White Fox

Alexander Vasin #3

by Owen Matthews

1963. In a desolate Russian penal colony, the radio blares the news of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy...

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vasin's new post as director of a gulag camp in the middle of a frozen tundra is far from a promotion. This is where disgraced agents, like Vasin, are disappeared - sent to die forgotten. And quietly. But tensions in the camp are running high and when a violent revolt breaks out, Vasin finds himself on the run. With him is a mysterious prisoner - who holds the key to the most dangerous secret in the world: who ordered Kennedy's murder.

In a breathless race that takes them through the Soviet Union - from the barren Siberian wastelands to the stunning halls of the Catherine Palace, and into the gritty streets of Leningrad and Moscow - Vasin must stay one step ahead of the deadliest spy and police organizations in the world . . . and keep the most wanted man in Russia alive. The journey will push Vasin's loyalty, morality and his patriotism to the limit. And he must confront the ultimate choice: fall in line, or die fighting the system.

With masterful storytelling that weaves together an explosive moment in history with the cutthroat machinations of Soviet politics, Owen Matthews' White Fox captures the paradigm-shifting assassination from a unique Soviet point of view. This is a page-turning thriller - a race against time across Soviet Russia, where characters facing impossible odds are forced to decide between truth, justice and all-out war.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Russia, Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Audiobook, China

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2023

About the author

Owen Matthews is a British writer, historian and journalist. His first book, Stalin's Children, was shortlisted for the 2008 Guardian First Books Award, the Orwell Prize for political writing, and France's Prix Medicis Etranger. His books have been translated into 28 languages. He is a former Moscow and Istanbul Bureau Chief for Newsweek Magazine. Matthews has lectured on Russian history and politics at Columbia University's Harriman Centre, St Antony's College Oxford, and the Journalism Faculty of Moscow State University.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always excited to read the work of an author new to me, I reached for this series’ third novel by Owen Matthews. A stunning story that explores the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy and who might have been involved. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vasin learns of this during his recent placement, which blows his mind and leaves him needing to get answers. However, he's on the run from his own government and the KGB, which adds layers of drama and concern. Matthews spins an excellent tale to add spice to the series.

News comes through the radio one November day in1963. The announcer shares the sad news that US President John F. Kennedy has been assassinated. It paralyses the world and leaves everyone wondering who might be involved. Even within the USSR, people have questions of their avowed enemy.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vasin has been assigned to oversee a frozen penal outpost, a disgraced agent who is sent to disappear and die as people forget his existence. A violent revolt leads to chaos and Vasin flees the camp with a prisoner. While the man spouts random eccentricities, he admits that he knows who killed Kennedy and has been sent away so that he cannot share any of this.

Vasin and his comrade travel across the Soviet Union, from Siberia to the larger cities and through to Moscow, with this secret that could change everything. While Vasin hopes to share the news with someone who can make a difference, he knows that he is likely one of the most wanted men in the country now and he is sure to be a target if anyone gets their hands on him. Owen Matthews delivers a stunning novel that pulls history and action together for a great story.

Many of the Cold War thrillers I have read tell things from the West's perspective, but this refreshing look by Owen Matthews helped pull me in from the opening pages. There is certainly a punch in this book that keeps the reader eager to learn more, even if they might know their history. Characters shape the story well and keep the reader trying to eke out a few pieces of the story through the eyes of the Soviet perspective. Plot points keep things on edge and provide a wonderful set of surprises that shapes the larger piece and adds something to the history on offer. I am eager to see what Matthews might have in store for readers next.

Kudos Mr. Matthews, for a great alternate view of history's great mystery.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Skip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weakest and last book in the Black Sun or Alexander Vasin trilogy. The first two books were based on actual events, while this one revolves around the unanswered question of whether there was a conspiracy behind the John F. Kennedy assassination in 1963. Vasin has been demoted to running a penal colony in a frozen Russian wasteland, when a special prisoner is delivered, and Vasin is ordered to kill his minders. When there is a prison riot, the two barely escape with their lives and then are on the run from killers want the secret of the assassination buried forever. The prisoner is a trained agent, and often slips away from Vasin, who manages to outthink, track and intercept him twice.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of the year so far - alternate history posing the question of what if the KGB was responsible for the assassination of President Kennedy - and what if this secret was discovered by a man who still listens to his moral compass?

