Payne paints an amusing and exciting cloak-and-dagger adventure with the lowest key and humble protagonist of all time. Citizen Orlov is not just the title; it is the most lost and confused man just doing what he thinks is right.
Citizen Orlov, a simple fishmonger, is just minding his own business on the streets of this central European landscape when an answer telephone call changes the path of his life tremendously. Given the simple but mindless task of delivering information to someone, Orlov is led down a path he can’t unsee and one that forces him to keep his head on a swivel. As he attempts to carry out his duties delivered by a no-named man, an assassination attempt takes place right in front of him. Now bearing even more secrets than he ever thought he knew; he must adapt his skills (there are none) to keep himself alive.
Infiltration into a rival political group who intends to undermine the governance of the incumbent administration is put at his feet. While Orlov wants to assist, he is adamant about continuing to help and serve the plaza stall where he works and maintain his usual life. He is the most unassuming agent you could ever find in the Ministry of Security, or was it Intelligence, you be the judge. Orlov continues to find inventive ways to not take his last breath while helping those he does not know. Then Orlovs family becomes involved, and he must make best of the information he has so as to not alert his suitors to his lackluster knowledge. Utilizing the parties in play against each other, Orlov can fly under the radar until he slowly elevates to a position of authority no one could ever see possible.
Payne delivers an extremely bright and refreshing thriller with the most unknowingly clever main character ever. Citizen Orlov is a comedy of errors and mistakes that always leave the story jumping down a path of redemption just to be upended once again. His undetailed detail is therapeutic and exhilarating at the same time while wondering how this one man made so many correct decisions. I really enjoyed this one as there aren’t any of the modern-day gear references and locations. Payne limits the number of superfluous items and characteristics that will enable you to use your imagination to make what you want. I also get a slight bit of anti-political/political vibe that shows the true undermining of government while blending the nonsense that we hear about leadership worldwide.
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Barrington Books
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