The Kellner Chronicles Series

Based on a true story. Spring 1948. It’s been three years since the fall of Berlin and the end of the war for Germany, but a new war fraught with political and military tension is gripping the world.  A silent and deadly war that will last for decades and Harold Kellner finds himself smack in the middle of it - in cold war Russia.   Born in Germany in 1930, Harold Kellner was raised on Nazi propaganda and like all German boys his age, was forced to become a part of Hitler’s war machine. As the war raged on and the tides turned, Harold and his best friend, Karl Veth, became disillusioned with Hitler and his war and their loyalty to the Fatherland waned. At fourteen years old, they saw no reason to fight to the death and planned a strategy to survive. They narrowly escaped death as Berlin fell and were eventually arrested by a Russian Political Kommissar who planned to use them for his own gains. They carried out secret missions for the Kommissar and over time he was not only impressed by their intelligence and resourcefulness - he developed a fondness for them as well. When Harold’s dream of being reunited with his family was shattered, he accepted an offer by the Kommissar to be adopted and become his protégé. When Harold accepted the offer to be adopted, he knew of the Kommissar’s political ambitions and that he would be expected to continue conducting clandestine operations for him. In the Spring of 1948, Harold is sent on a number of missions that not only pull him deeper into the world of Soviet intelligence, but also involve eliminating one of the Kommissar’s political rivals. Armed with KGB credentials, his life is becoming more dangerous than it was during the war in Germany. Adept at learning new languages, Harold is sent to stay with a Swiss banker and his family between missions to further his language studies. The Kommissar has plans to infiltrate Stalin’s ranks by sending Harold in as a translator, but Harold begins to develop plans of his own. Languages are not the only thing Harold is learning during his time with the Swiss banker as he begins to understand how the political and financial worlds truly operate. There are secrets the banker is willing to share with the protégé of a Russian Political Kommissar. Author’s Note:  Harold Kellner’s story began in the Degree series. He was the best friend of Karl Veth, the main character in the books. After World War II ended, their lives took off in two completely different directions. Postwar Drifter is the first book in The Kellner Chronicles, a new series based on Harold’s life. And, as with Karl’s story in the Degree books, The Kellner Chronicles are based on a true story.  Recommended reading order: Children To A Degree – Book 1 Loyal To A Degree – Book 2 Trust To A Degree – Book 3 Partners To A Degree – Book 4 Postwar Drifter – The Kellner Chronicles: Book 1

Based on a True Story   Harold Kellner's life takes on dangerous twists and turns as he carries out assignments for Bayan Godunov, the Russian Political Kommissar who adopted him after World War II. While Godunov appears to have Harold's best interests at heart, the truth is, he has ulterior motives that could end up costing Harold his life.   Harold is already fluent in several languages when Godunov sends him to the MVD Bureau to apply for a position as a translator. Godunov believes translators hear pertinent details about foreign policy changes before they are implemented, and it's this information he wants Harold to pass onto him.   As Harold conducts missions acting as a translator for the MVD Bureau, his excellent skills earn him high praise from the Bureau, and he is chosen to accompany Nikita Khrushchev to New York as a translator.   Meanwhile, Godunov's scheming and political ambitions eventually land him on the wrong side of Moscow, and he is forced into hiding. For his own safety, Harold's close friend, Vadim Pajari, advises him to cut ties with Godunov and create his own identity separate from that of the Kommissar. Harold, his new wife Natalie, and Vadim, make plans to do just that.   His dream of learning how to fly become a reality, and Harold serves as a pilot with the Soviet Air Force. During a confidential mission to deliver an experimental jet to Cuba, he runs into problems and is forced to land in what Moscow considers "enemy territory." In the eyes of Soviet leaders, the mission is an absolute failure when one of their experimental jets is confiscated by the other side, and there are consequences for such failures.   Postwar Intrigue is the second and final book in The Kellner Chronicles series, and, as with previous books about Karl Veth and Harold Kellner, is based on a true story.