Tag: Buenos Aires

By Samborombón Bay, Spy novels, Writing

It’s publication day!

James Remmer spy novel writer

Hello, readers! I’m delighted to tell you that I have just self-published the sequel,
By Samborombón Bay: The Hunt for Carl von Menen, available in paperbook and Kindle formats.

Forty years after German Foreign Office diplomat Carl von Menen disappeared in Argentina, former British secret agent Richard Blandy is tasked with finding him. Can Blandy uncover the truth about the events of 1945? And whatever happened to the half-tonne of gold von Menen took with him?

Buy on Amazon now or read the first chapter for free!

By Samborombón Bay, Sales and marketing, Spy novels

Do you judge a book by its cover?

James Remmer spy novel writer

As a writer, book covers are very important to me. The original cover for Out of Mecklenburg: The Unwilling Spy was going to be two dancers, but it looked too casual and modern. Matador listened to my feedback and came up with a design that used my preferred colours whilst beautifully intertwining the two threads of the story, in Berlin and Buenos Aires, and was instantly clear on its WWII theme.

For the sequel, By Samborombón Bay: The Hunt for Carl von Menen, I’ve chosen to self-publish on Amazon KDP. This meant finding a cover designer. I turned to Spiffing Covers upon my editor’s recommendation, and I’m pretty pleased with the results!

The year is 1985, and the man on the front cover is Richard Blandy, tasked with discovering the truth behind Carl’s disappearance some forty years later. It is set in multiple locations and it was important to me to keep the blend between Germany and Argentina, which I think they have beautifully achieved.

But the big question is: in this day and age, do you still choose a book by its cover? And what do you think of this one? Let me know in the comments!

Front cover design for the sequel.

Character profile, Out of Mecklenburg, Spy novels

Eva Schilling

James Remmer spy novel writer

In the final character profile for Out of Mecklenburg, I’d like to introduce the “dazzling” Eva Schilling, who becomes Manfred von Leiber‘s wife during the course of the novel.

Eva is a world-famous soprano, very beautiful and sixteen years younger than Manfred. Together, however, they make a good couple and their differences seem to complement each other. Eva enjoys the limelight of the stage but craves discretion in her private life.

Continue reading “Eva Schilling” →

Character profile, Out of Mecklenburg, Spy novels

Katrina and Jürgen Lanze

James Remmer spy novel writer

Katrina Lanze, née von Menen, was born in 1915 and is two years younger than her brother Carl. Although recently married, she still lives at the family home in Mecklenburg because her husband Jürgen is often away on duty.

Jürgen Lanze is a Lieutenant Commander in the German navy. Like Manfred von Lieber, his remit is U-boats, and he is often needed at Lübeck.

When we first meet Jürgen, Carl congratulates him on his Knight’s Cross, but he downplays the attention. He is highly skilled but modest and is far more concerned about the safety of his crew than earning medals.

Continue reading “Katrina and Jürgen Lanze” →

Character profile, Out of Mecklenburg, Spy novels

Hans Steiger

James Remmer spy novel writer

“One metre ninety and with a face like the north side of the Matterhorn, Hans Otto Steiger, the highest-decorated warrant officer in the entire German army, stood with his hand on the open door of a black Mercedes, waiting for a man he had served under for twenty-eight years.”

Hans Steiger saved General Klaus von Menen‘s life during the First World War, and the trust between the two men is absolute. They have risen through the ranks together and, although Steiger shows deference when they are on official business, outside of the army they have a firm kinship.

Continue reading “Hans Steiger” →