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Starred Review Dryden follows up his superb debut, Red to Black (2009), with a riveting sequel. British spy Finn, who uncovered a Russian plan to control Europe's access to oil and natural gas, is dead, murdered by a KGB-trained Russian criminal. Anna, the beautiful KGB colonel assigned to seduce Finn, but who fell in love with him instead, is in hiding, raising her son, Little Finn. In the post-Bush era, both the U.S. and Britain have realized that Finn was right: Vladimir Putin is an enemy. Now they want Finn's source, a Kremlin insider known only as Mikhail. MI6 also wants revenge for Finn's murder. The Russians want Anna for her betrayal. Anna wants to shield Mikhail and keep herself and her son alive. Machinations by all the principals ensue, and Dryden, a longtime student of Russia and the world of intelligence, tosses a new player into the mix: Cougar, a private intelligence company run by Burt Miller, a former CIA spook extraordinaire. The larger-than-life Miller schemes against the CIA, MI6, the Russians, and Cougar's corporate competitors to hold on to Anna and reel in Mikhail. Red to Black reinvigorated the classic Cold War espionage genre. Moscow Sting—with its clever, devious, conflicted characters; its tension and verisimilitude; and its complex but fully plausible plot—is every bit as good. --Thomas Gaughan

Review

“Alex Dryden is a writer who can please everyone from fans of old LeCarre to students of current affairs. MOSCOW STING is a thought-provoking and entertaining follow up to the terrific Red to Black. No sophomore slump here.” (James Grippando, New York Times bestselling author of MONEY TO BURN )

“Dryden follows up his superb debut, Red to Black (2009), with a riveting sequel... Red to Black reinvigorated the classic Cold War espionage genre. Moscow Sting, with its clever, devious, conflicted characters, its tension and verisimilitude, and its complex but fully plausible plot, is every bit as good.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“This follow-up to Dryden’s debut thriller, RED TO BLACK, is a rarity: a sequel as good as its exceptional predecessor... An exceptional spy story. Boy, is this good!” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) )

“Engaging and fast-paced thriller.” (World Magazine )

“Pseudonymous Brit journalist Dryden is back with another fine neo-Cold War spy thriller, the sequel to RED TO BLACK (2009)…This book stylishly carries the story forward…A twisty, persuasive, action-packed thriller.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Moscow Sting suggests [Dryden] has finished the crossover from journalist to full-fledged thriller writer. Keep an eye on Dryden. If he continues to infuse the genre with serious political insights and warnings, he could be the next John le Carré.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch )

“MOSCOW STING is a gripping, action-packed insider’s view of modern day espionage with a clever twist at the end. Ex-KGB Colonel Anna Resnikov is a terrific heroine, who I hope will return with future adventures.” (Phillip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author of SUPREME JUSTICE )

“Hands down, one of the most convincing spy stories you’ll ever read.” (Lisa Black, author of TRAIL OF BLOOD )