[Fin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I preferred the second book (Red Traitor) in this series, White Fox is the perfect send off to Vasin and the trilogy. A gritty, fast-paced Cold War thriller. 4 stars!

[Vassilis Xanthakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Είχα καιρό να διαβάσω ένα τόσο καταιγιστικό βιβλίο που να συναρπάζει από την πρώτη ως την τελευταία σελίδα. Εξαιρετική αποτύπωση της Σοβιετικής Ένωσης του 1960 καθώς και του γενικότερου ψυχροπολεμικού κλίματος της εποχής. Η τριλογία κλείνει, αν μη τι άλλο, με εντυπωσιακό τρόπο.

[Martin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owen Matthews delivers again.

Following the events of "Red Traitor", where our hero Vasin successfully prevented an atomic war, exposed an American spy and brought down powerful Ivan Serov, he has been "rewarded" by his KGB boss General Orlov and is now commandant of a penal colony, some two hundred kilometres north of Moscow. Surrounded by miles of sub zero tundra, staff who hold no respect for him, and prisoners who are always on the brink of revolt, he is master of all he surveys. Life is about as good as it gets. Not.

When Vasin receives news from Orlov that a special prisoner is en-route to the prison, and that he, Vasin, should summarily execute the prisoner escort, he knows life is about to get ugly again.

With the arrival of the prisoner, followed by a batch of Bosnian prisoners, we are swiftly launched into another fast-moving, complex story which sees our hero escaping his own prison, almost dying in the sub-zero snows of the tundra, then following a trail across Russia as he exposes conspiracies, All the while trying to determine who is friend and who is foe, and working to ensure he lives long enough to get his life back. Maybe.

If I also add that these events take place in November of 1963, readers might suspect there is broader, fact-based background to this story.

Owen Matthews once again delivers a complex, fast-moving story woven around our hero. Unlike his previous two books which were based on verified facts, this one is not, rather it's the author's take on what might have happened before and after the Kennedy assassination. It's full of vivid descriptions of 1960's Russia, of cold-war rivalries and characters who may or may not be what they seem. Vasin remains a middle-aged, driven man who genuinely wants to do the right thing, I like him more and more with each book.

The author, while making this his own, definitely channels his inner LeCarre / Cruz Smith / Kanon. Fans of the series so far will not be disappointed.

Thoroughly recommended. I was pleased to receive a Netgalley ARC, but look forward to getting my hands on a proper copy.

[Marsha Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75 rounded to 4.0)

1963 - LT. Col. Alexander Vasin has a new post as director of a gulag camp in the middle of a frozen tundra when Jahn F. Kennedy is assassinated. The camp is a dead end posting where disgraced agents like himself are sent to die. But a mysterious new prisoner with special orders for his protection arrives. When the inmates enter into a revolt and the inmates break out and the prisoners escape in small groups. Vasin makes sure the mysterious prisoner is in a group with himself and two guards. The prisoner holds the most dangerous secret in the world—who ordered the Kennedy assassination. The four men race across the barren Siberian wastelands to the Catherine Palace through the streets of Leningrad and Moscow through to the coast and the safety of the recovery team of the country the prisoner will defect to. Vasin has to keep ahead of every spy and law enforcement organization who are determined to intervene is coming to doubt the loyalty, of his superior and mentor. The two men realize that their best chance of survival may be each other.

This is a fast paced Cold War novel pitting a man of integrity, loyalty, and patriotism against an organization staffed by men whose motives are not so clear. The characters were well developed and likable or not given their place in the story. The description of Siberia was engaging and provided a unique background to the story. The plot is engaging and kept me interested from the first to the last. This book made a pleasant change of pace from my usual genres. Recommend to readers who are interested in historical fiction, JFK Assassination, Cold War, KGB, mystery.

