Hostage Moscow

Elliot Stonehenge, a put-to-pasture CIA analyst, privately observes the state of Russia through Internet monitoring. Suspicious personnel changes in government and military, early retirements and unexpected promotions, all point to setting the stage for a stealthy and unstoppable coup. Despite the accumulating evidence, the CIA is not interested, nor are two of Elliot’s close associates. It is not until Elliot uncovers a vital piece of the puzzle, which leads to a failed assassination attempt on him, that his coup theory becomes credible. Arlett Stroemple, a former East German Stasi agent and a one-time romantic partner of Elliot’s, is able to provide missing information and access to critical features of the planned take-over scheme. A partnership of unlikely partners, each with seasoned intelligence contacts, experience, and training, challenge the still unknown, but active, coup instigators. Only daring personal action by Elliot and Arlett finally counter the ingenious and potentially world-destabilizing threat.