SOLVED. Thriller re Russia taking back Alaska at end of lease - 1990's? [s]

[Brett_g]

Looking for the name of book and author of a spy thriller I read late 80's early 90's.
Son of an English military guard on Nazi war criminals is suspected of assisting one to suicide, and disgraced. Years later son - also military -
discovers a paper of his fathers, which tells of the original lease between Russia and USA for Alaska. The end of the lease is approaching, and if the Russians can produce the lease, they get Alaska. The story revolves around the son and a double bass playing orchestra member against the Russian KGB agent. Set across Europe.
Anyone know the book, author? Think it also came out as a Readers Digest condensed book.
Cheers, Brett

[Kris]

A Matter of Honor by Jeffrey Archer?

A reviewer on Amazon says, "The year is 1966, and the Soviet Union stands to deal the United States a humiliating defeat. A long-forgotten codicil to the treaty by which the United States bought Alaska from Russia would allow the Soviet Union a single opportunity to recover the territory - by purchasing it back for 100 times the purchase price, or 720 million dollars, after 99 years. President Andrew Johnson could never have forseen the difficulty in which he would one day place President Lyndon Johnson - who's not at all willing to become the first American leader to preside over a reduction in the size of his nation's territory

There's only one problem: the Soviets have lost their copy of the treaty. It's hidden an ancient Russian icon, itself locked in a Swiss safety deposit box. That icon, in turn, has just been mysteriously bequeathed to Adam Scott following the death of his father. As Adam moves to clear up questions surrounding his father's life, the Soviets dispatch Alex Romanov to retrieve the icon..."

[Brett_g]

That's the one! Thanks for that. Had you read it? I don't think I would have pegged it as an Archer. I had this query on three sites, yours is the only answer so far. I will post it on the others. Thanks again! Brett

[Kris]

You're welcome! :) Your request was rather tricky. I think this Google search finally worked:

site:amazon.com thriller russia alaska treaty -dvd

I find it helpful to search Amazon (or Goodreads) reviews. They're full of keywords that often don't appear in the book's official description.

[Brett_g]

OK, thanks again. I have only really just started doing this, and appreciate the tips. I have about 80 or 90 cartons of books in a sea container, a long way from where I am, and I'm slowly replacing them with electronic books. Often hard to recall what they are! I will practise a few searches as you have described.
Do love a real book, but the convenience of ebooks is excellent! And a LOT easier to carry around the world, as with music!
Cheers, Brett

[Kris]

I hear you. Lately I've been checking out audiobooks to give my eyes a bit of a rest. If you ever need a hand tracking down a title, please drop by. We love to help a fellow reader. :)