PHILEAS FROST

I'd like to tell you a little about how this book came to be.

 

The plot, the characters*, and the names of everyone involved are entirely fictional.

The one exception is David Sinclair's episode with the two hotels, the three women and the four nights, which happened, more or less, much as described. My very dear friend D. S. supplied the inspiration for this book with his amorous adventure in Moscow. Only as far as the general set-up goes, of course. There was no murder, and the three women never crossed paths — and are all perfectly well.

Every location in this story genuinely exists, with the exception of the nightclub 'Red Square' and the nail salon 'Magic Nails'. I visited every setting in Moscow, Kaliningrad, Ukraine and Europe in person.

The exceptions are Lefortovo Prison, GRU headquarters, Lubyanka, and Stalin's dacha. I know these institutions only from the outside. Needless to say, I was never at the front near Sumy, and I gave the IK-3 Polar Wolf labour camp in northern Siberia a wide berth as well. Whether Metro-2 truly exists, I honestly couldn't say for certain. A great deal suggests it does.

I carried out the Russian Affairs project with tremendous enthusiasm and the greatest possible care. If any errors have nonetheless crept in, I ask for your understanding. The entire book is a complete solo production. The plot, the text, the cover design, the layout, the typesetting, the graphics and the illustrations all came from my own hand.

My descriptions of the locations are based on my personal impressions. My portrayals of organisations, institutions and events, on the other hand, are based on my rather vivid imagination.

On the following pages — and at www.acquitanium.com/russianaffairs — you'll find an overview of the characters, notes on the spelling of Russian names and terms, and a guide to the most important locations and terminology.

If you enjoyed the book: a sequel titled Swiss Affairs is already in the works.

I'd love to hear your feedback at media@acquitanium.com.

 

Thank you very much for your interest,

warmest regards,

P. F.

 

*Bimo, the little Maltipoo, is entirely real :)