Carner, Talia

Recommended for its complex characters and a story based on a little-known part of history. The author provides a glossary of Yiddish and Spanish words used and a list of resources for readers.

This tense thriller, based in part on author Carner's (Jerusalem Maiden) own experiences in post-Communist Russia, is an eye-opening exposé of life following the collapse of the Iron Curtain. While occasionally ponderous—the narrative too often lapses into business-speak and the dialog is occasionally stilted—Carner's novel of vividly drawn characters and taut suspense adds up to a real-life dystopian page-turner of the un-put-downable variety.