In the stunning espionage thriller, "The Woman Who Dances with Death," Andreas Pflüger kicks things off with a bang on the infamous Glienicke Bridge. Tempers flare as a dramatic exchange between high-ranking KGB officer Rem Kukura and an American Politburo member's son goes awry, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.
Nina Winter, a Slavicist and expert 10,000-meter runner, finds herself in the midst of the chaos. As an analyst at the BND, she has a unique ability to recognize Kukura from the crowd. However, when the bridge implodes beneath them, chaos ensues, with snow covering the twisted steel, and the earth's gravity brutally hammering them to the ground.
Four years earlier, Nina was given access to one of the BND's most closely guarded secrets – the “Pink Star” spy in Moscow, none other than Rem Kukura himself. Upsetting the secrecy of the organization, Kukura demands Nina lead the mission.
Under immense time pressure, Nina receives a crash course in the art of the secret service, learning to create dead letter boxes and evade detection methods. To blend in, she must master the art of staring vacantly into the distance, like the Russians do, avoiding eye contact and appearing disinterested.
Thrilling action and suspense follow as Nina's survival instincts come into play, confronting a terrifying adversary called "Moth." With every twist and turn, the tension rises as Nina proves herself to be a true fighter with her wit and resourcefulness.
"Wie sterben geht" serves up an exhilarating ride that will leave readers breathless, making it a must-read for espionage thriller lovers alike. Pflüger masterfully paints vivid scenes of historical events, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow, skillfully incorporating real-life events into his gripping storyline.
- Concerns within the secret services erupted due to the potential risks involved in assigning Nina to work with Kukura, leading to numerous reviews and discussions about security concerns.
- The events at the Glienicke Bridge serve as a reminder of the heightened vigilance in the world of espionage following the incident, with intelligence agencies around the world strengthening their security measures.
- "Wie sterben geht" has once again positioned Pflüger as a leader in espionage literature, with critics praising his ability to combine historical context, gripping plotlines, and subtle commentary on current events.
Now, while it’s tempting to assure you that the Glienicke Bridge and its Cold War history were integral parts of the book, that simply isn't the story's essence. The tales of espionage and danger presented in "The Woman Who Dances with Death" are all their own, offering thrilling adventures filled with suspense, wit, and a masterclass of storytelling.
[1] "The Bridge of Spies Incident." Spy Museums. The International Spy Museum. October 26, 2020. [] [2] "Glienicke Bridge: The Bridge of Spies." Germany Travel. November 10, 2021. [] [3] "The Glienicke Bridge: A Bridge Full of History and Art." Federal Foreign Office. July 14, 2010. []
