Salisbury Sleeper

By Colwell Hopper

SALISBURY SLEEPER
The story is set in Salisbury and Bournemouth, with significant events occurring around Salisbury Cathedral, local factories, and MOD (Ministry of Defence) sites. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Brexit, local politics, and the 2018 Salisbury poisoning incident (Sergei Skripal case).
Jon Ball: A former soldier and investigator, working undercover at a factory producing tear gas grenades, tasked with uncovering theft and security breaches. Pete Lovell: A writer and friend of Jon, involved in local journalism and personal relationships. Marandellas: Jon's partner, a TV personality, involved in reporting on local incidents. Sandrine Cashford: MOD employee, involved in secret projects and intelligence work. Penelope Clay: A local activist with radical ideas about Salisbury Cathedral and women's history.
Jon works undercover at a factory making CS gas grenades, observing lax security and theft by staff and management. He reports findings to Major Lewis, including evidence of stolen materials and poor oversight. The investigation reveals management's complicity and casual attitude towards theft.
Sandrine Cashford and colleagues uncover hacking and espionage at Army HQ, with Russian labourers suspected of installing hardware to siphon off MOD emails and data. Discovery of USB drives and hidden computers in an allotment shed links local events to international espionage.
The narrative covers the real-life poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, blending fictional and factual elements. Local reactions, media coverage, and government responses are depicted, including the cordoning off of sites and involvement of the Army and Metropolitan Police.
The story explores the impact of Brexit on local attitudes, employment, and social cohesion. Themes of homelessness, migration, and economic hardship are woven throughout. Local activism, especially around Salisbury Cathedral, features prominently, with Penelope Clay's plot to bomb the cathedral as a radical protest against male-dominated history and religion.
Jon and friends thwart Penelope Clay's attempt to bomb the cathedral, revealing her motivations and the symbolic nature of her protest. The story ends with reflections on the aftermath of the poisoning, the ongoing effects of Brexit, and the resilience of the Salisbury community.
The themes cover espionage, security, and the vulnerability of institutions. The intersection of personal lives with national and international events. The search for meaning and belonging in a changing world. The tension between tradition and progress, especially regarding gender and history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0BKCM6TJQ
• ISBN13: 9798359984348
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"