Book Blurb:
One Potato, Two Potato, Hot Potato. The Berlin Wall comes down, and the world believes it is heading for peace. A secret sect within the Russian government created this illusion. America and the world are caught asleep at the wheel. Various plots crisscross with a common goal—the destruction of the United States. While not everyone is convinced, the plans are in place. An everyday police officer on patrol, Mark Schaffer, stumbles into the deep end of the Russian plot pool. He responds to a call on a ship in Port Everglades, and the floodgates are open to what is underneath the plot’s surface. Sally Anderson, a government worker, has unwillingly been put in the role of the hinge pin to the plot. The United States Military and the State Department are at odds with solutions. What is known is only the tip of the complicated iceberg of doom that awaits the United States. One final ploy, a Hail Mary attempt, is now about to unfold. The pieces are connected by accident, and there is a race to stop the end of America. All roads lead to that ship that Schaffer responded to for a typical police service call. The United States President and the Russian Premier are on a countdown to solve what is beyond their control. Could this happen, or is it happening now?
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/WGdX0
Author Bio:
Marty Katz is a retired Sergeant from the Broward Sheriff's Office in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Former SWAT officer, undercover narcotics detective, academy instructor, and supervisor of various units, including detective bureau, patrol, and recruitment. As a high liability and ethics instructor, he started Crimewave Solutions in 1984, a company teaching officer survival. He is a 7th-degree black belt, starting his training in 1958, and the chief instructor at Bushido Karate Dojo. Other books by Marty Katz are Past the Uniform and Hot Potato. From Another Dimension is his third book.
Editorial Review:
"Hot Potato" is a captivating work set against the backdrop of the fall of communism and the
collapse of the Berlin Wall, offering an insight into both global political events and the
personal lives of its characters. Marty Katz's narrative style manages to convey the energy of
a world in flux, as well as the complexity of new alliances and international challenges that
followed this historic moment.
The author succeeds in capturing, through a highly detailed vision, the atmosphere of those
days when optimism and the hope of democratic revival enveloped Eastern Europe. Katz
brings to the forefront vivid images of crowds celebrating freedom, as well as the irony of the
Berlin Wall's fall:“As the pieces of the Wall fell, how ironic that they were sold as
commemorative souvenirs. This place of much death was the setting of high festive activity,
each piece of the crumbing wall selling for a healthy profit.” This passage highlights the
contrast between the tragedy of the wall and the effervescence of the moment when
freedom paradoxically becomes a commodity to be sold.
An interesting aspect of the book is the way the author illustrates the collaboration and
changes between the world's great powers. Although the story begins in a triumphant
atmosphere, as the action progresses, the complexity of new international relations becomes
increasingly evident. In particular, the discovery of underwater oil fields near Russia and the
development of trade alliances between the United States and the former Soviet Union
emphasize how economic interests began to redefine global politics.
The chapters describing the activities at Port Everglades, such as the preparation of ships
and the interactions between Russian crews and American officials, bring a dose of tension
and everyday realism, reflecting how the world began to adapt to the new reality. Katz does
not focus solely on international politics but also on the small details, such as the daily lives
of those involved in these processes, thus offering a comprehensive and well-balanced
portrayal of the post-Cold War context.
The main plot unfolds in the context of a violent storm and a smuggling mission, triggering a
series of events involving local authorities, the Coast Guard, and even the Pentagon. The
protagonist, Schaffer, finds himself in the middle of this storm both metaphorically and
literally, recalling another similar catastrophe that caused massive destruction and loss of
life. The book begins with a tense atmosphere, where Schaffer, a former night shift
supervisor, revives painful memories of a devastating storm from the past. The current
situation reminds him of this tragedy, and his inner tension grows as the story evolves, and a
smuggling plot begins to unfold.
The novel immerses the reader in a chaotic landscape, where various teams, from the police
and Coast Guard to the Pentagon, try to stop the ship Kiev, which seems determined to
escape into the open sea. Another point of interest is the Pentagon's war room, where
General Sylvester Wagoner coordinates his team in an attempt to respond to this threat. The
tension is heightened by critical and political decisions made at the highest levels.
