Russian Spring

Michael Dicketts was Information Librarian at the Kingston Public Library in Kingston, Ontario.

Dennis Jones is described as an amateur historian who has read widely in the fields of intelligence and espionage. Several years ago he decided to begin writing novels based on these interests. The Fenris Option was followed by the bestselling Rubicon One, and this employee of the London Board of Education is currently at work on a fourth novel.

Russian Spring is a fast-paced tale of Soviet politics at the highest level in the post-Chernenko period. General Secretary Romanenko’s nephew Major Andrei Mikhailov is so disgusted by the war in Afghanistan that he decides to supply information to the CIA. As a member of the KGB he provides the Americans with a useful input into the inner secrets of Russian security. Romanenko’s liberal reforms trigger a revolt led by Smilga the KGB chief. With civil war about to break out, the unusual climax is played out against a background of plot and counterplot and the resolution of both Mikhailov’s and Romanenko’s dilemmas.

Jones writes with considerable authority about an aspect of Soviet life rarely dealt with in spy fiction, and setting and situation appear believable. His handling of dialogue and events is extremely well done and the development of the plot is carried forward at a relentless pace. I especially enjoyed his description of the various factions, set against such backgrounds as Kremlin offices, diplomatic functions, and country retreats. This is a book that is difficult to put down; it is a worthy entry in the field of current espionage fiction.