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Alexei "Volk" Volkovoy Mystery #2
Shadow of the Wolf
He left the blood-soaked mountains of Chechnya behind to become a gun-for-hire in the new Moscow. But an international cabal is luring Alexei Volkovoy back to those mountains and toward a confrontation with his old nemesis.
The headquarters of an American oil company spits smoke into the Moscow night, the aftermath of an apparent terrorist attack. A Russian army captain carrying a Fabergé egg and digital evidence of horrific wartime atrocities is murdered, and relieved of both. And in the snowy mountains of southern Russia, a terrorist named Abreg—Volk's old enemy—hatches a plan to lure him back into his grasp.
Shadow of the Wolf finds Colonel Alexei Volkovoy—covert agent of the Russian army and major player in the Moscow underworld—once again struggling to stay afloat in the swirling currents of Russian political and economic intrigue.
The headquarters of an American oil company spits smoke into the Moscow night, the aftermath of an apparent terrorist attack. A Russian army captain carrying a Fabergé egg and digital evidence of horrific wartime atrocities is murdered, and relieved of both. And in the snowy mountains of southern Russia, a terrorist named Abreg—Volk's old enemy—hatches a plan to lure him back into his grasp.
Shadow of the Wolf finds Colonel Alexei Volkovoy—covert agent of the Russian army and major player in the Moscow underworld—once again struggling to stay afloat in the swirling currents of Russian political and economic intrigue.
362 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 11, 2018
Ghelfi, who lived at the time this was written in Arizona, lists James Sallis in the Acknowledgements. Lucky guy to know Sallis well enough to get advice.
The Volk books are not unique in featuring a Russian hero. Sam Eastland and Martin Cruz Smith, for examples, have mined this rich field, but Volk is an action kind of guy, which sets him off from many of the Russian characters who tend to be cerebral and introspective---in other words, Russian literature characters.
Volk gets the job done, and Ghelfi probes the political and financial structure of Russia and its place in the world. Much of what he sees is being reflected in today's headlines about Rusian influence and Russian business practices. Altogether an entertaining and illuminating experience.
Recommended.
The Volk books are not unique in featuring a Russian hero. Sam Eastland and Martin Cruz Smith, for examples, have mined this rich field, but Volk is an action kind of guy, which sets him off from many of the Russian characters who tend to be cerebral and introspective---in other words, Russian literature characters.
Volk gets the job done, and Ghelfi probes the political and financial structure of Russia and its place in the world. Much of what he sees is being reflected in today's headlines about Rusian influence and Russian business practices. Altogether an entertaining and illuminating experience.
Recommended.
March 25, 2018
I found this book surprisingly easy to read, especially given that I'm not up on my knowledge of Russian-Chechen history. It's being going on for what seems like forever and it's still not over. Volk is kind of a mystery man. He reports to a high-ranking general at the Kremlin and does a lot of dirty work for him. This time, an explosion at an American oil company in Russia, the disappearance of a 12-year-old Russian girl, the murder of a Russian agent and a Faberge egg all have a connection and Volk tries to figure out what that connection is. Lots of bad people and a few good ones and lots of action make this a very good read. This is the second in what appears to be a series; I know there's at least one more.
February 23, 2017
Whereas I absolutely loved Volk's Game, I had a hard time with Volk's Shadow. It hit the ground running and I was completely transfixed for the first few chapters and then it became so political and long winded that I completely lost interest. I had to struggle with the rest of the book. I really want to read the next to in the series, but I'm now hesitant.
July 28, 2008
After I read the first book in this series, "Volk's Game," I gave it to my brother. He loved it so much he went and bought this book, which he lent to me immediately upon finishing. I gave four stars to "Volk's Game" but only three to this book. Why? Volk, who appeared to be a flawed yet sympathetic criminal with honor -- or, perhaps, an honorable man who engaged in criminal enterprises -- in the first book, has climbed to the stratospheric status of superhero secret agent in this book. Less believeable, less engaging, less interesting. Meh. What this book does do -- something it shares with many John le Carre novels -- is that it challenges my innocent assumptions about the lack of venality with which countries interact on the world stage.
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July 25, 2011Volk's Shadow is the kind of book that while you are reading it, you are not sure what is happening; it is the kind of book where a dramatis personae would come in handy since you frequently end up wondering who the person they are referring to was...Yet, I could not put down this book. I finished it and I was not sure what had happened or who had done what, but yet I was oddly satisfied. I think the setting as a Moscow/Grozny noir is part of the allure. I did not find it as accessible as the Arkady Renko books from Martin Cruz Smith, but nonetheless it was an interesting experience.
December 9, 2014
Dark, violent and non stop! I really like this writing style, with all the doom and gloom "beautifully" portrayed, there is still an underlying hope. Always fleeting, but there.
It is very violent, as I said, but it really does lend to the story. So if you are not into the violence, really, this is not for you.
Knowing that this is book two, of five (I believe), I look forward to the development of the relationships of the General, Maxim, Vayla and Masha.
It is very violent, as I said, but it really does lend to the story. So if you are not into the violence, really, this is not for you.
Knowing that this is book two, of five (I believe), I look forward to the development of the relationships of the General, Maxim, Vayla and Masha.
March 16, 2011
Gives an insight into a distinguishably Russian conundrum of politics, human behavior, backdrop, etc.
Took a while to read. But thats how it is recommended to be read ...in sporadic bursts, technically each chapter representing an episode of an action sitcom.
Took a while to read. But thats how it is recommended to be read ...in sporadic bursts, technically each chapter representing an episode of an action sitcom.
October 14, 2011
A suspense thriller based in Russia. It's all Hollywood likes blood, explosions, a love story. I liked how the book also had some history on the Chechen conflict as well. As well as the issues of the oil and what it's doing the Russian society. All in all a good book.
January 1, 2012
Wow. After "Volk's Game", I really thought this would be good to very good read. Unfortunately this book is just not that good. In fact, I have put in about 65 pages and not sure I will read anymore. Just not good enough.
January 8, 2008
This is a fantastic thriller. It got me through the deadly O'Hare-LaGuardia connection after Xmas, which is really saying something.
August 21, 2008
A brutal look at a brushed-aside war and the violent face of the new Russia. Not for the weak of stomach.
January 22, 2009
The story drags a bit but the characters are so intriguing you have to keep reading.
July 17, 2009
A nice follow up to Volk's Game. I enjoy this author's complex multi-layering of subplots.
October 9, 2011
Another confusing but enjoyable thriller. Looking forward to checking out book 3 from the library.
July 9, 2015
Like the character and storyline in the Volk series. Take place in Russia. Nonstop.
May 7, 2010
Another adventure story of Alexei Volkovoy as he tries to survive in the Russian underworld.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews