When Victoria Knox was giving a talk about her first espionage series, someone approached her with stories when they worked for the MI5, a security service dedicated to protecting the United Kingdom.
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They wanted to have parts of their life featured in a story, which intrigued the Burradoo-based espionage author, and inspired her to dive into a rabbit hole of Cold War research.
The novel Neither Despise Nor Fear is the first of a new series that the Clement Wisdom author has written.
A cross between fiction and fact, it was released on February 3.
"I really do believe I would have never written this book [without meeting him]," she said.
Neither Despise Nor Fear follows 16-year-old Alastair Quinn in 1965, who runs away from his school in North London to make his way to Soho.
He is recruited to be part of the MI5 to take part in a high stakes mission.
Mrs Knox said the confidante provided details about his experiences, but did not reveal locations.
For this, the espionage lover conducted her own research to build her fictional characters and the scenarios they face.
"It's all public information, but I think few people would be bothered digging for stuff like that," she said.
Another aspect to writing not only this book, but previous tales, is basing them in countries she has been to.
"I like to walk the ground so I can add all those little details," she said.
Unlike the Clement Wisdom series which is in chronological order, this series will focus on its people from multiple points of view.
Although it facts and fiction woven together, the author said it was an opportunity to reflect on history, and could appeal to a wider audience.
Paperback and Kindle versions of Neither Despise Nor Fear can be purchased from Amazon.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
