factual material. It appealed, she declared, to a universal hunger for "pure unadulterated storytelling", of the sort supplied by storytellers in a bazaar
Lambert was residing in Spain with his family at the time of his death at the age of seventy-one.
In addition to his steady stream of thrillers, Lambert also published (under the pseudonym Richard Falkirk) a series about a Bow Street Runner called Edmund Blackstone. These, the fruit of research in the London Library, were interspersed with detailed descriptions of early 19th century low life, as the hero undertook such tasks as saving Princess Victoria from being kidnapped, or penetrating skullduggery at the Bank of England.
Lambert made no claims for his books, which he often wrote in five weeks, simply dismissing them as pot-boilers; but in 1988 the veteran American journalist Martha Gellhorn paid tribute in The Daily Telegraph to his intricate plotting and skillful use of factual material. It appealed, she declared, to a universal hunger for "pure unadulterated storytelling", of the sort supplied by storytellers in a bazaar
Lambert was residing in Spain with his family at the time of his death at the age of seventy-one.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 23, 2018
Possessing expert marksmanship, Yury Antonov was assigned as a Russian sniper during World War II. Considered the best of the best, Karl Meister was an elite sniper recruited by the Germans. Little did they know that destiny had set a future date for their lives to cross. They'd been given orders to terminate the other. May the better man win - live.
The snipers came from contrasting backgrounds. The German, Meister, hailed from the city and was trained by the best. Antonov, a Russian country boy had the hardwired instincts of a great hunter. They represented two opposing yet dynamic forces. When assigned the assassination, they both had twenty-three kills to their name.
Most of Stalingrad had been occupied by German forces. But to their surprise the Russians put up a fierce fight with wary street fighters on every corner. The defending Russians knew the city like the back of their hand. It was their greatest advantage.
Heated sniper rivalry was ignited from a column in the Soviet Army newspaper pitting them against each other. Both countries were depending on their local hero to boost their Army's morale. Like in ancient Roman gladiator fashion, a duel to the death was on.
It was a game of cat-and-mouse. The roles of predator and prey were exchanging all the time. Rules of engagement were simple; kill the other shooter before he killed you.
The day was dawning. A final showdown was in the works. There would be no shooting in the back. The combatants met in a field of honor one last time. The leaders of Russia and Germany held their breath.
I offer my thanks to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The snipers came from contrasting backgrounds. The German, Meister, hailed from the city and was trained by the best. Antonov, a Russian country boy had the hardwired instincts of a great hunter. They represented two opposing yet dynamic forces. When assigned the assassination, they both had twenty-three kills to their name.
Most of Stalingrad had been occupied by German forces. But to their surprise the Russians put up a fierce fight with wary street fighters on every corner. The defending Russians knew the city like the back of their hand. It was their greatest advantage.
Heated sniper rivalry was ignited from a column in the Soviet Army newspaper pitting them against each other. Both countries were depending on their local hero to boost their Army's morale. Like in ancient Roman gladiator fashion, a duel to the death was on.
It was a game of cat-and-mouse. The roles of predator and prey were exchanging all the time. Rules of engagement were simple; kill the other shooter before he killed you.
The day was dawning. A final showdown was in the works. There would be no shooting in the back. The combatants met in a field of honor one last time. The leaders of Russia and Germany held their breath.
I offer my thanks to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 27, 2018
Not your usual WW2 story, it begins amid the devastation of the battle for Stalingrad, with the onset of Winter both the Russians and the Germans need a champion, and two young snipers, Antonov and Meister fit the bill.
The story follows their lives and gives a real insight into the ravages of war and the pressure on the young men and how they cope. It's a poignant story, with an unexpected ending.
I received a copy of this book from Collins Crime Club - Harper Collins via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2018
Lambert's tale of two snipers hunting each other during the Battle of Stalingrad is a hell of a page turner. His lean, unadorned prose perfectly captures the feeling of the beleaguered city.
Received via NetGalley.
Received via NetGalley.
April 10, 2009
An enjoyable, if not overlooked historical novel about two rival sniper teams (German and Russian) during the Battle of Stalingrad, upon which in part the movie ENEMIES AT THE GATE was based. I likied it mostly for the glimpse it gave into life of the determined defenders of the city.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews