Customer Reviews

Snow Wolf

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is an outstanding book! It has a wonderful combination of a fasciniating and exciting espionage story, viewed at times in a wonderfully nostalgic background through the eyes of Anna Khorev. The novel also takes us to some fascinating areas of the world, and describes them beautifully. I whole-heartedly recommend it. The plot is primarily set in the post-war USSR, where the CIA have plotted to kill Joseph Stalin (Operation Snow Wolf), the mission being coordinated by Jake Massey, who enlisted the aid of Alex Slanksi and Anna Khorev, with the KGB under Levrente Beria attempting to thwart them at every opportunity. The characters are well developed, as are the relationships between them. And, in spite of its length, the novel remains fast paced, and addictive. I couldn't put it down.

This book is simply excellent. It is gripping, full of action, intriguing, surprising and shocking. The description of the events, the characters and the expressions are very well detailed. I think is Meade's best book so far, followed by Sands of the Sakkara (which was very enjoyable also). Anyway, it made my commuting more enjoyable.

When I first saw the book, I thought it to be some silly James Bond-like novel, without any knowledge of history in general and Russian history in particular. But after reading the reviews I desided to give it a try.

Am I glad of that!

It recreates athmosphere of the era as good as Alan Furst, and the blend of fact and fiction is very intriguing. The characters are well-drawn and realistic (and believe me, very few American writers can write realistic Russian characters, and not Crazy Ivan stereotypes).

The characters are not in the way of the action, but the action also doesn't get in the way of characters. These people have reasons for the things they say and do, and these are personal reasons, and not just moving the plot.

I'm not sure in some of the geography of the novel (I think that distances between Moscow, Novgorod and Leningrad wouldn't allow the characters to cover them in the time it took them in the novel)- but that's the only point against the novel I can think of.

This is one of those novels that prove, that a great thriller, doesn't have to be "as current as the headlines" - great story and great characters matter far more!

An excellent novel for any Russophile or History buff. I found it putting it down to be most difficult. After reading numerous other books on similar topics I can say that this is assuredly one of the best! A must-read!

When I read the summary of this book, I ordered it, without wasting a second. This book didn't disappoint me in the least. This is my first foray into the Russian thriller genre, and I can't wait to read another.

Anna Khorev, Alex Slanski, Jakob Massey, Yuri Lukin. 4 different people trying to accomplish 3 different objectives. These 4 different people about whom the readers will learn a lot.

A plot to assasinate Joseph Stalin. Knowledge of this plot by Soviet leadership. The reader gets to see both sides.

The setting, plot, character development and skillful artistry with which Glenn Meade writes are a recipe for instant success. This book is gripping, intense and absolutely readable. In all honesty, this book now tops my list of favorites.

I hope you enjoy this book just as much as I did.

Snow Wolf is an amazing novel that pictures actual people along with fictional characters. The plot to the story is based on one of the theories of how Josef Stalin really died. It is said that he died of natural causes, but Glenn Meade portrays the theory that Stalin was assassinated by none other than the CIA. Before Eisenhower was sworn into office, he was shown a folder that contained disturbing information about Stalin. The folder said that Stalin was in an unhealthy mental state and was in the concluding state of building a hydrogen bomb that was believed to target the US. The about-to-be President decided to take action on what he read and ordered Operation Snow Wolf to take place, an assassination plot that was to be organized by CIA agent Jake Massey. Massey chose Alex Slanksi and Anna Khorev to follow through with the mission, though Slanski was the only one out of the two to know what they were sent to do; Anna didn't know about the assassination attempt for Stalin. After the mission was in the end of the training phase, the President was informed that the KGB found out about the threat to Stalin's life and set up a hunt for the two operatives. The head of the KGB, a cold and wicked Beria, sent Major Yuri Lukin to assassinate Slanski and Anna. The operatives go through unnerving obstacles and keep your nose in the book to see how they will outwit the Russians. You are brought into the past as you witness witty escapes and true espionage. You also realize the true connection between Slanki and Lukin as their attempts to end each other's lives comes to a climax. Snow Wolf has a very twisty plot that leaves you wondering and wanting to know what happens next. Me being almost 15, it usually takes me a while to get hooked on a book, but this novel had me hooked after the first part (I must admit, the intro is a little boring, as is the last part). IF you decide to read this book, make sure you aren't doing anything later that day, for the time goes my fast and you won't be able to put it down.

"Snow Wolf" is a novel by Glenn Meade about the assassination of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. I picked up this book a number of years ago when it was first out in paperback, and immediately the book ranked among my favorites. I read it again and again, enjoying it every time! The depth of historical detail and graphic picture of life in Stalinist Russia is amazing and very, very interesting. As a Russophile and amateur Russian-language student for many years, I found this book absolutely amazing! It definitely is historically accurate and I have no doubt it will rank among the best books you have ever read. Please pick up this book TODAY!!!!!

I was entranced by Meade! One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much, is that it is not writen like every other thriller! Meade varried from the "normal" plot line and writing style of most thrillers from this genre and I think it paid off. It appears to me from reading the reviews posted here that you either love it or hate it...there is no inbetween. If you are looking for a book that follows all of the typical spy novel rules...then SNOW WOLF is not for you. If you are willing to read a different type of intrigue that does not include super-human spies and every cliche imaginable that also requires a deeper mental ability, then this is the book for you!

This is one of the best books ever put down. Set in 1950's, a CIA assassin is sent to USSR to kill Joseph Stalin. This novel is so realistic, so action-packed, so absorbing, full of characters you can't let go off. It is a masterpiece of fiction. It should be read by everyone who appreciates great fiction. It is on the same level as "The Berkut", two incredible novels.

If you're into spy literature and culture, (especially cold war-era Russia) then this is the book for you. Not only is it rich with clever and exciting clandestine plots and twists but Snow Wolf also gives great attention to character development and an intellectual use of real-life (formally) political figures. Meade writes a good one with this book by keeping you turning the page as well as instilling an array of emotion into the reader as he takes you from a murder scene to a love story and much more. Pick this book up for a solid read.