The Kremlin conspiracy by Joel C. Rosenberg

"The Kremlin conspiracy" by Joel C. Rosenberg - Good idea, but ...

This book is published by Tyndale House Pub in 2018 and has 466 pages. 

Alec Stephanovich Kraskin, a bright lawyer, marries Marina, daughter of President of Russia, Alexander Ivanovich Luganov. He joins the staff of the President and over the period becomes his chief advisor. Luganov has expansionist tendencies and wants to take Russia back to its former glory. 

Markus Raikar had to kill his step father to save his mother. He first joins army then law enforcement and finally special services protecting POTUS. A personal tragedy takes him on a new path.

What does Luganov want? What does Alec think? What personal tragedy befall Marcus? What is the Kremlin conspiracy?

Earlier part of the book tracks years of progress of the two protagonists. It's a no-brainer that the individual stories of Alec and Marcus would converge. But author has taken inordinately long time for the convergence. A lot of details in individual stories are not really necessary for the story. Doing away with those details would have helped story become leaner. First part of the book is slow. Due to many unnecessary details, reader is unable to determine which part is important going forward. 

Attack on White House described in this book is very similar to Steven Gerrard's movie "White House down". This part was unnecessary for the story. I suppose it was introduced just to bring Marcus and Alec together. The book raises some questions. Can a person who does not belong to any government organization be assigned as case officer? Can he make major decisions that will impact global politics without anyone in the know?

Russia is the new favourite villain of thriller authors. The seed of the story is that Russia is still not able to digest break up of Soviet Union and losing It's control over various states. It wants to become super power again. It's obvious who the character of President Luganov is based on. 

The scenario imagined by author is interesting. If really things come to head and a face off between America and Russia happens and nuclear war becomes a possibility, who will blink first?

All in all, the seed for the story is good but execution is not as good. The end of book is not firm. Reader is allowed to draw his own ending. Probably author was making a provision for a sequel. 

The book has an eye catching title. I read the book because of the title.

Why did I read this book? Author, Title.

What I didn't like? Unnecessary side stories. 

What did I like? Idea.  

Read only if you have additional time on hand.