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The Search For The Mole
“The Bucharest Legacy” plunges former revolution hero Bill Hefflin into a dangerous web of corruption and duplicity as he races to uncover a double agent threatening Romania’s fragile post-revolution transformation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The search for the mole is a classic plot in espionage literature. I wanted to use it in a unique way, however, by tying it to the historical events that occurred after the fall of communism in Romania with the rise of the oligarchs. Oligarchs were created in most of the former communist countries, not just in Russia. Corruption of the transition from communism to democracy was at the core, which allowed the country’s most valuable assets to land into the hands of a few.
Can you share some insights into the creation of Bill Hefflin’s character and what aspects of his persona you think resonate most with readers?
As Flaubert said, “Madame Bovary, c’est moi.” (Madame Bovary is me.) Much of Bill Hefflin’s character is based on my own experiences, though I never was in the CIA. The events in Bucharest during the revolution and afterward are based on either first-hand knowledge or the descriptions of relatives and friends who lived through them.
The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns. How did you balance the need for suspense and surprise with the coherence and believability of the storyline?
I try to create the suspense organically, as I am writing. The act of writing produces new ideas and options on a daily, even hourly basis. That is the fun of writing fiction for me, the surprise I get as these ideas spring up from the writing itself, which I believe gives the work a more natural feel.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I love writing historical fiction and using the spy genre to delve into important subjects that interest me. The next novel will thus be the third in the Bill Hefflin series, this time having to do with Russia.
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The CIA is rocked to its core when a KGB defector divulges that there is a KGB mole inside the Agency. They learn that the mole’s handler is a KGB agent known as Boris. CIA analyst Bill Hefflin recognizes that name—Boris is the code name of Hefflin’s longtime KGB asset. If the defector is correct, Hefflin realizes Boris must be a triple agent, and his supposed mole has been passing false intel to Hefflin and the CIA. What’s more, this makes Hefflin the prime suspect as the KGB mole inside the Agency.
Hefflin is given a chance to prove his innocence by returning to his city of birth, Bucharest, Romania, to find Boris and track down the identity of the mole. It’s been three years since the bloody revolution, and what he finds is a cauldron of spies, crooked politicians, and a country controlled by the underground and the new oligarchs, all of whom want to find Boris. But Hefflin has a secret that no one else knows—Boris has been dead for over a year.
Perfect for fans of John le CarrÉ and Brad Thor
While the novels in the Bill Hefflin Spy Thriller Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:
The Bucharest Dossier
The Bucharest Legacy
Bucharest Legacy: The Rise of the Oligarchs
The Bucharest Legacy by William Maz is a riveting and captivating novel that delves into the aftermath of the Romanian revolution, a momentous event in the nation’s history as it fought to liberate itself from the grip of Communism. Set three years later, Romania is experiencing a transformation, yet it remains plagued by deep-seated corruption and treacherous power plays within its leadership.
Protagonist Bill Hefflin, whose life has settled into a tranquil existence following his instrumental role in the Romanian revolution, finds himself thrust into a whirlwind of unforeseen circumstances when he embarks on a new mission, his second in just three years. As he embarks on this perilous journey, he stumbles upon dangerous intelligence that casts suspicion on his mentor and close friend, Boris. This revelation not only jeopardizes Hefflin’s credibility within the agency but also places his life at risk as he becomes entangled in the web of accusations, branded a potential mole. Nonetheless, Hefflin possesses privileged knowledge about Boris that eludes others.
In its entirety, The Bucharest Legacy unravels an exhilarating narrative that centers around the relentless pursuit of a double agent in a world defined by falsehoods and duplicity. Its pages are imbued with an irresistible sense of excitement, effortlessly guiding readers through the unfolding events. A notable example is the gripping opening scene that introduces Hefflin’s character, showcasing his resourcefulness and adaptability in carrying out his duties. Throughout the book, an ever-present atmosphere of suspense keeps readers on the edge of their seats, while the author, William Maz, deftly handles the substantial amount of information, skillfully weaving it into the narrative. The plot is enriched by a plethora of surprising twists and turns that continually captivate and engross the reader, making it exceedingly difficult to put the book down.
The Bucharest Legacy stands out as an exceptional literary work that demands recognition. It is a must-read for enthusiasts of historical and suspenseful literature, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into a captivating era.
Pages: 433 | ASIN: B0B92V82GK
LITERARY TITAN 