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Spies on the Silk Road
Spies on the Silk Road by Oliver Dowson is an exciting and inventive tale that plunges the reader into the intricate world of covert operations. Following a team of “repurposed spies” who must recover stolen high-tech medical equipment worth millions, the novel blends action, humor, and character drama with the backdrop of the ancient Silk Road. The storyline combines corporate intrigue with personal stakes as the eclectic team tackles both professional and personal conflicts.
One thing I really appreciated about the book is its humor and relatability. Ronald Jones, a retired schoolteacher turned accidental spy, is a delightful and unexpected protagonist. His bumbling yet earnest nature is both endearing and entertaining. Early in the book, Ronald’s mishap with a Russian document had me laughing. Yet, beneath the humor, the novel layers Ronald’s longing for relevance and purpose, making him more than just comic relief. Dowson’s knack for balancing levity with depth really shines here.
The writing is also brimming with wit and detail, though it occasionally wanders. For instance, there’s a scene where Maria spends hours snooping on LinkedIn and crafting messages to potential contacts. While the mundane details reflect Maria’s meticulousness, they bring down the pace. That said, Maria is a standout character. She is sharp, resourceful, and unafraid to use her charm and guile. Her budding friendship with Sonia, a bitter ex-employee of the group’s former boss, adds an unexpected layer of emotional authenticity to the otherwise high-stakes mission.
The plot takes its time to shift from the team’s internal dynamics to the actual mission. But once the story picks up, the combination of espionage, danger, and clever twists makes for a thrilling ride. The meeting at the Ritz Carlton in Almaty and the shadowy dealings there felt like something out of a spy movie, making it tense and engaging.
Spies on the Silk Road is perfect for anyone who loves a mix of humor, adventure, and intrigue. It’s great for fans of unconventional spy thrillers or character-driven stories with a quirky edge. The book is a delightful escape, packed with surprises and memorable personalities. Dowson’s ability to make the world of corporate espionage so entertaining left me eager to see what adventures these “repurposed spies” take on next.
Pages: 286 | ASIN: B0DJR6KQHC
How Quickly Relationships Evolve
Spies on Safari follows a group of highly trained spies on a mission to find a hidden treasure that turns out to be more than they initially anticipated. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Going on safari myself! Safaris are my favourite type of vacation, and this book is inspired by one that we took in Botswana in 2022. Since I started to write my previous book, The Repurposed Spy, which I realise now was inspired by my many travel experiences in Latin America, I found that I started to look at my fellow travellers and think, “Are they tourists like me, or do they have some ulterior motive?” Then there was one safari lodge we went to where we were almost the only visitors for 100km in any direction – and I got to thinking, “If someone wanted to hide some illicit activity here, would anyone ever discover it?” With those ideas in mind, the words just flowed!
You have written an engaging cast of characters that, each on their own, would be a thrilling read. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters to create the bond they have?
They’re all to some extent based on people I have met and worked with, though every character is a blend. I’m fascinated by how people adopt different attitudes to different people they meet, and how quickly relationships evolve. So I started with a cast of characters, and the evolution and bonding – or not! – just came about naturally as I wrote.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I try to keep a fast pace going by avoiding what I call “descriptive waffle.” Descriptions and backstories of people and places are essential, of course, but I find a lot of authors just put in too much and tend to be repetitive – making me think, “Please let’s get back to the story.” I’ve been criticised for not including enough description, so it’s obviously not something that I’ve got completely right yet.
I found writing the action scenes difficult. I don’t like gratuitous violence, and guns make me shudder! I knew what characters I had and what end result I wanted, then tried to put myself in their shoes and guess how they would react. Then I found some videos online of relevant action sequences and did my best to describe those! I’ve had good feedback, so I think I did a reasonable job.
I find a problem in well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a third book planned?
