What do you think?
Rate this book
Anna Resnikov #2
Moscow Sting
The threat of Russia as a hostile superpower returns in this chilling spy thriller. When British spy, Finn, is brutally murdered by a Russian assassin, Adrian, chief of MI6, wants vengeance. He also wants answers - answers that can only be revealed by Finn's widow, Anna, the former KGB colonel who betrayed her country for love and has now disappeared with their child. Adrian isn't the only one desperate to find Anna. Finn accessed intelligence so confidential that the KGB are willing to kill to protect it, and now everyone wants to know what Russia is concealing beneath its veil of political cordiality. Booklist places author Alex Dryden in “the top rank of espionage novelists.” His riveting Moscow Sting proves that the resounding critical acclaim awarded him for his debut, Red to Black , was no fluke. In this spellbinding sequel, former KGB colonel Anna Resnikov escapes to America where she must outwit CIA “friend” and KGB foe alike to survive. Alex Dryden has brought breathtaking new life to the spy novel in this blistering “ripped from the headlines” thriller that focuses on Russia’s chilling reemergence as a hostile superpower.
468 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2010
180 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dryden
10 books33 followersAlex Dryden is a writer and journalist with many years of experience in security matters. When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, Dryden watched the statues of Lenin fall across the former Soviet Union. Since then he has charted the false dawn of democracy in Russia as the country has transformed into the world's most powerful secret state
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 23, 2018
4 stars, maybe 4.5
A very satisfying spy novel that threads British, Russian, and American agencies, characters, and political perspectives together in a complex, subtle, intelligent, and believable story. Written by a Brit with intelligence community experience, it has a British flavor but I felt equally immersed in the spy worlds of 3 countries--and without the reader whiplash that could have created for me.
My only significant disappointment is that the nominal protagonist, the female ex-Russian-spy, doesn't really have protagonist presence, at least not in this novel, and she lacks the complexity that Dryden gives the more interesting male characters who actually drive the book.
While I plan to read the other three books in the series, I'm already disappointed that it appears Dryden hasn't published anything in six years or so. I hope to enjoy his other three as much as this one.
A very satisfying spy novel that threads British, Russian, and American agencies, characters, and political perspectives together in a complex, subtle, intelligent, and believable story. Written by a Brit with intelligence community experience, it has a British flavor but I felt equally immersed in the spy worlds of 3 countries--and without the reader whiplash that could have created for me.
My only significant disappointment is that the nominal protagonist, the female ex-Russian-spy, doesn't really have protagonist presence, at least not in this novel, and she lacks the complexity that Dryden gives the more interesting male characters who actually drive the book.
While I plan to read the other three books in the series, I'm already disappointed that it appears Dryden hasn't published anything in six years or so. I hope to enjoy his other three as much as this one.
October 6, 2020
Reading the sequel to a successful novel is always a chancy proposition. Writers and publishers know it as “the curse of the second novel.” It’s one of those rules of thumb that may hold true much less often than believed. But it does seem valid in the case of Moscow Sting, the second of four novels about KGB Colonel Anna Resnikov by the pseudonymous former British intelligence officer who styles himself “Alex Dryden.” Dryden’s debut, Red to Black, was well received by critics, Moscow Sting much less so. And the reason isn’t hard to find.
Moscow Sting is a complex tale staged at colorful locations all across the United States, Europe, and Russia. The Russians have murdered Anna Resnikov’s lover, a former British intelligence officer named Finn, and they’re after Anna, too. The CIA and MI6, as well as the KGB and its latter-day manifestations (the FSB and SVR), all get into the act. They’re desperately trying to track down a British spy named Mikhail in Putin’s inner circle. But apparently no one (either in Russia or the West) knows who he is, since he insisted on dealing exclusively with Finn. And Finn’s dead.
As MI6 sets out to kill Finn’s murderer, and Anna and her two-year-old son burrow in more deeply at a secret location, new players enter the scene. A CIA contractor, one of the many private intelligence agencies that have flourished in the years following 9/11, holds center stage. Its charismatic billionaire founder and chairman proves to be a worthy foil for Anna. Meanwhile, a mysterious assassin is picking off members of Putin’s cronies, the sivoliki.
