DROWNING THE VALLEYS

 

The enthralling new novel, Drowning the Valleys, promises to captivate readers with its gripping tale of Welsh nationalism, forbidden love, and a looming threat of mass destruction. Conceived from a heartfelt promise to a dying friend, this novel is not only a literary achievement but also a touching tribute to lasting friendship.

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Co-author Paul Flude reflects on his motivations for releasing a novel: fame, recognition and a passion for storytelling. These are, of course, all important, but Paul has a personal reason for publishing. He explains:

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“Authors give many reasons to release a novel. Mine was simple, it was a promise made to a dying friend. My wife Dawn and I met Steve twenty-five years ago when he created the artwork for a folk album we were recording. He quickly became a part of our family. Although we emigrated to Australia in 2019, leaving Steve in mid-Wales, our bond remained strong. As Steve’s health declined, our communication shifted to FaceTime, exchanging jokes and writing short stories. When the doctors informed him there were no further treatments available, Steve suggested, ‘Let’s write a novel. It’s always been my ambition to have a book published.’ Despite the uncertainty of his remaining time, I agreed.”

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Paul and Steve worked tirelessly to bring this book to life. Paul crafted the storyline and plot, while Steve added depth and colour to the characters, sometimes introducing scenes and personas that propelled the narrative in new and exciting directions.

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Paul continues:

“As Steve’s condition worsened, his interest in the novel grew. Despite the challenges, including time zone differences and the pressure of daily writing, I was determined to keep my promise. Steve passed away midway through the project, but our final conversations strengthened my resolve to complete and publish the novel.”

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The story begins with two vehicles racing toward each other over a blind canal humpbacked bridge, while below, a narrowboat loaded with explosives ticks down to detonation. This suspenseful premise sets the stage for a thrilling tale filled with dynamic characters and unexpected twists.

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Set in and around Aberystwyth and Machynlleth, the story follows Dyn Tawel, a shadowy figure determined to stop the desecration of Welsh valleys and heritage. Recruiting terrorists and hardened criminals, he secures a cataclysmic weapon that authorities deny exists. Opposing him is a disgraced ex-detective driven by the kidnapping of his daughter, who is passionately involved with her boss, Ricki. The action moves swiftly from Shropshire to Wales, across the sea, and to the heart of England, culminating in a thrilling climax.

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Paul drew on his love of film as he wrote the novel. He concludes:

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"I originally intended writing Drowning the Valleys as a screenplay, and I continued to visualise it as a film throughout the writing process. I imagined it as a 1960s black-and-white British cops-and-robbers ‘B’ movie, the type of supporting film that would accompany a major Hollywood feature of the day. For stylistic inspiration, I drew from my favourite adventure writer, Clive Cussler, but added a touch of typical British eccentricity. The action unfolds in and around Aberystwyth and Machynlleth, the towns closest to Steve’s village of Abercegir.”

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Drowning the Valleys is not just a novel; it’s an artistic collaboration. With the help of enthusiastic editor Will Rees at Jelly Bean Books, the novel reached its triumphant conclusion, fulfilling the promise made to Steve.

 

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