Mark T Holmes

Artifact Mark T Holmes

How did the Cold War really get started? Why did Winston Churchill absolutely hate the Soviets? How did a B-24 bomber pilot from rural Connecticut become embroiled in a hazardous mission to Ukraine in the company of his lovely and adventurous bed-mate who just happened to be a spy for Britain's MI5 and the architect of a lust-driven love triangle? This novel of WWII begins with the chance discovery of an old flight log and piece of shrapnel in a Florida antique store that compelled a former B-24 ball turret gunner to finally reveal the long-forgotten secret mission to Ukraine in the fall of 1944... a mission that helped start what became known as the Cold War. Artifact follows in the tradition of World War II spy novelists like Ken Follett and Jack Higgins, bringing to life a fast-paced adventure smack dab in the middle of "Operation Frantic." Inspired by the author's father who flew 35 missions as a B-24 pilot, Mark Holmes uncovered the little-known operation, a disastrous and short-lived shuttle-bombing program that formed the backdrop for revealing how an unusual war artifact became the good-luck charm for all but one member of the crew.