There’s a good deal of action, with a mounting body count. But the plot revolves around a game of hide-and-seek that grows increasingly tedious as Anna Resnikov succeeds again and again in outsmarting and eluding not just the Russians who want to murder her as a traitor but the Americans and British who pretend to be her friends and protectors. Surely, a former British intelligence officer with a good agent and editor could have done better.
Moscow Sting is a complex tale staged at colorful locations all across the United States, Europe, and Russia. The Russians have murdered Anna Resnikov’s lover, a former British intelligence officer named Finn, and they’re after Anna, too. The CIA and MI6, as well as the KGB and its latter-day manifestations (the FSB and SVR), all get into the act. They’re desperately trying to track down a British spy named Mikhail in Putin’s inner circle. But apparently no one (either in Russia or the West) knows who he is, since he insisted on dealing exclusively with Finn. And Finn’s dead.
As MI6 sets out to kill Finn’s murderer, and Anna and her two-year-old son burrow in more deeply at a secret location, new players enter the scene. A CIA contractor, one of the many private intelligence agencies that have flourished in the years following 9/11, holds center stage. Its charismatic billionaire founder and chairman proves to be a worthy foil for Anna. Meanwhile, a mysterious assassin is picking off members of Putin’s cronies, the sivoliki.
There’s a good deal of action, with a mounting body count. But the plot revolves around a game of hide-and-seek that grows increasingly tedious as Anna Resnikov succeeds again and again in outsmarting and eluding not just the Russians who want to murder her as a traitor but the Americans and British who pretend to be her friends and protectors. Surely, a former British intelligence officer with a good agent and editor could have done better.
November 14, 2012
If today’s international fanatical terrorism makes you nostalgic for the Cold War (never mind the proxy wars in Angola, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, etc. and the threat of nuclear annihilation), when the U.S., U.K. et al parried with a rational if ruthless U.S.S.R.
then Alex Dryden’s new espionage novel Moscow Sting may be your cup of somewhat tepid tea.
It portrays a new, contemporary Russia now ruled by the KGB and led by a dictatorial and all-powerful Vladimir Putin squaring off against an American spy community run in large part by private intelligence companies—companies whose own interests may or may not dovetail with those of the CIA and the United States. The Russians, too, employ private operators in this contest: their new, capitalist billionaires who fund operations and mafias from their various republics and ethnic groups. (Britain, by the way, as depicted here, comes off as a somewhat toothless lion nowadays, a bit player in an espionage drama orchestrated by two superpowers.) However, the intelligence gathered in this 21st century contest differs from the previous century’s: it’s industrial and technological as opposed to military and thermonuclear.
This new intelligence-gathering world provides the stage for Dryden’s fascinating if cerebral novel. The compelling aspects for me were not the characters (who often seemed as cold as the war they waged), nor the plot (rather slow-paced and talky, though with spikes of suspense and, as expected, accelerated action near the end), nor the physical setting (taking place mostly in posh U.S. spy retreats and the streets of New York and D.C.), but the thoroughly believable spycraft and intelligence community the author constructs.
Dryden, a “writer and journalist with many years of experience in security matters” is at his best when depicting the intricacies of the double binds and mind games of intelligence gathering—the intellectual sparring, psychological analysis and geopolitical machinations at its core. His depictions of violence—martial arts, gunplay and such—possess fewer convincing details.
Still, I stayed with it for its 356 pages and came away with a deeper appreciation for how the “good old days” may be returning to Russia.
then Alex Dryden’s new espionage novel Moscow Sting may be your cup of somewhat tepid tea.
It portrays a new, contemporary Russia now ruled by the KGB and led by a dictatorial and all-powerful Vladimir Putin squaring off against an American spy community run in large part by private intelligence companies—companies whose own interests may or may not dovetail with those of the CIA and the United States. The Russians, too, employ private operators in this contest: their new, capitalist billionaires who fund operations and mafias from their various republics and ethnic groups. (Britain, by the way, as depicted here, comes off as a somewhat toothless lion nowadays, a bit player in an espionage drama orchestrated by two superpowers.) However, the intelligence gathered in this 21st century contest differs from the previous century’s: it’s industrial and technological as opposed to military and thermonuclear.
