Overview
Alexei Volkovoy—known to the underworld as Volk—is a hardened veteran of the conflict in Chechnya, a gun-for-hire now living in a lawless Russia, serving two corrupt masters: one is Maxim, a psychotic Azeri mafia kingpin, the other a mystery man known only as "The General." When Volk and his lover, a wild-eyed, white-haired young Russian named Valya, are hired by both men to steal the same lost painting from the Hermitage Museum, Volk must choose which to betray, and what that betrayal will cost him. His decision will lead this honest thief into the dark heart of the new Russian oligarchy, where only cash and violence can open doors.
Synopsis
This explosive debut introducing Russian gangster Alexei Volkovoy delivers at every turn, announcing Volk as the boldest hero of a new generation. Unabridged. 1 MP3 CD.
The Washington Post - Patrick Anderson
Brent Ghelfi's first novel, Volk's Game, is pretty much state of the art with regard to a certain kind of thriller. It's an exciting, often brutal story of Russian gangsters fighting over priceless works of art. Its characters are colorful, its descriptions of Russia are vivid and its suspense is palpable. In terms of sheer entertainment, Volk's Game is an impressive debut, and it is not without its serious moments, too, particularly with regard to the bitterness the war in Chechnya has brought home to Russia. The only possible objection to the book is its level of violence, which is off the charts. This is not a novel for the faint of heart.
Editorials
Patrick Anderson
Brent Ghelfi's first novel, Volk's Game, is pretty much state of the art with regard to a certain kind of thriller. It's an exciting, often brutal story of Russian gangsters fighting over priceless works of art. Its characters are colorful, its descriptions of Russia are vivid and its suspense is palpable. In terms of sheer entertainment, Volk's Game is an impressive debut, and it is not without its serious moments, too, particularly with regard to the bitterness the war in Chechnya has brought home to Russia. The only possible objection to the book is its level of violence, which is off the charts. This is not a novel for the faint of heart.— The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly
Former attorney Ghelfi's impressive debut introduces a compelling antihero, Alekei "Volk" Volkovoy. A brutal killer maimed in Russia's war against Chechnya, Volk leads two lives—one as a powerful gangster with a hand in virtually all underworld rackets, the other as a covert military operative. When Volk gets the chance to steal a previously unknown Da Vinci painting, Leda and the Swan, which has been concealed beneath another painting in a St. Petersburg museum, Volk enlists the aid of Valya, a beautiful assassin, in plotting the theft. After an ostensible ally sabotages the operation, Volk seeks vengeance. The twists and turns accumulate at an almost dizzying pace, building to a satisfactory resolution. Frederick Forysth fans will appreciate the crisp writing. This thriller could mark the start of a successful long-running series. (June)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationLibrary Journal
Plunging to the nadir of noir, this debut novel features Alexei Volkovoy, a.k.a. Volk, a Russian double agent who handles mayhem and grace with equal talent. Volk operates in the black market's murderous confluence of corrupt military and mafiosos. Valya, Volk's aide-de-camp and lover, is a slight woman of awesome powers who shares his tortured past. Together they dissect a plot involving Leonardo da Vinci's Leda and the Swan--or maybe a forged copy. Thrillmaster Ghelfi's deft and controlled writing viscerally describes the snarling Russian underworld. This blazing tale opens a new series (the publisher notes that Ghelfi is currently at work on the sequel), so expect Volk--and, one hopes, Valya--to join Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko in the top ranks of hyperbolic heroes. For all action/adventure/suspense collections.
—Barbara Conaty