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Mark Zvonkovic is a novelist and recovering lawyer who lives in Baja, California with his wife Nancy and their two dogs, Finn and Cooper. When he’s not writing, he and his dogs watch pelicans fly.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
A Lion in the Grass by Mark Zvonkovic is a great novel with a strong appeal to fans of espionage and military thrillers. It follows the journey of a brilliant spy, Raymond Hatcher. At eighteen, he already has a college degree, and because of his keen intellect and language skills, he is recruited by the OSS and trained by an experienced spy. His career involves infiltrating Japanese-occupied French Indochina. He continues to serve the country as a spy after the war, but when forced to retire, he moves to his farmhouse where he takes up birdwatching. Can he fit into his new reality after a lifetime of service in espionage and how about his desire for revenge against a ruthless French psychopath?
This novel had me asking so many questions: what happens when we can’t do what we are best at? It is psychologically and emotionally engaging and raises questions about transitioning from active service to retirement. A Lion in the Grass is well-written, and from the start, I was pulled in by Mark Zvonkovic’s wonderful prose and ability to write great descriptions. The plot is well-handled and the narrative fast-paced. The narrative takes readers on a ride that spans over six decades, starting from 1942; it is like walking with the protagonist through a lifetime. It features elaborately developed characters, well-written scenes, and situations that are breathtaking. A Lion in the Grass has strong historical hints, a story with realistic characters, and elements of style that deepen the suspense and the overall entertaining quality of the story.
