Beautiful Assassin: A Novel

Beautiful Assassin: A Novel

“Michael White is a wonderful storyteller, and his work is long on atmosphere, and packed with action.” —Kevin Baker, author of Paradise Alley   Michael White, author of Soul Catcher and the New York Times Notable Book A Brother’s Blood now brings us Beautiful Assassin —a stunning, relentlessly thrilling, and richly evocative historical novel. Fans of Sebastian Faulks’s Charlotte Gray , Ian McEwan’s Atonement , and Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin will adore this gripping tale of secrets and suspicion—as a beautiful Russian woman, one of World War Two’s most decorated snipers, is caught between her government’s deadly intrigues and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. “A marvelous historical novel...It is the perfect book if you or someone you love has worn out the DVDs in Ken Burns’ documentary The Civil War , hyperventilates at the mere mention of Cold Mountain or yearns for stories about psychologically damaged men on horseback, à la Lonesome Dove . . . . An insightful journey of human redemption and a gun-blazing adventure at the same time.” - USA Today “A beautiful page turner.” - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers A breathtaking tale of love, loyalty, and intrigue set in the early days of World War II from the acclaimed New York Times Notable Book author of Soul Catcher , which USA Today hailed as "a marvelous historical novel" World War II threatens to engulf the globe. The beleaguered Soviets, struggling to hold back the rising German tide, face despair and defeat daily. Yet just as all seems lost, a fearless female sniper named Tat'yana Levchenko gains fame in the Battle of Sevastopol with her remarkable composure and stunning skill. Offering hope in her nation's darkest moments, she becomes a Soviet hero, and word of her beauty and prowess eventually reaches Washington, D.C. Soon, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invites Tat'yana to visit America and tour the country with her. For the Soviets, Tat'yana's newfound friendship with the wife of the most powerful man in the world is an opportunity to garner public support for a much-needed second front in the war—but it's also a chance to gather information about President Roosevelt's plans. Surrounded by those who would exploit her position, Tat'yana becomes a pawn in a battle for information, and she is forced to question the motivations of everyone she knows, including the American captain who has been assigned as her translator. But as quickly as she rises to fame, Tat'yana vanishes. Did she defect? Was she silenced—and if so, by whom? Decades later, a clever journalist will discover Tat'yana's story . . . and reveal the truth. In Beautiful Assassin , Michael White delivers a heartrending story of war, betrayal, and a mother's love that can never be extinguished. Lyrical, evocative, and powerfully moving, this is a tale you will not soon forget. Michael White's previous novels include the New York Times Notable Book A Brother's Blood as well as The Garden of Martyrs and Soul Catcher , both Connecticut Book of the Year finalists. He is the director of Fairfield University's MFA program in creative writing, and lives in Connecticut.