Parallax View

Tracie Tanner #1

by Allan Leverone

It's spring, 1987, late in the Cold War, and CIA Special Operations agent Tracie Tanner is tasked with what should be a relatively simple mission: deliver a secret communique from Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

After smuggling the document out of East Germany, Tracie believes she is in the clear. She's wrong. There are shadowy forces at work, influential people who will stop at nothing to prevent the explosive information contained in the letter from reaching the White House.

Soon, Tanner is knee-deep in airplane crashes and murder, paired up with a young Maine air traffic controller and on the run for their lives, unsure who she can trust at CIA, but committed to completing her mission, no matter the cost...

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Action, Political Thriller, Amazon

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2013

About the author

Allan Leverone is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine novels, including the dark thriller, MR. MIDNIGHT, named by Suspense Magazine as one of the "Best Books of 2013."

A 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee, Allan lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife of more than thirty years, three grown children and one beautiful granddaughter.

Connect at www.allanleverone.com, at Facebook and on Twitter, @AllanLeverone.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracie Tanner, CIA agent, transports a sensitive letter from a Soviet leader to the US President and is almost killed by those who don't want the message delivered.

Leverone gives us an intense, terrifying and captivating story of international intrigue in this first in series thriller.

Highly recommended.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/W8XCTL

My opinion: I am thoroughly convinced after reading this that Allan Leverone is a literary genius. His ability to write quality literature within multiple genres is dynamic. This book took off from page one and didn't stop. When the author first asked me to review, I have to be honest and say I was a bit concerned. I love Allan's writing of his horror stories, but, in general, can't stand political thrillers. I had a lot of faith in the author, though...and he didn't steer me wrong. Although this is a political thriller, I don't think it was as heavy as one by authors such as Vince Flynn. For the female audience, there was even a bit of romance or sexual tension in the book which I found I enjoyed and greatly lightened the book.

This book flowed so well that I ended up reading this book in 3 hours. In general, this is pretty much the standard with his writing though.

[Chelsea Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars because apparently action thrillers just aren't really my thing. I prefer literature with more content and depth. According to my own preferences I would give it three stars, I can take it or leave it, but that is no fault of the author's. If I was an action/thriller fan I would probably rate this with five stars, as it is extremely action packed and fast-paced. It's a fun romp with a female CIA agent through the cold-war era, good for light entertainment. But I prefer the profound to the fun. So I'm making a compromise and settling on four stars.

[Rod Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sit back and buckle up for Parallax View, the first installment in Allan Leverone’s Tracie Tanner suspense thriller series:

With Parallax View Leverone offers readers a fast-paced historical/political thriller set at the end of the Cold War. Fractured KGB elements have concocted a desperate plan to tip the scales and save their empire while the Americans are largely clueless, and that is precisely where Leverone has put his heroine, Tracie Tanner, standing alone against KGB hitmen on the cusp of World War Three. Leverone paints a vivid and accurate picture of those days of heated international brinksmanship when the Soviet Union was a political minefield with little safe ground.

Subterfuge and high-stakes backstabbing abound from cover-to-cover in Parallax View – Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev makes an appearance in this thrill ride, and Ronald Reagan has a walk-on part, there’s a gargantuan plane crash, bungling-but-lethal KGB spooks galore, and topping it all off, CIA special-op agent Tracie Tanner, beautiful, deadly, and absolutely driven to complete her mission. A field-seasoned alpha-female spook way ahead of her time, Tanner is the sort of gal who can twist the cap off anything she pleases and look good doing it (including the application of some very effective impromptu interrogation techniques), but I’m sure readers will appreciate the civilian hero and romantic interest of Parallax View, Shane Rowley, an almost painfully-ordinary air traffic controller with a dark secret who goes out of his way to end up in the wrong place at the right time, dragging Tracie from the inferno of the plane crash and saving her life…but, in the end, can she save him?

Leverone has moved away from his usual comfort zone writing horror and concocted a very meaty political stew with Parallax View, a fast read featuring well-drawn characters including a tough but believable heroine in Tracie Tanner – well done, Mr. Leverone. Tracie Tanner will be back; I’m sure of it, and I’m looking forward to the ride!

[Rebecca Graf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go back to the 80s when the world waited with baited breathe as the relations between the US and Russia wavered back and forth on the verge of World War III. A CIA operative is given the task of delivering a message from Russia to America. She has no idea that she is the most wanted person on the planet once she takes possession of it.

Okay, I love this genre of books. Have since I read my first Tom Clancy novel. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. Parallax View is well done. The pace is rather fast without being too much. The action slows down just a bit to allow the reader to look into the minds of the characters or to get some background information. The storyline itself was well done with many twists. It wasn't too confusing or had too many sub-plots. It was just enough to keep the story moving and full of depth.

I loved the characters. They made you want to get in there with them and help them find safety. I can't giveaway anything, but Shane is my hero. He...well, you have to read it to know why. Some secrets just can't be told.

