Double
Exposure by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators
of the TV series, "Smallville," brings to life a
unique storyline. Set in the 1960s to make the story believable,
they explore the question, what if Hitler did not die in the
bunker, and is still alive?
“We initially imagined Double Exposure as a movie, but
as soon as we started breaking the outline, it became clear
that the scope of the story was too big and would be more
suited to a novel with the period setting, the globe-trotting
locations, and the elaborate action set-pieces. Although Double
Exposure is our first novel, we came to it after spending
the entirety of our professional lives as screenwriters. We
approached the story exactly the same way we would if we had
been writing a movie or TV pilot. Like any great movie thriller,
we wanted the narrative to have a propulsive drive. We loved
the idea of starting with a real historical event and then
using it as a jumping off point to spin our own wild, globe-trotting
yarn.”
The plot begins with a KGB Russian agent, turned CIA asset,
smuggling a film canister over the Berlin Wall. Because the
East Germans shot the agent as well as the canister, the CIA
now needs help in attempting to repair it. They turn to David
Toland, a decorated Korean War veteran, who wanted to leave
his combat days behind him. Now the Director of Preservation
for the Library of Congress's National Film Archive, he is
asked to restore the film by CIA Agent Lana Welles. The film
shows Hitler is still alive, well, and dangerous. Because
there are those that want to restore the Third Reich, Welles
and Toland put their lives in danger as they attempt to pursue
Hitler all over the world. Traveling to Russia for clues,
they are saved by Simon Lean, who is masquerading as a best-selling
author. They join forces in their pursuit to find Hitler and
to end his attempt at regaining power.
Each of the characters is formidable. The authors wrote, "David
Toland's skill as a film restoration seemed unique, and was
one that hadn't been explored before in either a novel or
a movie. We imagined him as the Indiana Jones of film restoration.
He is conflicted about his life as a soldier, so he escaped
to this job, so he does not have to deal with the real world.
Now he is put in a situation that has world-altering consequences.
Lana plays things close to the vest and is very serious. She
has to conform to being a woman in a man's world. We wanted
her to be the one to drive the plot. She is a strong female
character who is mysterious and keeps David guessing. Simon
is self-serving, in it for himself. The best party guest.
A mercenary without much moral compass."
The novel is action-packed as the characters' journey around
the globe from Washington DC to Europe to South America. Betrayals,
lies, deceptions, and deceits are at the heart of the story.
David realizes that not everyone is who or what they are,
learning that trust is a rare commodity with all the many
traitors and moles.
|