Spalding author Russell Dumper discusses the critics’ reactions to The Hero Virus in event at Spalding Library

Author Russell Dumper’s second novel has been received with ‘overwhelmingly generous’ praise by reviewers and influencers.

Released a month ago, The Hero Virus - the story of a pandemic where those affected receive superhuman powers… if they survive - has already been causing a stir in the online book community.

Labelled as a cross between medical disaster thriller Contagion and superhero show The Boys, this thriller has struck a chord with bookworms in the Bookstagram and BookTok communities, groups of avid readers connecting on the Instagram and TikTok platforms.

“The reviews I’ve had so far have been overwhelmingly generous in their praise,” said Spalding author Russell.

“They’ve been very generous in their praise and it’s nice to read the remarks. Hopefully, there’ll be plenty more to come.”

Since the release of his debut novel Britannia Rises in 2023, Russell has found a fanbase of online posters keen to read and review his books.

And, after his debut won three 2024 Bookstagram awards - Debut Author, Thriller and Historical Fiction of The Year - finding support online came that little bit easier the second time around.

“From the awards I’ve made a lot of connections and have quite a strong readership now,” Russell added.

“As I love books anyway I’m constantly reviewing them on there and engaging and growing my following.

“It was a natural progression and it’s a good way to get your book out there, it’s difficult to make inroads without being with a huge publishing house.”

While getting his message out there on social media, LincsOnline caught up with Russell as he promoted his book in the good old fashioned way of delivering a reading and Q&A at Spalding library.

A good crowd attended to hear an excerpt from The Hero Virus and ask the married father-of-two more about his work and writing process.

The first draft of The Hero Virus was penned long before the Covid pandemic, which meant the novel needed quite a re-write before it hit shelves in early February.

“It needed updating as the tech, mobile phones and things like that, were well out of date,” Russell explained.

“I updated it and the idea was to gain a readership of people who don’t want to commit to a series of eight books (in the Britannia series).

“The Hero Virus story begins and finishes with this book, although I’m already getting readers asking if the universe can be expanded.

“This is a virus and pandemic people want to be involved with. This is a virus people want to catch.

“I liked the idea being turned on its head and it’s more interesting now as social media has expanded. You’ve seen the social media trends, the idea people will do anything to try to be special rather than get on with their lives tapped into that; it’s perhaps more relevant now than when I wrote it.

“How people take the shortcut to a good life rather than the hard work, even if there’s a 50-50 chance of survival.”

Attention now returns to the Britannia series with book two almost completed and first drafts of novels three to seven also written and the final episode in progress.

The Hero Virus (RRP £10.99), published by The Conrad Press, can be ordered online and from all good bookshops (ISBN: 978-1-916966-79-6).