Long before think tanks and podcasts, fiction helped shape how the public understood global politics. Spy thrillers, in particular, have painted our perceptions of governments, alliances, and shadow wars. The Island continues this tradition. By dramatizing conflicts between the KGB, CIA, and…
Loyalty is often celebrated as a virtue. In Thomas Green’s The Island, it is shown as both a blessing and a curse. Characters grapple with who they serve, what they believe in, and what they’re willing to sacrifice. Boris Nekrich’s loyalty to old comrades clashes with his new reality. Should he protect his superiors, who once saved him from ruin, or betray them for a chance at freedom? His choices remind us that loyalty can…
For readers who devour spy thrillers, certain names stand tall: John le Carré for psychological intrigue, Tom Clancy for military detail. Thomas Green’s The Island offers the best of both worlds. Here are five reasons it belongs on the same shelf: Complex Characters – Like le Carré’s George Smiley, Boris Nekrich is layered, conflicted, and morally gray. Geopolitical Intrigue – Fans of Clancy will appreciate the meticulously researched global backdrop, from Japanese industrial centers to CIA operations.…
Literary trends come and go, but one archetype remains evergreen: the espionage hero. With The Island, Thomas Green reintroduces readers to a character type we thought we knew but with fresh twists. Boris Nekrich is not James Bond, nor is he George Smiley. He’s something in between—ruthless when needed, reflective when forced, and deeply human. Once a…
Thrillers often rely on exotic settings to heighten suspense, and Thomas Green’s The Island makes brilliant use of this tradition. Spanning Tokyo, the Republic of Georgia, France, and Washington D.C., the novel places readers at the crossroads of geopolitics, where every city holds secrets and every border hides danger. In Tokyo and Yokohama, readers encounter Kenichi Iowao, a man plotting financial schemes with global…
One of the great challenges of writing historical thrillers is balance. Lean too far into fact, and the book feels like a textbook. Lean too far into fiction, and the story loses credibility. In The Island, Thomas Green strikes that balance masterfully. The novel is anchored in real historical shifts—the collapse of Soviet authority, Japan’s economic rise, and CIA…
Every author has a story behind their story. For Thomas Green, the creation of The Island was not just about weaving espionage and history together but about courage, persistence, and personal inspiration. In his acknowledgements, Green thanks his wife, Tammy, and Susan Carpenter of the McGregor School at Antioch University, for encouraging him to write. That encouragement turned years of scattered notes and historical curiosity into a fully realized novel. What…
At the heart of Thomas Green’s The Island lies a fascinating, conflicted character: Boris Nekrich. Once a ruthless commander in Soviet Spetsnaz units, Boris is reduced to driving his superior around the Republic of Georgia. But when an envelope mysteriously appears in his car, his quiet life unravels—and his instincts as a spy roar back to life. What makes Boris so compelling is not just his skill but his inner conflict. He’s a man haunted by his past—the missions in Vietnam, the losses of comrades, and the betrayal of governments that…
Espionage fiction has always thrived on secrets, shadows, and betrayals. From the works of John le Carré to Tom Clancy, the genre carved a space where history and imagination blur into gripping narratives. Now, Thomas Green’s The Island joins this tradition, but with a distinctly…
© Tom Green 2025
There’s always more to a story than what is written. In this section, Tom opens up about the challenges, rewrites, and little surprises that shaped The Island. Readers get an exclusive peek into the hidden layers, creative decisions, and lessons learned during the writing process.
