Ex-steeplechaser Randall Drew is reluctantly off to pre-Olympic games Moscow, as a favour to royalty. One of the blue bloods is destined to compete in the games and there are concerns – both of safety and of scandal – that only Drew, with his racing connections, can clear up.

On arriving – speaking no Russian and wishing he were back home – Drew is supposed to identify and contact one Alyosha to clear up the scandal. Instead, he finds himself tailed by the KGB and embroiled in foiling a terrorist plot – or die trying.

Home seems an awful long way away – and if he’s not careful, he’ll be going back in a box . . .