[ΦΑΙΗ ΔΕΛΗΓΙΩΡΓΗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Σε μια φυλακή γκούλαγκ στη Σιβηρία, ο Συνταγματάρχης Βάσιν, ο διοικητής, δέχεται έναν μυστηριώδη κρατούμενο. Διαταγές από τον ανώτερο του τον Στρατηγό Ορλόφ, του δίνουν εντολή και να τον κρατήσει ασφαλή με κάθε κόστος. Ο κρατούμενος, Μπερεζόφσκι, είναι πρώην μέλος της KGB και έχει κρυμμένα έγγραφα που αποκαλύπτουν την εμπλοκή της Ρωσίας στη δολοφονία του Κένεντι. Ενώ ο Ορλόφ τον θέλει ασφαλή, υπάρχουν άλλοι που τον κυνηγούν για να αποκτήσουν τα έγγραφα και να τον φιμώσουν. Μια εξέγερση κρατουμένων στο στρατόπεδο αναγκάζει τον Βάσιν, τον Μπερεζόφσκι και αρκετούς φρουρούς του στρατοπέδου να φύγουν για να σώσουν τη ζωή τους μέσα από την παγωμένη τούνδρα. Διασώζονται από ένα τρένο ανεφοδιασμού, αλλά ο Μπερεζόφσκι δραπετεύει από την κράτηση όταν φτάνουν στον προορισμό τους. Ο Βάσιν ξέρει ότι η ζωή του εξαρτάται από το να τον από να τον βρει ,από τη Σιβηρία μέχρι το Λένινγκραντ, ο Βάσιν πρέπει να σκέφτεται ένα βήμα πιο μπροστά από τον Μπερεζόφσκι, ωστόσο ο Μπερεζόφσκι, είναι επίσης εκπαιδευμένος πράκτορας και είναι αποφασισμένος να φύγει ζωντανός από τη Ρωσία.

Η καταδίωξη στην παγωμένη Σιβηρία σου κόβει την ανάσα. Το φινάλε του έρχεται με μια εκπληκτική ανατροπή που κανει αυτό το βιβλίο μια εξαιρετική εμπειρία ανάγνωσης μια περίπλοκη ιστορία που ανατρέπεται απροσδόκητα. .Το «Λευκή Αλεπού» είναι ένα κατασκοπικο θρίλερ δράσης, που παρουσιάζει τον Ρώσο αξιωματικό Αλεξάντερ Βάσιν, έναν άνθρωπο που είχε την ατυχία να γεννηθεί με ηθική αίσθηση και ανεξάρτητο πνεύμα αν και υπηρέτει ένα Σοβιετικό απολυτό και ολοκληρωτικό καθεστώς. Η εντυπωσιακή πλοκή και οι ιστορικές λεπτομέρειες του μυθιστορήματος το καθιστούν ενα συναρπαστικό ανάγνωσμα που διαβάζεται απνευστί .

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a penal colony in Siberia, Colonel Vasin, the commandant, receives a mysterious prisoner. Orders from Vasin’s superior, General Orlov, instruct him to kill the prisoner’s escorts and keep him safe at all costs. The prisoner, Berezovsky, is former KGB and has hidden documents that reveal Russia’s involvement in the Kennedy assassination. While Orlov wants him safe, there are others who are hunting him to obtain the documents and silence him. A prisoner uprising at the camp has Vasin, Berezovsky and several camp guards fleeing for their lives across the frozen tundra. They are rescued by a supply train, but Berezovsky escapes custody when they reach their destination. Vasin knows that his life depends on finding him. From Siberia to Leningrad, Vasin must think one step ahead of Berezovsky to find him. Berezovsky, however, is also a trained agent and he is determined to get out of Russia alive.

Vasin’s connections in Leningrad give him an advantage. Making a connection with the criminal element, he is able to put together a unique surveillance group composed of children, who can move around without calling attention to themselves. Each of Vasin’s maneuvers bring him closer to Berezovsky, but the hunters are never far behind. Owen Matthews’ chase through frozen Siberia takes your breath away. He also takes you through Catherine’s Palace as it undergoes restoration. His finale comes with a surprising twist that made this an excellent reading experience. I would like to thank NetGalley and Doubleday Books for allowing my review.

[Brodie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former Marine Lee Harvey Oswald emigrated to the Soviet Union in 1959 and lived and worked in Minsk until he returned to the U.S. in June 1962. The possibility that Oswald carried out his assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963 as a Soviet operative is at the center of this suspenseful historical thriller that convincingly demonstrates that nowhere is knowledge more dangerous than in the realms of the post-Stalinist KGB.

