The Romanovsky Stain

After Action Report

Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
322 Pages
Reviewed on 04/21/2016
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Duke Zimmer, is the pseudonym of a writer, producer, director who has made over fifty non-fiction films, written more than one-hundred and fifty newspaper and magazine articles, numerous film and television scripts, produced several TV movies and is currently producing two feature films,

Duke enlisted in the US Army and spent five years in Western Europe during the height of the Cold War as a Counter Intelligence Agent with the 66th and later served as a Recon Scout with the famed Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry (Currahee) 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam from December 1969 to November 1970. He was wounded in action in November 1970 .

A graduate of the University of Maryland, Duke holds BS and MA degrees and has received numerous, national and international awards for his work including, the Honor Award of the Association of Military Surgeons International, a Certificate of Merit from the Entertainment Industry Council and the coveted CINE Golden Eagle.

“The Romanovsky Stain” is the first of five novels in the “After Action Report” series featuring Jacob Steiner.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite

Once a spy always a spy; one does not just quit the spy business and even if you try to get out, trouble will always come looking for you. That is what Jacob Steiner was about to discover. After leaving the intelligence world, Jacob had joined the NYPD where he had worked until he was kicked out just recently. Just in case he was wondering what to do with his life after the NYPD, he would wonder no more because a lifelong nemesis of his, former KGB agent Sergei Romanovsky, had plans for him. Jacob's NYPD partner had stolen from the Russians and Romanovsky intended to get back what he had taken, at whatever cost. So, what better way to compel Jacob to do the Russians' bidding than by injecting him with a deadly neuro-toxin and holding on to the antidote? So just like that, Jacob finds himself chasing a partner who doesn't want to be found, a neuro-toxin running through his blood with only a few days before its fatal effects take their course, and a flock of angry Russians hot on his trail. Racing against time, Jacob starts to put clues together in an attempt to get to the bottom of what was really going on. Initially all signs point to human trafficking, but he is convinced there is more going on because, in his world, there are always layers of conspiracy under layers. Nevertheless, even his wildest imaginings could not have prepared him for what was really at stake here.

The Romanovsky Stain by Duke Zimmer is the true art of spy thrillers, as they should be told. Duke Zimmer combined a unique and captivating plot and a memorable setting with flawless writing skill to bring to life a fascinating thriller. The descriptive writing style is so engaging as endless adrenaline pumping scenes come to life right off the pages. What is even more engaging is the build up to these scenes with such an incredible story development. I especially liked that the star of the story comes off as genuinely human right from the start. Right away, Duke Zimmer showed that Jacob, with all his years of experience and unmistakable skills, is human with flaws and weaknesses. These vulnerabilities made him human and made it easier to connect with his story. I was also awed by how the story portrayed the lasting bond that connects war veterans together. If you are looking for a good spy thriller, this is it.

Scott

Duke Zimmer’s ‘The Romanovsky Stain’ is a delightful and suspenseful book. The chief protagonist, Jake Steiner, is a former US intelligence operative who is hunted by rogue Russian and US secret agents.

Relentlessly wiretapped, trailed, and shot at, Steiner doesn’t know who to trust, except a half-dozen of his Vietnam vet buddies whom he enlists for his deadly mission that takes place in and around his hometown of Los Angeles. Action-packed with chases, and shootouts are masterfully woven with drama, humor, and psychological intrigue. The Romanovsky Stain’s Jake Steiner is kind of an American ‘James Bond’--charming, heroic, and deadly with a gun.

Zimmer’s characters and scenes seem real. The internal conversations Steiner has with himself envelope us readers in the action and suspense.

Several women played strong leading roles. Carly and Betty, Docs girlfriend, are classy heroines. Brave ladies who risked their lives to rescue bullet-strafed heroes.

Zimmer’s writing is vivid and street-smart. The Chapters are approximately 10-12 pages each, making tight episodes and easy to read. The story is is entertaining, exciting and unpredictable.

I highly recommend Zimmer’s action, spy novel ‘The Romanovsky Stain’.