Kolchak's Gold

This is another 1970s classic. A great read for the 300 page conventional thiller. I mean conventional because it has all the hallmarks of the 1970s thriller genre.What sets it apart, however, is Garfield's plot developments. He takes the conventional "begin at the bginning" or "in media reas" conventions and disposes of them by jumping around from perspective and times. The other thing I like about this book is its pure inventiveness of plot - when it is not doing action scenes but more the historical perspective - it sounds like it is true.Characterisation is good (not the cardboard of so many of the thrillers of this era). There also appears to be real research here and a fondness for the subject - the White Russsians after the 1917 revolution.Considering that this piece came from the writer of Death Wish, which a detestable book, and subsequent film, Garfield has triumphed here. The only reason there are 4 stars and not 5 is that, like the others of its age it is too short - a little more would have been good, say another 50 pages.

Extremely entertaining and informative. What can I say...its one of the best novels I have read...right up there with "The day of the Jackal" My paperback copy has lost its front cover cause my kid tore it up but I still kept the book. I must have read this book 5 times. Spielberg (did I spell his name right?) should make a movie out of this book!