Friday, July 2, 2010

'Murder on Elbrus', Charles G. Irion and Ronald J. Watkins, July, 2010; Irion Books

Scott Devlon is in southern Russia to observe a European Union conference. Acknowledged throughout the world as a master climber, he has not completely recovered from the disaster on Mt. Everest. Scott's assignment seems basic enough but circumstances turn fatal when a Russian official is murdered on Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain and one of the Seven Summits. Devlon meets up with Tom, Tarja and Natasha who were with him on Mt. Everest; Natasha is the ruling queen of the media world but Scott has doubts about her loyalty. When Devlon has to make a speedy escape, a Russian mobster, a Georgian nationalist and a tired CIA agent join him. With the Russian army on their trail, they travel across war torn Chechnya and Scott discovers the ethnic vendettas in each region and secrets are learned during their escape through the barren geography of the north Caucasus.

Irion and Watkins have set this story in an area unknown to most readers, so we learn and absorb the culture, geography and emotions of the people in the Caucasus area. 'Murder on Elbrus' is an exciting, fast-paced murder mystery and exposes the fear of ethnic groups and the greed of others for power and control. I learned quite a bit about these regions and their people while an absorbing mystery evolved. 'Murder on Elbrus' certainly grips your attention with political history threaded throughout!

No comments:

Post a Comment