Hardback cover of The Zima Confession revision #4 The cover is shown without barcode and additional text.

Paperback cover of The Zima Confession revision #4 The cover is shown without barcode and additional text.

In Stalin's final speech to the Nineteenth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union he used the expression ‘radiant future for the peoples’

The slogan was taken up by Communist Party and the ideal of a "Radiant Future" was supposed to be represented in art and architecture. Of course, the term is used ironically nowadays. However, the Moscow Metro system is indeed very impressive.

When The Stranger Returns you will know...

The Moscow Metro is mentioned quite a lot in The Zima Confession - fortunately for the reader, it's not mentioned all the time but it looks very atmospheric in photos - that's why I've taken hundreds of photos of it.

The Zima Confession is a novel in the style of a political thriller. Melanie is one of the characters. She works in Aphrodite's Secret.

The Zima Confession is a story of alienation, revolution and personal destruction. Don't read it if you are looking for a cosy story to cheer you up. However, you might find a bit of dark humour in it. It's all darkness - including the humour.

This is Chistie Prudy Metro Station. The image represents the idea that "phase transition isn't easy" - in some abstract and undefinable way.

So what is "Phase Transition"? Read The Zima Confession to find out.

Here we are going down the escalator now. Don't worry, the story is not all about going up and down escalators - though some use of escalators is mentioned.

This is Universitet Metro Station.

I'm going to say this is Kitay-Gorod Metro Station - even though I can't remember. The name is right there on the station wall - but I can't read it from this angle.

Kitay-Gorod is not specifically mentioned in The Zima Confession but I'm pretty sure the protagonist, Richard Slater, would have been there at one time. You can't mention everything a character does in a book - even in a book with a lot of detail. At some point detail gets boring. I mean, do we want to see the character brushing his teeth every evening? Of course not!

There is a scene where he takes his socks off though. :-)

Imagine Fifty Shades of Grey in a wrestling match with The Invisible Man where Dr Jekyll is the referee -

If you can imagine that, you might like The Zima Confession. If you can't, don't worry - you should read it to find out how to expand your imaginative limits.

Contains strong language and adult themes.

Zima Confession mugs can be found on Mugs and other merchandise

Pour yourself a nice cup of coffee and dive into the story.

The Zima Confession is a political thriller set in the world of high finance and espionage. Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from all good bookstores.

Illiterate? Too lazy to read? Don't let that spoil your enjoyment of The Zima Confession. You can get the audiobook from Audible - or simply buy some Zima Confession mugs from mugs and other merch