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Set against the fall of the Soviet Union, The Kiev Confession weaves together the stories of a Ukrainian family devastated by the Chernobyl disaster and an American journalist who unearths a nuclear secret at the heart of her own family’s tragedy in upstate New York.
Photo: Igor Kostin, May 1, 1986 from Chernobyl: Confessions of a Reporter
Inspired by true events
Kiev, Ukraine, 1986. Dmitry Marchenko and his sister march with thousands of children in the May Day Parade, unaware that deadly radiation is blanketing the city. Four years later, Dmitry is on a mission to expose Moscow’s coverup of Chernobyl’s true toll.
Washington, D.C., 1990. Vickie Evans, a reporter and single mom, is struggling to succeed in a competitive newsroom. But when her story on radioactive snow at the South Pole leads to a shocking secret hidden for three decades, it shakes the foundation of her beliefs about her family and sets her on a quest for the truth behind her brother’s death.
Dmitry and Vickie risk it all to lay bare the terrible Cold War secrets that shattered the lives of so many. Their journey reveals the indomitable power of truth to heal and rekindle the human spirit with hope and love.
“An engrossing story about truth tellers on both sides of the Atlantic, The Kiev Confession is a journalistic thriller that captures not only the horrors of Chernobyl but the beginnings of the Ukrainian independence movement.…Kathleen Hart's expertly paced book couldn't be timelier.”
— John Feffer, author of Splinterlands
2023 American Writing Awards, Winner
The 2023 American Writing Awards named The Kiev Confession Winner in Political Fiction. The book also was named a Finalist in the Historical Fiction category.
Writers from around the world enter the American Writing Awards competition, with submissions from small presses, academic presses, micro presses, self-publishers, and major publishing houses. Judges include industry professionals, authors, and college professors.
Literary Titan Book Award, August 2023
“Kathleen Hart’s novel, The Kiev Confession, stands as an unparalleled masterpiece, showcasing a brilliant display of literary prowess. Set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union’s collapse, Hart offers readers an insider’s perspective on the Chernobyl explosion, revealing the secrets, courage, and unbreakable bonds of love entwined within this catastrophic event. The narrative unfolds in Kiev, Ukraine, on the fateful day of the infamous nuclear power plant accident, coinciding with the townspeople’s jubilant celebration of the annual May Day Parade…”
Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite“The Kiev Confession is a suspense novel that interweaves the tale of a devastated Ukrainian family after the Chernobyl meltdown and an American journalist who discovers a nuclear secret. The story is well-researched, and Kathleen Hart captures Ukraine as it was during those difficult times.”
Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite“Hart’s knack for capturing the mood and settings made me feel as if I was right there beside every character, watching the events slowly unfold…[Her] clear and elegant way of depicting the dynamic feelings of those involved had me going on a roller coaster of emotions.”
Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite“This is a wonderfully written book and a page-turner. The plot takes you through endless adventures in the Soviet Union and America without you having to leave your couch.”
About the Author
Award-winning author Kathleen Hart worked as a reporter in Washington, D.C., for 23 years, covering nuclear nonproliferation, energy, and environmental health. Born in Holden, Massachusetts, she received her B.A. from UMass, Amherst. She published a nonfiction book, Eating in the Dark: America’s Experiment with Genetically Engineered Food, with Random House. The Kiev Confession is her debut novel.