Shadows of Leningrad

In the shadows of post-Cold War Russia, revenge, corruption, and murder refuse to stay buried.

Kate Hennessey thought she had escaped the nightmare.

After surviving political violence, abduction, and betrayal in a collapsing Soviet Union, the documentary filmmaker returns to New York City determined to rebuild her life with her partner, Gilly. But peace proves impossible when evidence emerges that Gregor --the ruthless man behind the attacks that nearly killed them --may still be alive.

While Kate struggles to bury the past, another crisis erupts closer to home. Her friend and mentor, independent filmmaker Dominick Block, is brutally assaulted during production of his latest movie, leaving him injured, confused, and unable to explain what happened. As Kate steps into the chaos of the failing film production, she uncovers signs that Dom's attack may not have been random. Missing documents, hidden financial dealings, and dangerous connections begin pointing toward something far darker lurking beneath New York's independent film scene.

Meanwhile, far away in post-Soviet Leningrad, Gregor is rebuilding his life under a new identity. Wounded but alive, he carries with him stolen money, unfinished business, and an obsession with revenge. As political systems collapse and criminal networks rise from the ruins of the Soviet Union, Kate and Gilly find themselves trapped between old enemies, dangerous secrets, and a growing web of international corruption.

Forced to confront the trauma they thought they'd escaped, Kate and Gilly must rely on their courage, loyalty, and love for one another as the danger closes in once again. But in a world where memory can be manipulated and trust can become a weapon, survival may come at a devastating cost.

Rich with historical detail, cinematic atmosphere, queer history, and psychological suspense, Shadows of Leningrad is a gripping international thriller about resilience, identity, and the long reach of violence across borders and generations.

Perfect for readers of politically charged thrillers, character-driven suspense, and Cold War aftermath fiction, this unforgettable sequel to The Matryoshka Murders delivers tension, emotion, and danger until the final page.