What I liked about this book was the fact that it was set back in the 80s. I grew up in that period so much of what they reference brought back memories of the fear of our Russian enemy. Great read all the way around. Will be looking for more from this author.

Do you love espionage books? Then you need to read this. The chapters are short and action packed.

Note: This book was received as part of a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is closer to 5 than 4 but I can't say it was amazing which is what Goodreads has as its standard for a 5 star.
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller. It kept me intensely engaged throughout, and I felt eager for more. The only minor flaw to me was the fact that the heroine could not turn to the FBI or Homeland Security, or Congressional leaders to assist with her top secret mission. I suppose to do so would hurt the plot so I'll give it a pass

[Carlos Mock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parallax View (Tracie Tanner #1) By Allan Leverone

The year is 1987. The USSR is on the brink of collapse and Mikhail Gorbachev has an important message to send to President Reagan. After writing and sealing the massage, Tracie Tanner, a CIA Special Ops agent, gets the sealed letter out of East Germany and is ready to fly it to the US. However, the B-52 aircraft she's traveling home on has a mole that brings the plane down and the crash kills all the passengers except Tracy. Shane Rowley, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer that morning, rescues Tracy from the wreckage and is now involved in this great adventure: trying to save President Reagan from an attempt on his life. He feels a sense of purpose that his diagnosis had erased and sparks fly between our two heroes.

After Tracy figures out that her CIA handler, Winston Andrews, is a Russian mole, she's forced to go on the run, having no idea who to trust. All Tracie knows is she has to somehow get to the president while staying ahead of an ever-mounting body count and keeping a Shane alive.

Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fast-paced, thrilling adventure that is hard to put down. I almost finished it on one read, leaving the last 60 pages for the second day. This is the first Tracy Tanner book and I would be happy to read more of them.

Highly recommended!

[Judi Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series about Tracie Tanner, who is a CIA operative. This takes place in 1987.
She is sent on the most dangerous missions and the current one just might get her killed. She is in Russian, to replace some files to confuse the Russians. But, in being there, the present top ranking official in Russian, Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, pens a note to be taken to the President of the US, President Regan. The note is handled off to Tracie who is to protect it with her life.

In getting to the airplane, provided by the military, to get her back to Washington, she gets involved in the plane doing down, the pilot killed and someone on board is trying to kill her to get the note.
This book is a page turner and one that will keep you busy trying to figure out what is in the note that is so important, that Tracie is chased from one state to another, but no before being involved in a plane crash and being rescued by an airport controller, Shane. Her and Shane attempt to get the note to the President, by how. Tracie doesn't know who to trust. She only knows that Shane is becoming very important to her, and at every turn there are KGB out to kill her.

Don't miss this one.

[Diana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan Leverone has hooked me with his Tracie Tanner series, a riveting read!
In Parallax View I first met Tracie Tanner, a CIA operative. Well trained and incredibly gifted in the art of clandestine operations I found her an extremely strong female heroine, both creative and tough, yet at the same time a woman I could relate to.
In what should have been an easy operation for Tracie everything that could possibly go wrong does. She, and a young traffic controller from Maine, are racing against time to fulfill the most important operation Tracie has ever been involved with and trying to keep both of them alive!
Very face paced and very informative in regards to clandestine operations and the working of the air traffic control center. I read this in one sitting and have since read it twice more!!
I was gifted a signed copy of the first four books in the Tracie Tanner series through a contest Mr. Leverone held through his newsletter, if you haven't signed up yet I encourage you to do so for the latest news and amazing contests!
A definite 5 star read, highly recommended for fans of spies, thriller, suspense and danger!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of action-packed story I like. It has all the qualifications needed: well researched Cold War locations, intriguing dialogue between notorious political figures, and exciting missions dispersed throughout its entirety. Everything described in “Parallax View”, from the weaponry to the henchmen, is enticing without the unnecessary confusion and jargon tied to similar counterparts in the spy thriller genre.

It’s the spring of 1987, and the Soviet Union is deteriorating before the eyes of the world, both economically and socially. CIA clandestine ops specialist, Tracie Turner, is summoned to retrieve a top secret letter from a fellow operative in East Berlin, written by none other than Gorbachev. The letter is addressed to Ronald Reagan, and its a race against time for Tracy to get the letter to Washington to prevent a political assassination, all while going up against KGB murderers and CIA informants.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cold War Revisited

This book is like a invigorating jolt of caffeine. I remember the stressful tensions of The Cold War. This was not the era of the computer age. Gathering information and delivering it was done by people. Sensitive material was difficult to obtain much less bring it back to the correct people. The novel was action pact. Nonstop. Loved the characters and their chemistry.

People reading this will think she is a strong woman. I think she was a strong and patriotic American.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting spy novel, that turned into a CIA thriller. Tracie Tanner, is a rather sexy, smart, intriguing, and deadly, heroine. Her partner and love interest for most of this book seems as much of a plot device as a character. Still it takes place in the late 1980s and it's fun remembering things in that timeline. I hear there are more in this series and I plan on giving the next Tracie Tanner book a whirl. Because maybe this book was not great, this it was definitely worth reading. I'm interesting in seeing if where Allan Leverone takes Tracie Tanner.

