I have not finished the book yet, currently on page 188, which is less than half way. Its very enjoyable but I can't fathom why the effort for Johnny to travel to Green Cape by boarding a dangerous ship to then get returned to Murmansk (which is where the ship was headed anyway... something else I don't quite understand) to then return to Green Cape somewhat easily by air... why couldn't they have simply sent him by plane in the first place - clearly there is a good reason but what is it?
Maybe someone out there who has read it can help me out.