When disgraced agent Vasin is exiled to run a Soviet penal colony above the Arctic Circle and takes custody of a prisoner who knows about the hit on Kennedy, he soon finds himself on the frozen tundra, running for his life. The author has a knack for describing the hopeless, desolate land, where in “the deep blackness of the Arctic sky, green wisps of the northern lights flickered like cosmic ghosts.” His portraitures of cunning and ruthless KGB agents, jockeying for position among the most powerful, are chilling. Punchy dialogue and settings in frigid Soviet train stations, sparse hotels, a seedy brothel and worker dachas seem perfect for the chase.

The result is compelling storytelling that merges a thoughtful alternative explanation of a major historical event with fast-paced, immersive action in the shadowy and unforgiving world of Soviet espionage. White Fox is the third book in the author’s Black Sun Trilogy.

This review originally appeared in HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW. Was it helpful? I am an avid reader of historical fiction, and author. More of my reviews can be found at www.brodiecurtis.com

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vasin has been exiled from his KGB job to be commandant of a gulag in the frozen tundra for reasons not explained here but which are more or less irrelevant to this tale of betrayal, survival, and international affairs. Readers of the series (and I'm a fan) know that Vasim is a man who is conflicted but who will obey orders, which his superior Lt Gen Orlov also knows, which is why he sends an important prisoner-Berezovsky- to the gulag with instructions that Vasin kill the two escorts and protect the prisoner at all costs. Unfortunately, no one counted on the Chechens who arrived at the same time and who create a bloody uprising that forces Vasim to flee across the tundra with Berezovsky in tow because Berezovsky has hidden papers- papers implicating the USSR in the Kennedy assassination- somewhere and the powers that be want him and them. But then against all odds, once they make it to town, Berezovksy manages to escape setting off a fascinating chase involving a unique surveillance team assembled by Vasin. This is a violent, complicated tale that takes the reader on an atmospheric (you'll feel the cold and smell the dreadful smells) chase. The characters are good and the storytelling demands that the reader pay attention to track the twists. Don't miss the afterword. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read.

[Moravian1297 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having realised at the end of the last Alexander Vasin novel that he was being sent as a punishment to command a Siberian gulag, I'd been rather looking forward to this outing. But again, like my last novel "Scarlet Town", once I had read the synopsis, I felt rather disappointed and alas, somewhat cheated.

And, unfortunately so it proved, we were barley a few short chapters in and we were already being led away from the gulag and onward for what made up almost the entirety of this book, a simple game of cat and mouse chases across the USSR!

I mean, it wasn't awful and it is probably more three and a half stars rather than three, but I do find cat and mouse chases generally very, very dull. Especially when they take up almost the entirety of the story.
It was the same scenario over and over and over again, just in different provinces, cities or modes of transportation!

I honestly wouldn't be neither up nor down if this turned out to be the end of the road for Comrade Alexander Vasin, as the novels, although starting out brilliant, they've unfortunately really took a dive down to hum drum mediocrity.

[Sooz]

arrrrrg. I picked this up at the library because the cover -with it's hammer and sickle embedded in the o of the author's name- indicated it was set in one of my favourite historical eras .... the Soviet Union. I didn't realize it was third in a series. I didn't rate this book as I don't think it fair to give it two stars as I feel likely that if I had read the previous books, I would have gotten a lot more out of it and it would probably get three stars. That said, the story itself did feel self-contained except for the wider context I would have had if I knew the background stories of some of these characters. I did appreciate how well Matthew reminded the reader of important details of the story (there is a lot going on) without feeling like he was 'info dumping' on us.

I

[Heather Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in Matthews’ series of Alexander Vasin novels set in late 1963 with the events of Nov 22 in Dallas as a backdrop.

Vasin has been sent to take charge of a penal colony 200 miles north of Moscow where he finds himself in the midst of a revolt. Barely escaping with his life he crosses sub zero tundra and follows a trail which leads him across Russia as he tries to unravel the conspiracy he finds himself engulfed in.

I enjoyed this book, perhaps not as much as the others but it was engaging throughout. Thanks to NetGalley and the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy for which I have given my own honest review.

[John Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea but somehow doesn't fulfil initial promise. As the author admits, in his note at the back, both 'Black Sun' and 'Red Traitor' were real-life stories whereas this last book in this trilogy is based on a fantasy. A tantalising one - KGB involvement in the assassination of JFK - but the best part of the ensuing tale centred on the desperate conditions at VorkutLag 51, one of the Soviet gulags within the Arctic tundra. Brrrrhhhh! Thereafter, as the story trailed across to Leningrad and then Tallinn, the interest level dropped. A shame, an opportunity missed? Others have opined that the author's best work is in his non-fiction books so I may investigate further.

