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LENINGRAD DECEPTION: AN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SPY THRILLER
From Amazon #1 bestselling author, Richard Lyntton, another explosive international thriller featuring British journalist and veteran tank commander, Jack Steele.
Leningrad 1989. The Cold War is over. Or is it? Amid the euphoria over the looming US-Soviet presidential summit, forces conspire to destroy the peace process … Set in Berlin, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), London, Venice, Stockholm, and the island of Capri, Jack Steele becomes embroiled in a secret Vatican-inspired plot to assassinate a world leader in the name of peace. Only Steele can thwart the assassination—unless they liquidate him first. Even as the Iron Curtain falls and the Berlin Wall crumbles, Jack Steele’s KGB nemesis will never accept Western superiority. Soviet KGB officer, Oleg Stepanovich Pugachev, plots a secret conspiracy to ensure the Cold War will never end—not now, not ever.” Based on the incredible true story of an American president's (Ronald Reagan) top secret "Deception Committee" and his ingenious plan to win the Cold War.
(Free episodes of Leningrad Deception are available on Kindle Vella, the Amazon Kindle phone reading app.)
Click "Follow the Author" Richard Lyntton for the latest updates and new releases.
Leningrad 1989. The Cold War is over. Or is it? Amid the euphoria over the looming US-Soviet presidential summit, forces conspire to destroy the peace process … Set in Berlin, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), London, Venice, Stockholm, and the island of Capri, Jack Steele becomes embroiled in a secret Vatican-inspired plot to assassinate a world leader in the name of peace. Only Steele can thwart the assassination—unless they liquidate him first. Even as the Iron Curtain falls and the Berlin Wall crumbles, Jack Steele’s KGB nemesis will never accept Western superiority. Soviet KGB officer, Oleg Stepanovich Pugachev, plots a secret conspiracy to ensure the Cold War will never end—not now, not ever.” Based on the incredible true story of an American president's (Ronald Reagan) top secret "Deception Committee" and his ingenious plan to win the Cold War.
(Free episodes of Leningrad Deception are available on Kindle Vella, the Amazon Kindle phone reading app.)
Click "Follow the Author" Richard Lyntton for the latest updates and new releases.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2023
32 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Richard Lyntton
9 books29 followersRichard Lyntton was born Richard Bramford in Highgate,
London. He attended William Ellis School, Exeter University,
Moscow State Linguistic University (formerly Maurice Thorez
Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages),
and Sandhurst. Richard served as a captain and tank commander
in the British Army in the first Gulf War; European
Community Task Force Humanitarian Liaison in Russia;
UNHCR Liaison Officer, and United Nations Military Observer (during heavy
shelling and NATO airstrikes) in Sarajevo, Bosnia; and was a
United Nations Television producer in former Yugoslavia. He
was called to testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal
in the Hague after witnessing and filming human rights
atrocities and abuses in Bosnia. His films are archived at the
Imperial War Museum, London.
When he’s not writing, Richard is a professional actor and
QVC USA on-air guest host. He lives in Philadelphia with his
wife, interior designer Michelle Wenitsky, and their two sons.
London. He attended William Ellis School, Exeter University,
Moscow State Linguistic University (formerly Maurice Thorez
Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages),
and Sandhurst. Richard served as a captain and tank commander
in the British Army in the first Gulf War; European
Community Task Force Humanitarian Liaison in Russia;
UNHCR Liaison Officer, and United Nations Military Observer (during heavy
shelling and NATO airstrikes) in Sarajevo, Bosnia; and was a
United Nations Television producer in former Yugoslavia. He
was called to testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal
in the Hague after witnessing and filming human rights
atrocities and abuses in Bosnia. His films are archived at the
Imperial War Museum, London.
When he’s not writing, Richard is a professional actor and
QVC USA on-air guest host. He lives in Philadelphia with his
wife, interior designer Michelle Wenitsky, and their two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 16, 2025
After stumbling upon the series debut by Richard Lyntton, I found myself captivated by the story and presentation of this second thriller. Lyntton balances political angles with an espionage flavouring well off the beaten path once again. Jack Steele's life is about to be turned upside down. The Cold War is on the brink of ending, but all sides remain edgy. Steele’s knowledge of Russian and connections behind the Iron Curtain could prove helpful, at least gathering intel. However, when a couple’s murdered, the KGB spread the blame on Steele and he is forced to flee. As political pressures mount to end the US-Soviet clash, there may be one more political move that could change everything. Lyntton provides a pivotal piece in the series that posits more than is said on its pages.
