Craig Page is enjoying his new life, complete with a new
identity. Fired by the President, Craig lost his position
as CIA Director. Undergoing drastic plastic surgery, Craig
is now Enrico Marino, an Italian race driver. He
just won a major race at Stresa and is eager to share his
trophy with good friend and generous sponsor Frederico
Castiglione. Castiglione is CEO of the third biggest bank
in Milan. When the police tell Craig
his friend has been murdered in a faux jewelry robbery,
Craig suspects foul play and begins his investigation with
old friend EU Counterterrorism Director Giuseppe Mercurio.
In time, he finds a connection to his arch enemy, Zhou Yun.
As he follows the trail, with the help of Giuseppe, Craig
is
planning Zhou's capture and arrest. It is a complex
mission
with a finale that is superb.
Allan Topol is a sterling writer, dealing with
international
intrigue who takes us on a journey filled with drama,
deception, and death. I was unable to put THE ITALIAN
DIVIDE down, and I
particularly enjoyed his approach of setting each
chapters with geographical locations. Starting in
Biarritz and on to Stresa, Venice, Milan, Rome, London,
Paris, Northern Italy, Beijing, Singapore , Washington,
North Carolina and Northern Virginia. The locales,
filled
with delicious description of superb dining at luxury
hotels
with fine wines, and beautifully attired people added to
the
exciting action which never ceased. There is murder by
Russians,
bank takeovers by Chinese, political aspirations for Robert
Parelli who has a
platform on
a New Italy Party, which is controversial but gaining
traction. A French journalist and an old love of Craig's,
Elizabeth
Crowder, covers EU political and economic development for
her paper, comes to the assistance in searching for
answers and adds some romantic interest.
THE ITALIAN DIVIDE is a thriller I recommend to
everyone who enjoys adventure and intrigue in the high
stakes world of International banking, reeking with power
and revenge, and a hero who is real, daring and dedicated
to finding justice. Craig Page is an easy-to-like
character
who loves his country and is loyal and patriotic. You have
a new and loyal fan, Mr. Topol, and I hope a new book is
coming soon
with Craig/Enrico fighting once more for justice and
freedom. 5 stars and counting! Bravo!
When prominent Italian banker Frederico Castiglione is
murdered in an apparent jewelry robbery gone wrong, things
are not what they seem. Former CIA Director Craig Page is
enjoying his new life as Italian race car driver Enrico
Marino―but when he hears that his friend and sponsor
has
been found dead, he suspects foul play. Shortly after
Castiglione’s death, Italian banker Andrew Goldoni is asked
to sell―or else. When he refuses, his daughter goes
missing.
Craig embarks on an investigation to solve the riddles
underlying Castiglione’s murder and rescue Goldoni’s
daughter, but the pieces don’t quite fit. The murderers are
Russian, but the takeovers are based in China, and somehow
Roberto Parelli, the Italian separatist candidate for
President, is involved.
With the help of Elizabeth Crowder, CIA director Betty
Richards, and director of EU Counter Terrorism Giuseppe,
Craig discovers a complicated web of mysterious political
and financial takeovers across Italy, all linked back to
Craig’s sworn enemy, Zhou Yun, and Roberto Parelli.
In The Italian Divide loyalties lie deep, dangerous
alliances are made to be broken, and organized crime is
omnipotent. Allan Topol’s latest Craig Page thriller is an
electrifying foray into the world of international
intrigue.
Against blackmail, extortion, and treason, can Craig Page
still prevail?
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