What happens next is a fast-paced rollercoaster ride, as Elda lands in Moscow and deftly dodges numerous assassination attempts (many committed by Tosh’s favorite Russian assassin, Anatoly Petrov) in her quest to rescue Korinna, her musician husband Egor, and their two small Troodle dogs, Dasha and Sasha. As Korinna and Elda stay one step ahead of those who wish them dead, they head from Moscow to St. Petersburg to Germany to the Netherlands, among other locations—with means of transport including container ships, U.S. Navy ships, luxury railroads and even Jet Skis. Disguises are abundant, and Macy skillfully deploys these and other fun elements of spycraft in surprising ways readers will relish.
Macy mines her own past for Elda’s striking authenticity—she is a former officer in the US Navy and a mathematics teacher; the latter is Elda’s cover story in Russia. Macy’s story is impeccably plotted and touchingly humane, with characters both good and bad. Readers will undoubtedly want to off Elda’s drug-addicted half-brother, a supporting character with a very high and unjustified view of himself, but they will bond with Elda’s CIA boss. This smart, high-paced tale will delight fans of high-stakes thrillers.
Takeaway: Pulse-pounding espionage with a strong heroine and emotional resonance.
Comparable Titles: Lindsay Smith’s Sekret, T.A. Maclagan’s Alexandra Gastone series.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
"A fast-paced plunge into contemporary spycraft with some classic Cold War twists, Moscow Nights Return is a gripping international thriller. The plot is keenly crafted and original, and the intensity and minutiae of espionage on both small and large scales is a highlight, painting a shadowy portrait of double lives engaging in surprising layers of deception, which results in an engrossing work of spy fiction." Self-Publishing Review