Once again, thank you for joining me for another of Leo and Allissa’s adventures. I absolutely loved writing this book, and hoped you enjoyed it too.
The creation of this book was an interesting one. During a brief intermission in the 2020 covid pandemic I visited Riga, Latvia and ended up in the middle of a lockdown there. I knew that was a risk when I decided to take the trip, but as someone who needs to experience new places to create, I felt as though I didn’t have a choice. Of course, I took the necessary precautions and isolated for the first ten days of the trip. In fact, as it ended up, I don’t think I spoke to a single person face to face for over three weeks. These were the times that we were all talking online anyway, so the fact that I was in a different country actually made no difference.
Each day, I spent the mornings working in my apartment and then in the afternoons I would walk around the city. It was such a strange experience, and one that I’m now very grateful for, as I got this beautiful city pretty much to myself. Also, whilst I was there, I researched Latvia’s history. The more I read, the more intrigued I became.
The country’s struggle for independence, first from the Russian Empire and later from the Soviet Union, is a true story of resilience and determination. During World War II, Latvia was occupied by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, leading to the loss of a significant portion of its population through deportation, execution, and emigration.
In the post-war period, Latvia was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, where it remained until the collapse of the USSR in 1991. During this time, the country experienced significant Russification, with the Russian language and culture being imposed on the population.
The legacy of this tumultuous history is still felt in Latvia today, with tensions between the ethnic Latvian majority and the Russian-speaking minority remaining a contentious issue.
When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Latvia faced a peculiar predicament. Many of their national archives had vanished—either destroyed or secreted away to Moscow. Think about the possibilities… the authorities didn’t know who was a criminal, a KGB agent, or even if people’s qualifications were legitimate.
As I walked the empty streets of Riga during that strange time in 2020, I couldn’t help but imagine the secrets and stories that might be hidden in those lost archives. The idea of a past that could come back to haunt the present, of individuals whose lives could be upended by the revelation of long-buried truths, seemed like a great story to me.
In many ways, the creation of this book was a product of the unique circumstances in which I found myself—isolated in a foreign city, with time to explore and imagine, and inspired by the rich and complex history of the place I had come to know.
I hope that you found the story that emerged from this experience as compelling and thought-provoking as I did. I believe that the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have often been overlooked in the broader context of European history. These small nations have repeatedly found themselves caught between the competing interests of larger powers, from the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union to Nazi Germany and the Western Allies.
Despite these challenges, Latvia and the other Baltic states never lost their sense of national pride and their desire for self-determination. The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s, which included mass demonstrations and the famous Baltic Way human chain, was a powerful expression of this spirit, and ultimately led to the restoration of independence in 1991.
In the years since, Latvia has worked to rebuild its economy, strengthen its democratic institutions, and assert its place in the international community. The country joined the European Union and NATO in 2004 and has become an increasingly prominent voice on issues of regional security and cooperation.
As an author, I love the fact that I have the power to shed light on the experiences and perspectives of people and places that have often been marginalized or forgotten. This might sound lofty, but by setting a book there I hope that I can in some small way contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this fascinating corner of the world. So, while the story I have written is fictional, it is rooted in a very real and powerful history that deserves to be more widely known and celebrated.
Once again, although the words here are my own, the characters, experiences and some of the events described are wholly inspired by the people I’ve traveled beside.
If we ever shared noodles from a street-food vendor, visited a temple together, played cards on a creaking overnight train, or had a beer in a back-street restaurant, you are forever in this book, and for that, I thank you too!
Again, thank you for coming on the adventure with me. I hope to see you again.
Luke
