My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
The story takes place before the fall of the Soviet Union. Dr. Alex Cousins is a leukemia specialist who is asked by the US government -- specifically the President -- to help a Russian named Viktor Moiseyevich Dimitrov who is the ailing General Secretary of the Politburo. Dimitrov has leukemia and may not have long to live, but he is the least undesirable among the many leading personalities within the Soviet Union and may be one that the US can work with.
Dr. Cousins treats Dimitrov and his cancer goes into remission. As a reward for his help, Dimitrov convinces him to take the Trans-Siberian Express train as Alex travels back to the US. Dimitrov meant is as a gift so Alex can explore the Siberia as described by his grandfather in his many stories. But, Alex knows he has too much information which a lot of powerful people within the Soviet Union would love to get their hands on. He has no illusions that he may not reach US alive.
Warren Adler writes what I can only describe is a shadow of a mystery-thriller -- there is hardly any mystery nor is it very thrilling. The story takes forever to take shape and when it does manage to get going, it is hardly exciting at all.
The other characters can only be described as created to simply fill space because they are hardly developed enough to make the reader feel for them. The romance between Alex and his cabin mate lacks form as well. To be perfectly honest, it took me a long time to finish the book because I found it so lifeless and dull.
Warren Adler fans may enjoy reading the book, although it is nowhere near as a good read as War of the Roses.
View all my reviews
Buy the Book