Volk's Game by Brent Ghelfi

Title: Volk's Game
Author: Brent Ghelfi
Publisher: Henry Holt
ISBN: 0805082549
Genre: Mystery

The gangster ridden underground of Russia makes a great setting for criminal Alexei Volkovoy. It is where he belongs, where he conducts his shady and sometimes fatal business, a place where thieves and murderers have their own code of honor and woe to those who break it.

Talented author Brent Ghelfi opens the door to this bleak place in his book, Volk's Game, and invites us to follow Alexei Volkovoy, known as Volk to his associates, on a dark journey into a world of which we know little.

The ties that bind Volk to his superiors are tenuous and he knows loyalty only exists temporarily at best, that they will betray him quickly as necessary. Life is cheap in this world and Volk uses others as he is used to survive.

A smell of corruption hangs over Volk's world in this well-told tale that will hold your interest to the lsat page. Crooked politicians and military officers compete and cooperate while trying to grab the lion's share of any prize for themselves.

I'm pleased to recommend this book to any fan of mystery fiction who might enjoy a tale with depth and characters who are not quite what they seem, who will surprise you at times. Realistically drawn by an author who knows the whys of human behavior, you will find yourself sympathizing with them as well as shuddering at some of the things they do.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards