The Zima Confession

UK author Iain M. Rodgers has worked in Information Technology for The Civil Service, for Brewing and Distilling, Waste Disposal, Manufacturing (ERP software) businesses, and a financial software company. He has also taught English as a foreign language in Russia and now makes his literary debut with THE ZIMA CONFESSION – a financial thriller whose plot is interlaced with speculative and imaginative technology.

Opening his book in 1977 in his place of birth, Glasgow, somehow adds to the immediate relating credence of the novel, as Iain writes, ‘A dark orange paper lantern, hanging from an elaborately decorative centre rose of the high Victorian ceiling, provided barely enough light to illuminate the languidly twisting coils of silver smoke that filled the room. The air was thick with the smell of cannabis. Young men and women, a mixture of longhaired hippies and shorthaired puns, were sprawled over the floor smoking joints and drinking from cans. In one corner of the large room, looking either like a witch or a puritan, an earnest young woman in a high-necked maxi-dress was kneeling to roll a joint on a low, half-broken side table. She did it carefully and ritualistically. Several people nearby watched with interest, as though her performance formed part of an important ceremony.’ That skill at painting the stage scenery that will populate a bizarre cast of characters adds to the pleasure of absorbing this story.

The plot synopsis offers the bare outline of the tale: ‘Glasgow 1977 – a young Trotskyite, Richard Slater, comes up with the idea that if he hid in deep cover until he was in a position of responsibility, he could unleash a devastating act of sabotage capable of starting a revolution. Party activists develop the plan – code name Zima and lie in wait…London 2013 – Richard is in London, working for a financial software company. He has held onto the Zima plan all this time and has been signaling he can activate it. Is anyone listening? Have others stayed true to the ideology? The “suicide” of Richard’s work colleague shows British and Russian Intelligence have been listening and waiting, too. Tension mounts as more players reveal themselves and the battle for power and control moves to Moscow. As the coil of agents, misinformation and mind control experiments connected to Zima unravel – where do allegiances lie? Can Richard trust anyone – even himself? Can MI9 stop a catastrophic act of sabotage on the banking system? Will the revolution succeed? Can Richard uncover the TRUTH and save himself?’

The canvas of Ian’s colorful career adds to the veracity of the bizarre plot: few authors have this degree of ‘on site’ experience for a fictional terrorist novel. The story works, keeping the readers in suspense while thoroughly entertaining!

The Zima Confession was an incredible novel, keeping my fingertips on the corners of each page, ready to turn and find out more. The protagonist, Richard, is strong-willed and an incredibly independent thinker. His extreme and revolutionary ideas make the reader feel inspired to take an active stance on their own beliefs. When reading a book we don’t always think about the fact that someone wrote it, but when a story is as full of twists and unpredictable as this one, I think it is unavoidable to recognize the author’s mind and creativity. The plan to take and knock down power, the structure and secrets between people and the eggshells that people have to walk on have all been created by someone who truly understands words. The story is strong, keeping the reader on their toes to learn more about what’s really going on behind the government’s closed walls.