Author John Michell accomplishes just that with his latest novel, Weather Over Mendoza, marking his third foray into the genre after the well-received Dublin Zoo and The Far Grass. Continuing his exploration of the Cold War spy fiction genre, John delivers a unique take that is both compelling and refreshing.
Set in 1994, in the period between the Soviet Union’s collapse and Putin’s seizing power of Russia, Adrian reflects on a life cursed by childhood trauma, sexual ineptitude and unreciprocated love. Provocative, evocative and highly addictive, Weather over Mendoza follows a troubled man who mistakes love for ideology and his benefactor’s ruthless genius in protecting him.
A newspaper article is set to reveal his secret past as a Soviet mole in Britain’s MI6. The situation was created by the betrayal of his Soviet benefactor, with whom he had developed an unhealthy reliance.
Available at local bookstores such as Dillons Bookshop on the Parade in Norwood and the Matilda Bookshop in Stirling, as well as online platforms including Shawline Publishing and Amazon, Weather Over Mendoza has already generated positive feedback. It recently received a nominations for both the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards in Best Crime Fiction category, and for the 2023 NIB Literary Award. Excitingly, John is scheduled to appear on the esteemed Peter Goers SA Evenings program on ABC radio Adelaide on June 27, further cementing the book’s growing reputation.
John brings a wealth of experience to his writing. Having spent an impressive 33 years in the Australian Diplomatic Service (1979-2012), his career spanned various countries around the globe. Notably, John served as the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Office in Adelaide from 2007 to 2010. Returning to Adelaide with their wife, John draws inspiration from his extensive diplomatic tenure, which exposed him to diverse and occasionally perilous environments. Of particular influence was his residency in Moscow during the fall of the Soviet Union. These real-life experiences lend credibility and verisimilitude to John’s writing, infusing Weather Over Mendoza with a captivating sense of realism.
As readers delve into the pages of Weather Over Mendoza, they will find themselves immersed in a fast-paced, no holds barred account of late-night introspection, skillfully crafted by an author who draws from rich personal experience. A unique slant on the Cold War spy fiction genre, the tale weaves to a taut conclusion to answer a philosophical question: is Adrian Ashton the victim or the villain? Whether you are a seasoned spy fiction enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Weather Over Mendoza promises to be an enthralling read.
Weather Over Mendoza
Shawline Publishing Group, RRP $28.95
