When Finn, a former British spy, is poisoned by a Russian assassin, his ex-boss Adrian, the chief of MI6, wants vengeance. He also wants answers—information that only Finn's widow knows. But Anna, a former KGB colonel who betrayed her country for love, vanished with her child shortly after Finn's death.

Adrian isn't the only one eager to find Anna. Finn accessed intelligence so sensitive that the KGB killed to protect it—and now Anna is in the KGB's crosshairs, as the only person who knows the true identity of the Kremlin insider, superspy, and double agent called Mikhail. The CIA and Cougar, a giant American private intelligence company, are also hunting her. With the Kremlin still in the grasp of all-powerful Vladimir Putin, Mikhail is the West's best hope for revealing Russia's obscure intentions for its newfound oil wealth.

Anna holds the key to the secrets of her motherland, and now the former Russian agent faces her greatest test. To secure her freedom and protect her child, she must uncover the full truth before anyone else does—even as friend and foe set her in their sights.

Moving from Paris to New York, from the Kremlin to the American Southwest, Moscow Sting is an absorbing and timely tale of intrigue, betrayal, fatal lies, and complex truths, told with the authentic detail and chilling insight of an experienced insider.

From Booklist

Starred Review Dryden follows up his superb debut, Red to Black (2009), with a riveting sequel. British spy Finn, who uncovered a Russian plan to control Europe's access to oil and natural gas, is dead, murdered by a KGB-trained Russian criminal. Anna, the beautiful KGB colonel assigned to seduce Finn, but who fell in love with him instead, is in hiding, raising her son, Little Finn. In the post-Bush era, both the U.S. and Britain have realized that Finn was right: Vladimir Putin is an enemy. Now they want Finn's source, a Kremlin insider known only as Mikhail. MI6 also wants revenge for Finn's murder. The Russians want Anna for her betrayal. Anna wants to shield Mikhail and keep herself and her son alive. Machinations by all the principals ensue, and Dryden, a longtime student of Russia and the world of intelligence, tosses a new player into the mix: Cougar, a private intelligence company run by Burt Miller, a former CIA spook extraordinaire. The larger-than-life Miller schemes against the CIA, MI6, the Russians, and Cougar's corporate competitors to hold on to Anna and reel in Mikhail. Red to Black reinvigorated the classic Cold War espionage genre. Moscow Sting—with its clever, devious, conflicted characters; its tension and verisimilitude; and its complex but fully plausible plot—is every bit as good. --Thomas Gaughan

Review

“This follow-up to Dryden’s debut thriller, RED TO BLACK, is a rarity: a sequel as good as its exceptional predecessor... An exceptional spy story. Boy, is this good!” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) )

“Engaging and fast-paced thriller.” (World Magazine )

“Alex Dryden is a writer who can please everyone from fans of old LeCarre to students of current affairs. MOSCOW STING is a thought-provoking and entertaining follow up to the terrific Red to Black. No sophomore slump here.” (James Grippando, New York Times bestselling author of MONEY TO BURN )

“Pseudonymous Brit journalist Dryden is back with another fine neo-Cold War spy thriller, the sequel to RED TO BLACK (2009)…This book stylishly carries the story forward…A twisty, persuasive, action-packed thriller.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Hands down, one of the most convincing spy stories you’ll ever read.” (Lisa Black, author of TRAIL OF BLOOD )

“Dryden follows up his superb debut, Red to Black (2009), with a riveting sequel... Red to Black reinvigorated the classic Cold War espionage genre. Moscow Sting, with its clever, devious, conflicted characters, its tension and verisimilitude, and its complex but fully plausible plot, is every bit as good.” (Booklist (starred review) )

“Moscow Sting suggests [Dryden] has finished the crossover from journalist to full-fledged thriller writer. Keep an eye on Dryden. If he continues to infuse the genre with serious political insights and warnings, he could be the next John le Carré.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch )

“MOSCOW STING is a gripping, action-packed insider’s view of modern day espionage with a clever twist at the end. Ex-KGB Colonel Anna Resnikov is a terrific heroine, who I hope will return with future adventures.” (Phillip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author of SUPREME JUSTICE )