Praise for Hotel Melikov
"A very funny satire about men and nuns at war."
— Kirkus Reviews
"A superb sequel that continues the humorous exploits of fishmonger Orlov. Another hugely enjoyable espionage satire."
— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Jonathan Payne is in top form with Hotel Melikov, a beautifully orchestrated symphony of glorious mayhem that slyly underscores our current political moment. To miss it would be a sin!"
— Elizabeth McCullough Keenan & Greg Wands, international bestselling authors of Trust Issues
"Once again, we are dropped head-first into the world of Citizen Orlov, whose misadventures amuse us, yet challenge us to ponder the meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And the ending makes us breathlessly want to know what's next!"
— Tom Fontana, Emmy Award winning writer of Oz and St. Elsewhere
"Welcome to another comic thrill ride in this delightful sequel to Payne's wildly entertaining debut, Citizen Orlov. Our hapless fishmonger is once again thrown into a series of twists and turns that land him in a cliffhanger in every chapter. I was gasping in suspense on one page and laughing out loud on the next. Constantly surprising and a delight from breathless start to triumphant finish."
— Don Scardino, Producer/Director of 30 ROCK and New Amsterdam
"A worthy second act in Payne's witty spy series. Both Citizen Orlov and Hotel Melikov fill a void in espionage literature: satire about one of the world's oldest and darkest professions. With humor and whimsicality, Payne succeeds in conveying the unpredictability, stakes, and even absurdity of spying. An utterly fun ride."
— I.S. Berry, award winning author of The Peacock and the Sparrow
"An explosive mix of suspense and dry humor, these further adventures of Citizen Orlov—a fishmonger surrounded by warmongers—are a page-turning, twisty delight."
— Dixe Wills, author of Places To Hide and New World Order
"Payne's Hotel Melikov is a delightful, thrilling romp through the chaotic world of Citizen Orlov, an intrepid hero who strives to do the right thing during a time of great upheaval. Readers will cheer for Orlov at every turn.'
— Susan Ouellette, author of The Wayward Spy
"A brilliant mix of political satire, absurdity, and dry humor makes this novel an absolute standout in the spy thriller genre. A gem of a novel that will have you rooting for a reluctant spy and his cadre of comrades as they outwit a corrupt and oppressive government."
— Marcy McCreary, author of The Summer of Love and Death