In the Name of the Father

This what-if thriller has its silly moments and a fairly preposterous plot, but it works; Quinnell (Siege of Silence keeps readers turning pages. In the Kremlin in 1983, Yuri Andropov is determined to outlive the pope and plots another assassination attempt. Meanwhile, in the Vatican, a trio composed of the top Jesuit, the American head of the Vatican bank and the Dutch priest running Church intelligence in the Soviet bloc combine to plot Andropov's death. They will use Mirek Scibor, a defector from the Polish secret police who has a terrible hidden reason for wanting Andropov dead. Feigning to be a famous kidney specialist, Scibor will travel to Moscow to kill the Soviet leader. Part of Scibor's cover will be Ania Krol, a devout, beautiful nun, posing as his wife. (The changing nature of their relationship is predictable but handled well.) Discovering the Vatican plot, the Soviets throw up massive security, and a series of suspenseful events ensues. Scibor and Ania's travels and travails make up most of the narrative, which moves along lickety-split. There is nothing very deep here, but readers out for a fast ride will be carried along. 100,000 first printing; $125,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild alternate. (September 21)