Operation Desert Fox

Aavikkokettu

Novichok, a cyber attack and a clandestine operation in Afghanistan feature as Lt. Riina Koivu returns in this skillfully told and gripping standalone sequel to the acclaimed debut, Operation Red Fox.

Following the short war between Russia and Finland, Reservist Lieutenant Riina Koivu is still recovering from her injuries when she receives a postcard from Lt.Col. Joakim Karhu which he had time to write before he died, seemingly assassinated by the notorious novichok nerve agent. Riina and Joakim had met in the military hospital and shared a love of books. Meanwhile, Joni Koivu, Riina’s brother, goes to Aghanistan with the Western forces and becomes mixed up in a CIA covert mission in Afghanistan.

Back in Finland, the novichok case is assigned to Mikael Koivu, Riina’s husband, who works for the National Intelligence Service, and Mikael soon realises the gravity of the stakes involved in the investigation. Tensions mount as Riina, too, attempts to piece together the clues left for her by Karhu, but it soon transpires that she’s not the only one on the lookout, as Russian intelligence agents close in and a dangerous race to uncover the truth commences.

This suspenseful and relevant thriller, with its believable story-line and grounded characters, looks at the people and their motives involved in highly plausible scenarios that will appeal to a broad audience.

Material

Finnish Edition
Synopsis
Reviews

Reviews

‘A must-read for any fan of thrillers or military fiction, but not excluding any other fans of good literature.’ 4.5/5 stars — Kirsi’s Book Club

‘Immonen’s second thriller exudes skilfull pacing and her expertise in military affairs.’ — Kansan Uutiset newspaper

‘Gripping and topical’ — Kirjavinkit blog