Black Country author releases debut novel about Cold War
A Black Country author has released a debut novel focusing on the Cold War and a Nigerian turned Russian spy.
Jamie Smith, aged 36, who grew up in Bearwood, Smethwick, has released The Soviet Comeback.
The book is a spy-thriller set during the tail end of the Cold War, touching on subjects such as Novichok poison, endemic racism and Russian involvement on US soil - all of which have appeared on the news recently.
Mr Smith, who attended Perryfield High School, in Oldbury, said: "Growing up right next to Warley Woods always felt like quite a magical and inspirational place to be, and was definitely a factor in my love of writing and vivid imagination.
"The idea of writing the sort of book I love, a spy thriller, but following a black Soviet agent and the extra challenges he encounters in a time of high racial tension, was one that really captured me, and creating a whole new version of history was enjoyable to write and will hopefully be enjoyable to read."
The book is set in the 1980s. The plots sees a character, called Colonel Klitchkov, steal Nikita, who is the son of impoverished Nigerian immigrants, for years of punishing KGB training.
It begins charting the story of Nikita as he is embedded in the CIA.
He reluctantly enters a world of assassinations, endemic racism – which takes different forms in the east and the west, and novichok poison, where enemies are difficult to avoid.
Before long, Nikita finds himself caught between two superpowers, two romances and a conscience grappling with the awful things he must to do for the people he loves.
The book will be released on Thursday. It will cost £11.99 to purchase and is available for pre order now with Foyles, Amazon and Book Depository.
