The Dead Drop

Four ordinary teens. An old Russian with a mysterious past. A suspicious package hidden in the woods. It was supposed to be a carefree summer.

Spencer Hale ignores gossip in his quiet Virginia suburb that a retired neighbor, Pavel Fedorov, is a KGB spy. That is, until he and three friends inspect a coffee can concealed by a shadowy figure in a wooded park behind Fedorov's home. Inside is a hidden compartment containing a wad of cash and instructions for an anonymous traitor. Before reporting their find, the teens scheme to find out if the package is linked to Fedorov.

Spencer and his friends soon learn the hard way that amateurs are no match for a trained spy. They find themselves in a dangerous and complex game of deception with a government mole engaged in a desperate act of revenge. The story that unfolds is rooted in an incident that took place long ago, on a wintry night in Cold War-era Moscow.

Exploring themes of duplicity and betrayal, The Dead Drop captures the human tension of real-world espionage with a memorable cast of characters. Adults and young adults alike will be captivated by the tale of four resourceful teens navigating a covert world of manipulation, secrecy, egos, and ambiguity – guided by an unlikely ally.

James M. Roth is a former CIA officer who served in the Middle East, Europe, and the South Pacific. He received a bachelor's degree from UCLA and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Kelly and their English Lab, Pasha.