Overview: Loosely based on actual sociopolitical events in eighties London, Amanita Virosa is a riveting warning about the perils of government overreach and the indomitable power of the individual to resist oppression.

Will their collective courage be enough to shatter the chains of oppression, or will they become casualties in a war that demands the ultimate sacrifice?

Verdict: It’s the 1980’s, and London is crumbling under the weight of political corruption while the have-not’s are further victimized by unfettered rogue gangs. Children are lured into the dark, lurid chambers of Whitehall, some never to be seen again.

Citizens are coerced through intimidation and threats of harm against their families. Utter chaos reigns. Amanita Virosa, a courageous Roma fighter who fled the horrors of war-torn Bosnia, sought refuge in the heart of North London, only to discover that the specter of corruption and injustice haunts her adopted home.

Forming an alliance with Everard, a young, homeless firebrand, and Doris, a feisty pensioner, the group embarks on a daring mission to sever the insidious grip of Whitehall’s corruption and the extortion and violence perpetrated on the innocent.

Sedition, conspiracy, murder and betrayal all have a voice; some are quickly silenced, while others persistently challenge the very existence of those bold enough to defy the status quo.

For my money, this brand new novel from author Barry Harden entitled Amanita Virosa - The Destroying Angel is a genuine success of sculpted storytelling brilliance throughout. With the central theme being one of an enduring spirit found burning within the oppressed of society and, therein their determination to fight for their God-given rights at any cost, the way they continue to have a tight grip on their dignity no matter the odds stacked against them, means what we get here is a book chock full of mystery and suspense, all fraughtly veined with danger.

A thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, the book is actually based on real political events inherent within the late 80’s / early 90’s London, which for me made what I was reading all the more of an indulgent read (especially given that I am myself British, of course).

For as I recall is, the summer of 1989, the last summer of the decade, was unusually warm and settled in England. Meanwhile, something was happening in eastern Europe, and it soon became clear that entire political eras were coming to an end, with the sudden and dramatic fall of communist totalitarianism.

For one sweet extended period that year it seemed as if everything was changing for the better, that the Cold War was at an end, and that we were living, if not quite at the end of history, then at the beginning of something new and promising.

The feeling of euphoria didn’t last; in retrospect, how could it have lasted? But it was an inspiring end to a thrilling decade of convulsion and upheavals. And thus this highly descriptive book is a well developed, intriguing, and effective read, and one that I would personally recommend to all those who want to settle in with a good, solid read on a rainy Sunday afternoon (or at any time, I guess).

About the Author - Barry Harden is the author of a memoir, five novels, two books of poetry and a collection of short stories in the genres of political thriller, satire, Gothic fantasy poetry, and allegorical short stories. An animal rights, environmental protection, and civil rights proponent, he often injects his affinity for such in his writings.

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