McClelland & Stewart to Publish Anonymous Political Thriller

McClelland & Stewart will publish the political thriller The Kingfisher Secret by Anonymous on October 16, simultaneously with Heyne in Germany and Century in the United Kingdom. The novel, the publisher said, was "ripped from the headlines and inspired by tales, speculation, and whispers from within the intelligence community." Rights have also been sold to Longanesi in Italy and Planeta in Spain, who will publish the book in 2019.

The author is described as "a bestselling novelist and respected journalist" who, last year, "was introduced to a successful international businessman who became a source for insights into the world of espionage," as "the businessman had worked as an operative for intelligence organizations to infiltrate spy networks. Through his activities within the intelligence community," the publisher explained, "the businessman heard stories about Donald Trump and his ex-wife, Ivana. Some had speculated that Ivana might have been part of the 'swallow' program, a documented Cold War tactic used to entrap and compromise men of influence and power, not only to gather information but to encourage behavior that would fit the long-term goals of the Russian government. With that background, the businessman suggested the following premise for a novel to the author: There’s a spy in the White House." The author has decided to remain anonymous to protect the source's identity.

The book follows, the publisher said, journalist Grace Elliott, who, just before the 2016 election, "has been working tirelessly on a story involving the controversial and wealthy tycoon who is running for President of the United States and a former porn star who is ready to go public with details of their affair. Yet, for political reasons, the publication that Grace works for decides to bury the story. She is then sent to Europe to resume her work as a ghostwriter for the candidate’s ex-wife, a no-nonsense Czech businesswoman who “writes” a column for the publication. Grace soon stumbles on a shocking story about how the man who is about to be president has made it as far as he has, and the threat his election victory poses to the western world."