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Rating: 
Summary: Robin White knows Russia
Review: I won't dwell on plot since the professional reviews have done that. Rather, I'd like to focus on White's ability as a writer to construct an intricate plot built around his experiences and knowledge of Russia, especially Siberia. In each of his books, we learn quite a bit about the Russian political landscape, and about Siberia in particular. While his plots are top notch, his characters are well fleshed-out and "typically Russian". In every successful novel set in Russia, there is an ambience which distinguishes it from any other type of novel. It's that feeling of hope without hope, that bleakness of landscape paralleling the Russian soul, which nevertheless survives all the stronger for the strife it has been subjected to. Robin White is the master of that landscape and I await his next effort with much anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Robin White knows Russia
Review: I won't dwell on plot since the professional reviews have done that. Rather, I'd like to focus on White's ability as a writer to construct an intricate plot built around his experiences and knowledge of Russia, especially Siberia. In each of his books, we learn quite a bit about the Russian political landscape, and about Siberia in particular. While his plots are top notch, his characters are well fleshed-out and "typically Russian". In every successful novel set in Russia, there is an ambience which distinguishes it from any other type of novel. It's that feeling of hope without hope, that bleakness of landscape paralleling the Russian soul, which nevertheless survives all the stronger for the strife it has been subjected to. Robin White is the master of that landscape and I await his next effort with much anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Russian thriller
Review: In 1999 Irkutsk, Siberia, Siberian Delegate Arkady Volsky persuades his friend, former geologist Gregori Nowek to accompany him to Moscow. Arkady plans to demand that the Chairman of the State Diamond Committee Petrov pays the Mirny miners for their work. In Moscow, Gregori is late for the meeting in which Petrov tells Gregori he has not sold any diamonds recently due to a feud with the western cartel. Arkady threatens to ruin Petrov through his connection to Yeltsin.
Gregori arrives in time to see Arkady assassinated. He is arrested for his friend's murder. FSB major Izrail Levin has evidence proving Gregori's innocence, but instead cuts a deal. In order to remain free, Gregori must cooperate on the homicide investigation that soon takes them to an icy conspiracy involving diamonds and potentially cold deaths.
In spite of the climate, Robin White's latest Russian thriller, THE ICE CURTAIN, is a heated tale that never slows down. The story succeeds because the key characters feel genuine and make the conspiracy appear so matter of fact real. Anyone who enjoys a conspiracy tale or a solid police procedural will gain immense pleasure from this novel and want to read Mr. White's previous Russian story, SIBERIAN LIGHT. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Russian thriller
Review: In 1999 Irkutsk, Siberia, Siberian Delegate Arkady Volsky persuades his friend, former geologist Gregori Nowek to accompany him to Moscow. Arkady plans to demand that the Chairman of the State Diamond Committee Petrov pays the Mirny miners for their work. In Moscow, Gregori is late for the meeting in which Petrov tells Gregori he has not sold any diamonds recently due to a feud with the western cartel. Arkady threatens to ruin Petrov through his connection to Yeltsin.
Gregori arrives in time to see Arkady assassinated. He is arrested for his friend's murder. FSB major Izrail Levin has evidence proving Gregori's innocence, but instead cuts a deal. In order to remain free, Gregori must cooperate on the homicide investigation that soon takes them to an icy conspiracy involving diamonds and potentially cold deaths.
In spite of the climate, Robin White's latest Russian thriller, THE ICE CURTAIN, is a heated tale that never slows down. The story succeeds because the key characters feel genuine and make the conspiracy appear so matter of fact real. Anyone who enjoys a conspiracy tale or a solid police procedural will gain immense pleasure from this novel and want to read Mr. White's previous Russian story, SIBERIAN LIGHT. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: First-class
Review: Why are there some authors and books that seem to be admired by writers, yet have not found a wider audience, even with two solid books. Robin White is such a writer. No fancy review here...just the promise that no one who enjoys intelligent thrillers would be disappointed with Ice Curtain. Belongs in a class of Robert Wilson (Small Death in Lisbon, Company of Strangers) Craig Shelton (River Sorrow) who are turning out first class thrillers but to my knowledge have fallen short of the top 15. This book is excellent-- tight,intelligent, warm-hearted, cynical yet hopeful, smart, yet tragic. Not the Demille thrill a minute, but a compelling, readable pace. Russia is the true character here. Read it. You'll pass it along. You'll be putting your imprimatuer here next.
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