The Second Thirteen [Paperback]

James Houston Turner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 1999

Department Thirteen - the assassination and sabotage unit of the KGB - never officially existed, but retired KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov knows that it did. It s but one of the many secrets he s worked hard to forget.

Now living in Australia, Talanov and dozens of dinner guests are suddenly the target of assassins. Talanov and his wife are mistakenly spared, but soon find themselves running for their lives, hunted by the killers, blamed by the police, increasingly pivotal to an invisible network of death about which they know nothing. But someone thinks they know.

For in 1983, a second Department Thirteen was created, and Talanov discovers they have but one purpose: to kill him, whatever the cost.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Houston Turner holds a Bachelor's Degree from Baker University and a Master's Degree from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Originally from Kansas, James has worked as a journalist in Los Angeles and made numerous trips as a courier and smuggler behind the old Iron Curtain. A cancer survivor, James packs his thrillers with emotion and determination. He is married and divides his time between Australia and California. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: JB Books (November 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740280008
• ISBN-13: 978-1740280006
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,534,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of Kansas, James turned to writing fiction as a result of his years as a smuggler behind the old Iron Curtain. He has been on a KGB watchlist, organized secret midnight meetings with informants, located hidden mountain bunkers, and investigated legends of forgotten tunnels buried beneath the cobblestones and bricks of some of Central Europe's most venerated cathedrals.

A former journalist in Los Angeles, he holds a Bachelor's Degree from Baker University and a Master's Degree from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. He and his wife, Wendy, a former triathlon winner, live in Adelaide, South Australia.

You may visit him at www.jameshoustonturner.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Riveting Roller Coaster Ride, March 10, 2000

By 

melanie rhodeback - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Thirteen (Paperback)

If you like heart stopping, what-can-possibly-happen-next thrillers, you'll love this one. Move over Ludlum, Clancy and the other guys...Jim Turner's book is one of the best international thrillers I've read in a long time. Clever plot twists you haven't read elsewhere, a cast of intriguing and colorful characters, including those you'll love to love and those you'll love to hate, and an ending that will leave you hungry for more of James Houston Turner's writing, makes this book a great read! My suggestion: Don't start reading this book at 9:00 pm...you'll not be able to get up for work the next morning.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The MUST Read, April 24, 2000

By 

K. Buggs "Music & Book Lover" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second Thirteen (Paperback)

[The author's....] The Second Thirteen is an action-packed book that you can't put down! The characters draw you in and you feel as though you are one with them experiencing all the drama through which they go! I look forward to reading more of Jim's books. This book is well done and well written. END

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read for any mystery and intrigue devotees, March 31, 2000

By 

Kara-Lee Richards (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Thirteen (Paperback)

This book is right up there with it's ability to keep you turning the page wanting to know what happens next. With this genre books start to get a little predictable. This one keeps delivering the surprises - the plot is full of twists and turns. I loved it and look forward to reading more Houston Turner books!