November Echo is a great book. Although it is short, it had suspense, humor, gritty action scenes and a brilliant story. I have never read any of James Houston Turner’s other books before and I think this was a great introduction to his work and a great introduction to Talanov. I will be reading his other works on this wonderful character.

I liked Talanov. He comes across a bit chauvinistic but lovable. There were times I wanted to hug him and other times I wanted to strangle him. I love how this character can make the choices he makes and is ready to handle those consequences from those choices.

There isn’t a lot to say about this book that won’t spoil it but I will say that if you are a fan of suspense and spy thrillers, you will definitely want to read November Echo. ( )

James Turner did it again. When we thought that it would be impossible to get better, he delivered this masterpiece of espionage. Using his unique writing style, Turner goes back in time and shows us a young Colonel Talanov working for the KGB, trying to bring back to USSR a doctor (Gorev) who was trying to defect with his wife (Anna), daughter (Noya) and parents, seeking asylum in USA. Nobody knows where the doctor is, but Talanov thinks he is going to Spain to meet the Americans. When he gets permission to proceed and go to Spain, the condition is that he takes a designated partner with him, a young and beautiful lady named Sofia Dubinina. Americans suspect that Dr. Gorev was part of a team that was developing biological weapons in USSR. What Talanov does not know is that Sofia is a very well trained agent from Department Thirteen...
This is a story of romance, betrayal, loyalty, political intrigues and above all, the story of a man trained to kill and to feel no emotions, that is caught in his internal turmoil by a very young lady that reads his soul like nobody else ever did. Not even himself.
After things get completely out of course, he starts a desperate race trying to save Noya, at that point the only survivor of the family, from the grasps of KGB.
We are already in November and definitely this is one of the best stories I read this year, together with Greco's Game. This could be turned into an excellent thriller Hollywood movie!
I recommend this book to the permanent library of any serious reader who loves thrillers, espionage and a very well written book that will keep you entertained for hours. It took me around eleven hours to read the whole book.
James Houston Turner was kind enough to send me an electronic version of this book for reviewing and I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Pretty fanciful really. The main protagonists are superhuman, and the world they live in unrealistic. Started ok, but went downhill. Rescued by decent page-turning prose. ( )

“The youngest KGB colonel in history” just might be Russia’s answer to James Bond, and expensive clothes, lady luck at the casino, and seductive bedroom scenes are just what the reader expects. But “the deadliest lies are half-truths” and there’s much that these characters aren’t telling as Talanov and his seductive associate attempt to thwart a Russian scientist’s defection.

Rather like TV’s The Americans, November Echo leaves readers eagerly supporting the enemy while hoping their own side doesn’t fail. But nobody’s perfect, in real life or in this novel; no form of government is perfect either, so there’s plenty of food for thought.

Author James Houston Turner succeeds in creating fight scenes that play out just as convincingly and fast as in the movies. Details are authentic and plausible, injury is inevitable, and time for thought is well-drawn then thrust aside by time for action. Well-tuned history runs alongside the glamor and plot, and well-timed revelations build a powerful character arc as Talanov’s past propels him to his future. I will seek out more of this series with the same determination I applied to collecting the original James Bond novels. This was a really fun read.

Disclosure: I learned it was free and I’m so glad I bought it. ( )

From my blog

Talanov is one of my favourite characters of all time, intense with a brilliant mind, top notch spy for sure. This was action packed as his other two books in this series, Department Thirteen and Greco's Game. Espionage thriller at its best.

I respect James Turner more for always have strong female characters in his books also. Sophia is Talanov's partner during an undercover job and she wants to prove to Talanov that she is just as good as he is. The banter between the two is fierce and entertaining.

Every book gives us another side of Talanov. I was such a fan when I was introduced to him in Department Thirteen, in November Echo we get to see the beginning of Talanov's life and getting into KGB.

These books are similar to Mission Impossible, Bourne Identity types, the perfect gift for men readers. My only issue with all the stories is Talanov and others seem to have 9 lives, a few impossible moments in my opinion.

As I have said, I am a Talanov fan, very easy to cheer for and love. At first I wasn't happy with him during this journey, he came across as a pompous ass where I always thought he was humble but superior in every way before.

I will have to recommend to start with Department Thirteen, brilliant from beginning to end. ( )