As the world watches the Berlin Wall fall in November 1989, questions about the end of the Cold War emerge. There are whispers of a US-Soviet summit to hash out the technicalities, but some surmise there could be a political ambush. Enter Jack Steele, who is enrolled as a British soldier. He has linguistic abilities and a former connection in Russia that could help him serve as a spy to the West and ensure smooth sailing.
While Steele heads behind the Iron Curtain with a mission, there are other political forces seeking to set the scene. An outwardly neutral Sweden has much it wants to accomplish as a middleman, while the Vatican hopes to pave the way towards a successful peace for the world. All this, as Steele tried to get answers, but only finds a double murder attributed to him by KGB agents.
On the lam and trying to shed light on the truth, Steele relies on the most unexpected allies. Working with a few he can trust, Steele trips upon a plot to assassinate a world leader to ensure world peace. There is little time to ask questions and even less to formulate a plan. However, Jack Steele is about to be thrust into the middle of a massive political plot that could see him cut down before all is said and done. Richard Lyntton provides a scintillating story for all to enjoy.
I enjoy discovering new authors whose ideas keep me curious. Richard Lyntton proves he can write a strong political thriller, after thee stellar and yet unique novels. Lyntton develops the narrative with great political action, while offering up some history and a sprinkling of espionage. Characters present the many sides of the story, flavoring the piece effectively and permitting the reader to better understand the historical and political implications. Plot points in this book are both meant to surprise and educate the reader, as things progress rapidly. After reading the three novels that have been published, I am left feeling as though they were written in reverse order. Chronologically, this is the earliest of the three books, which confused me as I read each. I expected progression for Jack Steele, but got snapshots of his earlier life each time. Still, well-paced and full of action, which made up for it all. I am eager to see where Richard Lyntton takes us next!
Kudos, Mr. Lyntton, for a gripping alternate history of the end of Cold War politicking!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As the world watches the Berlin Wall fall in November 1989, questions about the end of the Cold War emerge. There are whispers of a US-Soviet summit to hash out the technicalities, but some surmise there could be a political ambush. Enter Jack Steele, who is enrolled as a British soldier. He has linguistic abilities and a former connection in Russia that could help him serve as a spy to the West and ensure smooth sailing.
While Steele heads behind the Iron Curtain with a mission, there are other political forces seeking to set the scene. An outwardly neutral Sweden has much it wants to accomplish as a middleman, while the Vatican hopes to pave the way towards a successful peace for the world. All this, as Steele tried to get answers, but only finds a double murder attributed to him by KGB agents.
On the lam and trying to shed light on the truth, Steele relies on the most unexpected allies. Working with a few he can trust, Steele trips upon a plot to assassinate a world leader to ensure world peace. There is little time to ask questions and even less to formulate a plan. However, Jack Steele is about to be thrust into the middle of a massive political plot that could see him cut down before all is said and done. Richard Lyntton provides a scintillating story for all to enjoy.
I enjoy discovering new authors whose ideas keep me curious. Richard Lyntton proves he can write a strong political thriller, after thee stellar and yet unique novels. Lyntton develops the narrative with great political action, while offering up some history and a sprinkling of espionage. Characters present the many sides of the story, flavoring the piece effectively and permitting the reader to better understand the historical and political implications. Plot points in this book are both meant to surprise and educate the reader, as things progress rapidly. After reading the three novels that have been published, I am left feeling as though they were written in reverse order. Chronologically, this is the earliest of the three books, which confused me as I read each. I expected progression for Jack Steele, but got snapshots of his earlier life each time. Still, well-paced and full of action, which made up for it all. I am eager to see where Richard Lyntton takes us next!
