Book Review: Moscow Nights Return

Reviewed by Jaylynn Korrell

A non-stop spy thriller about saving a friend from the KGB

Elda Ainsworth said she was going to retire. But that doesn’t last long. When she receives a call to take on a new mission, she’s right back in it again. How couldn’t she? Her longtime friend Korinna needs to be extracted from Russia before she’s eliminated by the KGB. 

Anatoly, a trained killer, has been sent by the KGB to kill Korrina and anyone who stands in his way; she could leak the knowledge she gained as a translator.

But the woman accompanying her isn’t just some regular woman, it turns out. 

What follows is the ultimate game of cat and mouse. The women must dodge trackers at each turn in hopes of making it back to their families and the safety of America. 

Beth H. Macy comes in hot with this first book—a story sure to keep you guessing. Anatoly has been completing jobs like this for years and is a truly scary person to have coming after you, but he’s not the only one. Multiple men seem to be tracking Elda on her journey, and this makes you question every person she comes in contact with. 

A man whom Elda encountered years ago, Tosh, even has a part to play in the mission. But he is shrouded in mystery—one of the pieces that pumps adrenaline into the fast-moving plot.

Elda is an empowering and skilled protagonist—a top-notch heroic figure. She really could be enjoying retirement right about now, relaxing in the woods in Maine with her partner, but she will risk everything to save her friend. Not only does she have a drive in her that she can’t ignore, but she’s really good at her job. It’s wonderful to have a middle-aged female protagonist being up to the challenge in a way that society might not expect.

It’s easy to see why Elda would risk so much to help her old friend. Korrina is a charming character. Despite being targeted by her former employers, she is loyal to Russia and the secrets she has learned. Her only wish now is to escape and start a new life with her husband and their two dogs. In fact, rescuing her dogs is equally as important to her as getting herself out of Russia. She is a soft spot in a book filled with danger and fear. I couldn’t help but root for her and her family to have a happy ending. 

Weaved into the story is the complex relationship between Elda and her half-brother Aurelio. Aurelio is a wealthy man whose family thinks he’s nuts. His Russian wife despises him, and his siblings have cut him off. He can’t help but think that they’re all just jealous of him. He also thinks he’s being followed by the CIA, the FBI, and other black-op agencies. As Elda returns to Russia to begin her journey of helping Korinna, her world gets closer and closer to that of her brother’s, even crossing paths occasionally. This heightened relationship is a favorite in this book. Aurelio is so bizarre—you never know what he’s capable of doing. I shuddered every time he had a chance of running into Elda. His sections feel like a much needed break from the constant chase going on with Elda and Korrina.

Moscow Nights Return is a classic spy novel that’s full of suspense, danger, and family drama.

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