Sleeper Spy

March 31, 1997
"Safire proves himself a master dissembler," wrote PW of his third spy novel from the Pulitzer-winning word czar.

September 1, 1995
A sleeper is a spy sent to an enemy country at an early age to melt into the culture until being utilized, sometimes as long as 20 years later. Reporter Irving Fein is investigating such a person: a man who was sent by the former Soviet Union to the United States and then activated with KGB money, and who subsequently built up a fortune through investments and inside information from both Russia and the United States. When Fein's probing leads to the CIA, FBI, KGB (old and new), the new Russian Mafia, murder, and a suicide, the double and triple crosses begin to multiply. Twists and turns in this fast-moving thriller make it a real page-turner, which is an achievement in exposing espionage methods and government by the New York Times Magazine columnist and author of In Love with Norma Loquendi (LJ 9/15/94). Highly recommended. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/95.]--Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio

September 1, 1995
Living in the U.S. as a normal citizen but ready to be activated as a spy on the word of his handler, a Russian "sleeper" has secretly amassed a $50 billion fortune. He murders his handler after the only other two people in the Russian government who knew his real identity die in a plane crash. This sets off a vicious search as both the Russian government and a shadowy organization of gangsters and hard-line ex-KGBers want to claim the money. The reader's entree into this world is Irving Fein, a freelance journalist who receives an anonymous tip about the sleeper and figures he's onto the story of a lifetime. Safire has created a nearly impenetrable universe of spies, counterspies, and triple agents, all of whom exchange an endless supply of disinformation. The book requires the reader to believe that just about everyone in the highest levels of the American and Russian governments is a turncoat, but Safire is a seasoned pro who makes it all work. ((Reviewed Sept. 1, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)