Kudos, Mr. Lyntton, for a gripping alternate history of the end of Cold War politicking!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 12, 2024
What a hapless, bumbling hero! No way could this dude have escaped Russia with the KGB looking for him. It was totally unrealistic that Jack could save himself and certainly not anyone else. I have stayed at the Gritti Palace and visited most of the other locations described in the book so that at least kept me interested as I rolled my eyes about the coincidences that propelled the convoluted plot.
February 26, 2023
This was a novel that was provided to me by the author in return for an honest review.
I was fortunate enough to be able to get an advance copy from the author as I had offered in the past to assist in the editing process (and to be honest, I do believe that this is the first time that my assistance has been acknowledged in the credit by the author).
This is the third book in the "Deception" series - with the first two being North Korea Deception and Hyde Park Deception - that continues with Jack Steele as its main protagonist. In this "chapter", Steele is in the process of completing his six-month officer training course at the Royal Military Academy, when while on leave in the city of Berlin (still separated by the Berlin Wall, coined the "Wall of Shame" by Willi Brandt) meets an older German woman, Claudia Rohweder, while exploring one of the multitudes of museums in Berlin.
Claudia Rohweder, introduced as a mere employee of the aforementioned museum, was actually an East German espionage agent (Stasi), on assignment by Oleg Stepanovich Pugacheva - cultural liaison and KGB - who plays a rather substantial role in this novel
Steele is selected by MI6 to participate in an assignment (while still enrolled in his training course at Sandhurst) due to his multilingual abilities - the ability to speak Russian, German, and French. He is sent to Leningrad to rekindle a relationship with a former amour, Masha, to hopefully develop a relationship with her father (all at the behest of MI6's "American cousins" - the CIA) with the intent to gather "low-level intelligence".
As Steele is attending the graduation ceremonies at Sandhurst, he believes that he catches a glimpse of Claudia Rohweder across the throngs of people.
It is during this time that a seemingly-separate story begins on the Isle of Capri, where we are introduced to Vincenzo, one of the assistants to the Pope, and Pope Karl who are asked by a Russian diplomat to arrange a summit with the American government with the intent to negotiate for peace.
This author expertly tells these two separate stories and weaves them together in a tale that will keep the reader interested until the very end of the novel.
This is an exciting novel that reads with loads of political intrigue and will keep the reader interested right until the end. I believe that this author would be a favorite of the readers of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum.
I found this book to be extremely vivid and descriptive, while at the same time advancing a story that keeps the reader wanting more. As such, I would give this story a solid five stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
I was fortunate enough to be able to get an advance copy from the author as I had offered in the past to assist in the editing process (and to be honest, I do believe that this is the first time that my assistance has been acknowledged in the credit by the author).
This is the third book in the "Deception" series - with the first two being North Korea Deception and Hyde Park Deception - that continues with Jack Steele as its main protagonist. In this "chapter", Steele is in the process of completing his six-month officer training course at the Royal Military Academy, when while on leave in the city of Berlin (still separated by the Berlin Wall, coined the "Wall of Shame" by Willi Brandt) meets an older German woman, Claudia Rohweder, while exploring one of the multitudes of museums in Berlin.
Claudia Rohweder, introduced as a mere employee of the aforementioned museum, was actually an East German espionage agent (Stasi), on assignment by Oleg Stepanovich Pugacheva - cultural liaison and KGB - who plays a rather substantial role in this novel
Steele is selected by MI6 to participate in an assignment (while still enrolled in his training course at Sandhurst) due to his multilingual abilities - the ability to speak Russian, German, and French. He is sent to Leningrad to rekindle a relationship with a former amour, Masha, to hopefully develop a relationship with her father (all at the behest of MI6's "American cousins" - the CIA) with the intent to gather "low-level intelligence".
As Steele is attending the graduation ceremonies at Sandhurst, he believes that he catches a glimpse of Claudia Rohweder across the throngs of people.
It is during this time that a seemingly-separate story begins on the Isle of Capri, where we are introduced to Vincenzo, one of the assistants to the Pope, and Pope Karl who are asked by a Russian diplomat to arrange a summit with the American government with the intent to negotiate for peace.
This author expertly tells these two separate stories and weaves them together in a tale that will keep the reader interested until the very end of the novel.
