On his way home to Berlin in the summer
of 1939, British journalist John
Russell learns that his girlfriend Effi has
been arrested by the Gestapo. Russell has
just been granted American citizenship in exchange for agreeing to work for American
intelligence. Now he can stay in Germany
with Effi and his son if war breaks out
with England, but Effi ’s arrest proves that he
and his loved ones still are not safe.
The Gestapo will only free Effi if Russell
will work for Nazi intelligence. They know
of his past connections to the Soviets and
want him to pass them false information.
Russell agrees but secretly off ers his services
to the Soviets instead. But he won’t do
anything too dangerous and only if they’ll
sneak him and Effi out of Germany should
they need to escape.
It seems like a safe plan, but things soon become complicated. A Jewish girl has
disappeared, and Russell feels compelled to search for her when the police won’t.
A woman from his past, a communist, reappears and insists he help her reconnect
with the Soviets, who turn out to demand more than Russell hoped. Meanwhile,
Europe lurches toward war, and Russell must chase the latest stories around Eastern
Europe, to places where the Americans have assignments waiting for him.
DAVID DOWNING is the author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction for
adults and children, including The Moscow Option and Russian Revolution 1985,
and The Red Eagles. He lives in Guildford, England.
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