Right before i start, having read the Lulus terms and conditions regarding book reviews, and to eliminate any doubts as to the validity of my words; i declare that there is a link between myself and Mr Strongbear. It is extremely tentative and i've never met the man, but we are both fans of Russian Tennis Princess Maria Sharapova. Peter is one of the founders and administrators of a Sharapova fan website "Siberian Siren" and i'm a member. It's through the site that i became aware of his novel, and to be totally honest my main motivation for purchase was on the "do a mate a favour" basis. As i've been completely open and honest here, i hope that you will accept that my following words will also meet that critiria.





As i'm sure you all know, Maria Sharapova is a stunningly beautiful, tall, leggy blonde, who unlike compatriot Anna Kournakova, is actually a very serious and accomplished tennis player. She already has 2 Grand Slam titles to her name and the likelyhood of more to follow is extremely high.


And many have wondered how Maria could be encorporated into a "James Bond" fantasy spy thriller ( i understand that Miss Sharapova herself has raised the question. ) Whereas others have dreamed about, talked about it etc, Peter has gone and DONE IT, this work "The Goldilocks Game" being the result.





I'm not going to insult anybodys intelligence here with stupid claims that this is "the greatest novel i've ever read" etc. because it isn't. ( If pressed my nomination for that honour would probably go to Robert Harris masterpiece "Fatherland", or possibly Ken Follets "The Pillars of the Earth" ) Nor is it perfect. But what i will say is that i thoroughly enjoyed reading it, it was a far higher standard than i had expected. All in all i considered this book to be extremely good value for money, and it's definately true to say i am impressed.





The story starts with the books main character, a stunningly beautiful, tall, leggy blonde Russian tennis princess ( have i used those words before? ), Tatiana Likamolova ( known as Tania ) playing in the U.S. Open Grand Slam Tennis Championships. She's the defending Champion, and the story commences with her playing a quarter-final match against a fellow Russian. During the match an incident occurs, which appears on the face to be an accident but is anything but. Tanias opponent, Natalya Shikolenko isn't all she seems. The result is that Tania is drawn into a world for which she has no experience. As she sides deeper into what is a major criminal conspiricy, entirely involuntarely, she discovers hidden depths and talents, and comes to realise that there are more important things in life than the No. 1 WTA ranking.





Obviously in the James Bond tradition, this isn't surposed to be an "accurate" novel, like Bond it's pure fantasy and unrealistic, but, believe me that doesn't stop it being extremely enjoyable.





Peter's characters are integrated into his story masterfully, his descriptions of the various settings during the story well researched and it is easy to picture the scenes as he takes you through them. This really IS an excellently written story.





I have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this work.





Phil Robinson