Indeed there is, and I’m already 10,000 words into it! I was a little stung by criticism of The Repurposed Spy – my idea of a cliffhanger was interpreted as The End by some readers who said, “Don’t read this as there can’t be a sequel.” I hope they’ve retracted now and have been enjoying Spies on Safari.
The third book, Spies on the Silk Road, takes most of the same cast of characters to Central Asia, following a dastardly plot of thefts of high-value medical equipment from Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan and on to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. And yes, before you even ask, the inspiration came from a long trip that we made just a few months ago. The plots in my book may be pure fiction, but the locations, people, and food are authentic! I’m aiming for Spies on the Silk Road to be published in mid-2024.
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Hidden deep within the African wilderness, an elusive mine, impervious to aerial surveillance, holds the potential to shatter fortunes. A desperate client is willing to bet it all to find this hidden treasure, but is this cloak-and-dagger mission truly what it seems?
What begins as a straightforward expedition, a safari expedition spanning Botswana and Namibia, transforms into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, teeming with deceit and peril at every twist and turn. Amidst the wild terrain, danger lurks in the form of crocodiles, lions, and cheetahs, but these natural adversaries are the least of their concerns.
The shackles of their former employer, the elusive and enigmatic Mr. Smith, are no longer binding. Now, the formidable trio of Chameleon, Latviana, and Pilot is back in action, each deploying their unique skills in deception, strategic planning, and daring aerial maneuvers. And as if that weren’t enough, a surprising resurrection sends shockwaves through the team, with Ronald Jones emerging from the shadows, thirsting for vengeance.
Spies on Safari masterfully weaves a complex tapestry of intrigue and interconnected plots that intensify towards an electrifying climax. Brace yourself for a spellbinding journey, a rollercoaster of thrills, and an irresistible adventure you won’t be able to put down.
Author Oliver Dowson, with his firsthand globe-trotting escapades, infuses his storytelling with a distinctive realism that sets this spy thriller apart. The second installment in his captivating Spy series, Spies on Safari, promises an exhilarating read. While fans of the first book, The Repurposed Spy, will savor the satisfaction of tying up loose ends, this book can equally enthrall those new to the series. Get ready for a pulse-pounding adventure that will leave you hungry for more!
Spies on Safari
Spies on Safari presents an engaging narrative that artfully merges the contrasting worlds of a London book club and a daring quest in the African wilderness. This novel cleverly blends elements of mystery and adventure, juxtaposing the routine of suburban life against the backdrop of an exhilarating, undercover mission.
Oliver Dowson exhibits a keen ability to balance the commonplace with the remarkable. Opening with a captivating prologue, the story immediately entices the reader, setting a tone of intrigue. The sharp contrast between the mundane London suburbs, with their chilly ambiance, and the vividly depicted, sweltering landscapes of Botswana and Namibia is striking. This transition from tranquil book club meetings to dynamic safari expeditions is both fluid and compelling. The narrative pace is thoughtfully calibrated, building momentum towards a climax brimming with action. Rich in unexpected twists, the plot maintains a sense of suspense and engagement.
The characters—Robert, Humphrey, Richard, and Beatrix—are skillfully crafted and intriguing, each bringing a unique set of abilities to the team. Their interactions and individual histories enrich the storyline. The novel’s shifting perspectives offer a deeper understanding of each character’s thoughts and motivations, enhancing the reader’s immersion in their journey. The dialogue is natural and contributes effectively to the story’s progression, drawing the reader into the heart of the mystery.
Spies on Safari is a novel that skillfully intertwines everyday drama with adventurous escapades. Dowson has crafted an entertaining and intellectually stimulating story, offering a fresh perspective within its genre. The vivid characterizations and suspenseful plot make it a commendable choice for readers who appreciate narratives that seamlessly bridge the gap between the familiar and the extraordinary.
Pages: 297 | ASIN : B0CMD4HD1M
Industrial Espionage
The Repurposed Spy follows a retired linguistics professor as he accepts a translation assignment and is suddenly thrust into the world of espionage. What inspired you to write this novel?