This new intelligence-gathering world provides the stage for Dryden’s fascinating if cerebral novel. The compelling aspects for me were not the characters (who often seemed as cold as the war they waged), nor the plot (rather slow-paced and talky, though with spikes of suspense and, as expected, accelerated action near the end), nor the physical setting (taking place mostly in posh U.S. spy retreats and the streets of New York and D.C.), but the thoroughly believable spycraft and intelligence community the author constructs.
Dryden, a “writer and journalist with many years of experience in security matters” is at his best when depicting the intricacies of the double binds and mind games of intelligence gathering—the intellectual sparring, psychological analysis and geopolitical machinations at its core. His depictions of violence—martial arts, gunplay and such—possess fewer convincing details.
Still, I stayed with it for its 356 pages and came away with a deeper appreciation for how the “good old days” may be returning to Russia.
May 13, 2012
An almost perfect modern spy novel, filled with a keen understanding of the contemporary environment of Putin's Russia and the United States' self-generated dependance on privatized intelligence companies. The plot is masterful in tying strong characters to its global events, and Anna Resnikov is an excellent embodiment of the modern agent and one who satisfies the need for readers to see heroes driven by goals more human than global. Dryden's novel makes the spy novel relevant to an age that has all but forgotten the Cold War, and gives espionage an urgency that had felt lost in the information age.
April 13, 2012
I liked it. Of course, I don't read enough of this type of book to know, but it featured interesting people doing interesting things--only occasionally involving killing one another--in a well-written story. Since only one short scene occurs in Moscow I'm unsure why it was titled that, though it was as much about Russian as British or American intelligence folks.
Since I hadn't read the first book, I didn't know who the protagonist was. It took Dryden a while to get to her.
Since I hadn't read the first book, I didn't know who the protagonist was. It took Dryden a while to get to her.
April 9, 2012
I enjoyed this (as I continue my search for spy thrillers to read). It features somewhat predictable characters--the irresistible ex-KGB colonel, the larger than life founder of a contract intelligence company, the inter-agency (even international) rivalry. But it is superior to much written in this genre: there are nice turns of phrases such as the "sackcloth approach to personal enjoyment." There is much detailed descriptions of the art of following, of evading tails, of interrogation, of the professional sniper. The international environment involves a resurgent Russian effort to disrupt western democracy and to assert Russian interest, mostly by those surrounding Putin.
It is all the more odd that in this almost contemporary account, there is a distrust of electronics and frequent references to flashbulbs and photography--are those even in stock let alone in use? Nevertheless, this is a minor quibble. I found the book an entertaining read.
It is all the more odd that in this almost contemporary account, there is a distrust of electronics and frequent references to flashbulbs and photography--are those even in stock let alone in use? Nevertheless, this is a minor quibble. I found the book an entertaining read.
April 17, 2012
Fascinating read that I downloaded for free to my new Kindle without knowing much at all about the author (see my review about Red to Black). I read this prior to the original story but found it easy to follow the prior story. However, I recommend reading Red to Black first. This book gives such powerful information about our country's part in the global intelligence community that it leaves me with even more knowledge of our corruption.
August 26, 2014
This book is intriguing from the first page. The characters, such as Anna, are true individuals and not model-composites which most authors of thrillers create. When a person reads as much as I do, the reader tires of these same-o, same-o characters. Dryden has created individuals.
I loved the actions, the complex plots, and the places. Since I travel extensively, I recognize most of Dryden's places.
I will read more books by Dryden.
I loved the actions, the complex plots, and the places. Since I travel extensively, I recognize most of Dryden's places.
I will read more books by Dryden.
December 10, 2012
I thought I would never finish this book. It was a good story line but following the twists and turns was difficult. The grammatical errors made it difficult to read as well. Would not recommend the book. Good thing it was a free download.
March 19, 2014
Dryden does it again!!!!
For a book written four years ago, the author is definitely pre-existing or clairvoyant. couldn't put it down until I reached the end.
For a book written four years ago, the author is definitely pre-existing or clairvoyant. couldn't put it down until I reached the end.
