In his 1983 book The New Diplomacy, the late Israeli scholar and diplomat Abba Eban wrote that Soviet global ambitions were more a Russian trait than a communist trait. That was supposed to reassure us. Alas, since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the rise of Vladimir Putin, the free world has learned the hard way that Russia remains a threat every bit as when it was communist per-se. Taking Karl Marx out of the Russian equation means little when considering the Putin regime.
This reality is examined in an abundance of non-fiction. But just as thought provoking is a work of fiction by first-time author Connor Sullivan and his current book “Sleeping Bear.” Like most international thrillers, the plot is complicated. But the book is as readable as it is complicated.
Cassandra Gale is a U.S. Army veteran who yearns for solace when camping in the desolate areas of northern Canada and Alaska. Gale has been traumatized by her husband’s suicide and she feels a need to be alone. What better place than Alaska to find solitary comfort?
For reasons no one can understand, Cassandra Gale is kidnapped at her camp site in Alaska. She wakes to find herself in the clutches of a Russian operation whose business it is to abduct Americans. The Russian ringleader is Captain Akulina Yermakova, a ruthless intelligence official and a left over from the KGB days of the former Soviet Union. Yermakova is a sadist to say the least. She forces the captives into various violent situations for entertainment purposes.
In the meantime, Cassie’s father, James Gale and her sister Emily, travel north when they hear nothing from Cassie and begin a search.
Back in Russia, the plot becomes more complicated by the introduction of General Vicktor Sokolov, a brutal intelligence chief very much the product of the KGB and a close confidant of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. The general treats himself to some of Yermakova’s sick entertainment and comes across Cassie Gale’s file. He recognizes a member of her family and plans a kidnapping operation.
Photo courtesy of Simon & Schuster
Photo courtesy of Simon & Schuster“Sleeping Bear” is not just a thriller. It’s a project too ambitious for a complete review. Though this is Connor Sullivan’s first book, it is by no means his last. He will occupy a place in the thriller genre with Brad Thor, James Patterson, and Eric Ambler. But certain caveats should be stressed regarding Sleeping Bear.
The book is pure fiction, notwithstanding using the real life Vladimer Putin as a major character. But the author attempts to allude to non-fiction with a caption at the beginning of the story. The author notes in this caption that since 1988 there have been over seventy thousand missing persons reports filed with the Alaska State Police. It’s meant as a statistic to nurture conspiracy theories. But even if the statistic is accurate, the wilderness of Alaska is so vast that it can only be accepted that thousands of missing persons are never found.
Moreover, the current Russian entity, undeniably appalling, does not conduct itself with sick entertainment in the way of kidnapping with the purpose of gladiator events in the tradition of the Roman Empire. Inducing wars in the Middle East? Attempting to influence and manipulate U.S elections? Sure. But a mass kidnapping program is not Russia’s way of global conquest.
On the other hand, a thriller isn’t much of a book when there is no sensationalism. And “Sleeping Bear” is a heck of a book. The plot is involved. But there is not a dull moment in this more than rewarding read.
John O’Neill is an Allen Park freelance writer.
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