Somewhat surprised by the success of my first book, which was a travelogue (There’s No Business Like International Business), I decided to write a novel. I love travel, and often when I visit somewhere different my mind wanders and wonders what interesting things might be going on under the surface. I know something about industrial espionage, love languages and food, and this was a great opportunity to let my imagination rip and combine all these elements.
Mr. Jones is such an interesting character. What were some driving ideals behind his development?
I grew up in a family of school teachers and met many others as a result. I dreamed up Ronald Jones as an amalgam of several real examples that I met years ago – some of whom taught me as a teenager. The linguistic side is personal – being able to speak Spanish and Portuguese, I am fascinated by the myriad variants of the same language in different countries and regions, especially when I travel around Latin America.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I’m guessing every author puts things from their own life in their novels! But there’s nothing autobiographical about The Repurposed Spy. What I did build in was my first-hand knowledge of all the places that Ronald Jones goes to and meetings similar to the ones he eavesdrops on. Oh, and the character Chameleon is inspired by a real life character – you’ll have to read my first book to guess which one.
Can fans expect to see more of Mr. Jones? What are you working on now?
I’ve had some reviews that have assumed that, after the end of The Repurposed Spy, there could be no sequel – but how wrong they are! The sequel – and what I hope will be the second in a series – titled Spies on Safari, comes out in November 2023. Not only does it explain what really happened to Mr. Jones, it reunites the other characters and introduces new cast members. Staying as true to life as an imaginary scenario can be, Spies on Safari is set in Africa, again all places that I have visited myself.
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After years spent teaching, Ronald Jones is ready to escape his chronic anxiety and distrust of others and resolves to explore the world. His first destination? Brazil – a place he once visited as a young man.
But just as he’s ready to embark on his adventure, the enigmatic Mr. Smith appears on his doorstep, turning his world upside down. Suddenly, Jones finds himself in a new and dangerous existence, surrounded by moody men in suits, shape-shifting female agents, spooks, and robotic controllers. With no apparent experience of this new world, Jones is in mortal danger and way out of his depth.
As you turn the pages of this gripping novel, you’ll be catapulted into a thrilling world filled with unexpected twists and turns. Will Jones cooperate with the mysterious figures surrounding him? And if he does, will they ever bring him back from the edge? Find out in this must-read book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the – unpredictable – very end.
Ronald Jones, The Repurposed Spy, is a spy like no other you’ve ever read about.
So what are you waiting for? Book your one-way ticket to adventure and join Ronald Jones on an unforgettable journey around Latin America and beyond that will leave you breathless.
The Repurposed Spy
In Oliver Dowson’s riveting novel, The Repurposed Spy, readers are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey alongside Mr. Jones, a retired linguistics professor with an undeniable thirst for adventure. With his sights set on South America, Mr. Jones is unwittingly thrust into a maze of intrigue when he accepts a seemingly benign translation assignment from the mysterious Mr. Smith. This assignment not only pulls him into the exhilarating world of espionage but also reveals depths and capabilities in Mr. Jones that neither he nor the reader anticipated.
Dowson’s masterstroke lies in his choice to present the narrative as Mr. Jones’ memoir, lending both authenticity and depth to the unfolding drama. Dowson’s vivid descriptions, particularly those detailing the myriad of cuisines encountered, add layers of richness to the tale, making it all the more immersive. While The Repurposed Spy might not be classified as a comedy, its moments of situational humor are both unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable. It artfully balances suspense with levity, ensuring readers remain riveted throughout.
The Repurposed Spy is a testament to Dowson’s storytelling prowess, plunging readers into a realm of subterfuge, disguise, and unexpected turns. For those with an affinity for espionage or simply a love for gripping narratives, this book is an unmissable treat.
Pages: 274 | ASIN : B0BVWPFFSK
LITERARY TITAN 