September 30, 2019
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
Moscow Sting is written by Alex Dryden, who is a former intelligence agent himself, and it details international politics and espionage among countries. This action book is only ok for it does not have as much suspense which is anticipated with a seemingly action filled title and explicit attention to detail which is not very important. However, the detail is very thorough and well written as if the reader is experiencing what is happening in the plot. Main characters in the story are Adrian Carew, Anna Resnikov, Logan, Burt, and Vasily Dubkhov, also known as Mikhail. Anna was apart of the KGB until she found Finn who was a CIA officer and they fell in love. Unfortunately, Finn was assassinated and Anna went into hiding. Anna was only recently discovered by American intelligence in France and is being questioned about Russia, the identity of Mikhail. The author tries to display the messiness of espionage and international politics and troubles therein. The mess leads to the death of Bykov, the arrest of Lars, and the promotion of Burt’s private contracting company, the Cougars.
Dryden shows the reader definitive quotes all throughout the book as if he is right next to the event as it happens. The author pictures Lars taking the shot with, “No muscle, except the one on his trigger finger. He pulled just enough to receive the resistance.”(Dryden 40) Dryden describes Lars as if he is the shooter but he is only observing as the narrator. In the story, the characters represent all the stress of security offices and how much pressure can be on one organization at once. As the plot develops, pressure multiplies into a larger issue and the keen detail is especially helpful. Anna constantly has the “dogs chasing her”(143) and is unable to be free without eyes on her at all times for her and her family's protection. Although the detailed explanation is very helpful, the plot of the story is a bit slow and quite boring at some times. Some of the characters are somewhat too predictable and there aren’t very many twists and turns to throw the reader off.
Alex Dryden’s attention to detail in Moscow Sting is very thorough and intricate which does evolve into an interesting read, but plot interest really lacks in that the story is quite predictable and sometimes boring. The characters may seem questionable in how they act from their backstory, but it is easy to pick favorites among them. Moscow Sting is definitely not the most exciting book out there, but if you are looking for an excruciatingly comprehensive book, this is a good choice.
Moscow Sting is written by Alex Dryden, who is a former intelligence agent himself, and it details international politics and espionage among countries. This action book is only ok for it does not have as much suspense which is anticipated with a seemingly action filled title and explicit attention to detail which is not very important. However, the detail is very thorough and well written as if the reader is experiencing what is happening in the plot. Main characters in the story are Adrian Carew, Anna Resnikov, Logan, Burt, and Vasily Dubkhov, also known as Mikhail. Anna was apart of the KGB until she found Finn who was a CIA officer and they fell in love. Unfortunately, Finn was assassinated and Anna went into hiding. Anna was only recently discovered by American intelligence in France and is being questioned about Russia, the identity of Mikhail. The author tries to display the messiness of espionage and international politics and troubles therein. The mess leads to the death of Bykov, the arrest of Lars, and the promotion of Burt’s private contracting company, the Cougars.
Dryden shows the reader definitive quotes all throughout the book as if he is right next to the event as it happens. The author pictures Lars taking the shot with, “No muscle, except the one on his trigger finger. He pulled just enough to receive the resistance.”(Dryden 40) Dryden describes Lars as if he is the shooter but he is only observing as the narrator. In the story, the characters represent all the stress of security offices and how much pressure can be on one organization at once. As the plot develops, pressure multiplies into a larger issue and the keen detail is especially helpful. Anna constantly has the “dogs chasing her”(143) and is unable to be free without eyes on her at all times for her and her family's protection. Although the detailed explanation is very helpful, the plot of the story is a bit slow and quite boring at some times. Some of the characters are somewhat too predictable and there aren’t very many twists and turns to throw the reader off.
Alex Dryden’s attention to detail in Moscow Sting is very thorough and intricate which does evolve into an interesting read, but plot interest really lacks in that the story is quite predictable and sometimes boring. The characters may seem questionable in how they act from their backstory, but it is easy to pick favorites among them. Moscow Sting is definitely not the most exciting book out there, but if you are looking for an excruciatingly comprehensive book, this is a good choice.
November 11, 2022
4-star flight-worthy spy novel, easy-read. Better than most I’d say.
I didn’t know there was a first novel, being that I read the synopsis for this and liked it and started reading before I put it on my ‘currently reading’ list on GR and discovered this is book #2… but oh so what. It also works well as a stand-alone believe it or not.
