The China Gambit: A Craig Page Thriller by Allan Topol

Title: The China Gambit: A Craig Page Thriller by Allan Topol
Publisher: Vantage Point
Genre: Contemporary, Political Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Summary:

In Canada, Francesca, a young American reporter, is brutally murdered to stop her from publishing an explosive story. She has learned that Chinese General Zhou has orchestrated a conspiracy with Iran to stop the flow of imported oil to the United States. General Zhou’s goal: To leapfrog China over the United States for world economic and military supremacy. And the ruthless General will do anything to accomplish that goal.

Craig Page – a daring and resourceful former CIA agent, now fighting terrorism in Europe – is determined to find out who killed his daughter, Francesca. Joined by the gutsy Elizabeth Crowder, Francesca’s editor, Craig peels back the conspiracy layer by layer, ultimately learning that General Zhou has a partner in the scheming CIA director, Kirby, who forced Craig out of the Agency.

The action moves from Canada to Tehran, Beijing and Washington, and finally to Aspen, with Craig and Elizabeth narrowly escaping repeated attacks in their attempt to prevent a catastrophe for the United States. It’s exciting and exceedingly timely, with attention focused now on China’s growing strength and power in the world. At the same time, Craig must bury his personal loss, as he confronts his adversaries trying to kill him.

The Review:

Alan Topol’s The China Gambit is a pulse pounding action packed political thriller. While searching for his daughter’s killer, Craig Page and Elizabeth Crowder uncover an international conspiracy that has far-reaching and potentially catastrophic global implications.

A grieving man’s determination to bring his daughter’s killers to justice quickly becomes a race against time to stop a diabolical plot that could bring down a nation. Using resources from his CIA days, Craig Page quickly begins his investigation into the circumstances surrounding his daughter Francesca’s death.

Aiding him in his investigation is newspaper editor Elizabeth Crowder. Her experience as an investigative reporter in wartime situations proves invaluable as she and Craig narrowly escape death and kidnapping attempts as they inventively travel from country to country while seeking information on Francesca’s death.

The China Gambit is an intricately plotted novel that is fast paced and compelling. Allan Topol’s writing style is engaging and his character development is superb. His storyline is chillingly realistic and flawlessly executed. A jaw-dropping and completely unexpected revelation brings The China Gambit to a stunning yet thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in this fabulous trilogy starring Craig Page.