Allan Topol

With a chillingly realistic storyline, a compelling mystery and plenty of international intrigue, Allan Topol's newest release, The Washington Lawyer, has all of the ingredients for a fast-paced, energetic read. It is another spine tingling look into the world of politics and espionage and the addition of the investigation into a mysterious death adds another layer to a complex storyline.

Archeologist Allison Boyd is devastated by the news of her twin sister Vanessa's death. When she learns her sister was vacationing on a Caribbean island by herself and that she drowned, Allison becomes convinced that someone is hiding the real circumstances of Vanessa's death. It is completely out of character for her beautiful ex-model twin to take a tropical vacation without a man by her side. Although Vanessa's death was ruled accidental, Allison finds it impossible to believe that Vanessa, who was an excellent swimmer, could have drowned. After Vanessa's funeral, Allison goes to D.C. to investigate her sister's life in an attempt to uncover the truth about her death.

Well as it turns out, Allison's assumption about a cover up is correct. Vanessa was, in fact, on a weekend getaway with her married lover, Senator Wesley Jasper. In a panic after Vanessa's drowning, Jasper calls the owner of the vacation home and his longtime friend, Washington lawyer and possible Supreme Court short lister, Andrew Martin for assistance. Although Andrew was completely in the dark about who accompanied Jasper on his vacation, he rashly offers to help the Senator cover up the incident. Even though Andrew is conflicted about his role in the conspiracy, once he is on the fast track for a nomination to the Supreme Court, his moral compass goes even farther off course during Allison's investigation.

Is there a darker reason for the philandering Senator's continued resistance to Martin's suggestion that they both admit to the cover up? The answer to this question becomes abundantly clear when Allison is targeted by the Chinese when she begins her investigation. Allison is bewildered by how doggedly the Chinese pursue her as she tries to uncover the identity of Vanessa's unknown lover. In an attempt to elude the increasingly persistent men chasing her, she decides to go the scene of her sister's death where she continues to be stonewalled by the local authorities. Her persistence pays off when Allison finally uncovers valuable evidence and then returns to D.C. where the case is blown wide open once she finally discovers the rather unsavory information that Senator Jasper has desperately tried to keep hidden.

The Washington Lawyer is a well-written political thriller with a large cast of interesting characters. Allan Topol expertly weaves topical issues with an intriguing mystery and the resulting story is riveting. An unexpected plot twist late in the novel demonstrates how even the most ethical person can be swayed when personal ambition and a thirst for power becomes more important than truth or justice.… (más)

In Allan Topol's The Italian Divide, ex-CIA agent turned race car driver Craig Page is back in action following the murder of his friend and bank CEO Frederico Castiglione.

In this fifth outing in the Craig Page Thriller series, the upcoming election in Italy provides an interesting backdrop for Craig's (aka Enrico Marino) investigation into Frederico's death. Front runner Roberto Parelli is in desperate need of funds to continue his campaign but his long time friend and bank owner Alberto Goldoni refuses to extend him more credit or grant an him an extension on his current loans which are in default. So when Parelli is approached by Craig's old nemesis China's Finance Minister Zhou Yun, he reluctantly agrees to Yun's offer to finance his campaign. With his plan to become a financial super power within his grasp, Yun tries to force Goldoni to sell him his controlling shares in his bank, but Goldoni refuses and turns to Guiseppe Mercurio for help.

Guiseppe and Page have already teamed up to try to uncover the truth about Castiglione's murder. They have traced the murder to the Russians and further digging links the plot back to the Chinese. With the help of reporter (and ex-flame) Elizabeth Crowder, Craig learns that Parelli also has ties to the Chinese, but it is not until Crowder covertly meets with China's President Mei Ling that they learn Yun is surreptitiously buying controlling interests in Italian banks without her knowledge. With these purchases having a possible global impact, Page approaches CIA director Betty Richard for assistance. With the full support of the President, Craig devises a plan to bring Zhou Yun to justice for Castiglone's murder but can he outmaneuver the wily Finance Minister?

