The characters in this novel are
fictitious, but set against a backdrop of historical events.
Department Thirteen, Balashikha, and Operation Ryan did exist.
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Department
Thirteen - the assassination and sabotage unit of the KGB - never
officially existed. But retired KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov knows that it did and
it's but one of the many secrets he's worked hard to forget.
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Now living in Sydney,
Talanov and dozens of dinner guests are suddenly the target of assassins. On a
stroll to the beach with his wife, Talanov and Andrea are mistakenly spared, but soon find
themselves running for their lives: hunted by the killers, wanted by the police,
increasingly pivotal to an invisible network of death about which they know nothing.
But someone thinks they know.
For in 1983, a second Department
Thirteen was created and Talanov discovers they have but one purpose: to kill him,
whatever the cost.
REVIEWS:
"American-born
writer James Houston Turner has devised what can only be described as a ripping good
thriller in his fast-moving THE SECOND THIRTEEN. The suspenseful tale of Talanov, a former
KGB colonel, dogged by mysterious Russian forces desperate for his downfall, veers and
twists through knife-edge confrontations [with] almost every page containing a
cliffhanger. Unusually, the love interest in this thriller is based on a happy marriage,
and despite the James Bond-like temptations of the heroic action women, the hero stays
faithful to his wife. A nice added quality to a riveting good read."
Samela Harris, The Advertiser
"Unputdownable!"
Peter Goers, News Ltd columnist
and radio host
"The Second Thirteen will delight aficionados of the genre with its punchy
pace, intricate plot, compelling structure and, best of all, goose-bump-raising
climax."
Jessica Chapnik, Who
magazine (Time Inc)
Pick and Pans Rating: A
"Ludlumesque! Talanov is a wonderful character who, hopefully, we will see
again."
Rick Koster, The Dallas
Morning News
"If you like heart-stopping, what-can-possibly-happen-next thrillers, you'll love
this one. Turner's book is one of the best international thrillers I've read in a long
time. My suggestion: don't ever start a James Houston Turner book after 9:00pm if you have
to go to work the next day."
Melanie Rhodeback, Amazon.com
"This novel is rife with strong, capable female characters. The storyline was
intriguing and totally unpredictable, [and] packed with compelling and well-developed
characters. Bravo Mr. Turner. Aleksandr Talanov can eat crackers in my bed anytime!"
Gloria Foster, barnesandnoble.com |