Devoted Friends

by Joe Poyer

William Hughes Evans, an American diplomat, falls in love with Tatiana Romanova, a daughter of the Czar, and the two of them must flee across Russia to escape the revolution

700 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

Joseph John Poyer was an American author whose fiction first appeared in Analog magazine with Mission 'Red Clash' (1965). His novels include technothrillers such as Operation Malacca (1968) and North Cape (1969), and the alternate-history work Tunnel War (1979). In addition to his thrillers and science-fiction works Mr. Poyer wrote numerous books and articles on military topics.

Reviews

[Simon]

An early entry in the "they survived" category, probably inspired by The File on the Tsar. This go 'round it's Tatiana who draws the golden ticket. As a genre, the "Romanovs Survive!" narrative has been kiboshed by the forensic evidence, but no matter. These novels stand or fall on the strength of the writing/plotting and Devoted Friends is more than acceptable on both counts. It is also bitter Poyer pulled no punches in his depiction of the Bolsheviks. One of the three leads, the Chauvelin if you will, is Sheremetiev, who chases the Grand Duchess and her rescuer across a completely believable Russia in 1918-1919. He is merciless to all who obstruct him.

An enjoyable popcorn read.