Müller and Tilsner’s final, desperate, act may seem too far-fetched for some. In fact, such home-made balloon escapes did happen: the most famous becoming a Disney film starring John Hurt. For those convinced that the ending means the series is over after six novels, well, you may be correct.

However, you might just want to check what happened when the Strelzyk family made their first escape attempt in July 1979, before successfully fleeing along with the Wetzel family in September of the same year. Would you trust Tilsner’s navigational skills?

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

There are many people who’ve helped me with this series, but perhaps above all I’d like to thank those who’ve read and enjoyed all the novels and have written some fantastically generous reviews on places such as Amazon and Goodreads. I hope you’ll be as kind to this, the sixth instalment.

Throughout the series, my BBC journalist friend and former East German citizen, Oliver Berlau, has freely given his advice and corrected many of my mistakes. Thanks so much, Oliver. For the latter books, Oliver has been joined by another former East German, the international concert pianist, Andreas Boyde. Andreas, you’re a star too.

My wife Stephanie always tells me thrillers aren’t really her thing, but she usually forces herself to read them and offer helpful advice. Thanks very much, Stephanie.

Particular thanks to my editor, Ben Willis, who’s been fantastically supportive ever since he joined Zaffre Books. We’re working on a different series next, so I can only hope that is as much fun.

And finally, special thanks to my agent Adam Gauntlett, who first spotted the potential in Stasi Child some six or so years ago, and has loyally stuck with me ever since. He and the team at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop have secured some great publishing deals in both the UK and foreign territories. Long may it continue, even if the ‘Stasi Series’ has reached its end.

Notice I said ‘if’.

About the Author

About the Author

East Yorkshire-born David Young began his East German-set crime series on a creative writing MA at London’s City University when Stasi Child – his debut – won the course prize. The novel went on to win the 2016 CWA Historical Dagger, and both it and the 2017 follow-up, Stasi Wolf, were longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. His novels have been sold in eleven territories round the world. Before becoming a full-time author, David was a senior journalist with the BBC’s international radio and TV newsrooms for more than 25 years. He divides his time – and his writing – between Twickenham in the UK and the Cyclades islands in Greece.

Also by David Young

Stasi Child

Stasi Wolf

Stasi State [previously A Darker State]

Stasi 77

Stasi Winter

Don’t miss David Young’s gripping new thriller

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