[Reader Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleverly Woven Plot

Parallax View is a clever mix of historical fact and fiction. The events seem plausible. This is a conspiracy theory based on actual events that, to me, fit history, as we know it. At least as well as say, the grassy knoll.
That aside, Parallax View is a fast paced, suspenseful, thriller. Well worth reading for anyone who is a fan of Cold War novels. Tracie Tanner is not a Jason Bourne, but then who is?

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracie Tanner Is My New Heroine!

This lady has spunk, a singular focus and an iron will. She is one badass operative. This book was unputdownable with a gripping storyline and characters you could love-or hate-but never ignore. It seemed sad that Tracie would never again see the love of her life but she received the greatest gift from Shane Rowley, that being his life for her. I'm sure it's a bittersweet reality for Tracie but she'll always have the memories.

[Chris]

This series about Olympus is awesome, never a dull moment. Character development is beyond what many readers expect and I am sure it improves with ea ch novel. There's no danger of falling asleep with this author's book in your hands. Starting with the first in the series, the premise moves along with each novel and it will be interesting to see where Phoenix ultimately ends up-alive or ....... NOT. I highly recommend the books in this series.

[Sharon Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into international espionage, this book Parallax View is the right one for you, did keep me wondering what will happen if Tracie doesn’t make it. The B-52 flight had its moments. Not going to ruin the outcome with spoilers.
I gasped at what I read, the plot was so well written that it can read as real, the events of were so close to be true. Reagan, Gorbachev, KGB, The Wall, double spy’s most was all true if memories serve me right.

[B.R. Stateham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan's character, a small chic by the name of Tracy Tanner, is a full-charged stick of dynamite packed into a minuscule frame. She reminds me of Black Widow out of the Marvel world. She's a CIA agent on a mission. Don't get in her way.

The novel is fast paced, full of action, and flows seamlessly from one scene to another. May have to check out the rest of the Tracy Tanner series.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have trouble following books because I read them sporadically. This one grabbed my attention and didn't let go. I started setting aside more time for reading so that I could follow the engaging plot.

[Edward D. Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good spy thriller!

Super good spy thriller! Very well written and great great story😀😀😀😀😀! Having lived through the '80s as an adult involved directly in the cold war, I found this book very "believable" and accurate . Add Leverone to your postmaster author list.

[Raberta Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So real

So filled with action, and it all read like today’s news... loved Shane and was sad about his test results,even sadder because I knew he would die, just not from the cancer... Great story ! !

[Robert A. Schiffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read.

thoroughly enjoyed Parallax View. You get a good feel for the main characters and the action is non stop through the entire book. Tanner and the man who rescued her are likable individuals who the reader will want to see succeed. A good cold war, espionage novel.

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badass female agent

Nothing I like better than a badass female protagonist! Tracie Tanner does it for me! She has skills AND a brain! I hate it when good guys die but, well... A lot of bad guys die, too. What's next?

[Hw Huyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story, can't put down page turner

Shane, a traffic controller at a Bangor Maine airport comes terribly close being engulfed in a B-52 crashing at the airport on his way to work. A passenger, being rushed to Washington DC on the B-52 is rescued byShane and the story begins.

[Tibor Konig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Igazi nyári olvasmány, fordulatos, még talán izgalmas is, de másnapra elfelejti az ember. Ez akár jó is lehetne, de ebben a könyvben sajnos egyetlen eredeti gondolat, karakter, cselekményszál nincs. Külön mínusz pont jár Gorbacsov és a KGB végletekig sablonos ábrázolásáért.

Mondjuk, ingyen adta az Amazon, szóval az ár-érték arányra nem panaszkodom.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action packed book that only Mr. Leverone could write. His insightful knowledge regarding the
Cold War and 1980s Russia make for an intriguing and spell-binding novel. He does a magnificent job. Highly Recommended.
A free book, this is my honest review.

[Emmett Smelser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good yarn; shocking number of errors

Interesting plot and characters tied to historic collapse of Soviet Union. For an experienced author there is a disappointing array of typos and missing words. What happened to proofreading and using a professional editor?

[Chez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping story it had me hook from the start to the finish. The story line was intriguing, as you didn't know who the enemy was and how far up the ladder it went, it was sad that the hero died in the end, very sad because I really got to like him.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poison letter

Very good fast moving thriller. Nice combination of characters that keeps reader guessing outcomes facing the letter carriers. Sort of predictable ending but good in answering questions and lead to next book.

[lindel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I found the story engaging, although wrapped up in a nice tidy bow. But found it strange that the author chose to include Reagan and Gorbachev as actual characters in a work of fiction. Didn't understand the need or why it was essential to the story.

[Robert J. Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book, it kept you in suspense all through the book. I will definitely but all the books in this series.