[Dilys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the trilogy and, in my view, the weakest. I am glad that I had read the other two - in particular, 'Black Sun' because it defines the relationship between the two main characters and also, because the story centres on an aspect of Russian history that I knew nothing about. What I really like about Owen Matthews is his authenticity (his father was a Russian expert, his mother was born in Soviet Ukraine and he, himself, was a journalist in Moscow, speaking fluent Russian) and also the 'Author's note' at the end of his books. Here, he shows the link between fiction and reality which is so informative. So, I liked this book but not as much as the other two.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

It's an exciting chase thriller centring on Lt. Col. Vasin now an exiled commander of a Gulag north of Vorkuta in November 1963. A “prisoner”, perhaps with evidence of KGB involvement in Kennedy’s assassination, arrives as a riot breaks out and Vasin and the prisoner flee across a frozen north.

The question becomes who to trust? as Vasin and a companion from the intelligence community end up in Leningrad where events develop in unexpected directions. There are some great characters, (such as the gypsy children) and settings and, at times, riveting action.

[vlado stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Fox Reveals Nothing

After all that reading - did the KGB kill JFK or not ??? One thing is for certain - how convenient for Oswald to be shot and killed and his killer Jack Ruby to die from cancer shortly thereafter. No loose ends.
I enjoyed reading these 3 books in this trilogy by Owen Matthews.

[Jim Bogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The finale in the story of KGB officer Vasin. He’s been exiled to a remote gulag (as commander, not prisoner), and he runs into, simultaneously, a very strange new inmate and a convict revolt. On the run he turns to old boss General Orlov, and that never turns out well. Cue a long chase across the USSR.
This is an enjoyable series, but this is not the best.

[Mike Kanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the third of the Vasin novels, it was not necessary to read the other two to enjoy this one. It was similar to Martin Cruz Smith's Renko series and Luke McCollin's Gregor Reinhardt series.

Very tightly written political drama with great description of the Soviet Union in the 1960s.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our main man now gets involved in the plot to assassinate JFK. Did the KGB make it happen? A rogue agent? From Siberia to Leningrad, Vasin searches for the truth. Sadly this is the last of the trilogy. Too bad because the three books are great. The trilogy ends with a bang, with questions and with hope. The author’s afterword is very good.

[Ashley Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange way to end a book, right in the middle of action. I felt like this book needed an epilogue to have made that ending work. I didn’t feel like this book had any guts to it, it didn’t really reveal anything, it was an dull man hunt. I get that it’s based on rumours but like make something up then to make the book dramatic and juicy. My least favourite of this trilogy.

[Harry Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, full of twists, turns and drama until the end. Filled with complicated characters, who’s motives and ambitions remain unknown making you second guess their intentions. An easy to like main character and a thrilling take on one of the biggest moments in US history.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the last 2 Vasin books, and this one rounds out the trilogy, and maintains the same tautly written story centered on the political climate that pervaded the day to day life in the Soviet Union.

[Christine Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really three and a half.....an intriguing, plausible tale made all the more so by the notes at the end of the book. I have enjoyed the trilogy especially Black Sun and this novel. A suspenseful and original tale with good knowledge of USSR life. I hope for more novels from this author.

[Sudhagar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Owen Matthews has written some excellent novels - but this isn't one of them.

Poorly written, lacking in hook, authensity, realism and lazy research. I did not even complete 1/3 of the book. Boring.

[Bill Hipp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Not as good as the other one - the first one. And for some baffling reason my library doesn’t have the MIDDLE book in the series. So who knows if I’ll ever read that one. But okay as a thriller goes.

[Du · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable wrap up to this series. I enjoyed the historic connections and the bleakness of the scenario. The author paints the picture that you'd expect, but then does a great job reinforcing it and not making the destitute scenario campy.

[J P Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant finish to the trilogy

Great reimaging of history with Vasim, Kusnetsov and Orlov back in a convoluted tale that twists and turns unexpectedly. Compelling read that I finished in one sitting.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the very good black sun trilogy but not a stand alone read as the other two books as you need to have read them to understand this story. But a good story and winds the trilogy up reasonably well.