Mick McCoy’s latest novel opens in 1954 as Conrad Murphy travels from Melbourne to Sydney to appear before the Royal Commission on Espionage. An active and unabashed member of the Communist Party, Conrad is ultimately cleared of espionage charges but his life in Australia, and that of his family’s, is unalterably damaged. He faces discrimination from potential employers, harassment from the media and betrayal from extended family members. Conrad quickly comes to the conclusion that the best move for his young family is to uproot them to Moscow. In the 1950s! Wouldn’t be my first choice, but there you go.

Fast forward 13 years and the reader finds that, unfortunately, or perhaps unsurprisingly, persecution and problems have followed them to Russia. Conrad is forced to battle between staying true to his beliefs and protecting the welfare of his family.

It’s easy to write a synopsis of What The Light Reveals focusing on Conrad, but the novel is just as interested in his wife Ruby and his two sons, Alex and Peter. Each of the characters is carefully crafted and shines with such individuality that they practically leap off of the page. Clocking in at about 350 pages, the novel manages to operate as both an historical account (and, indeed, the story is based on the experiences of McCoy’s aunt and uncle) and a Cold War thriller. Ultimately, however, the narrative is less about Cold War politics than it is about the bonds that hold a family together and the moments that tear them apart. A smart, engrossing, and heartfelt read from a local author. What more could you ask for?

Tristen Kiri Brudy works as a bookseller at Readings Carlton.