The Italian Divide is another pulse-pounding addition to the Craig Page Thriller series. Allan Topol once again keeps the series fresh by moving the action to Italy and providing yet another credible storyline about political corruption and abuse of power as Zhou Yun once again tries to wheel and deal his way into achieving his goals. The novel thunders to a dramatic and jaw-dropping conclusion as Craig Page tries to stop Yun once and for all.
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The Argentine Triangle is another exciting political thriller by Allan Topol starring Craig Page.

Craig's new career as CIA Director comes to an abrupt end when he becomes a political scapegoat for President Treadwell and his closest advisor, Edward Bryce. Fearing for his safety, Craig undergoes dramatic plastic surgery to conceal his identity and amid concerns for his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth, they mutually agree to (temporarily) end their relationship. Now pursuing his longtime dream of racing cars , he agrees to his old friend and current CIA Director Betty Richards request to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of an undercover agent (and friend) in Argentina.

Page's investigation leads directly to General Alfredo Estrada and his sidekick Colonel Schiller. Estrada's career began during Argentina's Dirty War and he is once again poised to stage a coup and put Argentina's leadership back in the hands of the military. Following an important discovery that could lead to a substantial financial windfall for Argentina, Estrada begins to implement his diabolical plan. Manipulating a young journalist into helping him carry out his nefarious plot, Estrada has ensured Edward Bryce's co-operation with procuring arms for Argentina.

With the operation completely off the books, Page relies heavily on his instincts and a few contacts as he delves into Estrada and Schiller's scheme. Unsure who to trust, Craig is forced to make risky decisions that could have devastating results. He is, at first, primarily concerned with Ted's whereabouts but once he uncovers the truth about Estrada, he is compelled to stop him from carrying out a devious plan that could have catastrophic consequences.

While The Argentine Triangle shares a few similarities to other novels starring Craig Page, Allan Topol keeps the storylines fresh with his ingenious use of factual historical events. He does a credible job combining bits of history with intriguing suppositions of what could happen if the wrong person assumes power and the end result is a thought-provoking and action-filled adventure. The political element raises questions about power, influence and corruption in the US government that are troubling and well within the realm of possibilities.

Overall, another fast-paced and compelling novel old and new fans of the genre do not want to miss.… (más)

In Allan Topol's The Russian Endgame, the quest for power leads to an unholy alliance between China and Russia and once again, Craig Page is locked in a fierce battle with his longtime nemesis, General Zhou. Coming full circle in this third installment, Craig and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Crowder, return to Washington, DC as they fight to keep critical weaponry plans out of the hands of Zhou and Russian President, Fyodor Kyznov.

The Russian Endgame begins just days after Craig successfully foils an attack on the Pope and the Vatican-a plot that Page remains convinced General Zhou masterminded. Determined to bring him to justice and exact revenge for his daughter's death, Page spearheads a campaign to capture Zhou but, once again, Zhou slips through Craig's fingers. When Zhou finally achieves his long coveted position of power, he joins forces with ex-KGB agent, Dimitri Orlov, and together they set in motion a diabolical plan to catapult both China and Russia to super power status.

For much of The Russian Endgame, Craig and Elizabeth are a few steps behind Dimitri and Zhou. Shocking events leave them scrambling to uncover not only the perpetrators but the reasons behind the devastating acts of aggression against the United States. Unintentional revelations to a former foe of Craig's also hamper their efforts and in fact, put the entire operation in jeopardy.

Not as action oriented as the previous novels in the series, The Russian Endgame is nonetheless a fast paced and compelling read. Allan Topol once again engages his readers with a thought-provoking and realistic storyline that is full of surprising twists and turns. The novel's conclusion is unexpected, but upon reflection, it is an appropriate ending to Craig Page's adversarial relationship with Zhou.… (más)