From an early age it is clear that Alexander Karpenko is destined to lead his countrymen.

But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, Alexander and his mother will have to escape Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they have an irreversible choice: board a container ship bound for America or one bound for Great Britain. Alexander leaves the choice to a toss of a coin…

GREAT plot device.

Even greater when the book alternates between the life stories of Sasha over 30 years in London and New York.

The ending is a shocker. I can’t say it was what I wanted to happen.

In any case — this book is as good as any Jeffrey Archer.