Crash

British author Vintcent’s slowly developing sequel to 2016’s Driven takes the Ptarmigan Formula One Team’s number one driver, Remy Sabatino, to Russia for the Moscow Grand Prix. Sabatino feels like a real celebrity on her arrival at Vnokuvo International Airport, where Moscow mayor Oksana Pavlova greets her amid cheering crowds. Things go less well for Sabatino during the race. When she attempts a bold pass, her car doesn’t respond and she loses control. The resulting horrific accident kills 27 spectators. Police colonel Arseny Pudovkin declares the crash site a crime scene; the Ptarmigan team’s head is arrested, as is Sabatino, who’s seriously injured. Matt Straker, the former British Special Forces officer who works for Ptarmigan’s owner, goes to Russia, where he must try to create a viable defense against seemingly possible odds. Vintcent spends too much time on the maneuvering of Russian authorities for their own advantage, but he once again brings to life the world of Formula One racing in vivid detail. Agent: Maggie Hanbury, Hanbury Agency (U.K.). (May)