Random Things Tours: Conversation with James Quinn, author of Berlin Reload

James Quinn, author of Berlin Reload, brings back spy stories from the far Cold War inspired by the present day challenges. Set in the ´capital of spies´, with characters with shady histories, the book is an entertaining read with a touch of history.

Part of my Book Blog Tour, I was offered the opportunity of a short interview with the author. Stay tunned for the book review in a couple of days as well.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book?´

Berlin Reload was my absolute labour of love.  I already had the story in my head many years ago and was planning to start it sometime in 2022.  In the interim I was away overseas on a project and that time away seemed to stimulate me creatively, so much so that when I came back to the UK I completely scrapped what I had been working on and threw my weight at finishing Berlin Reload.  I worked on it every day for three months until it was finished.  So if anything it was that intense writing experience over a short period that was the most challenging for me.

What was your inspiration for the story?

 

At its heart, if you put aside all the espionage and action, Berlin Reload is a love story.  It’s a tragic love story, but still a love story.  It’s about a man that has lost so much – his lover, his children, his life and how, when they are threatened, he does everything in his power to save them.

 

As a father myself, it was something that I could completely relate too, and it’s the driving force behind the narrative.

What documentary sources did you read while writing the story? Did you travel to Berlin as well? (As a Berliner by choice, I am always keen to read about other people's experiences in my city!)?

 

As you know 2020 was a difficult year for everyone.  I had planned a trip – flights, accommodation, contacts – to meet in Berlin for a few days late last year, but with the lockdown that obviously had to be cancelled, which for me personally was a crushing blow.  I wanted to go there to get a feel for the city and work that vibe into the novel.  I’m booked to go later this year (hopefully), so this time rather than it being a research trip it will be more of a “did I get the details correct” kind of trip.

 

I am lucky enough to have a few contacts of people that have lived and worked there over the years so that helped with the research, certainly regarding the intelligence situation during the Cold War.

 

The one book that I devoured, in fact it became my Bible, was a book called Checkpoint Charlie by Ian McGregor.  It’s a highly recommended book full of stories from the people on the ground and not just the politicians.

 What are your next writing plans?

I’m currently working on a short story anthology entitled Clandestine.  It will cover the subjects of espionage, deception and intrigue.  I’m a bit of a secret short story junkie; I love reading them and I love writing them, so this is like a dream come true.  Clandestine is 85% finished and I’m hoping it will be available later this year.

After that I will be introducing a new character in a book called The Fisherman.  He’s a covert intelligence operative that is involved in stopping a series of international conspiracies.

Beyond that…..let’s just see where the Fisherman takes both me and the readers.