The first and most important clue is a cable authored in 1943 which claims to report a conversation at the Trident Conference between Churchill and Roosevelt discussing whether to open a second front against Germany. Written in the margin are the words "Benes Czech Delegation" and a reference to Operative 19, a Russian agent. The cable was deciphered by the Venona Project who did cryptanalysis from 1940-1948. There are significant implications to both Russian and American espionage agents if the identity of Operative 19 is revealed even in present day.  

Walker was also carrying a picture of Volk's father who was enlisted by the GRU (Soviet Military Intelligence Agency) while in the Russian Air Force but later branded a traitor when he flew a Russian plane into the United States with advanced technology on board. Volk, who never knew his dad, has always wondered if in fact he wasn't a double agent providing information back to Mother Russia.

This task allows him the opportunity to meet with Rykov from the GRU, Isadora who was the deputy Rezident in Los Angeles for the Russians while his father was in America, and Mary Montoya whom his Dad married in Santa Fe and is now dying of cancer.  

The third and last clue is a pen with the logo of Lorelei Industries which leads Volk to Los Angeles and Alfred Reese who is working on Project Janus (another important element of the novel never fully explained). Reese, now confined to a wheelchair, formerly served in the United States Air Force.  

 With help from beautiful assassin Valya and his friend Vadim (again, poorly characterized), Volk works the case. Having not read the first two novels in the series, there seemed to be important parts missing from The Venona Cable. Who is the General and what is his relationship with Volk? How did Volk lose his leg? How did Volk meet Valya and Vadim? Does Volk have a history with Bassoff? While full of action and starring a compelling character, the gaps made this novel hard to follow for a reader new to the series.

--Jerry Solot