The Fraternity: Alaskan and Russian Roulette by C. David Gleason
Contributed by Teresa Ascone
March 18, 2009
The recent smug snickers of uninformed Outsiders notwithstanding, a short Internet search proves that you can indeed see Russia from Alaska (Little Diomede Island). C. David Gleason’s novel, The Fraternity: Alaskan and Russian Roulette, makes it seem to loom closer. Gleason adroitly laces his traditional who-done-it mystery novel with gritty crime action in the gripping story of Ryan Carlson, an Alaskan communications expert drawn into a conspiracy to establish a new Russian controlled oil cartel. Upping the ante of deadly peril, the conspirators are secretly transporting killer germs to further their evil purposes.
It’s up to Ryan to puzzle out who his true friends are as his old Russian acquaintances seem to change loyalties again and again. The sudden shifts in alliances and betrayals -- in love, business and crime – understandably confuse him as he weaves his way through each new scheme. Who to trust? Ryan seems, at times, to be a pawn of his wily enemies as he struggles to protect his loved ones and survive this nether world of lies, sudden violence, torture and murder.
Even without knowing about his previous work, Why Russia?, a factual account of C. David Gleason’s adventures as liaison between American and Russian communication companies, it’s clear from the beginning of the story that The Fraternity: Alaskan and Russian Roulette bears the unmistakable ring of authenticity. His obvious familiarity with Russian politics and personalities help to flesh out the story.  Descriptions of the landscapes and towns of Russia, including Khaborovsk, Magadan and the beautiful Lake Baikal area, lend realism to the book. Rat-a-tat-tat crime story dialogue moves the plot along, and Gleason handles the many Russian and Alaskan characters and locations with expertise and aplomb. He gives the reader just enough detail to follow the high-level communications lingo, while keeping interest at a peak.  It’s a highly entertaining read!
Author quote:
"The title of my first book, Why Russia?, proved prophetic as the first question most people ask me is why did you pick Russia to write about? The most simple answer is that I knew Russia and the Russian people better than any other non-technical subject.
    The second question most people ask is, have you kept in contact with any of the friends you made in Russia? My answer, regretfully, must always be that over the last ten years all contact has been lost.
    So . . . now I write about what once was or might have been."
        C. David Gleason, author, The Fraternity: Why Russia: Why Alaska