Cronus

Rating:
Summary: If your tastes run to cold war paranoia.....
Review: Have I got an author for you.
William L. DeAndrea wrote a series of three books, entitled Chronos, Snark, and Azrael, that go together in a devilish manner. They center about a Russian plot to control American society by training young attractive Soviet women to become the dream-women of American men destined to become movers and shakers eventually. The plot is for ultra-desirable women to marry these men, bear their children, and use said offspring to control events in American politics behind the scenes. A long-term plot indeed. The title of the first book makes reference to the Greek myth of Chronos, the father of the Gods, who was prophesed to rule until he was overthrown by his children. He eats his children to ensure his continued dominion. His wife manages to hide one, Zeus, who...well, you get the picture. The protagonist is the protean Jeffrey Bellman/Allen Trotter/Chester Driscoll, whose father is a Congressman (previously a general), who had congress with one of said Russian agents....so, again you get the picture. Problem is, Jeffrey keeps running from his responsibilities, and Dad keeps reeling him back in to thwart dastardly Russian feints.
Sadly, DeAndrea is now deceased--a gifted author who wrote occasional westerns, the as-mentioned spy-type thrillers, and other mysteries involving an executive at a fictitious television network, and a few involving a genius Italian student of evil who coincidentally solves murders.
I can heap no higher praise on an author than to say I keep his books right beside those of Ross Thomas, another literary artist who left us too soon. Sadly, many of his books seem to be out of print.
The spy stuff is a little dated, but still tasty. All are engaging and perfect for a rainy afternoon or a long flight. I recommend you read all you can get your hands on.

Rating:
Summary: If your tastes run to cold war paranoia.....
Review: This book did nothing for me. It seamed like a cookie cutter book some editor put together from the leftovers of better authors.

Rating:
Summary: Drop the Book and Run
Review: This book did nothing for me. It seamed like a cookie cutter book some editor put together from the leftovers of better authors.