Ice Angel: An Alex Turner Thriller

The disappearance of renowned American diamond hunter Jimmy Angel, while on an expedition to the Canadian Arctic, drives Hart’s page-turning sequel to 2020’s The Russian Pink. Angel allegedly discovered one of the richest diamond fields on the planet—but when Chinese billionaires with ties to China’s military take over control of Angel’s business and the remote area he claimed in his absence, Department of Treasury agent Alex Turner is sent to investigate. As tensions among China, Canada, and America escalate, Turner needs to unravel a complicated tangle of conspiracies, lies, and greed—all of which somehow involves his Russian girlfriend, diamond thief Slav Lily. Though the plot is overly knotty in places, lyrical prose that complements the novel’s stark setting and tone makes up for much (“Outside, the sky was closing like a steel lid. A slate-gray slab coasted in and crushed the frail day”). Albeit flawed, this is a dark gem of a thriller. Agent: Michael Carlisle, InkWell Management. (Sept.)