Starik is perhaps not as well known as Cardinal of the Kremlin. Nonetheless, it is a taut and well constructed thriller. The plot revolves around a change of power in the Kremlin which brings a neo-Leninist madman to power.

The characters who ultimately come together in this one to stave off World War III are interesting because they are an unlikely collection of rather unheroic people plotting to steal Lenin's corpse. This is more of an every-person type of spy novel, as such it does not force cliche secret agents down our throats, rather an odd collection of Americans and Russians.

Additionally it is well written, and does manage to crank the suspense up to a good level.