Another important aspect of the story is the relationship between the American and Russian
governments, each operating within a complicated political context. Dialogues between the
president and military leaders reveal the tense atmosphere in the upper offices, where
information is incomplete, and decisions must be made quickly, without all the necessary
data. The American president seems cornered by the lack of information and relies on his
agents to uncover the truth behind the incident with the Russian ship. Another key theme is
the historical and geopolitical context. The return to 1968, when Russia was planning to build
secret ships for a long-term mission, adds a dimension of global intrigue, where actions from
the past affect events in the present. This secret Russian plan reflects Cold War tensions
and the dangers that still persist.
In another scene, Schaffer is captured by the Russians, but due to the guards' negligence,
he manages to keep a pager and a hidden weapon, a detail that highlights his ingenuity and
mental and physical resources. This is a recurring theme in the spy thriller genre, where the
hero must survive by relying on intelligence and combat skills, not just brute force.
From a military perspective, the book introduces elements of strategy and detailed planning
of operations, such as the mission of the SEAL teams preparing to attack the ship Kiev.
Every step of the operation is meticulously planned, and military leaders must make quick
and efficient decisions to achieve their objectives, whether it is rescuing a hostage or
destroying the enemy ship. The military atmosphere is reinforced by the dialogues between
commanders, who discuss global tension and the risks of nuclear conflict, especially in the
context of a new confrontation with Russia.
Another crucial moment is the description of the assassination in the Great Hall, an event
that triggers a series of violent reactions and conceals key information about Kiev: “It was
pretty apparent that nothing would be accomplished or learned about the Kiev and the
mission she was on. Because of the lack of information, Russia had to prepare for what the
Americans might do. All signs pointed to war.” This is a clear example of the paranoia and
lack of communication between the great powers, signaling the imminent possibility of war.
The characters are well-developed and contribute to the dynamism of the action. Schaffer,
the protagonist, is caught in a deadly trap inside the ship, unable to communicate with his
colleagues due to damaged equipment. The way he attempts to escape, using his
intelligence and the limited resources at his disposal, adds an extra layer of adrenaline.
Schaffer is an agent who, during his dangerous missions, finds himself in life-and-death
situations. This reflects his tough, relentless, and adaptable nature in the face of extreme
circumstances.
The book introduces a wide range of characters, each with distinct motivations. For example,
Lisovsky, the captain of the ship Kiev, is portrayed as an individual with a deep hatred for the
United States, a result of a tragic personal history: “In 1991, the family members of Lisovsky
were part of the group of hard liners that staged a coup against the then Soviet Premier
Mikhail Gorbachev. All those who participated were arrested, and two members of the
Lisovsky family were executed. The United States supported Gorbachev, and thus began
Lisovsky’s hatred toward all Americans.” This personal motivation makes him a strong and
complex antagonist. Throughout the book, Katz creates a tense atmosphere, filled with
unexpected events and plot twists, and this open ending leaves room for a possible
continuation of the story, promising new conflicts and challenges for the protagonists.
The ending provides a sense of closure to the main action, as Schaffer is celebrated as a
hero upon his return home. The atmosphere at the airport is one of triumph, with the press,
officials, and crowds gathered to welcome him. Meanwhile, Kapitanov, a character who
remained in the background, temporarily accepts his defeat but suggests that the story is not
entirely over. The contrast between the Americans' success and the Russian's despair
heightens the political and military tension within the novel's context.
"Hot Potato" is an adrenaline-packed thriller that explores the complexity of international
relations, espionage, and personal sacrifices, placing the reader in the midst of rapidly
escalating global tensions. The narrative blends fast-paced action with intense combat
scenes and well-crafted political intrigue, where the characters face difficult moral choices
and the constant danger of a world conflict. Although the story begins with a natural storm,
the real storm unfolds through plots, betrayals, and strategic maneuvers at the highest
political and military levels. The author manages to build a captivating story where the stakes
are extremely high, and the reader is kept in suspense until the explosive finale, witnessing
how major historical events influence not only global relations but also the everyday lives of
the people involved.
*****
“Hot Potato” by Marty Katz receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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