An espionage thriller set in pre-Taliban Afghanistan. When a shipment of Stinger missiles disappears, a CIA officer becomes entangled in an unusual triangle with a journalist and her former lover, now an elusive mujahideen chief. These characters lead us into a world of danger, a world of spy versus spy, where hidden agendas provide their own kind of veil. until the truth is revealed in a shocking climax. From the last battlefield of the Cold War to the tribal no-man's land of the War on Terror, Stinger sets the stage for the profound events playing out today in Central Asia.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
This is a novel that had to be written, about a part of the world most of us can barely imagine. Praised for its riveting plot, vivid characters and deep sense of place, Stinger takes us inside pre-Taliban Afghanistan, a dangerous world of intrigue and mystery. Not only suspenseful, it is a very timely read that no one can afford to miss. From the last battlefield of the Cold War to the tribal no-man's land of the War on Terror, Stinger sets the stage for the profound events playing out today in Central Asia. This book will keep you up at night—and keep you wondering.
From the Author
People often ask how I do my research, if I travel to the places I write about. In the case of Stinger, I journeyed twice to Pakistan and was especially fascinated by Peshawar, the ancient border town where the story opens, a hotbed of intrigue. I had the image of WWII Casablanca, that mysterious atmosphere. We traveled deep into the countryside, including some remote and very traditional Karakoram areas, and also visited the Darra gun bazaar, which I describe in the book as having a carnival-type atmosphere. Touring this arms village—cheerful, yet deadly—was a surrealistic experience that led to a popular travel article. Besides gun dealers, we met people in many walks of life, mostly hospitable and kind. We came close to the Khyber Pass, but were denied entry for security reasons—ours! As the entrance to the Indian subcontinent, the Khyber Pass has had a storied—and violent—past, fought over by would-be conquerors. In one particularly nasty ambush, Afghan tribesmen let a lone Englishman survive to tell the tale. I loved doing the research and unearthed wonderful old books, some dating back to the Mugal period before the British Empire. Sometimes I think I've been working on Stinger for about that long!
I also enjoyed my research for The Company She Keeps. Although I did not travel to Iran, readers often say the Iranian part is their favorite and makes them feel they've been there. I have a deep affection for Islamic cultures, which I think comes out in my work.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Page turning suspense,
By
This review is from: STINGER (Paperback)
Stinger keeps you enthralled from the first to the last page. It's more than just a political thriller, it gives you page-turning backstory that helps you better understand what is currently going on in Afghanistan and the Taliban's rise to power. It's an inside look at the myriad factions, the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the role both the Soviet Union and the US played in Afghanistan. Stinger is also a romantic thriller, extremely well-written with an exciting and engaging cast of characters. A great read!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superbly crafted and highly recommended political thriller,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: STINGER (Paperback)
Nick Daley is an unorthodox CIA officers who is called into action when a shipment of American Stinger missiles goes missing, complicated further by murder and the arrival of San Francisco journalist Robin Reeves. "Stinger" by Diana R. Chambers ( a member of the Writers Guild of America and the writer's group PEN) is a ripping good novel of page-turning suspense and plot-twisting intrigue taking for its background the story of how the ancient 'Silk Road' has once again become a crossroads and backdrop for contemporary invaders and spies. A superbly crafted and highly recommended political thriller, "Stinger" is about the conflict between Russia and American interests in Afghanistan that led to the rise of the Taliban and was to eventually provide a staging base for Al Queda and the attack of 9/11.
5.0 out of 5 stars
It feels like being there,
By
This review is from: STINGER (Paperback)
The writing easily takes you to the mysterious places where the story unfolds. You feel the heat and smell the fragrance of Peshawar and cringe on the dangerous roads of Afghanistan. This novel holds your attention because it is intriguing, informative, exciting and moves quickly.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
