It's refreshing to meet a writer who does not rely on blood/gore, profanity and sexual scenes to create a powerful and moving story. So, readers, meet Dan Smith and his latest novel, Red Winter. As in Dark Horizons and The Child Thief, Mr. Smith draws the reader hypnotically into the storyline and you can envision yourself as part of the action. In Red Winter Nikolai (Kolya) Levitsy, a commander in the Red Army in 1920 Russia, deserts his post, fakes his death and begins the trip homeward bound to his family. He does not follow the beliefs of the Red Army and their campaign of torturing and killing. Arriving in his village of Belev on his beloved horse Kashtan he finds the village deserted, the men dead in the forest and the women and children missing. The only survivor is an old woman, Galina, who tells Kolya that Koschei, the deathless one, is responsible for all this. Arriving in his village on horseback a short time later are 2 women, Tanya and Lyudmilla, who are pursuing Koschei, as he committed atrocities to their family members.Thus, Kolya begins his search in earnest to find his wife Marianna and his 2 sons, Mischa and Pavel, hoping and believing that they are still alive somewhere. In his travels he meets Lev and his 12 year old daughter, Anna, Commander Orlov, Sergei, Svetlana,and their daughter Oksana, Gregori Ryzhkov and a fellow soldier, Krukov. Kolya, in 1920 Russia, knows that these people may not be who they say they are. Whom can he trust? How far will he have to travel to find Marianna and his family? Are they still alive? With Kashtan by his side and unknown aggressors on his trail, Kolya travels northward. Food is scarce, travel is dangerous, but Kolya knows he must find his family and find the kidnapper of his family, Koschei, to be whole again. He must also evade the men who are trailing him and perhaps confront them to determine their motives. Oh yes, let us not forget the dog, Tuzik, who finds a friend in Kolya and travels along. This book is a great and rewarding read, as Kolya the "good guy" and Koschei the "bad guy" eventually face each other. I finished reading this book yesterday and, as with all Dan Smith books, I know the story will stay with me for a long time. Kudos, Dan Smith for another good read!