Customer Reviews

Red Reflections

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That's what Mike Berenson says about his life and that's what describes Moorstein's book best. As a Russian-born former public prosecutor, I could find numerous factual details in the book that are in conflict with Russian (read "ex-Soviet") legal, social and cultural realities. The author is not completely free from the typical American stereotypes either (e.g., all Russian are spies, etc.). However, once you started to read the story, you quickly forget about such minor things. You are captured by a mixture of dynamic action, suspense, political intrigue, love making sceenes, moral conflicts and controsersial characters, and right when you think you are out of breath on this wild ride of Moorstein's imagination, the author takes you to a quiet harbor of thoughtfulness and self-reflection... Until the next exciting twist! It may sound like a paradox, but this piece of fictional reality may play a greater role in bringing the Russians and Americans together, than a rigorous scientific study. The truth is rather simple, after all, we are all humans... What else can I say? Don't miss out on this one! Just buy the book and see for yourself. And it's a great bedtime reading, by the way! ;-)

I happened upon this novel after reading another work by the same author. This work captured my attention with its elegant descriptions of the DC area, flights along the East Coast and the crumbling state of the Soviet Economy in the early 1990s. In addition to being a murder mystery involving international spies, the most remarkable and compelling aspect of the novel is the love story between Mike and Anna. While it appears lengthy at first glance, the quality of the writing and the apt descriptions by the author make this novel a rather quick read. The plot twists toward the end of the work are unexpected, humorous and ultimately tragic. I would recommend this novel to anyone with an interest in fine storytelling. It is an exceptional first novel.

I am impressed with this book. Not knowing much of Russia but the precieved notions. I learned alot more about them as well as the interactions of the two countries. I was drawn into the book with all the intensity of the lives protrayed and was joyful when its turns and twists brought me to another aspect of it all. Having spoken to the author of this book. I am honored he has written about his passions and involvements. Awesome book it will transport you to another place. I would refer this book.

Red Reflections is a terrific first novel,and one of the first really good novels written about Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. It is a spy novel, a murder mystery and a love story, and although it is more complex than most summer "beach" novels, it would still be great to take on vacation, as it is a page turner! Mike, the hero of the book, is a lawyer and former military pilot with knowledge of Russia from the time of the Cold War. As the Soviet Union collapses, he attends a law conference in Russia and makes many new Russian friends and contacts. Among them is Anna, a beautiful Russian woman with whom Mike becomes infatuated. Eventually Mike is also the prime suspect in a murder investigation by the FBI -- the victim is one of his former clients, a Russian expatriate named Ribakov. The plot is thrilling and suspenseful as Mike tries to clear himself and to deal with the problems created by his relationship with Anna. This book has something to offer everyone who enjoys a good book!

The termination of the "cold war" and the disintegration of the Soviet Union had unexpected consequences for a whole collection of writers actively working in a genre of detective and so-called "espionage" novels. Many have been unexpectedly lost to several generations of readers, who developed an easy and menacing image of the "evil empire" with its ubiquitous and ominous KGB, its powerful military machine --- and suffering under the oppression of ideological and dogmatic people. Even Hollywood, having undertaken some unpersuasive attempts at creating the new universal villain (basically - the terrorist purloining a nuclear warhead from a disintegrating Soviet arsenal), has lost interest in this theme, and still is in search of a worthy replacement for the constant image of enemies that once were agents of the Kremlin in uncountable espionage attacks. At the same time, the most successful authors always understood that one of the most important parts of making a good detective story, as well as any modern literature (besides a valiantly twisted plot), is the traditional love angle, as such masters of the genre, Ian Fleming, LeCarre and Martin Cruz Smith repeatedly proved. Therefore, it is a pleasant surprise for those who feel nostalgia for the good old times when the signs of a fascinating novel arise in heroes who speak Russian --- and exhibit a background of a Russia rough, many-sided and full of contradictions. Such a new detective novel is "Red Reflections" by Mark Moorstein, published by "Writer's Club Press." In this book there are all the necessary components that plunge you into a world created by the author that does not stop. You follow a dynamic maze of intrigue, full of unexpected turns, that remains unresolved until the unforeseen and dramatic ending. The main hero of the book - Mike Berenson - served in the "cold war" as a military pilot and carried out surveillance flights above waters adjacent to the USSR. Gradually, from his ability to speak the Russian language, his "professional" interest developed into a sincere regard for Russia, and he managed to grow fond of its people, culture and tragic history. Beginning with his return from Europe and becoming a successful lawyer, the co-owner of a law practice in one of the prestigious suburbs of Washington, he unexpectedly becomes the main suspect in the murder of a former client who has relocated to the USA - Russian businessman Alexey Ribakov. The FBI, investigating the circumstances of the affair, interrogates Mike about his connections with Russia. They are especially interested in the mysterious mistress of Mike - a graduate of elite MGIMO, the talented neophyte lawyer - foreign affairs specialist Anna Severova. Adding intrigue to the soup, Ribakov, besides conducting legal business, is involved in illegal trading with Iraq, double-dealing in Soviet secret material stolen by him. Mike, alone bringing up his daughter from his marriage (his wife has died), suddenly finds out that his comfortable life is simultaneously threatened with danger from two sides - from the FBI that wants to arrest him on suspicion of murder, and from the Russian special services nervous about information leaking important defensive value. As the noose of circumstances tightens around the neck of the lawyer, he more and more doubts the sincerity of the motives that have forced the beautiful Anna to maintain relations with him. He realizes through his Russian contacts he has become involved in a dangerous international intrigue. An atmosphere of complex human attitudes, full of internal pressure, sometimes reflecting truth, but more often revealing the latent motives of a lie, will make reading the novel entertaining for those who appreciate a thriller of more than shooting and pursuits. The author not only was able to recreate precisely an atmosphere of the late Gorbachev perestroika period when the Kremlin management unsuccessfully tried to redirect a sinking ship of state to market and democratic reforms, but also to construct it with a feeling of deep sympathy for the great Russian people. The empathy and attempt to look at events in Russia in the beginning of the ninetieth year of the century shocks the eyes of the detached onlooker, and the book is a valid and interested friend favourably distinguishing itself from tens of others still remaining in the West. The novel could be mentioned in a line of such classic examples of the genre as "Russia House" by LeCarre, and "Gorky Park" by Martin Cruz Smith. Among other things, it is necessary to note in "Red Reflections" the sensual and touching description of love between Mike and Anna, psychologically exact portraits of negative characters, and, not least, a story made according to the best traditions of a genre and the plot of a thriller leading to an unexpected and dramatic outcome.