Black Wolf

A Novel

By: Kathleen Kent

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

A dazzling spy thriller about a female CIA agent whose extraordinary facial recognition powers lead her into the dangerous heart of the Soviet Union—and the path of a killer who shouldn’t exist.
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It is 1990 when Melvina Donleavy arrives in Soviet Belarus on her first undercover mission with the CIA, alongside three fellow agents—none of whom know she is playing two roles. To the prying eyes of the KGB, she is merely a secretary; to her CIA minders, she is the only one who can stop the flow of nuclear weapons from the crumbling Soviet Union into the Middle East.

For Mel has a secret; she is a “super recognizer,” someone who never forgets a face. But no training could prepare her for the reality of life undercover, and for the streets of Minsk, where women have been disappearing. Soviet law enforcement is firm: murder is a capitalist disease. But could a serial killer be at work? Especially if he knew no one was watching? As Mel searches for answers, she catches the eye of an entirely different kind of threat: the elusive and petrifying “Black Wolf,” head of the KGB.

Filled with insider details from the author’s own time working under the direction of the U.S. Department of Defense, Black Wolf is a riveting new spy thriller from an Edgar-nominated crime writer, and a biting exploration of the divide between two nations, two masterminds, and two roles played by a woman pushed to her breaking point, where she’ll learn that you can only ever trust one person: yourself.

Critic reviews

"Part spy novel, part serial-killer novel, Black Wolf is masterful, a riveting tale and a powerful depiction of the collapse of the Soviet Union as seen through the eyes of Melvina Donleavy, a uniquely talented CIA recruit who deserves a series of her own."

—Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of House on Fire

Praise for The Pledge:

"A police procedural like none you’ve ever read. . . The incredibly talented Kathleen Kent has created a haunting, dark, and original character. Do not miss this!"—Hank Phillippi Ryan, bestselling author of Her Perfect Life

“Strong women, sharp dialogue, and a vulnerable, kick-ass heroine combine for another satisfying adventure.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Thrilling … Kent does a fine job weaving the various plot strands into a satisfying and action-packed whole.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Riveting.”—The Washington Post

Has been 15 or 20 years that I was so delighted with a novel

Melvena was s maybe one of the best character I read as of late. The whole mix of espionage with thriller is fantastic. I am an avid reader at least 5 books a week. Read all of Mrs Kent books this was at a totally different level. So good so care on details and characters. Loved it so much. And love Melvena.

Intriguing heroine, great plot

A good but not canned spy novel with a talented young CIA officer and myriad other characters that all keep you guessing. Never quite sure who to trust. Set in 1990s Belarus, well-researched and educational.

Loved it.

Fun departure from the Detective Betty series.

Enjoyed the mash up of story lines and characters.

Highly recommend.

You won’t forget this one!

As a woman born within a couple of years of our heroine, I too struggled to build a career in a world dominated by men. I understood the dynamics of power between men and women in that era, but at least in the west, women were able to fight back. This book combines a spy novel with a serial killer thriller set against a backdrop despair and depravity. Yet, in the end, the good in humanity shines through. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, the narration was excellent, the story was engaging, one of those books that your brain needs to stew on for awhile before letting go. I highly recommend it.

Great book!

The blending of a spy novel and crime thriller was done so well with this book! There was a character that I didn’t think I would end up really enjoying by the end of this book, but I did. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good spy novel or crime thriller, very enjoyable, hard to put down.