In Ice Crossing, the author has written an enthralling adventure set in the Cold War era. Karl is the son of some privileged East Germans who work for Moscow as part of the space programme. When they make a leap forward in technology they decide to defect. In a tense race against time they disappear in a plane crash and their son, Karl and his grandfather decide to make their way overland to America and freedom. Their marathon journey features incredible hardship and danger, with many changes of fortune. They battle the enemies of democracy as well as the cruellest of nature's elements. Anthony Franklin conveys a sense of ever-present danger as well as the atmosphere of the time and the disparity between life in the East and West. A satisfying read.