Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Protagonist Alexei “Volk” Volkovoy is a Russian agent who has been given an assignment: find the mole that’s been leaking information to a recently murdered journalist. While the mission allows him to probe these questions from a personal standpoint, as well as a professional one, he must tread carefully.
The journalist is on the trail of a story many government officials would rather keep buried. International forces work to keep their deadly operation a secret; and, Volk must keep up the appearances of an investigation while not giving away that he is, in fact, the mole. Any one of these things could get Volk killed without hesitation. The question is, can he stay alive long enough to expose what needs to be exposed and without giving away his own secrets?
The Burning Lake is author Brent Ghelfi’s fourth novel in the Volk series. After only reading a few pages, it’s obvious that Brent Ghelfi presents a novel different from what other thriller writers have offer. To begin with, just look at his characters. The publishing world is teeming with novels that portray “the bad guy” as a third-world foreigner or a faceless terrorist, bent on destruction of an entire nation and with religious reasons as his motivation.
Instead of taking up this current trend, Ghelfi gives new life to the Cold War and its terrifying nuclear arms race between two world superpowers. His fascinating story weaves around post-disarmament activities and its very real potential for disaster. The characters are mysterious yet well developed, making them easy to love or hate; and, Volk’s brooding nature combines nicely with his progression into the reluctant hero.
Finally, Ghelfi ends his story with enough to satisfy the enduring tension and anticipation he’s held his readers in for the duration of the book, but leaves just enough to have them begging for the next Volk installment. Most definitely worthy of the silver screen!
The Burning Lake will entice mature suspense/thriller readers. Ludlum fans will enjoy Ghelfi’s similar style. Outstanding editing gave the book a polished and professional feel while the book cover further lends to its attractive nature.
My only complaint was the binding quality – the first section wasn’t adequately glued or bound properly so the first 30 pages just fell out of my brand new book. This was the first Poisoned Pen Press book I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing so unfortunately, I can’t speak to the quality of their other published works.
Based on the superior quality in writing, editing, and graphic design of the cover, I’d like to think that this was simply a binding anomaly. The small inconvenience of wrestling with the first 30 pages didn’t take away from the fact that this was an exceptional story. I guess there is *one* other complaint I could voice – why haven’t I received a Ghelfi novel until now?!?
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Hardcover: 250 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (May 3, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1590589250