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Writing historical fiction combines the first great love of Alan Bardos’ life, making up stories, with the second, researching historical events and characters. He currently lives in Oxfordshire with his wife… the other great love of his life.
There is still a great deal of mystery and debate surrounding many of the events of the First World War, which he explores in his Johnny Swift historical fiction series. The series starts with the pivotal event of the twentieth century, the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The second book The Dardanelles Conspiracy is based on an attempt by Naval Intelligence to bribe Turkey out of the First World War. In the third book Enemies and Allies Johnny is employed as a useful idiot to flush out a traitor working to undermine the Allies.
His new World War 2 series follows Daniel Nichols, a former pacifist turned crusader, as he moves from the Fleet Air Arm to Intelligence and Special Operations. The first book Rising Tide is set against the backdrop of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; as Nichols is embroiled in a conspiracy to keep the USA bogged down in the Pacific and out of the war in Europe.
The next novel, Hunter Class, is set in 1943. Nichols has been recruited into 30 Commando by Ian Fleming and takes part in the invasion of Sicily, to collect top secret enemy material before it is destroyed. After the fall of Mussolini, Nichols joins forces with Giacomo Moretti, a combat swimmer in the Italian Navy’s elite Decima Flottiglia MAS. As the fate of the war hangs in the balance, they embark on a treasure hunt that will require all their skill and guile to ‘pinch’ a German T52 teleprinter, used by Hitler to communicate with his senior commanders.
Praise for his books
‘A gripping wartime thriller with more plot twists and turns than a snake with an itch!’ Damien Lewis, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and SAS Forged in Hell.
‘Written with polished panache, it kept me gripped from the first to last.’ A.A. Chaudhuri, She’s Mine
‘As far as writing humorous cads and bounders goes, I am not sure I want the competition…, but this is a brilliant book that kept me gripped to the end, and I bought the next one straight away.’ Jemahl Evans, A Rake’s Progress
‘Political intrigue, an enthralling account of the assault on the beaches of Gallipoli and romantic comedy… it’s all in this highly entertaining romp.’ Shaun Lewis, The Custom of the Trade series
‘I have to say that I think Bardos has really cracked it. Johnny Swift is an excellent drunken anti-hero, somewhat debauched, but with a good heart.’ David Boyle, Before Enigma
‘Gives a carefully-researched and graphically real insight into the doomed campaign, as well as telling a gripping story of courage and redemption.’ Allan Martin, Death in Tallinn
‘With its war-damaged, womanising, loose cannon of an anti-hero, Johnny Swift, The Dardanelles Conspiracy vividly captures the flux and uncertainty – as well as the horror – of war.’ R.N. Morris, A Gentle Axe
‘A thrilling romp through the delights and dangers of WW1 espionage.’ Matthew Willis, The Fortress of Malta series
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