Publisher's Synopsis
The sleepy village of Suomassalmi, Pekka's hometown, is key to controlling Central Finland. The otherwise unremarkable village, home to several lumber mills sits astride a pivotal crossroads. Critical to the Soviet invasion plan, the town is the first step on the road to Oulu and cutting Finland in half.
With the 163rd Rifle Division already in possession of the town, the situation for Finland is grim. Attempting to seal Finland's fate, the Soviet Union has dispatched the elite 44th Motorized Rifle Division. These fresh reinforcements, ten thousand strong, are moving to link up with the 163rd via the Raate Road.
Standing in the way of two full Soviet divisions is the Finnish 27th Regiment. When the 27th's officer core is devastated during a failed attempt to retake the town, Pekka and Kivi are dispatched to replace two of the 27th's recently fallen heroes. Will this be a bittersweet homecoming for Pekka or will he once again pull a rabbit out of his hat in the face of hopeless odds?
Nea, unsure whether she is a widow and a single mom, has found safety amongst the people of Helsinki. She finds the people of Finland's most populous city to be both kind and generous but longs for news of her husband. When danger looms from above, will she be able to keep herself, Aina, and the unborn life growing within her safe?
Meanwhile Hale, remaining in Karelia, has come full circle. Once again alone in the vast frozen forests of Southern Finland, can he survive against harrowing odds and find his way to the Mannerheim Line? Standing in his way is an army over one hundred thousand strong including the only man to have ever defeated him in battle.
Will the remnants of the special operations group survive these challenges or will long odds and the overwhelming forces of the Red Army reign supreme?
