A cerebral espionage story about an agent whose invented identity begins to reveal a disquieting truth about himself.
Set across The Netherlands, Moscow and a remote Russian strategic facility.
Conflict researcher Chudo Barends enters Russia under an identity that slowly begins to change him: Popov, the Shaman. His mission leads toward a remote strategic facility, the mysterious Resurrection File and the innermost machinery of Russian power. To succeed, Chudo must decide how completely he can become the man his enemies believe him to be.
Chudo begins as a scientist interested in the causes of conflict. Intelligence work asks him to turn that knowledge into practice, constructing an identity capable of moving through a Russia where political authority, personal loyalty and fear overlap.
Inside the story
The mission centres on Votkinsk, the unknown figure called Eagle and a file whose codename—Resurrection—suggests consequences far beyond ordinary espionage. Chudo's relationships complicate the operation, especially when the search reaches into his own past.
Popov the Shaman is designed as camouflage, but living the role changes Chudo. The novel keeps the boundary between performance, psychology and belief deliberately unsettled.
Watch a scene
The Resurrection file
A 30-second cinematic interpretation of Chudo's most dangerous moment inside the presidential palace: alone with the red dossier, under surveillance, and racing to memorize its secrets.
“Whatever it takes, try to obtain what is in it.”
From Putin's Shaman
The world of the book
The Netherlands, Moscow and a remote Russian strategic facility
What draws you in
↗ The origin of Chudo Barends' Shaman identity
↗ A strategic secret called Resurrection
↗ Espionage entwined with a search for family
At its heart
◆ Espionage
◆ Identity
◆ Power
Own the story
Coming soon
Putin's Shaman is not yet available for purchase. Publication details will appear here when announced.
