A Q&A with George Alexander, author of Twilight of Evil

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My guest today on What Cathy Read Next is George Alexander, author of historical thriller Twilight of Evil. Published on 10th January 2025, Twilight of Evil is available to purchase as an ebook or paperback from Amazon and other online retailers. Read on as I chat with George about the inspiration for the book and the challenges of writing alternate history.

About the Book

Front cover of Twilight of Evil by George Alexander

What if Adolf Hitler cheated death in the ruins of Berlin? Did the Fuhrer truly perish in the crumbling capital, or did he evade capture and flee to the distant shores of South America?

Twilight of Evil delves into the controversial and intriguing tale of Adolf Hitler’s escape from Berlin during the closing days of the Third Reich and his post-war life. Join David Hazel, a young Jewish researcher, as he probes into the shocking truth behind Hitler’s disappearance through the work of the renowned American scholar, Dr. Peter Alex.

The novel transports readers to the chaotic final days of the Nazi regime, depicting the crumbling empire and the desperate measures taken by its leaders. The book probes into the dramatic exploration of Hitler’s ultimate fate, revealing the truth behind his disappearance and the people who crossed his path. From secret alliances to deadly betrayals, this novel takes you on a journey through the escape and post-war life of some of history’s most notorious figures.

Find Twilight of Evil on Goodreads

Q & A with George Alexander, author of Twilight of Evil

You’ve published a number of nonfiction books. What made you decide to turn to fiction?

I have authored/co-authored twelve nonfiction books. Most of these were written while I was working with a Christian NGO (Non-governmental organisation) to promote and propagate its objectives, or in the field of social science. When I left the NGO a couple of years ago, I started exploring other areas of interest. I wanted to try my hand at fiction, as I had never done so before. It was a kind of challenge I undertook – something new, something fresh.

How and when did the idea for the novel first come to you?

My first exposure to the topic of Hitler’s fate was in the book Grey Wolf: The Escape of Adolf Hitler by Gerrard Williams and Simon Dunstan. I enjoyed the book immensely due to its presentation style and wealth of information. Subsequently, I watched all episodes of Hunting Hitler on the History Channel, repeatedly. I also watched many YouTube videos on the topic as I was fascinated by the mystery, conspiracy and controversy surrounding Hitler’s fate. During the COVID period, I read Eyewitness to Hitler’s Escape by Peter David Orr, followed by a couple of his other books. After joining his Facebook community and interacting extensively with Peter, the idea of writing a novel sparked in my mind.

You describe Twilight of Evil as a historical thriller. What do you believe are the essential elements of a thriller and how did you incorporate these into the book?

Twilight of Evil is not a purely edge-of-your-seat thriller, but rather a mix of genres. For me, a thriller novel should have suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and good pacing. However, these elements shouldn’t be included gratuitously. When I wrote Twilight of Evil I was careful to ensure any thrilling or suspenseful moments, like chases or gunfights, logically aligned with the premise. So, I had to write and rewrite such aspects until I found them to be logical and matching the flow of the novel. I’ve tried my best, and I leave it to the readers and reviewers to determine the rest. 

Your book includes real-life figures. Did this pose particular challenges?

Since Twilight of Evil reimagines the final days of Adolf Hitler, it incorporates historical characters alongside fictional ones. The challenge lay in seamlessly integrating the historical and fictional elements, particularly in constructing the post-war lives of Hitler, Eva Braun, and others. Given their notoriety, portraying these figures was not easy.  Twilight of Evil isn’t about rewriting history, but about exploring the enduring fascination with this dark period and the unsettling possibility that even the most monstrous figures can evade accountability.

What are you working on next?

I am in the final stages of completing another historical fiction novel, this time with Jesus of Nazareth as the central character. It will be published in Malayalam, a South Indian language. Also a nonfiction work exploring the identity crisis of the indigenous Malankara Nasrani community of India. I plan to write more fiction in the future.

About the Author

Author George Alexander

A seasoned writer, orator, and trainer, George boasts a career spanning over 16 years in the dynamic realm of human resources and management. His extensive experience has been honed across various organizations, including corporate, government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit entities.

Alexander holds two master’s degrees: one in social work specializing in urban and rural community development, and another in philosophy focusing on social transformation and empowerment. This unique blend of academic pursuits has equipped him with a deep understanding of human behavior, societal dynamics, and the power of transformative change. Beyond his professional endeavors, Alexander is a dedicated advocate for social justice and community development. 

As a board member of the Occidental Studies Institute (OSI), he actively fosters intellectual discourse and promotes progressive social change. 

His prolific literary career has resulted in the authorship and co-authoring over 12 books and numerous articles. His writings explore various topics, including human resources, leadership, social justice, and personal development.

Connect with George
Website | Instagram | Goodreads

#WWWWednesday – 19th February 2025

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Hosted by Taking on a World of Words, this meme is all about the three Ws:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

Why not join in too?  Leave a comment with your link at Taking on a World of Words and then go blog hopping!

What I’m Currently Reading

Front cover of Butter by Asak Yuzuki

Butter by Asako Yuzuki, translated by Polly Barton (Fourth Estate)

There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.

Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, “The Konkatsu Killer”, Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner (Aria via NetGalley)

Paris, 1938. Annie Mayer arrives in France with dreams of becoming a ballerina. But when the war reaches Paris, she’s forced to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. Then a fellow dancer offers her a lifeline: a ballroom partnership that gives her a new identity. Together, Annie and her partner captivate audiences across occupied Europe, using her newfound fame and alias to aid the Resistance.

New York, 2012. Miriam, haunted by her past, travels from London to New York to settle her great-aunt Esther’s estate. Among Esther’s belongings, she discovers notebooks detailing a secret family history and the story of a brave dancer who risked everything to help Jewish families during the war.

As Miriam uncovers Esther’s life in Europe, she realises the story has been left for her to finish. Grappling with loss and the possibility of new love, Miriam must find the strength to reconcile her past and embrace her future.

What I’ve Just Read

A Year in a Small Garden by Frances Tophill (Ebury)

The Language of Remembering by Patrick Holloway (epoque press)

Returning from Brazil with his wife and daughter, Oisín is looking to rebuild a life in Ireland and reconnect with his mother, Brigid, who has early onset Alzheimer’s. As her condition deteriorates she starts to speak Irish, the language of her youth, and reflect on her childhood dreams and aspirations.

Mother and son embark on a journey of personal discovery, and as past traumas are exposed they begin to understand what has shaped them and who they really are. (Review to follow)

What I’ll Be Reading Next

Agricola: Warrior by Simon Turney (Aries via NetGalley)

In Nero’s Rome, ambition is a dangerous thing…

Agricola has won renown for his military exploits in Britannia. Now returned to Rome with his new family, he seeks to rise further – but life in the greatest city on earth proves more difficult than he expected. Roman politics are on a knife-edge – often literally. The Emperor Nero is unpredictable, the manner of his rule unstable.

Agricola soon finds himself posted to the troublesome province of Asia Minor. The local governor is ambitious and dangerous. Falling foul of such a man could mean certain death… and yet a rebellious young warrior like Agricola cannot stay silent for long.

When Agricola experiences personal tragedy, he seeks revenge. Rome, meanwhile, burns in a great fire… but further tumult is to come in the wake of Nero’s death. Agricola must tread a careful path to stay alive through the Year of the Four Emperors… a year of blood and ruin throughout the empire.