Crooked Cross Factor

by Derek Hart

The year is 1969 and much of the world is in turmoil. The Vietnam War rages on in Southeast Asia and NATO is still focused on the Bear - The Soviet Union. Into this arena arrives Derek Smith, site security chief for the US Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland. Held responsible for the failures at the US Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, Smith has been transferred to Iceland as punishment.Soviet commandos break into Smiths apartment by mistake and so set the stage for a battle against time. Embroiled in this conflict are the mutinous crew of a Russian submarine, a sunken WWII U-boat loaded with gold, secret agents from countries around the globe and innocent players wrapped up in the conflict.Smith has a checkered past once a collegiate fencing champion, graduate of The State Departments Diplomatic Security Service, and scapegoat for the failings at the Embassy in Saigon, he is spiraling into a conflict seemingly out of his league. To complicate things even further, Smith falls in love with the Icelandic Minister of Roads, a woman gifted in many ways and who seems to be other than she claims.

296 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2002

About the author

Derek Hart is the prolific author of 30 action and adventure novels, known for their historical accuracy, while still maintaining a high level of entertainment. Romance is also a vital part of Derek Hart's trademark style and his novels generally appeal to men and women alike. Mr. Hart authored Secret of the Dragon's Eye, his first novel aimed at all age groups, which met with instant success and outstanding reviews. The author has since followed with Secret of the Dragon's Breath, Secret of the Dragon's Claw, Secret of the Dragon's Scales and Secret of the Dragon's Teeth. The final volume of the 6-episode series, Secret of the Dragon's Wings, will be available in December 2018.

List of published books:

Secret of the Dragon’s Eye
Secret of the Dragon’s Breath
Secret of the Dragon’s Claw
Secret of the Dragon’s Scales
Secret of the Dragon’s Teeth
Secret of the Dragon’s Wings
Claws of the Raven
Danger Cruise
Favor for FDR
Crooked Cross Factor
Tracks of the Predator
For Love or Honor Bound
Tales of the Yellow Silk
Element of Surprise
Seas Aflame
Ice Flotilla
High Altitude Low Opening
Tangles of Truth
Shadows in Replay
Flag of Her Choosing
Tidal Trap
Dangerous (Poetry)
Executive Firepower
The CARLA Conspiracy
The Wreckchasers
Minerva's Shield
Nike's Chariot
Apollo's Plague
Abandoned
Before the Dead Walked
Mercury's Wings

Books coming soon:

Neptune's Trident
Saturn's Fire
By the Moon Darkly
Broadmoor Manor
Tails of Thaddeus
Game Over
The Samuel Clemens Affair
Pearl and Topaz
Enchanted Mesa
Eagle Blue
Last Guidon
Excess Baggage
Operation Sovereign
Primary Weapon
Container

Reviews

[Melissa Mcpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek Smith (rold in first person) is such a card. He's so American and so out of place in Iceland. Hugrun make Derek crazy, because he's supposed to be the embassy security chief, but wants to be with her instead. There's bad Soviet agents, a Russian submarine crew who are trying to defect, and strange happenings at the US Embassy. this book made me laugh and I turned to pages as fast as I could.

[Ali]

Another Derek Hart book that just capture my interest and time. I am not a big reader, but it seems since I read the first Derek Hart book - Tales of the Yellow Silk - I can't seem to get enough of his stuff.
I will admit, I read slow, but Mr. Hart's stuff keeps me intrigued. I tend to stay up longer than I should just to get in another chapter.

Mr. Hart - keep it up.