The Strategies of Zeus

Those who like chatter about arms negotiations, cruise missiles, ICBMs and other battle gear will probably enjoy Hart's second novel (after The Double Man, coauthored with Sen. William S. Cohen). For others, it may be pretty slow going. Set during arms negotiations in 1987 and '88, the novel follows the intrigues of groups in both Washington and Moscow that are trying to sabotage the talks and accelerate the space arms race. Pitted against them is Frank Connaughton, a member of the U.S. negotiating team who is desperately trying to keep the talks going. He finds an ally in Ekaterina Davydov, an interpreter for the Soviets, who is equally determined to win an agreement. With the blessings of their immediate superiors, the two meet and exchange information that will aid the negotiations, but they are discovered by the forces who want to derail any treaty. Predictable and not very suspenseful, Hart's putative thriller is long on talk and short on action. (January 28)