This is an exciting novel that reads with loads of political intrigue and will keep the reader interested right until the end. I believe that this author would be a favorite of the readers of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum.
I found this book to be extremely vivid and descriptive, while at the same time advancing a story that keeps the reader wanting more. As such, I would give this story a solid five stars out of five.
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
Read
April 12, 2023For those who are on the fence about reading a book that centers on war, this review should push you over to the “read it now” side. The author weaves an enticing tail of intrigue and symbolic chess moves that keep you turning pages. While this is a three-book series, it is easy to pick up this book and follow the storyline. Reading the entire series, of course, broadens and deepens the richness of the characters but don’t be discouraged from reading this book on its own. The plot is original and the characters diverse and captivating. I would recommend reading this book on a rainy weekend so you don’t have to stop reading too often and can enjoy the ride. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
April 10, 2023
Wow – I loved this book. Chronologically, Leningrad Deception takes place first, so you can start here if you haven’t read the first two in The Deception Series. Breath-taking, action-packed, mind-bending and so much of the author’s imagination makes you believe this could happen for real. Love the younger female characters that the author weaves into a complex, political thriller. Even crazier, is that this story is based on true events during the Reagan-Gorbachev era. Looking forward to reading the first two books in the series.
April 14, 2023
The Leningrad Deception is the third book of the series. Saying this I just jumped into this one and had no issue. What I will say is that reading the books in order will always only improve the reading experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a complex but thrilling read.
The characters are well fleshed out and the intrigue had me turning the pages until I finished it. Now I need to read the others in the series!
Thanks to the author for the ARC to write an honest and unbiased review in return.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a complex but thrilling read.
The characters are well fleshed out and the intrigue had me turning the pages until I finished it. Now I need to read the others in the series!
Thanks to the author for the ARC to write an honest and unbiased review in return.
April 17, 2023
A Geo-Political thriller not to be missed!
Jack Steele once again finds himself smack in the middle of a multinational catastrophe in the making— assassinations, submarine escapes, exotic vistas included! This is another book that keeps one on the edge of the seat, eagerly reading to find out ‘what happens next’. Fits in nicely with the 2 preceding books (which I also found outstanding), but stands well on its own.
If you haven’t read the first 2 books, you will not want to miss them, as they are just as exciting.
Jack Steele once again finds himself smack in the middle of a multinational catastrophe in the making— assassinations, submarine escapes, exotic vistas included! This is another book that keeps one on the edge of the seat, eagerly reading to find out ‘what happens next’. Fits in nicely with the 2 preceding books (which I also found outstanding), but stands well on its own.
If you haven’t read the first 2 books, you will not want to miss them, as they are just as exciting.
April 17, 2023
I loved this high-paced death-defying plot through some of Europe's most iconic destinations. Lyntton is the king of raising the stakes and Jack is well and truly up against the wall in this tour de force of espionage and political thrills. A fantastic blend of history, wild imagination and disturbing parallels to today's world - if you want to know where a monster like Putin comes from, this may be disturbingly close to the truth. How much of the plot is true and how much is fiction? That just adds to the intrigue. A cracking read!
April 1, 2023
Once again Steele is on the job. As always fast paced, danger, intrigue. There are two stories that get entwined and work beautifully together. This is a binge worthy story. I reviewed because I loved the book
April 6, 2023
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was exciting, suspenseful and very interesting. A great addition to the series!
April 28, 2023
Excellent book. Very intriguing from start to finish.
June 7, 2023
Best of the three Deception series. Very fast paced. Ending is suprising with a lot of dead bodies.
August 31, 2023
Cold war politics, papal intrigues and Russian spies. An interesting story, easy to read withweaker writing at the end. An entertaining thriller.
April 14, 2023
When Jack Steele was looking forward to finish his instruction to become a tank commander in the British army, MI6 approaches him. It's 1989 and the USSR is falling down and Jack speaks Russian and already has knowledge of Moscow and a very interesting Russian woman, the daughter of an admiral. So he's thrown into a dangerous game of spies, surrounded by historical persons carrying different names. If you like spy thrillers taking place in an historical environment, don't hesitate.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews