Review of The Kovalenko Secret

[Erin Dydek]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Kovalenko Secret" by Philip L Rettew.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Shortly after wishing his only daughter well on her journey to a promising ballet career in the United States of America, Colonel Viktor Kovalenko, a Russian Intelligence officer, settles into his new command station at Chelyabinsk. But something is amiss in his new post. A nuclear device has gone missing, and Kovalenko suddenly finds himself responsible for tracking down the dangerous weapon. With the haunting implications of the potential damage the bomb could cause, Viktor knows he must recover it at all costs. His search takes him on a secret mission to recover the missing device and puts his daughter’s life at risk–those who know his involvement have no qualms about threatening her to get the information they want from Viktor. Will Kovalenko discover the plans of the enemy in time? Or will the terrorists succeed in carrying out their sinister intentions?

Follow the trail of clues in The Kovalenko Secret by Philip L. Rettew. In this complex tale of intrigue and espionage, readers learn about the intricate nature of discovering terrorist notions and how government agencies track down clandestine activities. I enjoyed how Rettew orchestrated the numerous pieces involved, providing the details about how each agency works and how agents gather and process information. There were many moving parts in this novel, and it was clear that the author was well-versed in the technical details of people, places, and organizations used within the story. I was often amazed by the fascinating information woven throughout.

I also enjoyed watching the overarching plot come together by the end of the book. Each piece was interesting on its own, but it was not until the conclusion of this book that the potential events to come in the sequel became clear. It was interesting to see the connections between characters representing different organizations like MI-6 (British Intelligence), CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), GRU (Russian Intelligence), NSA (National Security Agency), and more! I particularly enjoyed the fictional Chancellor Organization and the role it played.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming number of details often slowed down the pacing. While I appreciated how much value each component and character added to the complexity and richness of the developing story, it diminished the suspense that typically accompanies this genre. Therefore, I reduced the rating to four out of five stars. Still, the book is well-edited and formatted with a few errors that did not detract from the reading experience.

I’d recommend this book to readers who love detail-driven stories about terrorist plots and the efforts to prevent such atrocities. The author’s experiences following the 9/11 attacks in the United States of America inspired this fascinating story. People with a head for numbers, geography, and interwoven stories involving numerous named characters may find an excellent next read in this intriguing novel. Minor non-borderline swearing and a few mild scenes alluding to sexual activities exist throughout the book.

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The Kovalenko Secret
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[Kathie Slief Turner]

Thank you for your informative review. This is my genre, but I believe that like you, I would struggle with the number of detailed characters and interagency involvment in discovering who took the nuclear weapon. The story sounds fascinating, however I don't believe I will read this one. Sounds overly complex in the presentation of the story, and I wouldn't enjoy that. Great review in outlining the story while at the same time making an assessment of the amount and type of detail included. Nice job!

[Amy Luman]

I understand what you are saying. I like details about environment and characters. At the same time, though, I appreciate when the author keeps everything moving.

[Dhruv bhai 001]

Thank you for your informative review. This is my genre, but I believe that like you, I would struggle with the number of detailed characters and interagency involvment in discovering who took the nuclear weapon. The story sounds fascinating, however I don't believe I will read this one. Sounds overly complex in the presentation of the story, and I wouldn't enjoy that. Great review in outlining the story while at the same time making an assessment of the amount and type of detail included. Nice job!

[NetMassimo]

Readers tend to expect an action-packed story with that kind of premises, so some of them can feel overwhelmed by details if the author digs deep into its parts. I guess this novel is suitable for a certain kind of reader. Thank you for your great review!