I mean, it’s not full of philosophy and deep mysteries to solve—it’s simple in that sense, but the action and characters read like a good old spy movie, with enough connection to real world events to be intriguing.
A fast adventure, then drop it in the seat pocket for the next easy-adventure seeker on a 6h flight…
I didn’t know there was a first novel, being that I read the synopsis for this and liked it and started reading before I put it on my ‘currently reading’ list on GR and discovered this is book #2… but oh so what. It also works well as a stand-alone believe it or not.
I mean, it’s not full of philosophy and deep mysteries to solve—it’s simple in that sense, but the action and characters read like a good old spy movie, with enough connection to real world events to be intriguing.
A fast adventure, then drop it in the seat pocket for the next easy-adventure seeker on a 6h flight…
December 29, 2019
A promising premise that never escapes the author's weak writing and muddled plot points. For every strongly developed character, there are two who feel like they haven't been examined since the first draft of the novel. For every interesting plot-line or tradecraft discussion, there is an extraneous outburst that draws the attention away from the story rather than supplementing it. Just read the Red Sparrow series instead if you are looking for a good set of modern espionage stories focused on the competition between the Russian and US intelligence services.
December 27, 2021
Not the espionage thriller I expected but a good plot with just enough thrills to keep me reading till the end. Alex Dryden either is making up most of the detailed information about the agencies involved or he actually has done the research (via insider connections). The attention to precision and the presentation as a matter of fact gave this story an additional depth of realism that was refreshing!!!
March 18, 2017
I liked this one a bit more than its predecessor, mostly because the action was happening in real time. I thought that the whole narrative of the way private intelligence companies interact with government intelligence agencies was particularly interesting. It definitely made me think and I'm curious to see what the third book will hold.
February 18, 2020
Could this really happen?
An amazing spy story of unparalleled dimensions that pull together various pieces from east and west. Suspense and intrigue at what will happen next makes this a real age turner to see how Anna survives.
An amazing spy story of unparalleled dimensions that pull together various pieces from east and west. Suspense and intrigue at what will happen next makes this a real age turner to see how Anna survives.
December 1, 2024
Better than Book 1!
This was my second in series and it was even better than the first. More intense and more interesting plot lines and twists. The writing itself is simple and smooth, not overcomplicated, but engaging and pulls you in nicely. Fun and fairly easy read.
This was my second in series and it was even better than the first. More intense and more interesting plot lines and twists. The writing itself is simple and smooth, not overcomplicated, but engaging and pulls you in nicely. Fun and fairly easy read.
January 1, 2018
Great spy story
This novel is one I couldn’t put down, like the other Anna Rensikov novels. I enjoyed getting to know this character even further.
This novel is one I couldn’t put down, like the other Anna Rensikov novels. I enjoyed getting to know this character even further.
January 31, 2018
Good continuation from the first book in the series. Felt like this was just a setup/transition for the third book. So far still keeping it interesting.
September 4, 2018
This book has a solid plot and unique characters. I enjoyed the espionage aspects, but while it was very intriguing and well written, it wasn't really very exciting.
October 17, 2018
Extremely interesting and interestingly done but found it a bit dry with all the info thrown at you in the backgrounds and building of the story.
January 24, 2020
I read the first book in this series, which was interesting, but enjoyed this one more.
March 11, 2020
A possible heir to Le Carre?? Reading this without reading the previous novel maybe a mistake but maybe not - it felt complete enough. Obviously needs a sequel.
June 20, 2020
Engaging, started a bit slow and almost put it down. Thankfully I didn't.
October 3, 2021
Better than the prequel, more action-packed and thrilling.
May 1, 2022
Good spy story.
June 9, 2023
300+ pages of unsuccessfully attempting to build suspense, 20 pages of random events. Too many different POV's, most being unnecessary. Interesting plot, but overall, it is quite underwhelming.
February 11, 2024
Great read and absolutely begging to become a great movie franchise with a strong female lead...
November 18, 2025
Plot a little mixed up, characters all across the board, the ending not really believable, just not quite there to me. First half not bad, but downhill after the halfway point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews