Archive 17

A Novel of Suspense

By: Sam Eastland

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Stalin’s most trusted secret agent, the legendary Inspector Pekkala, is on his deadliest mission—one that could save his country . . . or plunge it into the abyss.

It is 1939. Russia teeters on the verge of war with Germany. It is also on the brink of bankruptcy. To preserve his regime, Stalin orders a search for the legendary missing gold of Tsar Nicholas II. For this task, he chooses Pekkala, the former investigator for the Tsar. To accomplish his mission, Pekkala will go undercover, returning to Siberia and the nightmare of his own past, where he was once a prisoner in the notorious Gulag known as Borodok.

Pekkala must infiltrate a gang of convicts still loyal to the Tsar who, it is rumored, know the whereabouts of the precious gold. He soon learns that the best-kept secrets are those that no one even knows exist.

In the brutal frozen fortress where his survival once made him a myth, he begins to unravel the true identity of a murdered inmate, whose own mission to Siberia has lain buried for years deep within the mysterious Archive 17, where long-lost files obscure a shocking conspiracy that could decide the future of the Soviet Union itself. As more people die around him, Pekkala must decide where his true loyalties lie, or else take his place among the dead.

With the superb research and stunning suspense that are his trademarks, Sam Eastland delivers his most powerful Pekkala novel yet—the best in a mystery series riveting readers and reviewers alike.

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR SAM EASTLAND AND HIS PEKKALA SERIES

Eye of the Red Tsar

“Highly imaginative . . . History mixes with fiction in an exciting story.”—USA Today

“A fantastic premise, frenetic action sequences and a stellar setting . . . What elevates this Russian period thriller . . . is its mad, brilliant hero.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Gripping and memorable . . . Fans of Russian thrillers (Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44, Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park, and David Benioff’s City of Thieves) will want this.”—Library Journal

Shadow Pass

“An outstanding example of an unusual protagonist being used to excellent advantage.”—San Jose Mercury News

“Formidably researched . . . Eastland writes with visceral punch.”—Metro (U.K.)

“[A] fast-paced thriller full of twists and turns.”—Wichita Falls Times Record News

Great Read

Would you listen to Archive 17 again? Why?

I love this series of Eastland's books. They are well written and historically accurate. I can not put them down. I listen to them on my way to and from work and hate to turn them off when I get to my destination.

What did you like best about this story?

The storyline puts you there and the reader is great.

Which scene was your favorite?

Pekala's meetings with Stalin. You can almost believe that is what would happen.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It certainly was

Any additional comments?

My favorite mystery series. When is the next one coming out?

great

amazing story and narrator. This is literary crack. I am absolutely addicted to these books.

One of My Favorite Series

I am now a huge Inspector Pekkala fan. While it's hard to beat the introductory novel, The "Eye of the Red Tsar", I found this book to be just as entertaining.

Some of the same characters live on in this sequel with new characters well developed, and a solid story that follows true historical event and held my attention throughout.

If you have not listened to or read the first book, I definitely recommend taking them in order.

Paul Michael is a very good narrator and does a great job here. Highly recommended.