This week we’re reading

By Michael Russell, Constable, £8.99

Known for his work as a writer and producer on TV series such as A Touch of Frost and Midsomer Murders, Michael Russell has now turned his writing talents to historical crime fiction.

His latest novel, The City in Flames, is the fifth in his Stefan Gillespie stories, taking a sideways look at the Second World War through the eyes of Nazi Agents, British Intelligence, and the IRA.

Though the book’s title refers to London during the blitz, it feels as though more of the book’s pivotal events take place throughout Ireland through the eyes of Stefan Gillespie.

Interestingly, Russell mentions he currently lives in West Wicklow, Ireland – not a million miles from Gillespie’s fictional home – and through his delicate use of imagery, he depicts the country’s mountains, valleys, farms, and ways of life during wartime with great detail.

The City in Flames opens with a brief insight into the brutality many Irish people faced at the hands of the Royal Irish Constabulary, otherwise known as the Black and Tans, in the 1920s. This vicious opener to the book has a later part to play in events which then turn to the year 1940 – and Europe is at war.

When Gillespie finds himself outcast from his work in the Irish Garda, he is forced to head for London to gather information for Irish intelligence, G2, on a London-irish pub owner, and former IRA recruit, Willie Mullins. While there, he finds himself captivated by the charm of the Bedford Arms’ cleaner, Vera Kennedy. But little does Gillespie know, that Vera and himself are more alike than he thinks.

Vera, real name Vera Eriksen, is an Abwehr agent working for Germany on a mission to weaken Britain’s defence against Hitler’s Nazi opposition. Plans involving the IRA and assassination attempts are hidden under Vera’s daring guise, but Gillespie soon catches wind.

Perhaps even more fascinating is that much of the events that take place in Russell’s novel are actually based on real life. The real Vera Erikson was Russian rather than German and may have been a double agent; plans to land German troops in Ireland to trigger a British uprising were at one point seriously considered.

The City in Flames which, although in actuality is somewhat contradictory to its title, makes for a satisfying read, nonetheless.

Review by Jamie Wilde.